Page 57 of Composed at Randy's
Eventually.
I think he's going to get along even better with Harvey, though. In fact, if Kai wasn't straight, he and Harvey would probably get married and then take over the world.
As it is, the two of them haven't stopped making plans together since they met this evening. They're calling it preemptive damage control, but I know bro-bonding when I see it.
When our food arrives, Bael and I start eating off each other’s plates shamelessly, and Mel drifts away, sandwich in hand to go talk to some punk-looking folks at a table who, according to Zo, became famous recently. Mel claims to want to network with fellow musicians, but we all know Mel is looking to see if anyone there is DTF.
Laura has taken up saying things in Travis’s ear that make him blush, Marty is flirting with Shay, and Kai and Harvey have moved to a smaller table to bro-bond. They’re comparing schedules, I think, but they could be planning a war. All I knowis that they each have a phone and a tablet out and have their heads together and keep shout-whispering at each other.
I’m biting into half of Hello Kitty’s head when Bael nudges me.
“I want you to listen to something.” Bael’s cheeks are flushed and he’s looking at the table instead of me. He puts an AirPod in my hand. “My brain wrote this for you.”
I put the AirPod in my ear, and Bael puts the second one in his. He does something to his phone and music fills my ears. There are no vocals, but the music is so captivating that I don’t miss the lack.
“You write music?” I touch the AirPod and press it closer into my ear so I don’t miss a single note.
Bael nods. “I write most of the music for the band.”
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
Bael’s hand is resting next to me, and his pinky twines with mine. “You’re beautiful.”
I close my eyes and lean against him while I listen. It’s like being wrapped inside him, equal parts sweet, silly, and feral. “I see why you’re famous. Tell your brain thank you. It makes amazing things.”
“It says you’re very welcome.” Bael’s face gets closer to mine, and I tilt my head up.
“Oh my god, you two. Get a room.” Travis is beet red and looking anywhere but us.
“The alley out back is surprisingly comfortable,” Mel says, and my mind flashes to The Rock sticker I saw when I was back there with Archie. “No alleys,” Bael says, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
I hop up from the booth and drag Bael with me, pulling him toward the bathrooms.
“Wow, look at Wren go!” Mel cheers as they make their way back to our booth. I guess they struck out? Wow.
“Get it, Wren!” Marty joins in because he's about as sex-positive as they come.
“We're not going to fuck. I just want to talk to my man without an audience for five minutes.” I announce.
“Bael, if you're back in five minutes, I'm going to be highly disappointed in you, man,” Shay calls and shares a high-five with Mel over the table.
Bael gives them both the finger and lets me drag him away.
Kai gives the entire room a withering glare before going back to his conversation with Harvey.
When we get out of sight, Bael asks, “We're not really going to fuck in the alley, are we?” His face shows an odd mix of horror and reluctant curiosity. If I say yes right now, I have a feeling he'll take me up on it.
“No, that’s gross. I really did just want to talk to you.” I say loudly so our friends will hear me. I knock on the bathroom door, and when it swings open under my touch, I pull Bael inside and lock the door.
It’s a simple, clean space with one wall covered in chalkboard paint and a small bucket of colored chalk on a small shelf. There’s an eclectic mix of images, scribbles, random quotes, and other silly things scrawled on it. I’d be delighted by it if I didn’t have more pressing matters to attend to.
Bael is absolutely adorable standing there looking at me confused but still trusting. My mind goes soft at the edges like it does when it's cataloging an emotion or a moment to turn into an art piece later. I wonder what it'll come up with?
“You wrote me music,” I state.
“I did.”
“I lied to you about only wanting to talk. You should fuck me now. People who write me beautiful music deserve treats.”
