Page 23 of As I Am
Decision made, he picked up the phone and dialed Carson's number.
"Hello?" Carson asked.
"Hey, it's Ky."
"Are you getting a tattoo?" Carson laughed.
"Um, no, why?"
"The caller ID says you're calling from a tattoo shop."
"Oh, right. My friend, Angel and his husband own it. I was just visiting." He sat down, trying to not sound as nervous as he felt.
"Really? I'll have to check them out. I'm thinking about getting one."
Ky liked the idea of seeing ink on Carson's body. He could trace it with his tongue… He forced the thought back. He shouldn't be thinking things like that about Carson. This was a business deal, not some college romance. "I'd be happy to give you their information anytime."
"Thanks. Maybe we can drop by there once the tour finishes. I've always wanted one, but I'm nervous about letting just anyone do it. It would help that you know them personally."
"Sure, anytime." Ky took a deep breath. "So, the reason I'm calling is to let you know I've thought about your offer, and if you haven't changed your mind, I'd be happy to go on tour with you for three weeks."
"That's fantastic news. Why would you think I'd change my mind? I was worried you'd turn me down. Is everything going to be okay at work then?"
"I don't know. I was going to head over and talk to Trevor after I got done calling you." He glanced at the clock, seeing he'd have to stop and pick up Bryan from school first.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed he'll give you the time off. I hate to think I cost you your job, but I also think you can find something better once you get home if you have to," Carson told him. "So I have to leave Wednesday afternoon. I can pick you up anytime."
"Is there anything I need to pack?"
"Just clothes and stuff like that. I wish I could say we'll be going out a lot, but other than the concert and fan stuff I have to attend, I spend a lot of time in the hotel room. It's not as glamourous as some people might think."
"That's okay. I have never been to a concert or anything, so it will be new for me to see you perform." He tried not to think about all the people that would be around and what they would think about Carson having someone like him on his arm. Of course they wouldn't know who he was or his background, but he still didn't see what Carson saw in him that would make him willing to appear in public with him in such a major way.
"We'll have fun. You'll get to meet the band and my manager. We sometimes kick back in one of our rooms and work on new songs or things like that. It's all pretty laid back."
"I'll do whatever you tell me." Ky tried not to worry what others would think of him.
"No, that's not how I want this. I might be paying you, but you have free will. I want you to come with me and have fun. If you want to or don't want to do something, speak up. You're not my slave, Ky, you'll be my boyfriend. Equals, okay?"
Ky wasn't sure he could do that, but he'd try. "Okay. It's just hard to get used to."
"I swear I wish I'd met you before you had to live through all the shit you have. I hate how you feel like you have to submit to me or please me all the time. I really like hearing what you think and seeing you having fun too. I know it's what you are used to, but with me, you don't have to be that way. I care about what you think and want, Ky."
Ky didn't know how to respond. His mind said that they were just words Carson was saying to keep him happy, but his heart wanted to believe that Carson meant them and he really did care about him a little. "Thanks." He ran his fingers through his thick hair, trying to think what else to say.
"So, where do I pick you up on Wednesday?"
"Um, how about at the restaurant where we had breakfast? The one I work at. I'll wait for you out front. That way I can just jump in and you won't have people bothering you."
"That will work. How about I pick you up around eleven? Is that too early? We'll need to be at the airport by three. I can pick you up and bring you back to my parents' house for a bit. The limo will pick us up there and take us to the charter flight. Once we get back to California, we can relax at my house for the night."
"I don't want to bother your parents." Ky's stomach tightened at the thought that Carson's parents might know how they met and what he did for a living.
"It won't be a problem. I told them I'd met a guy. They're excited to meet you. It's been so long since I've even mentioned another guy to them that when I brought you up in conversation, they wanted to know all about you."
"Please tell me you didn't tell them."
"I told them we met when I was downtown and had breakfast together. I'm sure they know I was out with you the other night as well, but they are polite enough not to ask. They're just happy I found someone I like."
