Page 45 of Taste of Surrender
“Good morning,” Silas grumbled as we approached, and I wondered how he was going to get through practice with what appeared to be a massive hangover.
“Morning. What’s going on over there?” Jesse lifted his head toward Malachi.
“You didn’t hear?” Elliott asked. “The gossip sites are reporting that those two are in a relationship, and now the label wants them to fake it. Stellar Records thinks it’ll be good for publicity.”
I’d heard about film studios doing something similar with their lead actors when a movie came out, but I always thought it was just a rumor. Apparently, it happened in the music industry as well.
“So, they aren’t actually dating?” I asked.
At the club, when Savannah had asked Malachi to leave with her, I was convinced there was something going on between them, but then he’d asked Elliott to make sure she got home okay. The entire situation was confusing, but I was desperate to know if she and Malachi were together.
Jesse shook his head. “Nope.”
“They hooked up once, but that was it,” Elliott added.
“Why do I have a feeling this is going to backfire?” Jesse sighed. “He knows nothing about being in a relationship.”
My brother may have never seen it, but I knew he was wrong. Immediately, I thought back to all the times Malachi had showed me he cared, like when I had been stung by a bee and he’d refused to leave my side and kept me calm. Or when he had suggested we get matching tattoos because I was nervous about getting my first one. Based on my experience, I had no doubt in my mind he could play the doting boyfriend if he wanted to.
While the guys continued to chat about how much of a bad idea the record label’s plan was, I couldn’t keep from glancing at Malachi. Even though I knew what was going on, I wondered if Savannah was playing along because she had been asked to or because she hoped it would turn into the real thing. Having witnessed her flirting with him the night before, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she wanted more, and who could blame her?
The restof my time in LA flew by as we made the final preparations for the tour, and in less than an hour, I was going to board a flight to Toronto with everyone for their first show.
Between the long, exhausting rehearsal hours, and taking care of shit in their personal lives before they hit the road for several months, everyone usually went their separate ways as soon as they were done practicing. And since I was crashing at Jesse’s place and didn’t have my own vehicle, I had no choice but to go with him. On the occasion we did all hang out, Malachi and I never got the opportunity to have a private conversation.
I tried to convince myself I was fine with it. He didn’t owe me anything, and I knew his focus was on his career, but that didn’t stop me from wishing we could have a few minutes alone.A part of me wanted, or rather, needed to know if there was still something between us or if my feelings were one-sided, but it was impossible to figure it out with people around us all the time.
I found a seat at the gate with the other crew members while Rina tried to usher the guys, Savannah, and Olivia, who was traveling with the band, off to the first-class lounge.
“Maybe I should try to upgrade your ticket,” Jesse said. “That way, you can stay with us.”
I shook my head, not wanting to accept his offer since everyone other than the band was flying coach and I didn’t want to appear as though I was getting special treatment. “I’m good. Besides, I have some planning to do that will keep me busy during the flight.”
Jesse nodded. “Okay. See you on the plane.”
As they all walked away, my gaze honed in on Malachi’s perfect ass. I was so focused on checking him out, it took a second before I noticed him glance over his shoulder. When our eyes met, he raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Busted.
Jesse: We’re going down to the bar for drinks. You and Garrett should come meet us
We had arrivedat the hotel two hours ago, and Garrett was already sawing logs.
Me: He’s asleep but I’ll head down in a minute
I grabbed my wallet and key and slipped out of the room, making sure not to wake my friend. As I entered the hotel bar,I spotted Jesse waving me over to their table in the corner. The only open seat was next to Malachi, so with no other option, I pulled out the chair and sat down. A server quickly came over and, after he took my drink order, I asked the guys, “You all ready for your first show tomorrow?”
Malachi grinned and took a drink of his rum and Coke. “For sure. Getting to headline our own tour has always been the dream. Sometimes I still can’t believe we get to do this for a living.”
“It’s fucking awesome.” Jesse wrapped his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders. “I’m just glad I get to share it with all of you and my favorite girl.”
Olivia gave him a quick peck. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The two of them had been together for years, and it was clear how in love with each other they still were after all this time.
“You two are adorable,” Savannah cooed, and Olivia smiled.
“I’ll be right back,” Silas said as he pushed away from the table and stood.
