“Alright,” the DJ said.“Million euro question: Are you working on anything new?”
Ry handled this question.Always.“Well.”He tried to play coy on this one.“We’re always working on new things.I can’t say for sure what will happen, but keep an ear out during our shows.”Which only meant they’d play random chords and people would read into them, which was the point.
“Thanks for your time.Listeners, you can catch Ghostfire—”
Arend hung up the phone.
“Well done,” he said.“Now, let me go over the schedule for the day.Before lunch at 12:45, I want you to eat and work out, looking your best.The sound check is at 3:00, and at 6:30, we’ll surprise them with an autograph signing before the show.”Ry blocked out Arend’s ongoing narration concerning the rest of the day.Besides, management sent his schedule to his phone every day, with reminders.
“Got it?”Arend asked.
Everyone nodded, and Ry joined in too.Then he got up to head back to his room so he could order something to eat, but Arend stopped him before he could do so much as leave.
“Orion.”Arend’s frosty voice carried a threat.“I dislike surprises in interviews.”
He shrugged.“Maybe my favorite song has changed.”
“Is that so?Go on, you have your fans to please.Don’t forget that.”
Ry headed a few doors down to his suite.Had Alexander been trying to say something today?A hand of peace?Of course they spoke and performed together, but it was too painful for Ry to think about.This was the first time he’d heard his name out of the big guy’s mouth that wasn’t on stage—which was a different world altogether.And it reminded him of when they’d first started.
CHAPTER 2: PAST
The day was a miserable wash of gray; the sky wept a fine, icy drizzle that slicked the pavement.A damp, earthy smell clung to everything, even inside.Ry shivered on his way to lunch.He was meeting Lon and Brand, as usual.Ry had befriended Brand last year, after he’d stood up to Ry’s anti-gay bullies.Since then, the three of them—Lon, Brand, and Ry—ate lunch together.
Brand had recently befriended Alex through the fencing team.Today, Alex approached them at lunch.Ry nearly choked, a cough wracking his chest.Alex seemed to glow brighter than the fluorescent lights; a warmth spread through Ry, a strange, electric feeling tingling his fingers.Alex’s short-cropped dark hair sat atop a frame of solid muscle.Even though it was cold, he wore a plain tee and jeans that hugged every curve.
“Hey,” he said, addressing Ry.These were the first words he’d spoken to him.Ever.“Mind if I join?”
“S-sure.”Ry couldn’t believe he’d even been able to speak.
Lon laughed, brushing his long blond hair out of his eyes.“Yeah, I’m not telling a mountain he can’t hang out with us.”He went back to fidgeting with his camera.
“Alexander,” Brand said, gesturing to the empty seat next to him.“Good to see you.Didn’t think you’d stop by.”
“Thanks for helping me out with that calculus problem.”Alex slid onto the bench, though he barely fit at the table.
“I’m glad I could help,” Brand said.
Ry’s face burned, a fiery blush creeping up his neck as his heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs.Ry had subjected Brand and Lon to a barrage of half-romantic, half-lustful thoughts fixating on “that junior guy,” now sitting at their table.Relief washed over Ry that Brand sat opposite, not Alex.Ry snapped back to himself, the shock receding.He was a politician’s son; he could handle this.At least he should be able to.
“I’m Ry,” he said, holding out his hand.Alexander took it and shook it twice.He had a firm grip, and his hands, warm and dry, made Ry feel tingly.
“Nice to meet you.I’m Alex.”He gave Ry a dazzling smile of perfect white teeth that stole his breath.He could stare at that angular face and brilliant green eyes all day and be happy.
He heard a giggle next to him.Definitely Lon.Brand had more self-control than that, though Ry could see a twinkle of mirth in his eyes.
“Lon.”His skinny friend held out a hand to Alex.Lon’s checkerboard sweater knocked into Ry’s drink, but Alex deftly caught it before it fell over.
The can looked comically small in his large hands.As Alex passed over the soda, their fingers brushed, Alex’s lingering touch sparking a silent moment before they separated.Ry fidgeted with his utensils for a moment, concentrating on lunch.A nervous quiet settled over the group.
“You’re Royce’s kid, right?”Alex asked after devouring his food.“I’ve seen you around.”
“Yup, that’s my dad.”Ry sighed.Well, this was turning out just perfect.Already asked about his dad, a sore subject for any teen.“One reason I hang with these two.They don’t give a shit about him.”
“I never judge people by their parents.”Alex laughed.“Just on who they are as a person.”Then he winked at Ry.Cheeky bastard!
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