Page 46 of Accidental Fire
“Okay, but I don’t think that’s the whole truth of it. Did you get them to fire Kensington so you could take over his place and have them dependent on you?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Do I come across as being that diabolical? I’m really not, you know. I want to see these guys succeed, and I think you do too. I had to get them out of their drug fog so they could be the creative young men I believe them to be.”
I turned to meet his gaze. “The excitement in their eyes when they play, or when they find the right notes to put on the page, is contagious. They have a great future ahead of them, and if I can help them achieve any of it, I’ll have done a great service for humankind.”
“Especially when it’s River, right?” He was studying me for a reaction, and when I smiled, he had what he wanted.
“That’s exactly what I thought. How long have you been seeing each other?”
I laughed. “It’s the damnedest thing. I met him the night I met everyone else at Nate’s estate. He was having a panic attack, and I was able to talk him down. I didn’t see him again until Los Angeles, but I couldn’t get him off my mind. It was the craziest thing in the world. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”
“Are you gay?” he asked.
I chuckled. “That’s the question of the day. I’m not sure what I am if you want the truth. All my life, I’ve only dated women. I’ve never been in love with a woman, and I’ve never been attracted to a man. River surprised the hell out of me.”
Yeti nodded. “I have an uncle who has a husband. Mom had a fit about it, but my grandmother told her the heart knows what the heart wants, and my mom should get on board or get out of the way. I’d say be glad you found someone. A lot of folks don’t.”
“Kit?”
Glancing to my right, I saw River coming into the chaos of the roadies running wire, tuning guitars, and setting up Arlo’s keyboard and Hardy’s drum kit. Coaster had River’s electric Fender and played some mad licks as he adjusted the string tension.
River walked over to where I was sitting and smiled at Yeti. “Hi, Yeti. How are you?”
“Not as good as Kit.” The beast stood, patted River’s head, and walked away.
River looked at me, and I shrugged as though I didn’t know what he meant. “How’s it going with the song? Is this a new one, or are you tweaking one of the other ones?”
“It’s a new song Goldie and I are working on. You must be my new muse because the words are coming insanely fast. Are you gonna be at the show tonight?” His voice was soft as if he wasn’t sure of my answer.
It was time to commit one way or another, so I opened my legs and pulled River to sit on my right thigh. “Are you okay if everyone knows we’re together? I mean, you’ve agreed we’re exclusive, right?”
River put his arm around my shoulders. “I am if you are. What did Yeti say? Did he guess about us?”
“He did. He reminded me that not everyone finds someone to be happy with. He said I was lucky, and he’s damn right. Will you let me kiss you right now?”
River grinned and nodded, so I put my right hand on his cheek and guided his lips to mine. It was a soft kiss, but when the place went silent, Riv pulled away to see everyone staring at us.
“Does the band know you’re gay?” I didn’t want anybody freaking out.
“Yeah. I think they’re surprised aboutyou.” He pecked my lips and stood. “Back to work, everyone. Show’s over.” The cat calls were loud.
Olive walked over, her wicked eyebrow arched for effect. “Nothing inappropriate. Don’t hide or deny, but let’s see what happens. You game?”
“You bet.”
Civic Center Park, Denver
Denver was hot as fuck, but what did I expect for the Fourth of July weekend? The band was one of five acts performing for a live concert at Civic Center Park. There was a drone show instead of fireworks, due to the drought.
Accidental Fire was second on the lineup, and Murder of Crows was after them. The headliner was a band I’d never seen—Achilles’ Heel—but hell, it wasallnew to me. I wasn’t a headbanger like the folks who attended the shows.
I loved the songs that River played in our room while I was reading and he was writing. Those were my favorite moments with River, just the two of us alone, together.
River came out from a large tent where Accidental Fire was getting the hair and makeup treatment before they went on stage, and he looked gorgeous. I walked over to him and kissed his forehead. “You look hot, sweetheart. Kill ’em.”
When the band took the stage, they were magic. They played their set, and Bailey Wright recorded it while Olive had some guy video them. I stood to the side of the stage with my ever-present cold water and dry towels.
The band came off stage for the encore, and fuck if the crowd didn’t go nuts. I handed River a towel, and he gave me a kiss. It was fucking perfect.
