Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

TOMMY

" S o, how did you become a roadie?"

I sighed and ran a hand down Nate's bare shoulder. I couldn't stop touching him. His skin, unlike mine, was so soft and smooth. Well, except for his fingers. He had calluses like every guitarist I knew.

"It was by necessity rather than choice."

Suddenly, a lump formed in my throat. Talking about the past always did that to me.

"You don't have to, I—" Nate started to move away.

I held on tighter. Strange how I didn't want to let him go.

"I grew up in Nashville. After high school, I decided to become an electrician, so I applied to an apprentice program," I whispered. "I was living with my stepdad at the time. My mom passed when I was sixteen, and he was my only remaining family. Anyway, around that time, shortly after I turned nineteen, I decided to come out. It was time. I thought everything would be fine. But it wasn't. He was disgusted by the fact that I was queer. He kicked me out. I had no job, no money, and no more apprenticeship."

"Jesus, Tommy."

Nate hugged me tightly.

And for once, I didn't mind being vulnerable. "I lived on the streets for a while, and then at a homeless shelter, where I finally got help looking for a job. Everything changed when I was introduced to Ace. His brother volunteered at the shelter. Next thing I knew, Ace offered me a job with his crew, and I hit the road. Haven't looked back since."

"And you like it?"

"I love it. The people, the music, even the chaos when things go to shit," I chuckled. "Being part of a group like Wayward Lane is more than a job. We're our own kind of family. A motley one, but still."

I felt Nate's smile against my shoulder.

"All the guys are great. It's been fun meeting and performing with them. We went out to another club a couple of nights ago and shit, can they party," Nate admitted. "And I can tell by the way they talk about you, how much they like and respect you. I watched you set up tonight. It was impressive. Not just how hard you work, but how much pride you have in that stage."

"Those instruments are my babies," I confessed. "Well, not mine, but I take good care of them."

"Do you play?"

I nodded. "Guitar. Not great, and not for anyone but me."

"You never caught the performance bug?"

"No, thanks." I shook my head. "I like working behind the scenes."

"And what about when you're not on the road?"

"I have a condo in Nashville. It's small, but it's all I need. And I…I do some volunteer work with the shelter when I'm home."

Nate leaned back and looked at me. "I get it. The concert tonight, the fundraiser for Harvest King, is a cause near and dear to my family. Food scarcity is something we lived with growing up. So, I like to give back any way I can."

My respect for the man and the musician only grew. It made my heart race and my chest tighten in a way I'd never felt before. I had friends and lovers, but no one who was ever both. And fuck, I'd only had one shot of tequila tonight, but I was surely punch drunk.

"Well," I cleared my throat, trying to get my head back to working order. "The concert was a total success all around."

"Did you enjoy our performance?" Nate asked hesitantly and then tried to pull away again. "Wait, you don't have to answer that."

For a rockstar on the rise, Nate was sweetly humble. I stared into his eyes and pulled him closer until he was lying on top of me.

"I got to witness the sexiest singer with the most incredible voice."

Nate flushed and shook his head. He better get used to the praise. There was a lot more coming.

"Even with the Halloween costume?"

"Oh, yeah," I nodded and wrapped my arms and legs around him. "You in that dress and those red glitter heels? Hottest thing I've ever seen."

Nate

It was the most amazing night I'd had with a man in, well, ever.

Not just the sex, but after. Which was fucked up. I didn't do ‘after.'

And yet, with Tommy, I did.

It wasn't just the sex that was great; it was him.

"Tell me about Nate Filier," he urged as I lay on top of him. "Soon-to-be world-famous rockstar."

I bit my lower lip, trying not to smile. Trying not to let myself be charmed by this man.

Too late.

"Not much to tell. I was born and raised here in NOLA. Both my parents and my two sisters still live here. I started out singing in the church choir and then, after high school, started playing gigs on my own, busking night and day. Until I met my bandmates at a bar on Bourbon Street three years ago. They were already in a band, but their lead singer up and left. I was there the night the guy walked off the stage. I offered to fill in. The guy never came back, and here we are."

"You guys have a great sound. Rock ‘n' roll meets country. Good things are coming for you."

"I hope so. We just landed a record deal," I admitted.

"No shit? Congrats!" he hugged me tighter. "I knew it! You guys are going all the way."

Tommy was the first person, outside of our band, Van, and the boys from Wayward, that I had confided in.

"It hardly seems real."

Much like this night. With Tommy.

As crazy as it sounded, I wanted to stay here in his arms and that was all kinds of fucked up. I was on the road and so was he, but in different directions. Maybe our paths would cross again. More than likely since we signed with the same label as Wayward Lane. But so what? This was nothing more than what it was. Incredible sex. Chemistry.

Okay, so I was at ease with him when normally I'd be itching for the door.

Where were all these feelings coming from? I had no idea since I'd never needed anything more from a lover than a release. Was it just me? Or was he feeling this too? Or maybe it was all in my imagination.

Sometimes, I swear this city has magic, and it casts a spell on people every time there's a full moon.

I didn't want the night to end. And I wasn't sure I was gonna like leaving tomorrow morning either.

Instead of wishing for things I couldn't have, I kissed Tommy.

And fuck me, there was magic in that, too.

Morning came far too soon. I woke up to a buzzing phone and an empty bed.

Memories of last night flashed through my mind. Of a sexy roadie who'd fucked me so damned good.

Where was…

I looked around and Tommy was standing in front of the window, dressed in black jeans and a T-shirt, staring out at the city below us.

When I sat up, he turned his head and the look that passed between us was just as electric as it was last night. My heart began to pound hard and no, I was not hung over. I'd only had one shot.

Fuck.

"I gotta get to the venue," he said, and motioned to the bathroom. "Feel free to use the shower and anything else you need."

"Will Brodie and the guys be there?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"They might stop by before they head back to their tour bus."

"Can you wait five minutes and I'll come with? I want to say goodbye to them since I left so abruptly last night."

"Of course. You hop in the shower, and I'll make the coffee," Tommy offered.

"Thanks."

For some reason, I didn't move. He nodded, but instead of walking away, he stalked over to the bed and sat down beside me.

Running one hand along my hip, he leaned in and kissed me. I didn't think twice about kissing him back, not caring about morning breath, sore lips, or anything but one more taste of this man.

It wasn't the full moon. It was me. And him. But it couldn't be.

Giving him one last kiss, I pulled back, and he let me go.

"I'll be as fast as I can," I whispered and got up, letting the sheet go, walking past him, refusing to look back no matter how badly I wanted to.

It was never hard for me to walk away from a guy, but walking away from Tommy? I didn't like the feeling at all.

Once I stepped into the bathroom, I turned the water on full blast and stood under the spray, shivering. I grabbed the bar of soap, scrubbed myself down, and rinsed off in record time. When I stepped out and grabbed a towel, I finally caught a glimpse of my reflection in the fogged-up mirror.

I looked like I'd been fucking all night for sure with beard burn and red lips. But it was my eyes. I saw something there that just couldn't be.

Shaking my head, I grabbed the spare toothbrush from the counter and brushed my teeth.

When I walked back out to the bedroom, towel around my hips, Tommy was facing the window again, this time on his phone.

Good. Perfect. I could get dressed without distraction.

"I just have to grab breakfast first. You need anything?" Tommy continued talking. "Okay…sure…see you soon, boss."

He was talking to Ace.

There was a cup of coffee on the nightstand. I reached for it and took a few grateful sips.

My clothes were neatly piled on the end of the bed. I reached for my lace jock and then, impulsively, left it there.

Reaching for my pants, I yanked them on, zipped up, threw my boots on, and then added my black top. I ran my fingers through my wet hair and that would have to do. I reached for my phone, which was low on battery, but I had enough to make do for the morning. There were a few messages from my band brothers.

Nate: On my way to the venue to say bye to Brodie and the guys. Meet at my place around 2?

Otis: sounds good

Xander: We want the deets from last night!

Heath: Bring coffee, please. I'm dying. Too… much…tequila

Tommy finished his call, grabbed his leather jacket, and turned around. "Ready?"

"Good to go."

But as I headed for the door, every step was slower than the next. And Tommy didn't seem to be rushing either, his hand on my back. Like neither of us was ready to leave.

When we walked into the hallway and the door slammed shut behind us, it hit me. No, not the door.

Normally, I'd be racing to leave a one-night stand behind.

Merde.

This felt like anything but.