Page 65 of Conquest

Jesse licked a line up Evan’s exposed throat and nipped lightly under his jaw. “It looks like the sadist is in a bit of a masochistic mood tonight.”

Evan grinned, his head fell back further to give more of his throat to Jesse. “Maybe a little.”

Jesse moved his hands under Evan’s shirt. He rubbed his chest and squeezed against the strength in Evan’s pectorals, then circled his nipples with his thumbs.

Evan laid his hands over Jesse’s, halting his motions. “Before we get carried away, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Jesse halted his affections and took a half step back, looking at Evan in concern. “What is it? Is everything okay?”

Evan took Jesse’s hand and led him to the couch, guiding him to sit beside him. “Everything’s great, but I have something important I want to tell you.” He sat quiet for a moment, his eyes focused on the floor rather than on Jesse. He filled his lungs with a deep breath and turned on the couch to face him. “I’ve been thinking a lot about all the things we’ve talked about and I’ve decided to hit the studio and record a new album.”

Jesse stared at him. He blinked a couple times, then stammered out, “Are…are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

Jesse flung his arms around Evan’s neck. “That’s awesome! You don’t know how happy I am to hear that!”

Evan held him tighter. He squeezed his eyes shut, his voice came soft. “I thought you would be.”

“When are you going to start?”

“Probably after my birthday. That should give Greg time to contact the people who played with me in the past to see if they want to suffer through another album with me. I think I’ll call JJ myself, though, and see what he’s up to.” Evan relaxed his embrace. “But, I don’t want you to think I’m trying to steal your thunder. I’m already planning on releasing my album a couple months after yours so yours won’t get overshadowed.”

Jesse arched one slender eyebrow. “Really. That’s so considerate of you.”

Evan caught Jesse sarcastic tone. “I didn’t mean that as an insult. It’s just the reality of how things will be when I release new material.”

“Uh huh. Well, I want you to know I’ll do everything I can to help you make a successful comeback. I’ll even talk to Greg about having you be my opening act.”

“Opening act!”

“Yeah. I’m a very generous guy,” Jesse chuckled.

“You better be after that comment,” Evan said, and silenced Jesse’s snickering with his lips.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Brandon Alexander?”

The door to the Phoenix Records studios hadn’t closed behind Brandon when he heard a female voice call his name. He looked toward the blonde receptionist sitting behind her large desk and the security guard leaning against it. “That’s me.”

The receptionist gave him a welcoming smile. “I thought so. Jesse told me to expect his older brother about this time and you two look a little alike. If I could ask you to show me an ID to confirm it, then you can go in.”

Brandon dug in his front pocket and pulled out his money clip where he kept his credit cards and driver’s license. He handed her the license.

She looked at it and handed it back while pointing to the hall. “Jesse will either be in the first studio on your right past the vocal booth, or further down the hall in the chill-out room on your left. The pizza they ordered just arrived, so my guess would be the latter.”

“Thanks,” Brandon said, and headed down the hall.

The last time he saw Jesse had been two weeks ago when he first met Evan. They hadn’t gone so long without seeing each other since the period when Jesse still lived with their parents and he had already been kicked out. He didn’t like it. Even though they talked on the phone every day, between Jesse being busy the week before with his new band members, and his being wrapped up with his latest audition, they couldn’t fit a visit in. But that wasn’t the way things should be. They were brothers, not someone to be squeezed in between obligations. And he almost forgot the other reason they hadn’t hung out, Evan.

Brandon gritted his teeth. He wondered if Evan was there. If he was, he wouldn’t let him slip by like the last time. He had thought a lot about their encounter, and the more he did, the more Evan’s snide comments and air of superiority pissed him off. The only thing that confused him was how quickly Evan shifted from aggressive to congenial when Jesse walked up at Uno’s. He couldn’t figure out if Evan tried to hide how he actually was from Jesse, or if he covered the tension between them to not distress Jesse. He wanted to believe it was the latter. He hoped with all his heart it was for Jesse’s sake.

He heard Jesse’s voice coming from an open door on the left side of the hall, and chuckled to himself. Jesse babbled about how his birthday was October 7th and Kenny’s August 12th, then questioned others on their birthdays. A male voice answered he would turn twenty-five in November, a female replied she had turned twenty-two that past January. Jesse called her an “old lady,” and the next thing Brandon heard was Jesse yelling “Ow!” He stepped in the doorway and saw Jesse sitting on a couch rubbing his arm, and an attractive redheaded woman, who could only be Trish from Jesse’s description of her, smirking at him. His eyes fell on the marvelously hot blond guy whose demeanor spoke of sophistication and knew he must be Julian.

“Damn girl, you punch like a guy,” Jesse said.

“And don’t you forget it,” Trish retorted.