Page 43 of Busted String

As their lips met, Nico could feel the warmth of Jace’s breath mingling with his own. Nico’s tongue moved inside of Jace’s mouth as he slipped his hand inside the back of his jeans, feeling his ass.

“I can’t wait until tonight when you’re in bed with me,” Nico said.

“I can’t wait either.”

Nico watched Jace leave for the kitchen. He packed up his drums and put them in the back of the van. He then packed up Sammie’s keyboard, put Jace’s guitar inside the carrying case, and took it outside and placed it in the trunk. Once he finished, he went upstairs and sent Sal a message.

Nico:Might need you to fill in for me if my guitarist doesn’t show. We’re on our way to the hotel in Reno. We can meet when I get there.

Sal:That would be fun. Waiting for your call.

Jace was upstairs with Sammie packing, so Nico picked up a couple of suitcases and carried them down. They all met in the living room.

“Jace, are you okay?” Nico asked when he entered the living room.

“I guess so. Sammie is going to call Mark tonight. I don’t know what I could have done to avoid this.”

“Nothing. This is on Mark to pull shit like this when we need him.”

“This can make or break us,” Sammie said.

“Mark wants to be lead, and he’s never going to be because I’m here. That won’t change what he wants,” Jace said.

“He was looking forward to Black Rock City. I just think he’ll come back,” Sammie said.

“He has a stupid way of showing he cares about anyone but himself,” Nico said. “

After a while, they left the cabin and were back in the van on the way to Reno.

Jace sat up front while Sammie was in the back using his phone.

“Are you excited about going to Reno?” Nico asked.

“I’m excited about you, more than anything.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m worried about our performance without Mark.”

“He’s a jackass!” Nico said.

“So are we going to meet your cousin?”

“Sal. He’s thirty-five and a pain in the ass, but he always wanted to be in a band. He’s a good drummer. Of course, I taught him many good things. I don’t think we’ll need him, but even if Mark returns, he can do one song on the drums while we sing together. We’ll have to practice.”

“Where are we going to practice?”

“I have a place. I sent them a message. We’ll take tomorrow off, then the next day we’ll practice. Then we’ll be going to Black Rock City.”

“I can drive if you get tired,” Jace said.

“I’m fine, but thanks.” He placed his hand on Jace’s knee.

“I feel like the third wheel back here,” Sammie said.

“We love you, Sammie,” Nico said.

“I know.”

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