Page 29 of Busted String

“Want me to give you a bath tonight?” Nico asked as he pinched Jace’s butt.

“Only if you come in there with me.”

“That sounds sexy as fuck!”

Once the others had carried their suitcases to their rooms, they agreed to meet in the living room to practice. Jace helped Nico with his drums, while Mark helped Sammie with his keyboard.

Nico sat behind his drum kit, the familiar weight of the sticks in his hands bringing a sense of calm amidst the turmoil in his heart. The room filled with the hum of amplifiers and the occasional strum of a guitar.

Jace stood at the front, his guitar slung over his shoulder, tuning the strings with a focused expression. Sammie was at the keyboard, fingers dancing over the keys, as he warmed up with a few scales. Mark, ever the quiet presence, adjusted his backup guitar, ready to follow Jace’s lead.

Nico cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Alright, guys, we need to decide on our opening song. Any suggestions?”

Jace looked up, his eyes meeting Nico’s briefly before glancing away. “How about ‘Fire in the Sky’? It’s always a crowd-pleaser.”

Sammie nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “Yeah, that one always gets people going. I’m in.”

Mark shrugged, his usual laid-back self. “Works for me.”

Nico tapped his drumsticks together, thinking. “Okay, ‘Fire in the Sky’ it is. But let’s make sure we’re tight on the transitions. We can’t afford any slip-ups.”

Jace gave a small nod, his voice soft. “Got it. Let’s run through it twice.”

As they started playing, the familiar chords and rhythms filled the room, each member falling into their roles seamlessly. Nico kept a close eye on Jace, watching for any signs of distraction or hesitation. Despite the tension from Bakersfield, Jace’s voice was strong, his guitar playing precise.

After two runs, Nico called for a break. “That sounded good. Just remember to keep the energy up, especially during the chorus.”

Jace wiped the sweat from his brow, giving Nico a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks, Nico. We’ll nail it.”

Nico nodded, hoping that Jace’s words would hold true. Their next performance was crucial, not just for the band, but for their future together. He just hoped that Jace would show up, both physically and emotionally, when it mattered most.

“Do you want to take a hike?” Nico asked Jace.

“Yes.”

“Let me grab some things for us.” He added some water bottles and snacks to his backpack, along with lube and a condom. He also found a small blanket and folded it before putting it in. He did all this while Jace was brushing his teeth for the tenth time today.

Raised in the city, Nico had always found solace in the towering trees of Sequoia National Park. He remembered once his father showed him a hideout in the forest, away from their enemies. He told Nico never to be afraid in the hideout, because the trees would protect him. At six years old, Nico believed him and to this day, he believed the trees were guardians of protection. That was what Jace needed.

As they hiked along the winding trail, Jace turned and glanced over at Nico. “Can you believe we’re actually here?” Jace exclaimed, stopping to take a sip from his water bottle. “I’ve wanted to see these trees for ages!”

Nico nodded. “Yeah, it’s pretty incredible. These towering trees will always protect us from evil.”

When a few branches moved, Jace stopped in his tracks and looked back at Nico. “What the fuck was that?”

“The wind circling around you to protect you from evil.” Nico inched closer to Jace.

“I could have used the wind last night.”

“We’re going to leave with a coat of protection after a week.”

“You’re so fucking sexy. Do you know what I want you to do?” Jace asked.

“I know exactly. See that log by the brook?”

“Umm…yes.”

“Get your ass over there and wait for me.” Nico pointed to the log.

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