Page 22 of Unholy Confessions
He spins around and immediately pulls me into his arms, lifting me off my feet. "Did you like the show?"
He always asks me this, always.
"Liked it? I loved it. You were incredible up there. As always." I kiss his sweaty neck, tasting salt and adrenaline. "That solo during 'Midnight Train' made my heart stop."
"Yeah? What about when I winked at you during 'Restless'?"
"That was pretty good too," I tease. "Though I think half the front row thought you were winking at them."
"Only had eyes for you, babe."
EJ appears beside us, still buzzing from the performance. "Montgomery! Good to see you."
"Great show tonight," I tell him, accepting his quick hug. "You guys killed it."
"RJ kept trying to show off for you," EJ says with a knowing smirk. "Almost threw off the entire rhythm section during 'Breaking Point.'"
"Did not," RJ protests, but his cheeks are flushed.
"Did too. Good thing everyone else is talented enough to recover."
After a few more minutes of post-show chaos, RJ and I escape to the quiet of our hotel room. I'm exhausted from the long day, but RJ seems more wired than usual – pacing around the room, talking rapidly about the show, unable to sit still.
"I'm going to grab a quick shower," I tell him, kissing his cheek before disappearing into the bathroom.
When I emerge fifteen minutes later in just his oversized band t-shirt and underwear, RJ is sitting on the edge of the bed bouncing his leg and scrolling through his phone with manic energy.
"Hey," I say softly, moving to stand between his legs. "You okay? You seem really amped up."
He sets his phone aside and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. "Just adrenaline from being onstage. It always takes a while to come down after a show. You know this, right?"
But something feels different about this. His energy is more frantic, less controlled than his usual post-show high. His hands are restless on my skin, and there's an almost desperate edge to the way he's looking at me.
"RJ..." I start, thinking about my conversation with Lauren earlier.
"I missed you so much today," he interrupts, his voice rough. "Couldn't stop thinking about having you here tonight, in this room, just us."
His hands slide up under the hem of his shirt that I'm wearing, fingertips tracing patterns on my bare skin. The touch sends shivers through me, and I can see in his eyes that familiar heat that always makes rational thought impossible.
"I missed you too," I whisper, threading my fingers through his hair.
He pulls me down for a kiss that's hungry and desperate, like he's trying to pour all his restless energy into this moment between us. And despite the worry lingering in the back of my mind, I let myself get lost in him – in us – the way I always do.
Chapter 11
RJ
"I'll see you in a few weeks," I tell Montgomery, hugging her tightly.
We're used to saying goodbye in the pickup and drop off areas of airports. Wearing a hat faced to the front typically gets me out of having to say anything to fans, but I've noticed a few people pointing cameras in our direction.
"We're going to be on the internet," she whispers, burying her face in my neck. "People will be talking shit about me, and asking why we're together."
"And you know to ignore that. They're just jealous."
She nips at my neck. "That's easy for you to say. You're not the one they talk shit about."
"Oh my God, lie again, babe. You know people call me the less popular brother."
