by HJ Welch
He realized Raiden was looking at him. Raiden had his own laptop on his knees, his elbow propped up on the armrest as he rubbed his chin. Gabe smiled awkwardly at him.
“Hot damn,” Raiden said. “You and Joey are together, aren’t you?”
Gabe ran cold. Had he just put his foot in it? Raiden seemed only curious though, his eyes not leaving Gabe’s despite the fact he was getting flustered. The seat he was in suddenly felt too small and he fidgeted.
“Uh, not officially,” Gabe said, anxious he was doing the right thing. “It’s new.”
“Yeah, it sure is,” said Raiden. “No offense, but usually he has real shitty taste in guys. You seem delightful.”
Gabe rubbed the back of his neck. That seemed an odd word to use to describe another guy, but Raiden’s tone didn’t suggest sarcasm. His stare was a bit intense though.
“So, you’re cool with him being, uh…” Gabe asked.
Raiden frowned then leaned back in his seat. “Oh! Gay?” He scoffed. “Knew from the second I met him. You know he’s been out for years, right?”
Gabe fiddled with the cuff of his hoodie. He wished he’d worn something a bit more presentable, but he’d assumed he’d get time to change at the hotel. He remembered he should probably cancel the reservation at some point.
“Yeah. I guess this is a bit strange for me. We’re pretty different.”
Raiden rolled his eyes then clicked and typed a few things on his computer. “My mom’s a botany professor, my dad and his entire family are in the military. She always says it’s opposites that attract.”
“Oh,” said Gabe nodding. He was starting to like Raiden, he thought. He was a little hard to read, but he seemed sincere in what he said. “Well, thanks. Like I said it’s very new. But I like him.”
Raiden nodded, narrowing his dark eyes. “Just be careful,” he said.
“I don’t want to hurt Joey,” said Gabe quickly. “I think he’s great.”
Raiden considered him for a moment. “Not what I meant,” he said. “You be careful. Joey…he doesn’t always know what’s good for him. Sometimes he’d rather be a fucking ass and do it all alone than let someone else in.”
Gabe glanced uncomfortably at Joey singing in the booth. Storm Sailor had his headphones on still and was nodding along to the beat.
“I thought you and Joey were friends,” he said slowly.
Raiden’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh hell yeah, of course. Love him like a brother.”
“Then why would you say that about him?” Gabe asked, hurt on his behalf. Joey would hate to know his friend was saying unkind things.
But Raiden closed his laptop and leaned on his knees, getting closer to Gabe. “Because I like you. And sometimes my little buddy in there needs saving from himself. You notice it’s not TJ or Blake recording this track?”
“Joey said it was in his range,” Gabe said quickly.
Raiden nodded. “Because I wrote it specifically for him. Because hell would freeze over before he took money from me or Blake. Fuck, Reyse could walk through those doors with a check for ten grand and that boy wouldn’t take it. He has to earn his way. His dignity’s the most important thing to him. You remember that, and let him do things for himself, you might just stand a chance.”
Gabe looked over at Joey. He was taking a break and swigging some water. He waved happily when he caught Gabe’s eye.
“I want to stand a chance,” Gabe said, returning the wave.
Raiden slapped his knee, the sudden contact making Gabe startle then laugh. “If anyone does, buddy, I think maybe it’s you. Good luck.”
Gabe bit his lip. Storm Sailor was ready to begin recording, so he unmuted the channel and made communications two-way. Gabe didn’t get another opportunity to talk to Raiden again as he and the producer began piecing the track together.
If one of Joey’s closest friends reckoned he was in with a shot and had essentially given his blessings, Gabe wanted to go for this. No more doubts. It didn’t matter if it was fast moving on from Lewis if it was right.
He just had to make sure this was really what Joey wanted too, and protect his own heart from getting broken again.
21
Joey
Several hours later, Joey and Gabe found themselves standing in one of the elevators at the Chicago Four Seasons, tiredly waiting for their floor to arrive. Joey may have been exhausted, but he was also buzzing with the adrenaline of the afternoon.
The recording session couldn’t have gone better. Joey wasn’t used to singing a whole song by himself, but it seemed like Storm Sailor had been impressed with his work. They’d done a couple takes of the whole thing, then three or four of each verse, chorus and the interlude. Some lines had been niggly and Joey had performed them individually, but Storm Sailor had insisted that he’d knocked it out of the park.
Joey had been anxious, wanting to do a few more takes just for safety. But Raiden had given him That Look and he knew he was just fussing over nothing.
The plan now was to finish producing all the effects tomorrow, when the guys would also work with some backing vocalists to enrich the sound. But as for Joey, he was done until they finalized the video shoot in a few weeks’ time.
Which left him and Gabe to enjoy the rest of their night. He’d been blown away when he’d heard that their hotel had been upgraded to one of the nicest places in town. When he’d been in the band they’d got stuff like this all the time, so when Raiden didn’t say it was being offered, he assumed he just had to make his own way. This was an excellent surprise, to say the least.
Gabe had hinted numerous times how nice it was and so generous of Storm Sailor and his people. He was so naive, bless him. This was just what the industry did. When you were on top, you had to enjoy it while it lasted. Because at any moment it could all be taken away from you.
But right now, yeah, Joey was thrilled that they had been given this gift. Especially after he’d taken the plunge that morning and promised to try at whatever this was between him and Gabe. He honestly didn’t know what they could have in terms of a relationship, let alone anything like a future together. All he knew was that he really liked spending time with him, and he just wanted more.
It felt like taking that leap of faith had been rewarded. He’d expected to spend the night at an okay hotel, at least one better than the motel they’d stopped off at the previous night. But nothing fancy, and he certainly hadn’t expected to go out for dinner or anything. That would have been throwing money away.
No, he’d had his hopes set on a Chinese takeout and maybe some more sex. He’d not missed the fact that Gabe had stepped into a drug store on their way to the hotel after the recording session was done.
The universe had done him a kindness though. They walked along the plush carpet on the thirty-fifth floor until they found their room, unlocking the door with a swipe of a key card. Gabe gasped as he led the way inside.
A beautiful king-sized bed covered with crisp white linen greeted them. Windows on two of the four walls gave them a spectacular nighttime view of the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan. A large TV was mounted on the wall as well as framed paintings of impressionist flowers. But what caught Joey’s attention was the sofa, and the countertop above the mini fridge and safe. Or, more specifically, what was on their surfaces.
There were several vases of colorful flower arrangements that left the room smelling sweetly. Gift baskets of food were wrapped in crinkly cellophane, containing fruit and cookies and teas and bottles of wine. A bottle of Champagne and two glasses were chilling in an ice bucket. There were also two identical-looking piles on the bed. At the bottom were impossibly soft robes and fat, fluffy slippers. Next, a brand-new tablet with wireless, noise-cancelling headphones, a gift card to a very fancy-looking restaurant called Alinea, another for the Skydeck at Sears Tower and, finally, a pair of gorgeous silver cufflinks from a store called Shane Co. A quick glance in the large bathroom to his left showed Joey another gift basket, this one fille
d with high-end toiletries.
“Wow,” said Gabe, still clutching his case. “Oh my – I mean – fucking wow.”
“Yeah,” Joey agreed with a chuckle.
He knew it was hollow though as he crawled onto the ginormous bed, careful not to disturb any of their presents as he curled into a ball. Fuck. Two nights ago he’d been afraid of his drunk father storming down the stairs and shaking him awake on his pitiful little camp bed and demanding the rent he said he owed him. Tonight, he was in one of the best hotels Chicago had to offer, surrounded by expensive gifts with several large locks on the door to keep the world away.
This. This is why he never wanted to be poor again. He never wanted to be at other people’s mercy. Because money gave you security, and security meant you didn’t have to worry about where your next meal was coming from or if your shoes would get you through the winter or if you got sick what your health insurance would cover.
It was okay. If he just kept working, he could get a little slice of happiness, he was sure. Not luxury like this every day, but something slightly better than the miserable life he was living now.
“Hey?”
Gabe’s hand slid over his shoulder and the bed dipped as he sat down behind Joey’s back. He didn’t realize he had balled his fist around the comforter and there were tears in his eyes.
“Sorry,” Joey said, trying to laugh. “It’s just been a long day. A long few months.”
Gabe swung around and spooned himself against Joey, wrapping his arms around him and cuddling him close. “How about,” he began, kissing the sweet spot just under Joey’s earlobe. “We…run a bath, with bubbles. Have some strawberries and Champagne, order room service, and then snuggle in bed with a movie?”
Joey squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to stop the tears. He wasn’t entirely sure why he was so upset all of a sudden. He should be happy he had all these incredible things around him tonight, like a normal person.
“That sounds amazing,” he said. He tried to wipe his eyes without Gabe catching on. He either got away with it, or Gabe pretended not to notice.
They followed Gabe’s plan to the letter. The bathtub was humungous, so they were both able to fit in. Although they’d each had a lukewarm shower at the motel that morning, it felt like they were washing off several days’ worth of travel as they slipped under the scorching hot water and suds.
Joey had it in mind they’d get up to some naughtiness. After his mini freak-out he was ready to shake it off with another orgasm. He’d almost forgotten how addictive they were from other people instead of his own hand.
Gabe sat at the back of the tub with Joey sitting in between his legs, facing away. But instead of the expected groping, Gabe proceeded to wash Joey’s body with a loofah and some divine smelling bath cream. He followed it up with a shoulder massage that had Joey moaning sinfully.
By the time they got out of the tub he was all floppy and sleepy, and his fingers and toes looked like prunes. Gabe soon had him bundled up in his robe before depositing him on the bed with the promised Champagne and bowl of fresh strawberries. They made quite the domestic scene as they huddled over a takeout menu Gabe found on his phone for a good local Chinese, and soon they had a sizable amount of food on its way.
Joey let Gabe pick a movie; he didn’t care so long as there was the noise of the TV. When they found an old Jaws rerun, they declared it a win and nestled down amidst the dozen or so pillows scattered over the bed.
Joey felt like he was in heaven. But he also felt a bit ashamed of his outburst earlier. What right did he have to be sad when he’d had one of the best days of his life? What was wrong with his brain?
Luckily, their food arrived before he could get too melancholy again. And quite frankly, it was very hard to feel sorry for yourself when you had Kung Pao chicken and cold Champagne to wash it down with.
Joey looked over at Gabe as they ate. His cheeks were slightly flushed and his hair a little mussed from the bath still. He’d used some of the hair oil from the gift basket on his neat beard so it was soft and shiny and smelled of roses. His eyes were glued to the screen as Jaws attacked the small town once again. He didn’t know how to use chopsticks, so when the shark thrust out of the water, he froze with a plastic fork of chow mein halfway between the container and his mouth.
How could he be so hot yet so adorable at the same time?
Gabe flicked his eyes over and smirked. “Do I have plum sauce on my face?” he asked.
“Yes,” Joey lied, as it was a good excuse to lean over and kiss his cheek.
They were living in a fantasy, but for one night it could all be real. For one night, Joey could forget the rest of the world and pretend that the two of them could make this work. That they could find a way to fit their lives together.
Slowly, they made their way through the boxes of food until Joey felt a bit sick, but in the best way. Jaws finished and some terrible B-movie from the seventies started that Joey had never heard of, but that was okay. He wasn’t exactly paying attention to the TV anymore.
He plucked Gabe’s almost-empty glass from his fingers and placed it on the nightstand by his own flute. They’d already discarded the takeout boxes, so there was nothing to stop Joey from slipping his leg over Gabe’s and straddling his crotch. Gabe looked up at him, amused, as he rested his hands on Joey’s hips.
“Hello,” he said.
“Hi,” said Joey impishly as he leaned down for a kiss.
Gabe tasted of food and wine and his own spicy musk. Truth be told, Joey had preferred him yesterday when he’d been more naturally sweaty after a day traveling. But he could soon get this pristine Gabe all hot and bothered again, he was sure.
Gabe’s big fingers were surprisingly nimble as they undid the tie holding Joey’s robe together. His cock was already coming to life and stretching to the ceiling as Gabe parted the fluffy cotton. Joey copied him, unfastening the other robe, eager to get to his chiseled body once again.
“What do you want?” he asked Gabe between kisses.
“You,” said Gabe simply. He ran his hands up Joey’s body and pushed the robe off his shoulders, leaving him naked.
“How do you want me?”
Gabe shuddered. “Fucking hell, like this,” he said. “Ride me, you gorgeous thing you.”
Joey moaned and squeezed Gabe’s big shoulders. “You got supplies, didn’t you?” he asked. If he hadn’t, Joey was prepared to call the front desk and ask them for what they needed, god damn it.
Thankfully, Gabe nodded. “My bag, front pocket,” he said. Although he was kissing Joey passionately and gripping onto the back of his head, so it made it a little difficult for him to move. Eventually, his need grew too much, and Joey pulled free.
“I’ll be right back,” he promised with a grin.
He could feel Gabe’s eyes on him as he hurriedly fetched the condoms and lube from the pouch he’d indicated. When he returned, Gabe wrapped his arms around his back as Joey straddled his hips again, their cocks bumping together. “I love your body art,” he said, kissing a trail up Joey’s neck. “One day I’m going to ask you what every single tattoo means, and kiss them all.”
It was Joey’s turn to shudder. “They’re mostly just nonsense,” he admitted. Some days he couldn’t stand to think of the crap he’d permanently put all over his damn body. Images that didn’t mean anything no matter what Gabe thought.
But Gabe shook his head and smiled. “They’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.”
Joey huffed, embarrassed. “No, I’m not,” he mumbled. “I’m like a reverse ugly duckling. Kind of cute as a kid, now just squishy looking.”
Gabe stopped his ministrations and cupped Joey’s face with both his wide palms. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
Joey shrugged and tried to look away. But Gabe put just enough pressure on his face with his hands to make it difficult. He could have, if he’d really wanted to. But Gabe didn’t want him to. So he didn’t.
“Yeah,”
he admitted instead. He knew that’s why he was struggling for work now. If he was as adorable as he’d been at fifteen, he’d be raking it in.
Gabe scanned his face with troubled eyes. “I think you’re so beautiful I can’t bear it,” he said. “I spotted you that first day, outside Maggie’s bakery, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you since.” Joey bit his lip, feeling his cheeks burning. “I…I want you to say you’re beautiful. For me.”
Joey looked at him skeptically. “Even though I don’t believe it?”
Gabe rubbed one of his thumbs over Joey’s cheekbone. “You might start to?”
Joey huffed again. This was ridiculous. He knew he’d been losing his looks when Derrick had dumped him. Some people suited their puppy fat, and then just didn’t make all that attractive adults. But Gabe was looking at him hopefully, and Joey was starting to realize he didn’t want to refuse Gabe anything.
He took a slow, deep breath. “I’m…beautiful,” he said, feeling like a complete dick.
But Gabe immediately leaned upwards and met his mouth for a searing kiss. “So beautiful, baby.”
Joey had to admit there was something warm lodged in his chest. Maybe he didn’t have to believe it. Just knowing Gabe believed it might just be enough.
“Can we please have sex now?” he grumbled. Luckily, that made Gabe laugh.
“Yes, you little brat, we can have sex.” There was no rancor to his words in the slightest though. Joey excitedly reached for the condoms, pulling one out for Gabe and discarding the rest of the box. Then he drizzled lube on his fingers and reached around to stretch himself.
When Gabe had suited up, he ran his hands over Joey’s body and kissed his lips, his throat, his clavicles. Joey moaned, forcing another finger in. He didn’t have time to hang around, he needed Gabe inside him, now.
“Take your time,” Gabe urged. “It’s hot as fuck watching you do that.”
