Page 6 of Just in Time
“I’m gay. What do your parents do?”
As much as Blaze loved how genuinely interested German seemed to be about his life, he hated the way German acted like Blaze didn’t want to know him. “Why do you do that?”
German blinked. “Do what?”
“Dismiss my questions like you’re not important.”
German stared at him like he had grown two more heads. “I don’t. I answered.”
Blaze shook his head. German was truly one of a kind. The guy honestly didn’t realize it looked like he was dodging. Blaze moved back to the couch and sat. He patted the spot beside him. “Come here and tell me one thing about yourself without me having to ask.”
Despite his heavy eye roll, German did as told. He sat. “I’m originally from Alabama. How about you?”
“Maine.”
“Goddamn. Your parents were sending you to music camp in L.A. with five other kids to feed. What do they do for a living?”
Fuck, he just made Blaze smile. “My mom is a retired federal judge, and my dad is a fireman. Before you ask, my two older brothers are lawyers. My older sister is a stay-at-home mom. Asfor my younger sisters, one is in medical school and the other is a drug addict.”
German didn’t even flinch. “It sounds like your family is a lot to live up to. She must be the youngest.”
“Yep. She’s also my favorite sibling. Dara. It’s not like she woke up one day and decided to pick up an addiction. She was a gymnast. In fact, she went to the Olympics at fourteen. That’s where she ended up with a major back injury. Three surgeries later, she was hooked on pain meds. No one can say she hasn’t fought hard to get clean, but it has to be hard to go from being the star to the bottom. I know if I lost everything tomorrow, I don’t know what I’d do. Music is my whole life; you know what I mean? I live and breathe this career. So I get her better than most. There’re some things you can’t replace. A dream is one of those things. Where do you go from there?”
German held his gaze through every word. He made Blaze feel seen and heard. There was never a second when they were together when Blaze questioned if German feigned interest just to say they were friends.
“I really like you.”
German caught him off guard with the confession. It could have just as easily come from Blaze.
German kept going before Blaze had time to think of a single way to respond. “When you dragged me in here, the first time we met, I didn’t think you were any different from every famousperson I’ve ever dealt with. You were surrounded by your entourage of flakes and wanted me to get lit with you. There’s no way I would’ve guessed that I would love your company as much as I do. You’re pretty great. I hope people tell you that as often as you deserve.”
Fuck. Blaze was moved and shit. He hadn’t expected all that, and he definitely hadn’t realized how badly he needed to hear exactly the words German chose. He didn’t know how to respond, but he knew he had to say something.
“I’m just the drummer. I’m not the guy with the words, but yeah. You’re pretty fucking amazing too. When you didn’t show up tonight, it shocked me a little how disappointed I was. All I knew was that I wanted to be wherever you were. This has been the best celebration I’ve had in a while.” It seemed he had more words than he thought. Unfortunately, his body also chose that moment to go out. He couldn’t fight back a yawn. “Damn. Sorry. I don’t know where that came from.”
A sweet smile touched German’s lips. “It’s been a long day for you.” He patted his lap. “Come on. Head here. You need some rest.”
Blaze didn’t hesitate to accept the offer. Between the hectic day, alcohol, smoke, and food, his ass was officially kicked. The moment his head hit German’s lap, German ran his fingers through Blaze’s hair. His eyes automatically closed. Blaze savored every sensation. He never got actual affection. It was nice. He was asleep in seconds.
Chapter Three
Hesnored.Germanchuckledevery time he thought about it. He knew his good mood had everything to do with last night. Blaze wasn’t that much younger than him. That was such a huge weight off his chest. No doubt his age had been one internet search away, but German had been a little scared to find out if he had watched a barely adult masturbate. He was so fucking relieved that wasn’t the case.
Steel Security was in a gorgeous location. The building sat close enough to posh neighborhoods that the elite saw its sign every day. That had been a genius move on Steel’s part, but that was Steel, really. He was smart as hell. As German stepped through the door, his nerves jangled a little. That hadn’t happened with Steel since he was a new hire. He was usually pretty comfortable with Steel. Unfortunately, Steel’s early morning text asking him to come in was the first step taking him toward a new assignment and away from Blaze. He got it. It was not like theywere anything at all, but maybe friends. Still, German wasn’t ready. He supposed it didn’t matter where he got sent; Blaze was about to go on tour anyhow. Not to mention, it was one night of talking. Why was he even thinking about it?
German found Steel where he always did, sitting behind his desk staring at a computer screen. He smiled at the sight. Steel was more than a boss. He was German’s friend.
“Damn. When was the last time you stepped outside and got some sun?”
Steel didn’t look away from his computer. “Last Tuesday at two fifteen.”
“That’s specific.” He plopped down in his usual seat across the desk from Steel. There seemed to be more streaks of silver in his hair than there had been the last time they spoke in person, or maybe not. The last time he had seen Steel was at Valon and Marc’s wedding. The same night Blaze caught his eye. German hadn’t focused on much else after that.
Finally, eyes that matched his name swung German’s way. “How have you been?”
“Can’t complain.”
“Good. So no issues at the awards?”
