Page 88 of Taste of Surrender
“Geez. Thanks, sis, for that ringing endorsement.” Malachi joined us, having caught the end of our conversation.
“Your fans might think you can do no wrong, but to me, you’ll always be the annoying brother who picked on me when we were little.” She hip-bumped him playfully.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, but you still love me.”
She shrugged. “I guess.” She may have enjoyed giving him shit, but the love she had for her brother was clear in her eyes when she looked up at him.
We continued talking until the burgers were finished cooking, and I took them over to the table, which was already filled with a ton of food. Malachi and I each made a plate and joined the group sitting with Silas. His parents were there, along with his sober companion, Cash, who came to meet the band since he would be traveling with us once the tour resumed.
“Hey, guys.” Silas gave us a head nod as we took our seats. “Cash, you already met Malachi, and this is Jasper, his boyfriend and our chef on the road.”
Getting introduced as Malachi’s boyfriend in a casual setting still caught me off guard sometimes. We had spent so much time hiding before, but now we could be open with our friends and family without fear of anyone judging us. Finally, all those fantasies I’d had when I was younger were coming true.
“Nice to meet you,” I replied.
“Likewise. This guy raves about your food, and if this burger is anything to go by, I’m likely to gain twenty pounds on the road.”
“He makes some killer vegan dishes if you want something healthier,” Savannah added.
I saw a hint of skepticism in Cash’s eyes, but he smiled. “I may have to try one of those as well.”
As the evening wore on, everyone seemed to be relaxed and having a good time. Off to the side, I watched Silas throw his head back and laugh at something Jesse said.
“Man, that’s good to see,” Malachi whispered, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
“He’ll have challenges along the way, but with you guys in his corner, I think he’s got this.”
Although I had already known it, the day had only reinforced how deep the bond among them truly was, and I felt privileged to be a part of it.
Later that night,Malachi and I returned to our hotel room, where we cuddled in bed.
“Did you have a good time today?” I asked, running my fingers through his dark locks.
“Yeah. I didn’t realize how much I missed everyone. It was nice having us all together again.”
“It was fun catching up with your sister. I hadn’t seen her in years, and she sounds excited to move to LA. I told her I’d definitely be seeing her around.”
He looked up at me. “You’re going to stay in LA?”
My brow wrinkled in confusion. “I told you I didn’t want to leave you.”
“You did, but I wasn’t sure if you’d made a final decision.”
I lifted a shoulder. “Well, I haven’t talked to Jesse yet, but I’m sure he’ll let me stay with him until I find my own place.”
Malachi rose onto his knees and faced me. “You don’t need your own place.”
“I don’t?”
He shook his head. “You should be in my bed every night. I can’t think of anything better than waking up with you in my arms every single day.”
“You’re asking me to move in with you?” I grinned.
He smiled. “I thought that was sort of obvious.”
“I don’t want you to feel pressured, though. I plan to stay regardless of where I live.”
“I’m not asking because I feel obligated and shit. I want you with me, so just say yes already.” He leaned forward and planted a kiss on my lips.
