20

"Did I tell you guys that I'm training to be an American Ninja Warrior?" I announce as the bus rolls towards our show in Raleigh. When Dante's eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, they scrunch with amusement, and he flashes me a grin.

Dmitri's skeptical gaze roams over my petite frame before settling on my face, his uncertainty ringing loud and clear. "Um… I, uh… hadn't heard that, actually."

My mouth drops open in mock outrage. "Just because you have all those…" I gesture up and down his muscular body, then give a small shrug as I glance at Eric, who nods in understanding. "… and I don't, doesn't mean I can't kick ass."

"He does have a lot of…" Eric waves up his fiancé's body as well. "…doesn't he?"

"The most." I give another exaggerated sweep of my hand as Dmitri ping-pongs between the two of us like we're insane.

"I am so lost," he mutters, which makes Eric and I both roll our eyes.

Tai leans over the seat back, crossing his arms and propping his chin on them. "He really runs around acting clueless about how hot he is, doesn't he?"

"Constantly," Eric agrees, and Dmitri's shock only grows.

"If I was that hot, I'd just stay naked," I say with a grin. "Legit all the time, round the clock, balls out for the world to witness. There's a lot you could learn from my ideas, Sticks." I give him an exaggerated, obnoxious wink as two sets of eyes bore into me.

Eric glares from Dmitri's side, and Dante shoots me a narrowed stare from the driver's seat. I blow him a teasing kiss that makes him shake his head as I turn back to the others.

"Oh, come on, Eric. Are you telling me you wouldn't enjoy him strutting around in the nude? Flip-flopping in the wind like a Baywatch model?"

"No flip-flopping." Eric wraps his arms around Dmitri, one of his hands cupping his junk. Dmitri's eyes widen as he glances down at the hand-shield covering his penis.

"What about ding-donging?" I ask, watching Dmitri's face become more and more exhausted with the conversation.

Eric's lips twitch as he tries to stay stern. "No flip-flopping, ding-donging, dilly-dallying, or willy-nillying."

"Ooh, I haven't heard of that one. Dante!" He startles at my shout and meets my eyes again. "Want to try willy-nillying?"

"Fuck's sake," he mutters, his head flushing as he focuses back on the road.

It's been a few days since the whole him-walking-in-on-me-fucking-a-dildo-followed-by-me-dirty-talking-him-through-the-bathroom-door event, and neither of us have mentioned it. I'm simply biding my time until he's ready to accept that I'm the love of his life before I take any further action.

A promise is a promise, after all.

"So, you're training?" Dmitri prompts, and I turn to him like I'm confused.

"What?"

"American Ninja Warrior?"

"What are you even talking about, Sticks?" His exasperated scoff finally breaks me and I grin. "Dante's giving me self-defense classes…" I trail off as Eric and Dmitri both get sympathetic expressions on their faces.

The last thing I fucking want is pity.

"Don't do that!" Both of them jump at the force in my voice. "Do not feel sorry for me." Irritation rushes through me as they both stare, shocked. I shake my head, attempting to give a voice to this frustration and falling short.

Tai speaks up from behind me. "You guys don't understand," he says gently, capturing everyone's attention. "It's obvious you aren't an easy target because of your size, so people don't mess with you. When's the last time you actually worried about unwanted confrontation? Walked into a room where you're at a disadvantage, and had to consider every single thing you say or do? Have any of you ever had to keep your mouth shut out of necessity?"

Eric and Dmitri briefly lock eyes, their expressions almost guilty, before returning to Tai.

"We're automatically viewed as weak, and we constantly have to prove that we aren't," he continues as he wraps an arm around me and hugs me against the seat back. "When something happens to us, instead of being pissed at the person responsible, we get pitied."

Tai gestures towards the others and meets eyes with Dmitri. "If someone hurt Eric, you would be furious with whoever did it, but you wouldn't feel sorry for Eric. You'd never think there was more he could've done to stop it, or analyze his actions instead of the other guy. Theo's size shouldn't change your reaction. Be angry about what happened, but don't you dare view him as less because of it."

While Tai may not speak much, when he does, he demands to be heard.

His words are like fucking poetry.

He pulls me towards him, pressing a kiss on my temple, while I hold on to his arm across my chest. Tai and I share a unique bond, and moments like this make me realize he truly understands what it's like to walk in my shoes.

With no warning, my body is jolted as Eric yanks me into his lap, his brawny arms wrapping around me. "Fuck, dude, I'm sorry," he mutters as he hugs me to him. "I've never thought of it that way, but you're right. That's fucked up."

"It's okay," I say, giving his hair a tousle and then casting a mischievous glance over my shoulder. "Dmitri, you can join the hug from behind if you want." Laughing, he sandwiches me between the two of them.

This is a position reversal from my fantasy, but hey…

Whatever works, right?

"If you don't get your hands off him in the next five seconds, I will pull this bus over and make you," Dante growls from the driver's seat, and all four of our heads snap towards him. Eric and Dmitri's eyebrows shoot up in surprise and Tai's lips curl into a smirk, while I'm basically the living embodiment of the heart-eye emoji.

"Don't worry, baby, you taught me how to bust a nose, remember?"

"And you shouldn't hesitate to do it," he says with a soft smile as Eric shoves me back into my seat. I'm pretty sure he believes Dante's threat was serious.

On second thought, I'm not positive it wasn't. Pure glee courses through me as we meet eyes again in the mirror.

"Think I could take him?" Eric stage-whispers to Dmitri, who chuckles.

"Oh, honey," I drawl with a loud laugh. "That day you punched him? He could have put you through the floor if he'd wanted to." With a nervous glance, Eric's eyes shift towards Dante, who stares back at him with a wicked, predatory grin.

"You're not joking, are you?" Eric finally asks.

"Oh, he's most definitely not," Dante says from the front, still with that same threatening smile on his face. "I let you slide because we were in the wrong for leaving Dmitri behind, but make no mistake… you only get one free pass."

Dmitri is visibly thrilled as Eric nods and sits up a little straighter. When I question him with a raised brow, he leans in and whispers, "It's about time someone put him in his place, honestly."

"Why don't you?"

He shrugs and a dopey smile crosses his face as he stares at Eric. "I'm bussy whipped." That makes me cackle, and he chuckles along with me as the others watch us curiously.

The rest of the drive is peaceful as we get dragged into our phones or private conversations. When we arrive at the venue, we spot the other tour bus parked and unloading.

Another local band that came to our album release party proposed the idea of a collaborative show, which we've never tried. They aren't as well-known as us, but they're good. We spent a few hours listening to their recordings and watching their live shows, and ultimately decided it was worth giving it a shot.

The other band, Battlefield Tweed, is playing as the opener, so as we lug our equipment inside, they're getting theirs set up on stage. Their lead singer, a fiery red-headed girl named Foxx, waves and walks over to our group. While the rest of us work on unloading and transitioning everything to the side stage, she and Dante discuss some logistical details.

"Hey, Theo, right?" A deep voice reaches me from over my shoulder, and I twist to see a handsome man with curly black hair and dark olive skin approaching me. With a big, easygoing smile, he extends his hand. "Sayid," he says as I shake his hand. "I had every intention of introducing myself to you at the party, but you vanished."

"Such is the life of a rock star, always being pulled away from adoring fans," I say with a theatrical flair, and he laughs before grinning at me. From behind his back, I catch sight of Dante's eyes locked on the two of us. I try to put on a smile that conveys I'm okay, although his concern makes me warm and fuzzy.

Sayid's words return my attention to him. "Your talent is fucking impressive, especially considering how young you are. You outperform guys twice your age with decades of experience, and you don't even look like you're trying that hard. I've watched so many of your performances, and you don't even fumble."

"Nah, I still make mistakes sometimes," I say with a nonchalant wave of my hand, but he just clicks his tongue and shakes his head.

We chat for a few more minutes, until Foxx yells at him to stop fucking around, and he rolls his eyes with a wink in my direction. "So bossy," he murmurs. "I better get over there before she makes me."

I glance at the petite woman who's staring daggers before shifting my eyes back to him. "She could make you do anything? Big, strapping lad like you?"

His tongue slips over his lips as he leans closer and whispers in my ear. "The small ones can boss me around any time." Another flirty smile forms on his face before he takes a few strides backward, never taking his eyes off me. "I'll catch you after the show, okay?"

Unsure of how to handle his attention, I simply nod as he jogs away. Thankfully, before I have a chance to overthink, Dante gathers everyone to review a few details. After we clear up a few questions and get everyone on the same page, the lights come on and the music starts.

They play an outstanding concert, and I get lost in the melodies. My eyes snag on Sayid a few times, watching his hands glide over the strings. He's talented, but I've seen better.

I glance over my shoulder and find Dante right behind me. His eyes settle on mine as he gives me a tiny smile. Dante outshines Sayid not only with his ability, but with his modest confidence. There's a certain sexiness in a man who can showcase his skills without being arrogant.

My weight shifts back, leaning against Dante with just a ghost of a touch, and I stay there for the rest of the performance. They wrap up the last song and the quick break for us to swap out our equipment hits.

It's a mad dash to set up in record time, but the five of us are a well-oiled machine and we're ready to go with a few minutes to spare. As we walk out into position, Sayid waves from the side stage. I give him a smile as I sling my strap over my body and wait for Dmitri to count us in.

The concert goes without a hitch as Eric's emotionally charged voice infiltrates the audience like it always does. For a solid hour, we play nonstop, and by the time the last chords hit the air, we're covered in sweat and filled with adrenaline.

Foxx and Eric conclude the performance with a joint farewell, then we exit the stage, exchanging high fives along the way. Sweaty and exhausted, we're running on pure energy as we break down the equipment. A shadow appears over me, and I glance back to find Sayid standing behind me, pushing a hand through his hair.

"Great show," I say as I continue to pack.

"Thanks," he says while I stand up and dust off my hands. He takes a step closer, letting his gaze slide down my body before landing on mine. "You too… you were incredible up there. It's insane how at ease you are while your fingers fly over those strings." He pauses, eyes assessing. "I'm going to be forward… do you think you'd be—"

"Amazing performance tonight," Dante's voice interrupts, and Sayid startles as he takes a half step back.

Sayid starts his sentence with a hesitant "Thanks...", but Dante doesn't even acknowledge him. He passes Sayid without a second glance, his attention targeted on me.

It's like no one else is in the room as he walks up to me, stepping into my personal space, demolishing any remaining barriers as he gets closer.

"You are always so fucking amazing," he whispers and grabs my cheeks, and my eyes widen as he leans in, stopping with his lips grazing mine.

"He won't be going out with you," he calls over his shoulder, not looking away. "Or anyone else."

"Awfully presumptuous," I say in a breathy whisper, trying to hide the hope that's fluttering around in my gut. His eyes dart to my lips then bounce back up, his intentions clear.

"Can I?" he breathes.

"Everyone's watching," I say, heart thundering with such power it must be trying to escape my chest, as his eyes dart between mine, searching.

"Answer me."

"Can you what?"

"Kiss you?" His fingers flex against my cheeks, like he's fighting to hold back.

"Is that all you want, Dante? A kiss?" It's a taunt—a dare.

"Of course that's not all I want. I want you and everything that comes with it. The laughs and the tears… the annoying pranks and the ridiculous jokes and the two fucking hours you take to get ready…"

"Hey now," I say with a frown, but he shakes his head.

"I want everything, Theo. For years , I've wanted you, and I just can't do it anymore. Can't stand not touching you, or to see someone else think you could ever belong to them." He glances over his shoulder, maybe towards Sayid, but I'm not paying attention to anything except him. Not daring to look away as his eyes land back on mine, serious as always, but with the protective layer missing... letting me see everything. "It's taken me too long, and for that, I'm sorry. But I'm here right now, asking. Begging . No more waiting. I want you… every piece of you. Can I have it? Please, tell me I can have you."

Pure, unbridled relief flows through my body.

"It's about fucking time," I murmur. There's not a moment's hesitation as I tug on his neck and kiss him, letting my lips move freely across his, not holding anything back. The fluttering in my stomach grows stronger as he wraps his arms around me and draws me nearer.

Every time we kissed before now, there was an unspoken, invisible barrier that prevented us from taking things any further. Stopped us before we got too far. But this kiss? The unbridled way his lips are capturing mine?

This is everything.

This is more.

He gives the slightest nip to my bottom lip that causes me to gasp, and my eyes fly open to find his dark ones watching me closely. The silent exchange between us says so much, and I pray he grasps just how significant this is to me.

A loud clatter makes me jump, and I pull my lips from his and twist my head towards the sound. Dmitri stands there, slack-jawed as one of his drumsticks rolls idly at his feet, while Eric is beside him with a similar expression.

Tai slides between them and throws an arm over each of their shoulders. "Well, that's new," he says with a catty grin.

My eyes shift to Sayid, who shuffles awkwardly as he stares at the floor, humbled by that display of absolute dominance. Finally, I turn back to Dante, who hasn't once looked away from me. "Your jealousy is showing," I whisper, and his eyebrow lifts.

"I have nothing to be jealous of, though, do I?" he whispers back, nuzzling my nose with his before dropping another lingering kiss on my lips.

Once he breaks the kiss, my mind is spinning so much that I'm dizzy. "Do not think for one second that you're running from me after what you just did," I whisper as my thumb traces a line over his soft bottom lip. "We are so going to talk about this."

"I thought you might say that." He presses his forehead against mine, and despite the audience we have, I don't look away.

And for once, neither does he.