Page 83 of If the World Was Ending

Mikayla’s eyes widened. “Shit. Your music is so good. I love ‘Uncomplicated Ending.’”

“Thanks.” Colby beamed with pride, and Hunter wanted to as well. How weird was that? He needed to rein in his emotions, they had clearly gone haywire.

“So, shall we?” Chris motioned toward the auditorium doors, which were held open as people wandered in.

Colby slapped his hands together. “I can’t wait to see this!”

Hunter led the way. There was an entire row reserved for cast and crew who made the trip. But since Mikayla wasn’t coming in until the end, Hunter told Colby to sit next to him, on the aisle, so he could get up and sneak into a different spot easily when Mikayla showed up. Chris had bent the unofficial rules and had Marc tucked in beside him, too.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

“Of course,” Hunter said quietly. “You’re the only person I wanted here.”

Colby grinned again. “Are you coming home tonight?”

“Yeah. I miss our place,” Hunter said, and he felt exposed, like he was admitting to something embarrassing. Yeah, his emotions were really fucking haywire. “Did you drive my car here?”

“Yeah. I still haven’t bought one, and it feels nice to drive the old girl, like old times.” Colby winked.

Hunter grinned and wondered if they could show the movie in double speed so they could get out of here sooner.

The lights dimmed, and the movie started. Hunter hated watching himself on audition tapes, but watching himself in a room full of people was next-level awkward. He’d felt like tearing his own skin off in Toronto, but it was easy this time. Mostly because he just focused on Colby. Every sound he made, every move, the way his breathing sharpened or slowed depending on the scene. Occasionally, probably more than occasionally, he snuck a glance. Colby looked riveted, which had to be a good sign.

Once again, like in the first viewing, it was weird to watch people watching him, especially in the love scenes. Hunter didn’t have full frontal nudity, but his bare ass had a close-up. He snuck a glance at Colby for that scene and caught him smirking in a way that made Hunter’s dick stir. Fuck. It wasn’t supposed to do that anymore. At one point near the end, after a big dramatic scene between Hunter’s character and his dad, Hunter could have sworn Colby wiped away a tear. He couldn’t be sure, though, because Mikayla picked that moment to slip into the theater and claim her seat. Colby moved to a seat across the aisle, one row back.

When the movie ended, the crowd gave them another standing ovation. Hunter and Mikayla stood humbly, and Colby wolf-whistled, making Hunter blush and laugh—until he caught Chris staring at him with a face full of concern. So Hunter clenched his jaw and flattened his smile.

The after-party was at an Italian place in Beverly Hills. The network bought out the entire place, and waiters floated with mini pizzas and Limoncello Spritzes. The cast was being fawned over by everyone in the room, Hunter more than anyone. He ended up with fourteen business cards shoved in his pockets—everyone from agents to managers to lawyers to stylists. He was flattered and overwhelmed. He had taken a rented SUV over with Mikayla. The network had ordered it for him. Colby showed up a little later, after driving himself, and stuck to Hunter’s side, which calmed the anxiety spinning inside him. He was enjoying himself, but he really just wanted to go home and catch up with Colby. He had also noticed that people were recognizing Colby. Not a lot, but some, and that was new. Colby looked like a rock star, too. His outfit was way more badass than his usual vintage band tees and jeans. He wondered if he had a stylist now, too.

As the night started to wind down, Hunter found himself tucked into the corner of the restaurant. Colby was beside him, leaning against the wall at the end of the bar. There were still a ton of people milling about, including Eugenie holding court at a booth with network bigwigs and Mikayla, Chris, and Marc, who were at the far side of the room, laughing about something. He turned his back on the room and focused on his best friend. Colby held his gaze, eyes soft and full of pride. “You did it, Hunter. That movie is going to change everything for you. It was incredible.”

“I can’t even…” Hunter shook his head. Colby stepped closer. His hand rested on the bar, and Hunter stared at it. His fingers were the same fingers that had skillfully wrapped around Hunter’s cock. He knew how they felt, how there were calluses on the tips from playing guitar. He wanted to feel them again, if not around his length, then against his own hand. His fingers twitched in protest, and he refused to allow them to move to Colby’s hand. “It’s a lot. I’m scared I’ll fuck it up.”

“You won’t,” Colby assured him in that way he always did. He sounded so sure of himself. He was truly the best friend Hunter could ever ask for. “You’ve earned this. You’re a phenomenal talent, and you got the break you needed. You did it. It’s going to be a crazy ride. I’m on my own one right now. It’s scary and amazing and lonely.”

Hunter met his eye again. “You’ve got me.”

“You’ve been busy. Rightfully busy,” Colby replied. “How is your mom?”

“I talked to her before the premiere. She’s doing well, considering,” Hunter explained. “She is excited to see the press from tonight. She’s been making my dad print every article she finds, and she’s starting a scrapbook.”

Colby’s dimple popped. “I want to meet her one day. She sounds like the best mom ever.”

“I hope you can.”

Colby crossed the distance Hunter wouldn’t allow himself to, and inched his hand closer until his fingers rested on top of the back of Hunter’s hand. He squeezed softly. “I will. She’ll beat this.”

Hunter sniffed. The constant swirl of anxiety and the elation of the night had his emotions raw. He would cry if he thought about his mom too much right now, so he changed the subject. “What about your parents? They say anything? Have they heard you on the radio or seen any of your press?”

Colby’s eyes darkened, and he shrugged. “If they have, they haven’t said anything. I got a long voicemail from my mom expressing her disappointment that I bailed on my brother’s wedding, and that’s it. Haven’t heard from anyone since.”

“So he went through with it?” Colby nodded, and Hunter flipped his hand over on the bar. The tips of Colby’s callused fingers deliciously tickled the soft flesh of his palm now. “I’m sorry. About your brother and your parents. They should be proud of you. Not just for how talented you are, but for what an incredible person you are. You’re the most authentic, kind, funny, loyal person I know, and you deserve better than them.”

Colby lifted his eyes to Hunter. “Hunter, you can’t… don’t make me lo?—”

“Hey, lover!”

Lover? Hunter’s brow furrowed as Mikayla’s bright voice was like a spotlight landing straight on them. Colby and Hunter both bristled and stepped apart. Not that Mikayla gave them a choice, she slid herself in between them, facing Hunter. Chris and Marc were right behind her.