3. Carter

Chapter three

Carter

(August)

"What the hell are we doing here?" I ask as I park my car in front of the big flashy building with the pounding music. "I thought you said we were going out for drinks?"

Kyler wiggles and bounces in the passenger seat with a wide smile. "Yes. Exactly. We can totally get drinks here."

I roll my eyes. "You said you needed a drink and someone to talk to. We're not going to be able to hear each other inside." I point at the club.

"Oh, hush. I brought you here for a reason. They have a live show today. Several tribute bands are playing that grandpa rock you like so much."

Kyler giggles when I narrow my eyes. "I'm not a grandpa," we say in unison, Kyler's voice mocking.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You're like a fucking leech. Why did I let you follow me here to Olivia Cove?"

"Because your good-for-nothing cheater of an ex kicked me out, and I had nowhere to go," he quips back, not sounding bothered.

Apparently, last October, TJ invited Kyler to Rocktoberfest since they both had a love for Arcade Lake. Kyler had no idea that TJ and I were dating when he approached us. Kyler felt horrible when the truth finally surfaced.

"I'm sorry TJ cheated on you," I reply, placing my hand on Kyler's wrist. I still couldn't believe that TJ insisted on moving in with Kyler shortly after returning from the music festival. Once Kyler was all happy and settled, it only took a few weeks before he found TJ on a secret date with someone else.

"Meh, who cares about that loser?" Kyler waves a hand in the air before pointing at me. "I'd do it all over again, just to have you in my life."

I smile. "Okay, maybe you aren't a leech."

"Damn straight. I'm your best friend."

For a moment, an image of Zee… no, Zayden Black flickers across my mind, and I shake my head, dismissing the crazy idea of me being best friends with a world-famous rock star. Ever since that day I saw Zayden perform up on that stage, I haven't been able to get him off my mind. The person who I once thought of as my best friend has blown out into a full-on crush. The idea of developing feelings for someone so… unattainable is ridiculous. I'm just a normal guy. And yet, when Zayden was up there in front of everyone, saying things like; ‘This song is something I wrote for a special someone,' my traitorous heart took those words at face value, and started to fall.

I mentally snap out of it, pushing my thoughts away, thoughts that equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.

Kyler rolls his eyes and unbuckles his seat belt at the same time he reaches for my phone in its holder. "Will you just message him already? You've been avoiding the poor guy."

Sometimes I still regret telling Kyler about Zee. He doesn't know that Zee is Zayden, the famous guitarist of one of Kyler's favorite bands, but he pretty much knows the rest, including my feelings for my online man.

I snatch my phone out of his fingers before he can do any damage and pull out my messenger app. "Stop saying that. I haven't been avoiding him; I've been busy with the move and starting up my new marketing business."

"No, you've been avoiding the guy. And if you didn't want me to hit you with the truth, you shouldn't have told me all about your online lover."

My lips twitch at his words. Fuck, Kyler moving with me to Olivia Cove has been one of the best decisions of my life. Despite the little blond's bratty ways, he seems to mean well. When I left Los Angeles, completely uprooting my life, I was in desperate need of a friend.

"Fine, fine. I'll text him, okay?"

A triumphant smile crosses Kyler's face, and he rolls his hand in a hurry-up motion.

Pulling up the messenger app, I notice that the last message was from him two days ago. Two days might not seem like a long time to some, but we used to talk daily. Constantly. Fuck. Guilt swirls in my stomach as I reread his text.

ZeeShredz: I miss chatting with you, Carter. I know you're busy with your new startup, but message me when you can.

The same emotional turmoil fills my chest. Excitement that he misses me. Guilt that I've been so busy. Self-doubt. Would he even like me if he saw me in person? The tight feeling in my chest grows, and I unbuckle my seatbelt.

But also, how horrible of a person am I for leaving him on read with a message like that?

Carter32: Hey, Zee. Sorry about going MIA. I don't recommend moving and starting a business at the same time. What are you up to tonight?

"There." I flash Kyler my phone with a smirk. "Are you happy now?"

"Oh look, he's typing back already!" Kyler bounces in his seat.

I jerk my phone back to my face and, sure enough, I notice the three little dots are moving, signaling that Zee is typing. My heart races with anticipation and excitement. See? This right here isn't healthy. Despite enjoying our previous conversations pre-Rocktoberfest, Zee's messages never gave me this thrill before. Texting Zee used to feel like a warm blanket in the middle of winter. Something comforting. Something I needed. Now? Now, his messages feel like a fine shot of expensive whiskey; exhilarating, risky, and intoxicating.

ZeeShredz: I'm going out with a friend.

ZeeShredz: We're going to check out a few potential leads for a new rhythm guitarist.

A wave of irrational jealousy washes over me. The man is allowed to go out with a friend. It's as if knowing I'm extremely attracted to the person behind the screen has completely messed with my head. I needed to get over my crush, or I'm going to end up losing one of the most important people in my life.

Carter32: That's great. Kyler tricked me to going to a club. I guess I'm going dancing tonight.

Yeah, getting over my crush as soon as possible sounds like a good idea. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's get in line."

"Wait," Kyler beams. "We're actually going inside the club?"

I chuckle as I open the door and slide out of my car. "What? Was there actually a possibility that you'd let me say no?"

Kyler laughs. "Of course not, I just thought I'd have to drag you in there kicking and screaming."

Any other time, I'm sure he'd be right. "I think I need to get over this crush. Maybe I need to find someone to hook up with."

Kyler frowns at me. We make our way to the end of the line before he fully turns to face me. "That doesn't sound like you. I can't even remember you hooking up with someone since I met you."

That's because you're practically in love with a rock star, says a tiny voice in my head. "Exactly. I need to get laid. I haven't even had sex since before we met, and that was with—" My words trail off when I see Kyler's eyes widen.

"Oh, you poor thing. TJ is a horrible lay."

I bark out a laugh. Fuck, it's true. "You're such a brat."

Kyler bows. "Why, thank you," he says in a joking tone. "But seriously, do you think that's a good idea? It sounds like you have deep feelings for Zee. Why don't you tell him? See where that goes. We can just go inside, dance with a few guys, and leave it at that. Burn off all these excess emotions, then go home."

I shake my head. "We'll see."

Bright colors and strobe lights flash as soon as we enter the club and make our way past the bar and onto the dance floor. The tribute band up on the stage is performing a fast song that thrums through my veins. Excitement courses through me as the music captivates me, causing my head to bob to the beat.

Kyler laughs next to me. "I knew you'd love this. Come on, Grandpa, let's go dance."

One of my favorite things about Olivia Cove is all the LGBTQ+ businesses. This club, for example, is queer-friendly. It's so nice to see various genders flirting, dancing, and having a good time. Nobody here bats an eye at the same-sex couples. It's freeing.

Raising my hands over my head, I join the dancers on the floor and move to the beat of the music. Some people are gyrating, others are bouncing around to the rhythm, while some just jump on their feet. Classic rock always pulls in a good mesh of people.

Kyler and I dance for what feels like hours, but I'm sure is only minutes. I get lost in the music and feel a smile on my face. I close my eyes and just let go, enjoying myself. This was a wonderful idea. I already feel most of the stress evaporating from my body.

The figure of a man up ahead catches my attention. From here, I can see he's wearing a pair of tight leather pants that hug his ass. His shirt is cut on the sides, reminding me of the night I saw Zayden in person. I smile and close my eyes again, pretending the man I can't stop thinking about is here at the club with me.

After a few minutes, the band plays the opening tune to one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. Something about the lyrics really hits me hard. The next thing I know, I feel someone dancing against me from behind. My eyes snap open and I see Kyler dancing with someone a few feet away.

I don't know who the person is behind me, but the fantasy of me dancing with Zayden is too strong to resist, so I don't turn around and face the stranger, instead I lean back, pressing my back against the guy's front. The thick bulge in his pants pushes against me. When I lean back, he wraps his strong arms around my stomach and chest in a possessive hold.

It's a wonderful feeling to be wanted by someone. I chuckle when I hear the lyrics of the song and realize I'm dancing with this stranger in the dark. The guy pulls away and I turn in time to see him turn his back on me, hands up in the air, still dancing.

As the music envelops us, I press the front of my body against his back and we dance to the rhythm. I place my hands on his hips. Despite all the toned muscles, he's tiny in my hands. I have a sudden desire to turn him around so I can get a good look at his face.

The stranger continues to grind against me, and I wrap a possessive arm around his chest, trapping him in place. "Is this okay?" I say into his ear so he can hear me over the classic rock. He shudders and nods, placing his hand over mine. Slowly, he glides my hand up his chest, then higher, up to his neck, where he wraps my fingers around his throat.

Holy shit.

Something about the move is so fucking hot that I squeeze. Not enough to cut off his air, just enough to make it feel like a claiming hold.

His heartbeat races under my fingertips and my cock is so hard against his ass, I almost feel like I could come, just from this. Just from dancing with a stranger in the dark.

Lost in the feel of him, I close my eyes again, just letting the music and this sexy stranger take me under its seductive pull. The stranger spins in my arms. Now, I can tell we are face to face, but I'm almost afraid of opening my eyes and popping this imaginary bubble.

Our bodies pressed together, still grinding. His thigh slides against my groin, creating a hot sensation that causes me to moan.

"What's your name, handsome?"

God, that voice. A shiver races down my spine as his breath caresses the shell of my ear. Finally, I open my eyes, wanting to see who's flirting with me. The air is sucked from my lungs when I'm met with a stunning pair of familiar brown orbs.

My lips part, and I stumble back a step. The stranger is standing there with that smirk I've become obsessed with. A face I've studied through millions of online photos and magazine covers over the last several months. Zee.

Zayden.

Fuck. Or maybe it's his identical twin, Olly. My eyes search his face, desperate for any clues on whether this is the man who has occupied my thoughts over the last several years, or if this is that man's brother.

Either way, my body is completely on board, despite the mini freak-out I'm currently having. And this gorgeous man called me handsome.

The stranger smirks as if I'm a sure thing, and for some reason, that rubs me wrong. Is he even attracted to me? Or am I just the first available guy he's seen?

Seriously? What the hell is wrong with you? I chastise myself. I came here to hook up. And now, the most attractive man I've ever laid eyes on, shows some interest, and I'm questioning it? I bat those thoughts away. Of course I'm questioning it. My feelings are for Zayden, and if this is Olly, then he isn't the one for me.

I shake my head at him. "Why don't you tell me your name first?" I shout over the music. I need to be sure.

"Oh sweetheart, you know my name."

Disappointment fills my chest, and the flirty remark pisses me off even more. This isn't Olly standing in front of me with that cocky smile. It's Zayden. And, of course, he wouldn't recognize me as his online friend.

Why would he?

Before he can say another word, I spin on my heel and take off toward the bar. I didn't plan on drinking tonight, but I need a damn shot. This isn't happening. I have to be dreaming. I'm back at my apartment, passed out after a long day of work. Because there's no way that Zayden Black, famous rock star, is here dancing with me, of all people, in a club in the middle of small town Olivia Cove.

Pushing my way through the dense crowd, I finally make it to the bar, where I quickly grab the bartender's attention and order a shot. I down it in one go.

"Hey!" Zayden calls out somewhere behind me.

I dive back into the crowd and navigate my way to the back door, past security, and outside, onto the patio.

"Hey, wait up!"

The door swings closed behind me, muffling the music. A few people are chatting outside while sipping on their beers. Lanterns are scattered around, illuminating the area as the sound of waves crash in the distance.

"Hey," Zayden pants, walking to my side. He puts his hands up in the surrender motion. "I'm so sorry. It's me. I thought you'd recognize me from Rocktoberfest. We met in October?" He poses the last statement more like a question, as if unsure of my reaction.

I nod slowly, realizing I probably look like a crazy person. The thought of the man I'm falling for flirting with me as if I'm no one special fucked with my head. According to all the articles I've read, Zayden is a playboy. A big flirt that loves to party with supermodels. I don't want to be another nameless person for him to add to his list.

He steps closer, giving me a better look at his face. Zayden's beautiful brown eyes sparkle in the light.

I clear my throat. "Zay—Zayden. Of course. Sorry about that," I say lamely, not bothering to explain.

His shoulders relax when I say his name. He gives me a wide, carefree smile. "Is this going to be a common occurrence?" His tone is playful. Not flirty, exactly, but light. Suddenly, it feels like I'm finally looking at my Zee , not the playboy flirt and charmer, but the sweet cinnamon roll behind the screen.

All my hesitation melts away. I can't help but smile back. "Is what a common occurrence?"

He grins. "You running away from me? I feel like you're Cinderella, always fleeing away from the ball."

It's such a Zee thing to say that I chuckle. "Does that make you my Prince Charming?" I banter back, then realize what I said. My face heats, and I suddenly want the ground to swallow me whole. Prince Charming? God, could I sound any more pathetic?

Zayden only chuckles in response. "Come on," he says, slowly reaching for my hand. "Let's grab a seat and chat."

My breath catches. I should pull away, make up some excuse and leave, but he gives me another heartwarming smile that looks more excited than flirty.

Is Zayden Black excited to spend time with me ?

Maybe it's the shot that's finally kicking in, and settling my nerves. Or maybe it's just because it's Zee. But instead of leaving, I lace my fingers with his and follow him to an empty table.