Just an Illusion - Unplugged

by D. Kelly

  Wyatt Smith – Back off, Rory, she’s mine, and I don’t share. P.S. It’s not Monday

  Darren Miller – Dude, Wyatt, sister boundaries!

  Noah Weston – What he said. Boundaries, Wyatt!

  Wyatt Smith – Whatever, dudes, I’m married. Sister boundaries are fully in place and protected.

  Rory Weston – She’ll still be my WCM on Monday, so deal, Wyatt.

  Anna Smith – Rory, I actually think it’s supposed to be WCW.

  Rory Weston – Whatever, we’ll break the mold with WCM and become new trendsetters.

  Darren Miller – There you go, Rory, be the change you want to see in the world and break the internet while you’re at it. Anna would be an awesome WCW – Woman Crush Whatever

  Jordan Weston – MCW could be My Cousin Weston. I’m wounded. Where’s the love, Noah?

  Diane Weston-Jackson – MCW – Many Cocky Westons seems more appropriate for this post. Or maybe My Cocky Westons?

  Karen Weston – Many Cocky Westons! We could print shirts with that for our family photos. It would be a hoot. Love you guys!

  Sawyer Weston – OMG, Mom, that would be epic! Thanks for the post, Noah, you’re my BBB4Life.

  Rory Weston – Dammit, Sawyer, English for those not in on the joke. What’s a BBB?

  Sawyer Weston – Sorry, Rory. Best friend, Brother, and Bastard.

  Rory Weston – Thanks. Totally appropriate. Gotta go to class. Love you guys!

  “Come in,” I call out when there’s a knock on my door.

  “Good, you’re up. Let’s go get breakfast, and you can help me out with something.”

  “Sure, I could eat. Give me about fifteen minutes to take a quick shower. Nice post, by the way.”

  Flashing me a goofy smile, he says, “I know, it’s what I do, and it’s how I feel. Now hurry up. I’m hungry.”

  Noah is waiting outside for me in the SUV once I’m ready.

  “About time,” he grumbles.

  “Well, I could have skipped brushing my teeth …”

  “Thank God you didn’t take it to that extreme. Look, we might have an issue.” Noah fidgets as Mac puts the car in drive, his gaze nervously darting between Mac and me.

  “What kind of issue?”

  “Sara—”

  “What about her?” Instantly, I’m on edge. I don’t need this shit, especially not today.

  “It’s probably nothing, but I got a message on Facebook after my post this morning from one of our mutual friends. She said she knew what went down with Sara and me, and she thought I should know Sara had been bragging about having tickets to one of the Vegas shows.”

  “Mac, what do you think about this?” I ask, deferring to his expertise.

  “I’m not sure. It could just be talk, but even if she has tickets, they don’t grant her access to Noah. It’s been a few years now, guys. I’m not sure you should be alarmed just yet.”

  “Have you told Mel?”

  “No. Mel doesn’t know anything about Sara at all.”

  “Maybe it’s time the two of you have a conversation. We don’t know what Sara is up to.”

  Noah sighs as Mac pulls up to a deserted looking diner off the strip.

  “Come on, you two, let’s figure this out inside. I hear some biscuits and gravy calling my name.”

  Mac knows his breakfast, and if he brought us here, it’s because he knows it’s good. The waitress runs up to us and pulls Mac into a hug.

  “Malcolm Jones! It’s about time you brought your fine self back into town!”

  “You know I can’t pass up your food, Shelia.”

  “That’s not all you didn’t use to be able to pass up,” she teases, and Noah and I laugh. It’s fun when we get a sneak peek into Mac’s world pre-Bastards. “Are these your friends?” she asks, pulling out of his hug.

  “My bosses, Noah and Sawyer Weston.”

  She eyes us both up as we shake hands. “We’re his friends, too, even though he won’t tell anyone that when he’s on the clock,” I grumble, and she laughs.

  “That sounds like Malcolm. Come on, let’s get you settled and get some food in you before the lunch rush hits.”

  After ordering Shelia disappears into the kitchen and leaves us with a carafe of perfectly-brewed coffee. Mac monitors my caffeine intake, and once I’ve poured my second cup, he opens a dialogue.

  “Sawyer, I know you’re worried, and you have a right to be, but we’re equipped for this. You pay for the best security money can buy. I’ve got a gun, and I’m not afraid to use it if I have to. Sara is a nuisance, but we’ll handle it should she become a threat again. All of this is speculation right now.”

  Noah’s shoulders relax briefly until Mac turns his attention to him, then he tenses again. “In the event this becomes more than we want, I’ve got a few rules. The sooner you tell Amelia the better. It can hold until Thanksgiving if it needs to. If Sara is going to do something, she’s likely going to wait until you’re back on familiar territory. Keep your phone on and charged at all times, and don’t go anywhere without Ryan, myself, or one of the rest of the crew. I’m going to bring more security in on standby in case we need them.”

  “You all look so serious. Eat up. There’s nothing that some good food can’t make better.” Sheila places our food in front of us, and there’s so much of it I’m not sure where to start.

  “This looks incredible.”

  “Thanks, baby,” she says, patting my arm.

  “It smells amazing,” Noah adds, reaching for a fork.

  Mac takes a bite and groans appreciatively, winking at her after he swallows. “Best damn thing I’ve put in my mouth in months.”

  With a lascivious gaze, her eyes roam his body before meeting his again. “Stick around this time. I’ll fill your mouth with so much goodness you won’t know what hit you.”

  Mac watches her ass sashay away before turning his attention back to his food.

  “Ex-girlfriend?” Noah asks.

  “Nah, Sheila is a good friend, but it’s never been like that between us.”

  “Too bad, she’s sexy,” Noah replies.

  “It runs in the family, so is her brother. He’s my ex.”

  “Oh … well … yeah, that could get uncomfortable. Being bi is one thing. Banging your ex-boyfriend’s sister is another. Unless he was okay with it, of course.”

  “He wouldn’t be, and that’s why it will never happen,” Mac states firmly.

  We don’t make it our business to know our employees’ sexual orientations. The only thing we care about is their job performance. But one night, about seven years ago, we took Mac out for his birthday and got him drunk. He and Jordan hit it off, and they had a short-term fling. After one drunken hook-up he confessed what happened and tried to resign. Once he realized that wasn’t happening, we gave him and J our blessings to hook up if that’s what they wanted. J tried to tell Mac it was no big deal, but Mac is a stand-up guy and wanted it all out in the open.

  “Are you going to tell Mel now?” I ask.

  “No, I’m not going to tell her until we’re home. She’s already acting strange enough. Depending on how our talk goes today, it might be pointless to worry her.”

  “What’s your plan for today?”

  “On the way back to the bus we’re going to stop for flowers, and then you’re going to Darren’s bus while I talk to her about this weekend.”

  “No problem, but don’t take too long. I want to get my things and head to the hotel. I’ve got a night of sin and damnation in front of me, and I don’t want to waste a second of it.”

  Mac laughs, and Noah rolls his eyes. The reality is, I’m just hoping to get drunk and maybe get laid if I can make it out of my room.

  After breakfast, Noah goes into a flower shop in the same strip mall and comes out with a huge vase of roses. He’s so nervous it’s almost funny. When we get back to the bus, Mac gets out of the SUV, and I turn to Noah.

  “She’s going to love the flowers, and she’s going
to be excited you want to spend time with her tonight. Don’t be nervous, just be you.”

  “Thanks, Sawyer.”

  “You’re welcome. In case you’re planning more anticipation, stop. She wants you, so man up.”

  “And there’s the Sawyer we know and love.”

  “You know it. Good luck, Romeo,” I say as I ruffle his hair on the way out of the truck.

  Best Friends

  Even after the great morning we had, Noah and I got into it before parting ways. Mel and Noah were all over each other when we went to tell them the rooms were ready. I’m getting used to it and even made a joke, but Noah went off anyway.

  He’s understandably stressed about this potential Sara shit, but he’s the one who wanted to call a truce in the first place. I think I need to stay far away when it comes to him and Mel. Not just for my own well-being but also for Noah’s. He knows I have feelings for her; it’s no wonder he’s being protective.

  “What are we doing tonight, Sawyer?” Darren asks once Mac has cleared our rooms. We have adjoining ones this time, and if it weren’t for him being hooked on Belle, we could have some fun.

  “Drinking, and whatever else comes up. What time are you getting your freak on with Belle?”

  “Early, around seven. She has to work, and she said she didn’t want to keep me away from the Vegas nightlife.”

  I pour us both a whiskey and pass him one. “Sounds to me like she wants to make sure you’re satisfied before going out and less likely to hit it with someone else.”

  He spins his cup in a circle on the table. “You know I wouldn’t do that.”

  With a raised brow, I reply, “Wouldn’t you? Let me rephrase that. Why couldn’t you? Have you discussed being monogamous? A few days ago, you didn’t even know how to ask her to the Thanksgiving show.”

  “Fuck you,” he says, slamming his shot down in one gulp. As soon as his cup hits the table, I’m pouring him a refill.

  “Just calling it like I see it. Don’t get me wrong, I like Belle, and I think the two of you could be good together. But seriously, Darren, how do you know she’s not banging some other dude if you two haven’t had the talk?

  “She’s not. Well … she could be, but I’d know. Belle is honest as fuck. If she were having sex with someone else, she’d say so.”

  “If you’re sure,” I answer with a shrug.

  “How about you? What’s going on with you and Mel? Noah seemed pretty pissed this morning. I can’t believe he’s still mad about the drug stuff.”

  After downing my drink and pouring another, I meet his eyes. “He’s not, he believes me about the drugs. He’s pissed because I told him I have feelings for Mel and he’s afraid I’m going to act on them.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

  “I thought things were fine and they are. It’s just some lingering jealousy that throws him off, and I can’t blame him. He’s got a good thing going, plus … Sara might be back in the picture. Rumor has it she has tickets to one of the shows here.”

  “Fuck. Poor Noah.”

  “Yup.”

  We drift into an uncomfortable silence at the idea of Sara being an issue again when Darren finally changes the subject.

  “Show me that song you were working on the other day. Do you have it with you? Might as well get creative until we go out later.”

  “Yeah, sure. It’s not a hard and fast song. This one would fall in line with the acoustic stuff we have going on now. Not like it matters.”

  “Of course it matters, asshole. We’re not done making music, and I don’t care what Noah and Wyatt think they know now, they’re going to want to tour again eventually.”

  “Wyatt maybe, Noah … I’m not so sure,” I say, handing him the new song.

  Falling so fast

  You turned your back on me

  Down the rabbit hole

  I landed

  Screaming silently

  Unworthy and broken

  Lying crumpled on the ground

  Defeated and hopeless

  Jesus, please, take me now

  Unworthy

  Broken

  My pain means nothing to you

  Your shadow has faded

  Your love, disintegrated

  You don’t care

  And that’s fine

  My tears will stop in time

  Fell down so fast

  My heart, shattered like glass

  I’m dead without you

  But you don’t care anymore

  When Darren finishes reading, he looks up at me. Shaking his head, he places the music on the table. He reaches for the bottle, refills our drinks, and takes a sip of his before leaning back in his chair and locking his eyes on mine.

  “There is nothing I want more than for you to be happy. For the past couple of months, I’ve been wishing like crazy you would fight for her.”

  “Darren,” I grumble, and he holds his hand up to stop me from going any further.

  “Listen, please. Amelia Greyson is the best thing to ever happen to Noah, and I want them to have a lifetime of happiness. They deserve it, and maybe someday they’ll realize it and have it. You are my very best friend, and I want you to be happy too.”

  He pauses and finishes his drink. “I think you could be the best version of yourself with her. But you’re not ready for that kind of love yet, Sawyer. When you are, one day, when you least expect it, I know without a doubt it’s going to find you.”

  Darren stands and wanders over to the window, looking out at the strip. When he turns back toward me, it’s with a determination I haven’t seen in a while. “All of this emotional baggage you’re carrying, your feelings for Mel, your anger at Noah, hell … even the anniversary lingering over your head … it’s inspiring the fuck out of you.”

  He picks up the music and waves it in my face. “This right here … Fuck, man, this is pure musical genius. This is Sawyer fucking Weston at his core. Use those feelings, that pain and anger, and light the musical world on fire, Sawyer! You’ve got a God-given talent, a gift people would damn near kill for, and I cannot wait to see where it is going to take you in life.”

  As Darren finishes his rant, someone knocks on the door. He walks to the adjoining doors and looks at me once again. “You’re going to want to answer that. I’ll be in my room if you want to hang out later, but otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  What in the world was that all about? I’m still stuck on him saying I’m not ready for love as I go to open the door. I mean, I’m not sure I am, but he was kind of an unsupportive dick about it. Just as I’m about to open the door, someone knocks again. I fling it open, getting ready to go off, when I see three of my favorite people: Wyatt, Anna, and Jordan.

  All the drinks Darren and I just had have kicked in, and my emotions are soaring as I pull Jordan in for a hug. “Fuck, J, I’m so glad to see you.”

  Anna and Wyatt exchange knowing glances, and when I release J, I pull them both in for a group hug. “Thank you. I don’t know how you did this, but thank you.”

  “It was all Wyatt,” Anna says with a proud smile.

  “It was nothing. I made a few calls and picked them both up at the airport at the same time. No big deal.”

  He’s wrong, it’s a big deal. “You sly fucker. Does everyone know?”

  “Just Darren,” Wyatt says. “He helped me pull it all together last minute.”

  “Noah doesn’t know?” I’m shocked Wyatt wouldn’t tell him.

  Wyatt shakes his head. “Nah, he’s got his own shit going on, and I didn’t want him to miss out on his weekend either.”

  My eyes lock on his. “He wouldn’t have, they need this time together. I’d never interrupt them.”

  Nodding, he smiles. “I know, Sawyer.”

  Anna and J knock on Darren’s door and go inside without waiting for an answer, giving the two of us a minute.

  “Look, Wyatt, I know we haven’t talked about this, and I’m sure you and Noah have
because he needs someone to vent to when it can’t be me. Whatever I’m going through right now is on me. Mel makes Noah happy, and that makes me happy.”

  “We’re all brothers, Sawyer, and I’m not taking any sides. Thank you for saying that, but you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I was there that night … fuck, we all were, and no one was oblivious to the way Mel affected you when you met. Hell, the sexual tension between you two took over the room at one point.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  With a raised brow, he replies, “Dude, stop. Some things are just facts, and the truth is, when you took your shirt off she looked like it took every ounce of her self-control not to lick the sweat from your abs. Maybe I’m the only other person who noticed, but the fact of the matter still remains there was something between you guys.”

  Leaning back in my chair with a sigh, I pour another drink. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because, contrary to what everyone thinks, I’m not automatically on Noah’s side in all things. Regardless of how you both feel, she picked him, and I guess that’s where I’m at in this. I’m not on your side or his side, I’m on her side.”

  Wyatt’s words resonate deep within, and my respect for him just grew even more. Princess should be the only person who matters in this situation. This pissing match between Noah and me stops now.

  “Thanks, man, you just put a new perspective on this I hadn’t considered.”

  “No problem, and before I take my wife back to my room and ravish her until morning, there’s one more thing I want to apologize for.”

  “What in the world could you possibly need to apologize for? You just gave me one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. Seriously, Wy, having J here tonight means more to me than you can imagine.”

  My eyes glaze over, but fucking hell, there’s no way I’m going to cry, not now.

  “When I married Anna, I didn’t think about how it would impact the band. I never thought about retiring at all until after I proposed. Even then, it was kind of this fleeting thing that would just randomly come and go.” He pauses, his expression riddled with guilt.

  “Something happened after we said our vows. I realized there was no way I could give her the full commitment of a marriage if I was going to be traveling for the next who-knows-how-many years. My wife deserves the world, and if I can’t give her that, I can at least give her me. She’s been my rock for ten years through all of this, and I owe her. Now that her career is taking off, it’s my turn to be her rock.”