Ben nodded at them both. “We were at a frat party, and my roommate had ditched me. I heard ‘Yellow Roses’ playing in the other room and went to see if I could find who was in charge of the music to compliment them on their choices.”
“Ah,” Wil said, understanding dawning. “That’s why you came into the room.”
“And your eyes met across the crowded room, and the rest is history?” Seth said, mock swooning with a hand to his forehead.
Ben met Wil’s gaze, and they grinned. “Um. No.”
“No? I said yesterday there was a story there,” Seth said. “Come on. You’ve got to tell us now.”
Wil looked at him in askance, and Ben nodded, giving his permission for Wil to tell the tale.
“I was playing Truth or Dare, and it was my turn. I chose dare, and had to kiss the next person who walked into the room.”
Ben was glad he only told them the bare bones of the dare. He didn’t need them to know that Wil had his tongue down his throat less than five minutes after meeting him.
“And Ben was the next person?”
“Yes,” Wil confirmed.
“Hang on,” Jamie said, frowning at them. “You kissed first, then started dating.”
They nodded as Taylor laughed. “Must have been a hell of a kiss.”
Ben looked up at Wil. “It sure was.”
“You’re gonna love one of the new album tracks,” he continued. “Speaking of which, we’d better get backstage and organized. You’re here all week, Wil?”
At Wil’s nod, he slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll catch up then. Need to talk to you about the summer tour.”
With that, he and his band members disappeared towards the back of the club.
“Come on, let’s find a place to stand,” Wil said, nodding to the crowded floor.
“What? You’re not going to sit with us?” Kellet asked.
“Nope,” Wil replied with a grin. “We want to party, not sit with a group of old men.”
Outraged responses greeted Wil’s statement as he tugged a laughing Ben away.
Eleven
Wil led them over to the small sound mixing desk set a few feet back from the stage. There was a roped-off area around it, the entrance guarded by a large, no-nonsense-looking man. As they drew closer, the man’s stern countenance morphed into a bright smile, and his stance relaxed.
“Wil! I hoped to see you tonight. Cal said you were in town.”
“Hey, Sarge. Couldn’t miss out on this one.” He turned to Ben, who was looking bemused at yet another person Wil seemed to know. “Ben, this is Sarge. He’s head of security for Cartwright Music Management, and also Cal’s cousin. Sarge, this is my boyfriend, Ben Martinez.”
“Hey, Ben. Good to meet you.” Sarge flicked his gaze back to Wil. “You want in?” he asked, nodding to the roped-off area.
“If we can. If not, we’ll move over to the side.”
“Nah. You’re good. Come on through.” Sarge moved a section of the rope aside, letting Wil and Ben through. He accepted their thanks with a nod, his gaze hardening as someone behind them pushed forward, trying to sneak in.
“Come on,” Wil said to Ben. “There’s a spot just to the side of the mixing desk that gives the best view and sound.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to get Sarge into trouble if we’re not supposed to be here.”
Wil pulled Ben into his arms, relishing the way the smaller man fit against him seamlessly. He leaned down and nuzzled the curls tucked behind Ben’s ear, feeling the shiver that went through him. “One perk of being part of the crew,” he whispered.