Page 40 of Composed at Randy's
For a second, everything inside me freezes, and I can see my entire world crash down around me, but then I remember who I am. I’m Bael, and I can move mountains.
No, he’s not getting away.
Hell. Fucking. No.
“You definitely can get on the tour bus. Everyone likes you here, and if you’re really worried about your people, you can find them later. A few days won’t matter, will it?” They’d all already fucked the pooch in my opinion. If they were so concerned about Wren, they would have found him by now.
Wren looks pained when he says, “I’m sorry, but I really can’t.”
“I can give you a better life than they can, Wren. I know it. Just let me prove it to you.” I'm practically begging right now, and I'm willing to get on my knees if that's what it takes. “You don't even know how to get in touch with them right now. Just come with us for a little while. We’re returning to Boston in a few days, and then we're taking several weeks off.”
“I have responsibilities…”
The door to my room slams open and Harvey shouts, “I don't care if you're naked; your time is up.” He throws a bag on one of the couches and taps his foot impatiently.
I shield Wren with my body instinctively, so Harvey doesn't get an eyeful.
“I'm coming, I’m coming. Don't get your panties in a bunch.” I shrug on a robe, hustle Wren into the bathroom, slam the door, and fetch the bag. As I suspected, it's full of clothes, so I go back to the bathroom, open the door a crack, shove the bag at Wren, and say, “These are for you. Come out when you're dressed. I'll be back in a minute.” Then I give his little nose a peck before shutting the door in his face.
I leave with Harvey, but before he's able to tear into me, I say, “One sec,” and jog up to Brent and James.
Harvey's squawk of indignation has me smiling once I reach them.
“Hey guys, I need you to do me a favor.”
They trade glances, and James asks, “Do you want us to get rid of the kid?”
What the fuck???
“No! Of course not! Why are the two of you like this?” I wave the subject away because I don't have a lot of time. “Itisabout Wren, though. Things are weird and confusing right now since we're leaving, and I don't think he really understands what's going on, so I want you to keep an eye on him. Don’t let him leave without talking to me, but don’t hurt him. In fact, don’t touch him, either.” I give them both a glare and add, “And definitely don't be mean to him or scare him in any way.”
“Don’t hurthim? I’m more worried about us than him. He’s a menace. My doctor told me I’m going to have a scar.” Brent holds out a bandaged hand for me to inspect.
I nod and smile. Good for Wren. “Yes. Absolutely donothurt him at all costs, and everything will be fine.” I reach out andpat James on the arm. “Good talk,” I say and then jog back to Harvey.
This is going to work.
Chapter 13
Wren
“So there I was, stark naked with about three hundred fans just around the corner because they heard a rumor that I take smoke breaks in stairwells right before concerts. Anyway, I?—”
I like Mel. I really do, and their stories are fascinating, but not half as fascinating as the scenarios my brain is cooking up for the next time Bael and I go to poundtown.
I'm also maybe, kinda, sorta, a little concerned about how everyone seems convinced I'm going on the tour bus with them. I've told them all multiple times each that I can't go and that I have something I have to do. I'm pretty sure they all still think I'm homeless and that I'm just trying to not be a burden—which is really funny if you actually know me. I literally pay people to let me be a burden to them.
I really can't go with the band right now though. I don't remember which day it is, but I know for a fact that sometime soon there’s a huge gallery exhibit I have to go to the opening for because it’s for my art.
Not only would I be a shitty person for not showing up, but just imagining the nightmare disappointment extravaganza I'dbe subjected to for vanishing and skipping the opening makes me want to yak.
We’re at Randy’s again, and the food I'm eating is fantastic, so I really want to keep it inside me. Since I didn’t get sick from stuffing my face here yesterday, I plan on doing it again today.
I eyeball Brent and James standing over in the corner, and I give them alook. With how protective Bael seems to be, I don't put it past him to set his goons on me if I just try and make a break for it. Not that I think they'd hurt me or anything. But I do think they'd stand in front of me long enough for Bael to puppy eye me into getting on the bus.
It would take almost no effort on his side to convince me to stay with him. With the way he's been feeling up my leg this entire meal, I'm finding it hard to put my Grand Plan into action.
I don't want to leave Bael or the band. Not for good, anyway. Especially since the wholewe’re boyfriendsconversation Bael and I just had. But I'm sick of trying to convince everyone that I'm not what they think I am.
