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Chapter Twenty-Eight

Dev suddenly had his arms full of Casey and the rocker nearly toppled backwards. "Whoa."

Casey peppered Dev's face with kisses. "That was wonderful. Beautiful. Unbelievable." He leaned back, sending the rocker lurching forward, and cradled Dev's jaw in both hands. "Next time, play it for me naked?"

Dev laughed, and something that had been ratcheted tight inside him since the accident suddenly loosened. He took what felt like his first deep breath in months. "Only if you're naked, too."

"Deal." Casey wiggled his fingers under the hem of Dev's T-shirt, his hands smooth on Dev's skin. "Do you think you could still play while I give you a blow job?"

Dev smoothed Casey's curls off his forehead. "I don't know. Might need some rehearsal before I could pull that off."

Casey gazed somberly into Dev's eyes. "Rehearsal is very important for musicians. Or so I've been told. And after such a long break, you'll probably need extra rehearsal. In fact, we should start right now." He rucked up Dev's T-shirt but got the neck stuck on Dev's chin while leaving the sleeves behind.

Laughing, Dev managed to free one arm. "Take it easy. I don't know if I can—"

A knock at the door froze both of them, Dev with one arm trapped in his tangled shirt and Casey with one hand on Dev's pec and the fingers of the other under Dev's waistband.

Casey glanced from Dev's exposed skin to the door. "Are you expecting anyone?"

"No. But we are about to stage an event fit for two dozen Port-a-Potties. We should probably see who it is."

"Rats," Casey grumbled, but then he sighed. "But you're right. It's the responsible thing to do." He clambered off Dev's lap and pointed at Dev's nose. "But tonight. You and me, naked with the guitar. Promise?"

"Promise."

Dev pulled his shirt back on and shuffled, wincing, to the door. Judging by Casey's snicker, Dev probably looked like he had a broom handle lodged up his ass to match the one straining his fly. He shot a warning glance over his shoulder, but guffawed because Casey was tugging at the legs of his shorts, clearly trying to make room for his own erection.

He glared at Dev. "Shut up. This is your fault."

Dev grinned. "Pretty sure you started it, but I'll own it. Are you ready?"

"About as ready as you are." Casey sucked in a breath and blew it out through pursed lips—which didn't help Dev's situation at all, although Casey's shorts seemed to fit more loosely.

Dev peered at him, eyes narrowed. "How did you manage that so quickly?"

Casey smirked. "Just thought about Bradley. Maybe you should try the same with Nash."

"Fuck," Dev muttered. It didn't completely eliminate the problem, considering Casey was still within arm's reach, but it at least allowed him to walk more normally and open the door.

"Haru." Dev blinked at the man on the porch. He wasn't sure who he'd been expecting, but it hadn't been this guy. "How can I help you?"

Haru glanced back toward the house and then down, where a battered and all-too-familiar acoustic guitar case sat next to his feet. Dev's old case. Fuck.

"I intended just to stop by and return this to you, but then I heard…" Haru peered up at Dev from under his curtain of shiny black hair. "That song was amazing. Your voice is amazing. Your technique—" He swallowed. "Now I get it."

"My technique has been in suspended animation for almost two years, so I'm not sure what there is to get." He pushed open the screen. "Want to come in?"

Haru retreated to the edge of the porch. "You don't have to… I didn't mean to intrude."

"It's okay." Dev smiled and jerked his head sideways. "Join us. I know the other guys in the band, of course, but I'd like to get acquainted with you before things get too busy for me to think tomorrow."

"Thanks." Haru stepped inside and his eyes widened when he spotted Casey, whose cheeks were decidedly pink. "Oh."

Casey waggled his fingers. "Um. Hi. If you and Dev would rather chat privately—"

"No!" Haru grimaced. "I mean, please stay if you want."

"I'll get us something to drink. What would you like? Iced tea? Water? Beer?"

"Iced tea would be great. Thanks."

"Coming right up." Casey turned, and as he walked toward the kitchen, Dev noticed that the hem of his T-shirt was caught on the waistband of his briefs.

Which… Haru totally did not miss.

"Oh, god." He covered his face with the hand not clutching the guitar case handle. "I really intruded on something, didn't I?"

Dev chuckled. "It's fine. We can always pick up later." He gestured for Haru to sit down on the loveseat and took his own place in the rocker again. "I want to make sure you understand that. Casey and I are solid. I'm fixed here in Home." He let his glance stray toward the kitchen archway, where Casey was humming snatches of "Wait for It" as he clattered around, collecting glasses and filling them with ice. "I'm fixed with him." At least for as long as he's here.

Haru smiled a little wanly. "He seems really nice."

"He's more than nice." Dev glanced toward the kitchen again, his throat thick and his chest tighter than a drum skin. "He's a superhero," he murmured. "He's saved our summer. Hell, he probably saved the whole town." He fucking saved me. "Anyway." Dev faced Haru again. "While I'm happy to welcome POV to Home Grown, it wasn't my idea to invite you. I didn't contact Joe, and I didn't contact Nash, and I sure as shit didn't float the idea of rejoining the band."

"Oh, I know." Haru sighed. "Some big shot entrepreneur called Nash about the gig. I think he's the one who put the idea into Nash's head that you were looking to get back with us. With him."

Dev frowned. "Big shot entrepreneur? You know his name?"

"I don't think Nash ever said, other than that his name was a household word."

I'll bet my vintage Les Paul that it was Pillsbury. Damn it, that shithead wasn't kidding when he threatened to take it all. He hadn't just meant Dev's holdings and heritage. He'd meant Dev's heart. Dev glanced at the kitchen. No way was he telling Casey about this. He'd blame himself, just like he'd blamed himself over the antique fair.

"Mmmphmmm," Dev said.

"Then Nash started bugging Joe about it until he gave in. As for the other, I think I've been fooling myself. But when we met you outside Harrison House and he called me your replacement—"

"That was uncalled for." Dev scowled. "I never even hinted that I—"

Haru held up both palms, displaying the telltale calluses on the fingertips of his left hand. "I know that too. But you know Nash. He never needs any backup for his own agenda."

Dev snorted. "Trust me. I'm aware."

"It's just…" He sighed again. "I'd hoped that he'd eventually see me as myself, and not as the new Dev. Or that eventually you'd become the old Haru." He choked out a laugh. "Of course, that would require him to actually call me Haru instead of Harry."

"What can I say? He's a dickhead." Dev winced. "Sorry. I know you must have feelings for him."

"Feelings, yeah. But the type of feelings are pretty much in flux right now. I should have gotten a clue when he never let me change the arrangements for any of the songs you wrote. I mean"—he shrugged apologetically—"that guitar break in ‘Slow Down, Sonny' wasn't exactly inspired, especially that chord change in the middle."

Dev slapped his forehead. "He kept that in? You're fucking kidding me. It was a mistake. We only included it on the demo because we didn't have money for the studio time to re-record it."

"I offered to fix it. I've got my own studio setup. But Nash refused. He claimed it proved the band was real."

"Proved he was a real dickhead, more like," Dev muttered. "Shit, that's so embarrassing."

"Here we are." Casey bustled in with a pitcher of iced tea on a tray with two glasses and a plate of Sylvia's macarons. He set the tray on the coffee table, angling it so that Dev and Haru could both reach it.

Dev frowned at the tray and then up at Casey. "Only two glasses? Aren't you joining us?"

He patted his back pocket. "Text from Kenny. I'm needed at the registration venue. I might be awhile, but I'll be back for dinner." He headed for the door, and, yup, his T-shirt was still caught in his briefs.

"Babe?"

Casey turned, one eyebrow raised. "Yes?"

"If you think I'm letting you go without a kiss, you're delusional." Dev crooked a finger. "C'mere."

Casey shook his head with a crooked grin. "I may be a terrible cook and have an indifferent palate, but I'll never turn down that treat." He trotted over and planted a warm, lingering kiss on Dev's lips.

Dev caught the back of Casey's neck and pulled him in for another kiss, although he kept it on the lower end of the heat scale since his dick had only just deflated. As Casey stood, Dev caught his hand.

"And, babe?" When Casey raised both eyebrows, Dev reached around and freed his T-shirt.

Casey's blush was a glorious thing, like sunrise over the trees. "Oh my god. I can't believe you let me parade around like that in front of Haru!"

"Be fair." Dev caught Casey's flailing hands and pressed a kiss into each palm. "You high-tailed it into the kitchen before I could mention it. And at least I kept you from parading around Home like that."

Casey lifted one brow. "You're all heart."

"They're very nice briefs," Haru said, his narrow face mock innocent. "Purple is one of my favorite colors."

"Seriously? You're as bad as he is." Casey kissed the top of Dev's head. "I'm leaving now before I humiliate myself any further."

Dev gazed at the door after Casey walked out until Haru cleared his throat. "Oh. Sorry." He picked up the pitcher and filled both glasses with tea.

Haru took the offered glass. "Don't be. If I'd still had doubts about how delusional Nash is about your intentions, the way you look at Casey would have smashed them like Pete Townshend with a Rickenbacker."

"Not gonna hide it and not gonna apologize." Dev brandished his own glass. "I'm not ashamed of the way I feel about him."

Haru tilted his head. "Does he know that?"

"I… think he does."

"Never said it in so many words, eh?"

Had he? Dev tried to remember. He'd considered it. The words had been right there on the tip of his tongue. Had they ever made it past his lips?

"Maybe not." He clinked his glass with Haru's. "But it's on the agenda. In fact, I know just how to do it. Did you hear any of the song I was playing before?"

"Before I barged in and killed the mood? Yeah. It's got terrific bones, but…" Haru bit his lip and shrugged one shoulder. "Sorry, but I'm guessing it's not finished?"

"Don't be sorry, because you're perfectly right." Dev grinned. "I only started noodling with it at the beginning of the summer when I had a, er, different impression of Casey's character. He told me it needs another verse. He's right, but I think a second guitar would improve it too." He gestured to the case at Haru's feet. "What about it? You up for a session?"

Haru's eyes widened. "Are you kidding? You want me to help you write a song?"

Dev shrugged. "Why not?" He snaked out an arm and retrieved his Gibson from the stand. "If you suck, it's not like I have to use your suggestions."

Haru laughed. "Fair point." He opened the case, lifted out Dev's old Martin, and held it toward Dev. "Are you sure you don't—"

"Nah. I'm good with this one. " Dev patted the Gibson's belly. It was older than the Martin, but it had mellowed over the years. He'd left it in Home when he'd gone on the road with POV, but he'd written his very first song with it. "You're welcome to use that one, but if you've got an axe of your own that you prefer, I'll wait for you to grab it."

Haru's expression shuttered. "I don't have one of mine with me. Nash always insisted I use this one for acoustic sets."

Dev met Haru's eyes. "Dickhead," they said together.

"All right, then." Dev played a lick. "That's the progression for the verse. What do you think?"

"What about switching to E major in the chorus?"

"Perfect." Dev bent over his guitar and they traded riffs, over and over, until the tune rang like a bell, from first note to final chord.

"Guys? Guys? Guys?"

Dev looked up, blinking blearily at Casey standing in the doorway. Why was his vision so dim?

"Casey?" he croaked. Fuck, his throat was raw. He reached for his iced tea, but the glass was empty. So was the pitcher. And his back was killing him. He straightened up, rolling his shoulders and twisting until his spine cracked. "Did you get your problem sorted?"

Casey reached over and flicked the wall switch, flooding the room with light. "About five hours ago. Did you guys even take a break?"

Dev exchanged looks with Haru. "Uh…" Come to think of it, his bladder was screaming at him.

Haru shook out his hands. "I didn't realize it had been so long." His eyes widened. "Shit! Was Nash looking for me? Was I supposed to rehearse?"

"No, you're safe." Casey walked over and took the Gibson out of Dev's cramped fingers. "Owen dragged Eli with him into the summer kitchen, and Sylvia's been teaching them to make eclairs all afternoon." He chuckled. "Owen's attempt to make choux pastry might actually be worse than mine. As far as Nash is concerned? I couldn't tell you, but he and Joe took the limo into town for lunch, and I don't think they've returned."

Haru glanced at the window, where the last glow of the sunset was fading over the trees. "I suppose I ought to check in."

"Time enough for that after dinner." Casey set the Gibson on its stand. "Which Sylvia has ready for all of us at Harrison House." He waggled his eyebrows. "Paella, with sausage and shrimp sourced from Kat's local vendors, and rustic raspberry tarts with fruit courtesy of Tim, the Vegetable Guy."

Dev's stomach growled. "Fuck, that sounds amazing."

"Trust me. It is." Casey glanced between Dev and Haru. "But before we go"—he screwed up his face—"I did a thing. A thing you might not entirely like."

Dev snaked an arm around Casey's waist and drew him in until his thighs bumped the rocker's arm. "Then you might as well tell us. No more avoidance, right?"

"Yeah, I'm working on that." He blew out a breath. "I put the two of you in the music lineup. Think you can have a twenty-minute set ready by tomorrow?" He gave them a gritted-teeth grin.

Dev and Haru exchanged glances. Dev's expression was probably gobsmacked. Haru's was downright panicked.

"But Nash," Haru croaked. "POV."

"Don't worry. I've got you mid-afternoon. As the headliner, POV's closing the show in the evening." He stroked Dev's hair, the look in his eyes both fond and fierce. "You deserve this." He lifted his gaze to Haru. "Both of you. So what do you say?"

Dev met Casey's gaze. He believes in me. Maybe it's time I believed in myself again. He smiled crookedly at Haru. "I'm in if you are."

Haru's grin bloomed and Dev took a moment to marvel at Nash Tambling's idiocy at treating this man as a substitute.

"Absolutely. Let's do it."

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