Page 86 of Sycopation
Carl stared at him.
Ray rolled his eyes. “I’ve been keeping track of the scandal sites. It’s all about sex and rock and roll now, not about drunk, mean Ray beating up on his poor ex-drummer. Or about my uncontrolled temper, or any of that.”
Hell, even Kevin had issued a statement that pretty much debunked Ray’s violent personality and outed himself as being in rehab. Ray had gotten an email from him. Couldn’t stand them saying that about you. I know we had our differences, but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. You were a jerk sometimes, but I was more of one.
Yeah, maybe they were in debt to the record company, but they were also screaming up the charts and a name on many,manypeople’s lips.
Ray sighed. “Look, I don’t plan on crowd surfing again. That was a littletoointense.”
Carl grunted and almost looked satisfied with that answer. “I guess you do have a brain after all.”
Ray didn’t even bother answering that, just grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it back. “We gotta go do the signings.” With that, and completely unrehearsed, the whole band rose and walked out of the room.
Zavier hooked an arm over Ray’s shoulder. “I guess I don’t need to ask if you lost your balls out in the crowd.”
Mish’s laughter echoed down the hallway. “If anything, he’s grown them back.”
“I don’t need to hear about Ray’s balls.” Dom tugged at his studded collar. “But the look on Carl’s face during that whole convo was priceless!”
God, Ray loved this band. Loved them all. Zavier’s warmth seeped into his skin and a cheer went up when they walked out near the crowd like that.
The signings went well. So many people had stories or hopes and dreams they wanted to share. The delight of the fans bolstered and carried Ray through the night and straight to the hotel. More press and fans as they entered, then they were on the elevator and to their rooms. Once more, they had a good portion of the floor for the band and crew. Or maybe all of it, he wasn’t sure.
When the band got to their rooms, Mish held up her hand. “Wait a minute, who’s in which rooms?”
Turned out Ray and Zavier were across from each other.
“Nuh-uh.” She snatched Zavier’s keycards. “You’re next to Ray. I’m not putting up with listening to you guys going at it all night.”
Dom was trying not to smile. Zav, for his part, took her keycards. His smile threatened to melt Ray’s bones. “I’ll try not to be too loud.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about, hon.” Mish winked at Ray, then vanished into her room.
Shit, he didn’t need to blush that hard. But with the way Zavier looked at him, and Dom smiling at the floor...yeah. His cheeks were hot.
“You guys have fun,” Dom said, then entered his room.
That left Ray and Zavier in the hall. “Go in and relax.” Zavier nodded at the room. “I need to call down to see about getting my package anyway.”
And that sent heat to other parts of Ray’s body. Zavier’s Amazon order. Fuck. Just thethoughtof being tied down to a bed had him tripping over his feet to get into his room. Relax?Yeah, right.
The room was nice. Big bed. Good space. Lots of bottles of water and some fruit. He dropped his bag on the floor in the closet and looked around. About the time he spotted the door that joined their two rooms, he heard the gentle knock from the other side. Took no time at all to unlock the door, and there was Zavier.
“Well, this will make things much easier.” Zavier grinned.
Oh yeah. No slamming doors. No keycards needed.
Zavier peered inside. “I think my room might work better.” He motioned for Ray to join him.
After stepping inside, Ray agreed with Zav. This room was larger and the layout a little better. Same big bed. A chaise lounge. Even a padded bench by the foot of the bed. “How come I got the smaller room?”
Zavier shrugged. “This was gonna be Mish’s.”
“She missed out.”
A chuckle. “I’m sure she’ll make do, somehow.” Zavier stepped close. “As will we.”
Ray swallowed. “This is not going to help me relax.”
