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Dylan let himself into David’s office. It was adjacent to the security room. It was a windowless and claustrophobic little room with a desk, a couple of monitors, and some filing cabinets. David was sitting at the desk, entering something into the software on one of the screens.

  “Benjamin reported in late this morning.”

  “My fault. He insisted on taking me home.”

  “I could have let it slide that he took you back to his place. That was smart, given the circumstances. However, compromising his position as a member of this team isn’t something I can overlook.”

  “Are you firing him?” Dylan asked.

  David didn’t answer as he gave a final sounding click on his keyboard. He turned his full attention to Dylan as he opened a drawer to pull out a white phone box. He set it on the desk in front of him. “This will receive calls and texts to both of your phone numbers.”

  “I don’t want your fucking phone.”

  David flipped open a file folder, pushing it across the desk. “This is a contract, between you and me. I promise I will not check your tracking, except in cases where I fully believe you are in danger. It also applies to your car. In turn, you promise to not fry this phone, not to remove the lojack, and to do your best to stay out of risky situations. You will also continue upholding your sobriety. You will not purchase drugs, even with good intentions. Period.” He laid a pen on top of the paper. “If the conditions are broken, by me I’ll resign my position. If they’re broken by you, you lose all protective services afforded you by your family connection. I’ll wash my hands of you completely and you can fuck off. I’ve already signed it.”

  “Why exactly should I sign it? You leaving me alone is literally all I’ve wanted.” Dylan asked. He slid the folder closer, his eyes looking over the print. It was a short contract.

  “Your parents want to believe they’re doing everything in their power to keep you safe. That is the only reason I’m offering you this compromise.”

  “Is this even legally binding?”

  “You want to get it notarized? Your mother’s new assistant is a notary, but she’s off today.”

  Dylan picked up the pen and began reading the contract more closely. “I suppose it isn’t necessary. I know where you work and where you live.” He clicked the pen a few times. “You didn’t answer me about Benjamin.”

  “He’s compromised because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants,” David said. “What do you think should happen?”

  “He negotiated for it. Did he tell you that?”

  “He told me everything. He also shouldn’t have given you the GHB. Or stopped you from—”

  “If I need to be followed, for whatever reason, I want him doing it,” Dylan interrupted.

  “So that you can trick him into having sex with you again?”

  “The sex was nice,” Dylan acknowledged. “I wouldn’t mind doing it again, if he wanted. He was very enthusiastic once he was on the same page. Quick thinking and easy going too.” He leaned back in the chair, staring at David. “I don’t need to sleep with him again. He’s good at his job. Not so great at hiding what his job is, but I can live with that.”

  “Why then?”

  “Because he did something that none of the rest of you have ever done before. He actually attempted to keep me safe from my biggest threat. That being, myself.” Dylan clicked the pen again. “I’ll sign this if he can keep his job. No reassignments. No lectures. This contract is punishment enough for me, isn’t it?”

  David’s hands folded on the desk. “He was already reprimanded and given a day’s suspension, with pay. I will reconsider recommending reassignment to D.C., if you feel that strongly about him staying on. I cannot, in good faith, assign him to your team.”

  “I don’t have a team,” Dylan reminded him. “Dakota and Jojo were designated back to driving and monitoring duties when we returned to the city.”

  “I said no. That’s final.”

  Dylan gritted his teeth, clicking the pen once more. He scrawled his signature on the indicated line. He closed the folder, put the pen down on top of it, and shoved it back at him. “Fine.” He picked up the phone box. “I assume this is good to go?”

  “Power off your current phone, turn that one on. If you have any problems, let me know.”

  “Are we done then?”

  “Yes.”

  David turned back to his computer.

  “You really need a better office. Something with some windows. The florescent lighting makes you grumpy.”

  Chapter Eight

  “What did you find out?” Tyler hated using Jack for information. At the same time, he had few options if he wanted to know things.

  “He was there,” Jack confirmed. “He heard.”

  “And?”

  “And what? He listened, he left.”

  “He didn’t come home. Where did he go?”

  “He said he spent the night with one of the security guards. I don’t know more.”

  “Which one?”

  “I’m not his keeper, Tyler. I’m telling you what I know.”

  “He didn’t say anything about the songs?”

  “Not a word.”

  “No reaction?”

  “He looked pissed off. I wasn’t going to hound him about it.”

  Tyler leaned back into the couch cushions. “I don’t mean to harass you.”

  “I can’t snoop for you,” Jack told him. “Dylan doesn’t tell me a lot. He spends most of his time either in his room, at his parents, school, or going to meetings. He’s avoiding you, which means he’s avoiding any social interaction with the rest of us.”

  “He isn’t coming to Mora’s tonight then?”

  “He said it was because Heath doesn’t like him.”

  “What’s he doing instead?”

  “He didn’t say. He and Pixie went to grab lunch, then he was going to his parents.” Jack shrugged.

  Tyler hummed. “You said he got a new phone.”

  “He did. He fried his old one. On purpose.”

  “Can I get the number?”

  “He made me swear to not give it to anyone. He’s worried about it getting back to Security.”

  “David must be loving that.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t help you. I didn’t think he’d be like this. It’s like he’s an entirely different person. He’s irritated, angry,” Jack raked his fingers through his hair. “I thought it was getting better when he was getting close to Jordan. That didn’t pan out the way I expected.”

  “I don’t think it met Jordan’s expectations either.”

  Jack didn’t say more, continuing his way to Heath’s room.

  “Is he harassing you again?” Heath was packing his bags as he entered the room. “You’re not his go-between, you know.”

  “I know. I feel bad for him.” Jack wrapped his arms around Heath’s waist. His forehead pressed to his back. “You just got back. I miss you.”

  “I know.” Heath relaxed against him. “I’ll be home by Thanksgiving. Then, I’m all yours.”

  Jack frowned, squeezing him tighter. “There aren’t any breaks between now and then. It’s almost twelve weeks, Heath. This is the longest we’ve been apart, our whole relationship.”

  “Hey,” Heath turned, pulling Jack against his chest. “You are going to be so busy with your residency, and writing, and keeping Markus occupied so that Kyle can do literally anything else. You won’t have time to notice I’m gone.”

  “I will too,” Jack looked up at him. “Having things to do is helpful, but I still want you.”

  “I’ll call you every day,” Heath promised. His fingers tugged at the ends of Jack’s hair. “You’re going to be sick of hearing my voice.”

  “Your voice, maybe.” Jack’s arms moved to wrap around Heath’s neck instead. “It’s your body I’m really going to miss.”

  Heath chuckled. “It is nice, as far as bodies go. You have two other competent boyfriends who can help you in that department.”
r />   “They’re too skinny,” Jack complained.

  Heath tipped his chin up, pressing a kiss to his lips. “I’m not leaving right now, you know. You’ve got a day and a half to get through before I go.”

  Jack moaned, shuffling him toward the bed. “Don’t remind me.”

  “Ah—no, not the bed. I need to finish packing,” Heath held his ground. “Let me finish. Then we can do whatever you want before the party.”

  Jack sighed, releasing him. He let Heath go back to his bag while he slumped to the bed.

  “Come on, don’t look at me like that,” Heath chided. “Do you really, truly, not want me to go?”

  “I would never stop you from doing what you need to do, when it comes to music,” Jack assured him. “It doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.”

  Heath folded a few more t-shirts into his bag. It took a few more minutes before he finally zipped it closed. He tossed some extra chargers and battery packs into the side pockets, and then came and sat down on the bed beside Jack.

  “You know this tour with Harley is going to set me up for a lot.” He raised a hand to tuck a lock of hair across Jack’s forehead back into place. “I’m making a shit ton of cash, after helping with this album.”

  “You’ve said.”

  “We could talk more seriously about getting our own place. The two of us. Or the four of us.”

  “Between you and Kyle, Markus and I could be well-kept men.”

  Heath chuckled. “Kyle will probably always have more money than me. A bard can’t compete with a Sausage Kingpin.”

  “I don’t think Dylan would be happy if I ditched him to shack up with you officially. I’m the whole reason he agreed to move in.”

  “Even if we don’t do it right away,” Heath countered. “We could talk about it. Start looking at what we might want.”

  “Next year.” Jack nodded. “Get through the tour. Get through the holidays. We’ll talk about it then.”

  Heath leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Jack’s forehead. “We have twenty minutes before we told Mora we’d be upstairs. What do you want to do?”

  Jack sat up, wrapping his arms around Heath’s shoulders, and pulling him closer. “Lay with me for a little while.”

  “That’s kind of boring, isn’t it?”

  “Boring can be nice.” Jack declared.

  Heath shifted, crawling over him to lay next to him against the pillows. Jack joined him wrapping around him like an octopus. Heath rested his chin on the top of the other man’s head. His fingers held Jack’s thigh across his hips. The cuddling lasted all of two minutes before Jack shifted, kissing him. He rocked him back, shifting over top of him.

  “I thought you wanted to cuddle,” Heath teased.

  “We did. Now I want to fuck you,” Jack countered. “I can do that, right?”

  Heath grinned. “Any time, but make it quick.” He slid a look over at the clock. “It’s a party in my honor, so I shouldn’t be late.”

  “Maybe I’m distracting you on purpose for a big surprise.”

  “Are you?”

  “No. The sex will be worth being late.”

  ***

  “Someone’s missing.”

  “What do you mean, babe?” Kyle reached up, taking the beer bottle out of Heath’s hand. “Are you getting drunk?”

  “I’m not drunk,” Heath insisted. “Someone isn’t here.”

  “Who?” Kyle laughed. He took a sip from the bottle he’d taken. “You are getting tipsy. No more.”

  “I’m not driving,” Heath countered. “I can stumble to an elevator.”

  “Have the years of being our designated driver lowered your tolerance?”

  Heath’s eyes crossed the room. “Me, you, Jack, Markus, Jordan, Tyler.” He paused. “Brit is coming after dinner with her Mom. Mora. Dani. Simon.” He stopped again. “Where is that little jackass?”

  Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Are you talking about Dylan?”

  “Yes. We sang a fifteen-minute set for that asshole last night. He’s not here, back sucking face with Tyler.”

  “Was that the endgame of that display?” Kyle looked amused. “You don’t like Dylan. Why would he come?”

  “He was invited. Jack invited him, didn’t he?”

  “I did.” Jack plopped down on the couch next to him. He placed a glass of water in Heath’s hand. “Drink this.”

  “Where is he?” Heath took two gulps of the water. “Is he coming later?”

  “I don’t think so. He’s got a couple of friends over. Someone he met at a meeting who does IT and his husband.”

  “Threesome?”

  “I don’t think so,” Jack laughed. “Drink the water.”

  “Text him.” Heath prodded him in the thigh. “Tell him to get up here. He can bring his friends.”

  “Why?” Jack frowned. “Kyle is right. You don’t like him.”

  “I like him just fine. He’s fucked two of my three bandmates. Seen you naked. He’s Mora’s brother. He knows everyone here.”

  “He doesn’t want to see Ty.”

  “Did the songs not work?”

  “You’re being loud.”

  “Sorry.” Heath’s volume dropped considerably. “He should be here, making up with that asshole.” Heath cocked his head toward Tyler. The man was standing in the kitchen, talking to Mora’s partner (and Dani’s best friend). Simon was running his hands through Tyler’s hair. As a stylist, this was something he did to everyone. He was likely suggesting a new cut, which he also did to everyone. He was to blame for Heath’s blue hair. It was a compromise they’d come to when Simon had stopped him from destroying his hair with a bleaching kit and a supermarket box dye.

  “He’s going through some shit,” Kyle countered. He squeezed Heath’s arm. “Why do you want him here?”

  “Fuck.” Heath sighed. He drank the rest of the glass of water and handed it back to Jack. “I am not drunk.”

  “I didn’t say you were.”

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Where are you going?” Jack called.

  “Bathroom. Then I need to talk to somebody.”

  “In the middle of your party?”

  “Set up the karaoke. If I’m not back before everyone takes a turn, I’ll sing Fat Bottom Girls,” Heath retorted.

  After a trip to the bathroom, Heath made his way down stairs. He had only been to the apartment that Jack shared with Dylan a few times. It was just normal for them to hang out at the band’s place, or at Kyle and Markus’s. When they had some alone time, just the two of them, they’d enjoyed the quiet of the apartment, but it wasn’t a habit.

  “Heath? What are you doing here?”

  “What are you doing?” Heath countered.

  “I asked you first.” Dylan was unamused.

  “I’m here to talk to you. Can I do that?”

  “I thought you were all partying upstairs?” Dylan slipped in front of the door. He didn’t quite pull it closed, but he didn’t invite Heath inside.

  “Yes.” Heath nodded. “Why are you down here and not up there?”

  Dylan’s confusion deepened. “Do I need to remind you that you hate my guts.”

  “I don’t hate you,” Heath said. “You annoy the fuck out of me sometimes. I think you can be an asshole. You don’t usually mean to be. You think about others first, when you’re not using them to fuck up your life. That’s mostly commendable.” He straightened. “Jack told me what you said to him, when he asked you about having sex with him. I want to set the record straight. Tyler and I were never more than friends. You didn’t take him from me. I had feelings for him, and we still have a messed up dynamic. He’s my best friend and he always will be. I didn’t like you because I was worried you’d get between us and success. If Tyler decided to choose fucking around instead of being a musician, I would have been disappointed. But he didn’t. He’s holding his own as a musician now.” He sucked in a deep breath. “You haven’t responded to his album and that’s eating
him up inside.”

  “I only heard the version with the band,” Dylan told him. “I haven’t listened to the original.”

  “Our version is better,” Heath declared. “Dani’s violin, especially.”

  “Whatever black magic she does with that thing should be illegal.”

  “He misses you. He’s always missed you. He was fucking miserable after your break up. I thought he was better when he started dating again. The first two guys were awful. I hoped Greg would be the one for him, but,” Heath shook his head, “he never wrote a song for the guy. How many does he have to write for you?”

  “Never?”

  “Never.”

  Dylan absorbed that information for a moment, looking down at the hallway carpet. “I can’t go up to your party, Heath. I’m glad you don’t hate me. I hope that your tour with Harley Unger goes well.” He looked back up at him. “You’re the most talented musician in the band. It’s always a pleasure watching you do what you love.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I need to respond to him in my own way. That’s going to take time.”

  “How long until you make a decision?”

  “You’ll have to wait and find out with everyone else.”

  Heath grunted. “Fine. Still. Your friends are upstairs. You should come if you want to. He’ll probably pop out early anyway. I can have Jack text you when he’s gone, if you want to come up.”

  “I have friends over.”

  “You have other friends? –Oh right, Jack said it’s someone from a meeting and his husband?”

  “Travis and Garret,” Dylan answered. “Travis is helping me with something. Garret is just here to hang out with the guy who’s been texting his husband constantly for the last four months.”

  “I see.”

  “Maybe we’ll come up later. Garret is a fan of the band. He’d probably like to say hi.”

  Heath grunted again. “I’ll tell Jack to text you then.”

  “Fine.”

  Heath gave him a short nod before he turned to head back to the elevator. Then he stopped, wheeling back around. “Dylan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “If you want to, Jack can use his free pass with you. I mean, he could have used it with you anyway. That’s the point. He doesn’t need my or anyone’s approval. I’m going to be gone for the whole fall. I know he’s going to get lonely; even with Kyle and Markus around. He...he likes certain things he only gets to do with me. If you want to help him out, so he misses me less, you can do that.”