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“It’s inevitable. When you have something on your mind, I’d rather we talk it out than wait for the right time or place. Too much can go wrong by waiting. We’re both new to relationships. I’ve already made a misstep by not recognizing that you were clueless about my intentions.”

“Why me? Why now?” Tony asked. “You said you were a confirmed bachelor. What was it about me that made you change your mind?”

“That right there,” I replied. “You not walking around with your nose in the air, thinking everyone should be fawning all over you or falling at your feet. I watched you come in there humble and hungry, with your mouth closed and your ears open at every meeting. You ask thoughtful questions. You’re curious and eager to learn. How many times have you adjusted your delivery or flat out changed what you were doing because Joey suggested that you do something differently?”

“The guy knows what he’s talking about.” Tony said. “If he tells me to do something, I do it. He hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”

“Exactly, and he won’t. It’s not in his nature. You didn’t try to argue. I’ve seen guys come through that couldn’t take direction no matter how many times someone tried to keep them from fucking up. You intrigued me. Then I saw your eyes light up when you saw my Harley and decided then and there to ask you to take a ride with me. Soon as I started to get to know you away from the music, I knew you were meant to be mine.”

“When you were ordering us around at the guitar auditions, you had the whole command vibe going on that I kept listening for the sound of your voice, even when you weren’t talking to me.”

“Like that, did you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“What if I said it was time to get our asses out of this hot tub so we can put some food in our bellies and that mouth of yours to good use?” I growled in his ear.

Tony shivered despite the heat of the water we’d been soaking in. His arm snaked across my abs as he rested his head on my chest while I waited for him to answer the question.

And waited.

And…son of a. “Get your ass in gear,” I growled once I realized that the little shit had been waiting for me to make it an order.

He stole a kiss on the way out of the hot tub, not that I’d have denied him one. We dried off as best we could before slipping our feet back into our shoes and heading inside, Tony vibrating with energy on the elevator ride up. As soon as we got to our room, I passed him the room service menu. “Tell me what you’d like for supper and go get in the shower. I’ll get mine afterward or there won’t be anyone out here to get the food when it arrives.”

“Uhhh…everything looks really good,” he said as he looked it over. “Can you order me what you usually get. I don’t think I can pick anything. There are a crazy amount of choices on here.”

“Sure thing,” I said, taking the menu from him so he could find clothes to change into after his shower.

I was secretly pleased about him putting the choice in my hands and took my time, selecting things I loved but didn’t often order because they felt too indulgent for a man on his own. Over the years, there had been more than a few things I’d convinced myself that bachelor’s didn’t need to be bothered with. A combination of factors had contributed to my remaining single for all of these years, many of them to do with how much time I’d spent on the road. It had always seemed a bit excessive to travel when I didn’t have to, with all the places I got to see year after year. So, in my down time it had always just been me and my Harley, prowling the highways, looking for a spot I could get lost in until it was time to get back to work again. Now I had someone in my life who appreciated the beauty in getting away from it all.

I couldn’t wait to see all the new places we’d discover together.

Chapter Three

Tony

“So, is it real or…” I knew what Bowie was getting at, but it was kinda fun to fuck with him.

“Is what real?” I glanced around, pretending to find something ‘fake’ to target in the rehearsal room. “Nothing new in here.”

“Fucking smartass. You know damn well what I’m talking about.” I was so proud of my best friend. Since him and Pressley made it official he’d changed so much. He’d still be my foul-mouthed bestie. Hell, that was part of his charm. But he’d come out of his shell and quit hiding behind his hair. The scars he bore told a story of his past, not where he was going or even who he was.

And we were both going places.

“Is. It. Official,” he nearly growled the words. I laughed so hard I rolled off the amp I was sitting on. “Freaking jackass.”

“Awe, but a jackass you love,” I blew him kisses as I stood. “And yes, Mr. Nosy Pants, we’re official.”

“Right. Freaking. On, dude!” Bowie high-fived me. “We just had to get out of the rut we were in to find where we belonged.”

Me more than him, but I’d keep that to myself.

“True dat!”

“I’m seriously happy for you, Tony. You deserve to be treated right.”

I won’t cry in front of my bandmates. I won’t cry in front of my bandmates. “Um,” I cleared my throat. “Thanks.” Anything more and the tears would’ve escaped.