14. Chapter Fourteen

“Are you sure he said it’s okay for me to come with you?” Why was I so freaking nervous? I didn’t do that. I was normally a chill guy. But this was kind of huge. Not only was I meeting two rockstars I idolized, but they could make or break Josh’s career before it even took off. What if I did something stupid?

“Babe, he specifically asked me what day we both had off. So yeah, I’m sure. Do you not want to go?” Josh’s face fell and I saw the hurt reflected in his eyes. If I canceled, it would devastate him and that wasn’t an option for me.

“Hell yeah I want to go, but this is like, major.” Did I say that right? Was that the correct lingo? Oh my god, where was Reagan and what have you done with him?

We hopped into Josh’s Charger and headed north on I-5, battling the usual traffic through Seattle. You’d think for a Sunday it would be lighter, but you’d be wrong. “Must be a game or something,” Josh said as we sat idling on the freeway.

“Even at midnight it’s the same and there’s always an accident.”

“True.”

Once we got through that mess, it took no time to get to our exit. Shortly after we reached the Highlands where their house was. “Do all the bands live in the Highlands?” This was a plush, gated community on large lots.

“I think all the guys from Social do. Ryder, Derek, and Jaxson from Maiden live in Arizona and Shadow lives in Cali. Rhone, David, and Chase live in Vegas and Seltzer splits his time between Vegas and Seattle since he’s dating Diamond’s brother and our band manager, Jeremiah.”

“Okay, run through the list of who’s connected to whom one more time for me, please.” Josh sighed. We had been over this twice already, but the bands and management team’s lives were intertwined, and I didn’t want to say or do the wrong thing and risk offending one of them. “I know who’s in which band and what their roles are.” He did a quick run through of the rest and I did my best to ingrain it to memory. “Good god, this is like a rock and roll soap opera.”

“Welcome to the Masterson family.”

Josh gave our names at the guard shack, and they opened the gates. “Wow.”

“Wow is right. These houses are freaking huge.”

We pulled into their driveway which curved around to the front of the house. I could barely see one side their home from the main road that I assumed looped around the gated complex. The landscaping was rich, full-grown trees had started to lose their leaves due to the fall but were still beautiful just the same. The houses on the outer loop had a gorgeous view of the sound.

“You ready?” Josh asked.

“Are you?”

“About as ready as I will be. Let’s do this.”

By the time we reached the oversized double entry doors, they flew open and on the other side stood Joey and Stoli. I only hoped to keep the fanboy inside me under control. “Nice car.” Stoli peeked around us at Josh’s baby.

“That’s my baby girl. Joey, Stoli, this is my boyfriend, Reagan.”

“Reagan, nice to meet you. Please, come in,” Joey said as he and Stoli shook my hand.

We walked into a vast, open concept first floor. “Your house is amazing. Thank you for having us over.”

“No problem. We completely gutted it when we first bought it years ago. The damn thing was like a dungeon, and I swear the appliances were straight out of the dark ages,” Joey smiled. “Come on, we’ll give you guys the grand tour.

“It took months to renovate, and we were on tour the entire time. When we got home it was done and we finally moved in. The backyard was a jungle, no one had lived here in ages. We changed the first floor completely. Knocked out the bedrooms and made an office, enlarged the living room and kitchen. All the bedrooms are on the second floor. Let’s head down to the basement.” Joey was quite the host, all smiles and made eye contact when he talked to us.

“Holy shit. You have a studio in your basement?” Josh’s enthusiasm came through loud and clear and for the first time, Stoli grinned.

“Yup and a game room. Diamond and Derek have studios, too. Diamond’s is similar to ours, but Derek has an actual separate building on his property with state-of-the-art equipment. It’s big enough for the entire band to play in and has a separate meeting room, too.” Was Stoli envious of another? Sure sounded that way. “Diamond has a dungeon we’ve been invited to but passed on.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” Josh shook his head and Joey and Stoli laughed.

“Because you know Diamond.”

“Reagan, I’m sorry. We haven’t given you two seconds to talk. What do you do for a living?” Joey asked as we headed back upstairs.

“I own a bar near SeaTac.” Their home was amazing, comfortable. Not like one of those showroom ones where you’re afraid to sit anywhere, let alone touch something. And here I was the lowly bar owner, no musical gifts to my name. Jesus, I felt like a peasant.

“We played there a few weeks back. Was my first time on stage with Chaotic. Reagan is in the middle of renovating the bar and even added a new menu.” Pride. That was what Josh’s words filled me with. He was proud of me and that meant the world to me.

“You were fantastic and learned their songs fast.” I was amazed by that. He was like a prodigy or a musical genius. Knowing Josh, he didn’t sleep the entire time until he was confident he had them all down.

“You guys want something to drink? Water? Tea? Soda? Beer? That’s about all we keep here.” Having read the story of Josh’s demise and what it did to Joey, I fully understood the reason they didn’t have a fully stocked bar or hard liquor in their home.

“I’m good with tea.” Josh asked for the same and we sat down on what was the largest sectional sofa I’d ever seen. “I didn’t realize sofas came this big.”

Stoli winked. “Custom ordered.”

“You guys good with steaks for dinner? Guess we should’ve asked if you’re vegetarian or vegan first.” These guys were cool as fuck and from what I’d seen so far, the perfect ones to mentor Josh and help break him in. Guidance and support would help him succeed, and it felt right to have him in their capable hands. So far, Sal had impressed me with his decisions and plans for Chaotic.

“We both eat meat.” Josh snickered. “That sounded better in my head.”

“Well, you’re in the presence of four gay men. Ain’t no way in hell that comment would go unnoticed.” And just like that, the final piece of ice was chipped away. Stoli and Josh started talking shop and I followed Joey to the kitchen.

“What can I do to help?”

“Steaks are ready to roll, and the potatoes are in the oven. How are you at throwing a salad together?” Everything this guy said was with a smile and I liked him already.

“Damn good. Been cooking with my mom for as long as I can remember, not that there’s cooking involved where a salad’s concerned.” Could I sound any more like a dumbass?

“All right, there’s the fridge, poke around the cupboards and grab what you need. I’ll throw the steaks on and will be right back.” Out the door Joey went while I searched for a bowl and utensils. By the time he came back in, I had it all laid out on the island and steadily chopped away.

“Nice. I’m a big fan of a kitchen sink salad.”

“Kitchen sink salad?”

“Mixed lettuces and a variety of veggies. Sometimes I even throw in olives. Top it off with sunflower seeds, feta, and a hearty vinaigrette and I’m a happy man.” I swore I heard Joey’s stomach growl.

About that time, Stoli and Josh came in. Stoli kissed his man as he walked by and plucked a chunk of bell pepper from the salad bowl. “My man can eat. Not sure there’s anything he doesn’t like.”

“Brussel sprouts.”

“Blech.” Appeared we were all of the same opinion on that vile vegetable.

“Hey, Reagan,” Stoli reached for another chunk. “You said Chaotic played at your bar. Acoustic or amps?”

“Acoustic. We’re in a hotel and have noise ordinances to adhere to.”

“What’s going on in that brain of yours?” Joey asked him. “I can see the wheels turning.”

“I’m thinking it might be fun to have the guys play their new music there. Josh and I were talking, and it sounds like they’ve got enough material to kick out back-to-back CDs. Sal will insist on tours between, but he’ll be happy to hear this. Playing new music in a smaller venue is the best feedback a band can get.”

“True, very true. I see where you’re going.” As soon as Joey agreed, all three focused on me.

“I’m booked out another month, but I’ll bump anyone to get Chaotic back in. Let me know and the floor is yours.”

“Excellent.” Why did I get the mad scientist vibe from Stoli? Possibly the evil smirk and the way he rubbed his hands together.

“Text Jason, Stoli. He’s working directly with Jeremiah on our schedule.” Josh and Stoli moved the food to the table while Joey pulled the steaks off the grill. The conversation easily flowed through dinner from music to movies and everything in between. We shot a couple games of pool before we called it a night and headed home.

“What a truly great night. Thanks for inviting me.” It was awesome to see these masters of music behind the scenes living their everyday lives. Completely different attitudes on stage with the bold cockiness their fans loved. At home, totally chill and down to earth. I immediately felt comfortable in their presence and the nerves faded away.

“Always. This was a major step forward with them and for my career. Stoli will be a great mentor. Hell, he gave me a shit load of strings for my guitars. Had cases of them in their office closet.” Josh was lighter, happier. This was perfect for him and I was glad he was open to it. Had he gone down cocky highway and pitched a fit over it, his career would’ve been over.

“I bet that saves a lot of money. I hope we get to hang out with them again.” It just dawned on me that outside of my employees I had no friends. At least not any I spoke to regularly since college.

“We will. Now the big question left for tonight is your place or mine?”

“I’m not picky as long as we’re together.”

“Good answer.” Josh pulled up to his building and opened the garage he rented. They were meant for storage, I‘m sure, but it made sense to lock his classic car away in it. I hopped out beforehand due to the tightness of the space. He had to park more to one side as it was so he could get out. Helicopters flew overheard and my gut screamed to get inside. As soon as the garage was locked, we pretty much sprinted up the stairs to his apartment and locked the door behind us.

“Is it always like this?”

“Lately it has been. We just got our advances, and I was considering moving. It’s not safe here anymore. Cops are here most nights. All I hear are screams and fighting followed by occasional gunshots.”

Oh, fuck that shit. “When is your lease up?”

“I’m month to month.” That had to cost him a ton in fees.

“How do you feel about my mother?”

“Um, what?”

“Now, hear me out. You’ve done your best through the shit storm you just waded through and now it’s time to move on. Call me a mother hen, but I fear for your safety here. You’re about to embark upon a journey that will not only have you working long hours in the city but traveling, too. Nothing you own will be safe. Your place will be cleared out as soon as they see you walk outside with your luggage. What if,” I paused to make sure I hadn’t lost him. “What if you move in with Mom and me?” He hardly had anything to move. I could clear out the garage to park his car in. I should’ve talked to Mom first, but I had a feeling she’d agree with me once I filled her in.

“Whoa.” Josh fell back on the couch in a daze. “I haven’t lived with anyone in years.”

“I get it and no rush. It’s a lot and a big step for us but I’m not gonna lie, I will worry when you’re here. Not that things can’t happen anywhere but to me this was pushing it.” The sounds of sirens echoed through the apartment. “Would it be a dick move to ask that we go to my house? Now?”

“Nah, I feel ya. Let me pack a bag.”

Thirty minutes later, we were at my place. Mom had already gone to bed, so I made a mental note to talk to her tomorrow morning. Josh and I were curled up on the couch when she came out in her bathrobe. “Hello, boys. How was dinner?”

“Hey, Becky. It was fun.”

“It was. They’re really great guys.”

“Glad you had a good time. Don’t let me disturb you, just getting a glass of water.” She kissed the top of Josh’s head and then mine. His smile was incredible.

“Mom kissed me first, she likes me best,” he sang, and she chuckled.

“Goodnight, boys.”

“’Night, Mom,” we said in unison. It was the most perfect end for date night.

As soon as her door shut, Josh sat up. “Do you think she’d be okay with me living here? I’m not messy. I clean up after myself and I can be quiet.” Was he pitching a pet or himself? I knew her protective momma bear would roar when she found out about his PTSD and saw how broken he was after he had an episode. The nightmares weren’t nightly from what I’d witnessed, but often enough to break my fucking heart.

“Sweetheart, she’s already enamored with you. Mom and I love living together and having you and I here to dote on and feed to her heart’s content will make her very happy.” Growing up, my mother fed every kid I brought home. Not everyone, such as Josh, had the great childhood I did. A loving, doting parent. Hot meals, clean clothes, I never had to ask for a thing. The world would be a much better place if every child had the same.

“Okay. Okay. Yeah.” Was he answering an unspoken question or reassuring himself? “I’m nervous as fuck, not gonna lie, but this feels right. Building a life with you. To be honest, never having had a family before, it will be nice to have a mom around.”

I could see that for him. “Awesome, I’ll talk to her in the morning.”

“We’ll talk to her in the morning.”

Good boy. He was already doing better than he knew. Between us, Mom, and his career taking off, Josh’s belief in himself was near the light at the end of the tunnel he’d been lost in.