Page 9 of Busted String

“He’s going to try to leave when we’re sleeping,” Nico said. “But I’m going to sleep very close to him, so if he moves, I’ll know.”

“Good luck! He’s quiet when he wants to be,” Mark said.

“He just wants to see his old high school friends,” Sammie added.

He knew they talked about him, especially since he’d had a few messes staying overnight with fans, then calling for a ride back. He had messed around more than he should have. None of it meant much. Who he really wanted was Nico. Mark and Sammie knew who he was after. Sammie was supportive, but Mark said it would be trouble for the group if they connected.

When Jace heard a few sets of fists pounding on the door, he quickly rinsed off and put a towel around his waist. He carried his clothes out to the room. Mark was in the bathroom as soon as there was space for him in the doorway. Sammie was removing his makeup with lotion and tissues, while Nico sat on their bed writing notes on his iPad.

“You don’t need to get dressed,” Nico said as he watched Jace put on jeans and a T-shirt.

“I’ll be sleeping with you, so I need clothes.”

“Oh please! You parade around the house naked all the time. Now you need to be covered? Give me a break. I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Jace ignored Nico, got completely dressed, and slipped into the bed beside him. “I don’t want you to get all turned on.”

When it was Nico’s turn to shower, Mark said, “You’d better stay put tonight because Nico’s onto you.”

“And we don’t want him pissed off tomorrow night,” Sammie said.

“No one ever gets put on restriction in this group except me,” Jace complained.

“Not true. Nico tells me I can’t walk alone if I dress up,” Sammie said.

“For your safety,” Mark and Jace said together.

“And the same goes for you, Jace,” Sammie said.

“All I want to do is see my friends. I’m not at risk.”

“Your father lives here,” Mark said.

Just then, Nico came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. “What’s going on in here?”

“Nothing,” Sammie said.

“Lights out!” Nico shouted, then slipped into bed beside Jace.

Jace’s fingers brushed against Nico’s warm skin, while the scent of the shower gel filled his nostrils.

“You smell good enough to eat,” Jace whispered to Nico.

“Stop teasing and go to sleep.”

“Not teasing. If I can’t go out, then let me entertain you.”

Nico smacked his butt. “If I fucked you, you wouldn’t be able to walk.”

“Do it.”

“Go to sleep.”

“We can hear you guys,” Sammie said. “We don’t mind a show.”

“I should have gotten two rooms,” Nico teased. “We have to practice tomorrow and then put on a show. No time for all this bullshit.”

“And who would be in your room?” Jace asked.

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