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“And so are we,” I interjected.
Viper looked my way, and damn, the man was even more stunning up close. “And who the hell are you?”
“Drew Edwards, E Group Publishing,” I said, knocking my shoulder against Hudson to push him aside, and took Viper’s hand in a firm shake. “Killer show out there tonight.”
Viper’s lips twisted into a bemused smirk as he looked between the two of us. “Look, Kill, we’ve got ourselves some party crashers.”
“Mhmm.” Killian nodded. “Bold move.”
“Well, your autobiography is all anyone in publishing can talk about—” I started, but then Hudson interrupted by adding, “It would be remiss not to reach out to you personally.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna leave you to it. Have fun.” Killian laughed as he slapped Viper on the back and headed over to the others.
Viper sighed and ran a hand through his damp hair. “All right, I’ll give you two minutes.”
“You’ll only need one,” I said. “Flat out, I’m the man for the job. E Group can provide a generous advance, and we have the experience with celebrity memoirs to put you on top of the bestseller lists.”
“I doubt that’ll be a problem, with or without you.” Viper’s lips quirked in a cocky grin. “And you?”
Hudson straightened the lapels of his suit, and I could practically hear the spiel memorized in his head.
“If we’re talking bestsellers, sixty percent of them came from Montgomery Publishing last year. Not to mention I personally worked with Trent Knox on his memoir, and—”
“Trent Knox?” Viper crossed his arms. “Really. My nemesis. And you think that helps your case how…?”
I had to bite back a big-ass smile as a frown crossed Hudson’s brow.
“Oh… I was under the impression you two had called a truce?”
“They did. Several times.” Out of nowhere, Halo appeared beside Viper, his blond curls wild and his angel smile on full display as he wrapped an arm around Viper’s waist. “But you know how big musicians’ egos get. Peace never lasts long.”
Hudson nodded. “Understood. Though Trentwasthe one who recommended I come meet you tonight.”
“Of course he did. Fucker. And what about you two?” Viper motioned between Hudson and me. “You’re…friends?”
“Competitors,” I said quickly.
“Ahh. And you both had the same idea to come out tonight.” There was a dangerous flicker in Viper’s eyes, one I couldn’t read. “I guess I should be flattered.”
“Behave,” Halo said, before pressing a kiss to the side of Viper’s neck and walking away. It wasn’t lost on me that I’d spent the night watching two men not hide their affection in any way, and it made something inside me stir. What would it have been like to have that kind of couple inspiration when I was younger? To be out and proud and not giving a fuck what anyone said? Hell, I was that way now, but a decade ago? Not so much.
“Listen, guys,” Viper said. “I appreciate the interest, but I’ve spent the last two hours with a cock tease, and all I wanna do is get him the fuck home, you feel me?”
“Uh…” I spared a glance at Hudson, who looked similarly shocked.
“So no more shop talk tonight.” Viper leaned back and let out a piercing whistle. “Yo, pull the car around.”
I dove into my pocket at the same time Hudson reached into his jacket, and both of us pulled out our business cards and practically shoved them into Viper’s hand.
He chuckled and shook his head as he looked down at the cards. “Drew and Hudson, huh. Yeah, I’ll be in touch with you party crashers. Maybe.” Then he shot us a wink and walked off, and as he passed Halo, he curled his finger into the back of the guy’s jeans, pulling him away from the conversation he’d started up. “We’re out. Everyone go home. See you fuckers tomorrow.”
As the band headed out, everything backstage seemed to shut down, and before I knew it, we were being ushered to a back door and practically pushed outside.
“I hope you’re not expecting a phone call,” I said as we all walked to the pickup area.
“Me?” Hudson balked. “Way to make a bad impression, constantly interrupting.”
“At least I didn’t bring up Trent fucking Knox.”
