Lazy Sundays (Lazy Days Book 1)

by K-lee Klein

  Scott pulled Devon in for another kiss, or at least a succession of tiny pecks over and around his lips. “We're not going to be one of those couples, are we?” he asked as Devon narrowed his eyes in confusion. “You know, the ones that drive everyone else crazy because they can't keep their hands off each other and say they, you know, like each other all the time.”

  “I have no problem being one of those couples and I do like you,” Devon joked.

  The shake of Scott's head and the wrinkling of his nose told Devon Scott was struggling with the idea. “Those couples usually make me want to throw up, but maybe I can make an exception for Valentine's Day?”

  “I can live with that, though I'll probably try to change your mind at some point.” He avoided Scott's flying left hook and moved backwards towards his bike. “So, are ready for the next part of my plan?”

  “We're not done yet?” Scott took his helmet from Devon, caressing it between his fingers. “I should have had you write our plans on a napkin like all those groupies of yours do.”

  “You're not going to ruin my excellent mood with your jabs, sweetheart, so get your gear back on and let's ride.”

  “I usually like it a whole lot better when you say that in bed,” Scott whispered close to Devon's ear.

  Devon threw his head back and laughed, startling the old lady sitting on the bench close to them. He mumbled an apology, and then turned back to Scott. “That's definitely on my list.” He grinned so hard his face hurt. “But first we're going to visit some fish.”

  Scott lowered his helmet again. “Fish? Valentine's fish, Dev? Seriously? I'm picturing red-dyed, heart-shaped fish swimming around in some bacterial-ridden pond at a sleazy restaurant where you get to pick which one you want to eat.”

  Devon shook his head to clear the what-the-fuck from his brain. “I don't even know what that means. You need to get out more, and no, not just fish and categorically not those kinds of fish. I'm taking you to the aquarium.” Scott looked at Devon like he'd grown another head. Devon loved that look of confusion. Hell, he loved every look Scott had. “My mom always said the best date she ever had was when I took her to the aquarium for her birthday when I was twelve.”

  “Oh, dear Lord. Shadow was right.”

  Devon flipped his leg over his bike, pausing half-way to glance back at Scott. He was almost afraid to ask what his traitorous friend was right about. “Shadow? Do I want to know what he told you?”

  Scott moved closer, balancing his helmet on his hip and leaning into Devon's body. “I think it was something about hearts and romance, and you being a big sap.”

  “An aquarium is not sappy, and neither was my mom. It could be romantic but if you don't—”

  Leaning in to press his mouth to Devon's, Scott wound his fingers in the loose strands of Devon's hair, capturing every breath in his body. When they pulled back, Devon was almost panting with happiness.

  “I don't think I've been to the aquarium since I was a child. I'm assuming you'll protect me from the big panic-inducing crowds?” Scott spoke with confidence, yet Devon knew he was more nervous than he was letting on.

  “Hey,” he coaxed, pinching Scott's chin between his finger and thumb. “It's not set in stone. We can do something else or even go back to your place if you're all Valentines-ed out.”

  Scott seemed to contemplate, so Devon didn't push. “I want to go but if I get…if I feel uncomfortable—”

  Devon felt his heart twinge and his brain turn to mush. Dammit, he hadn't thought about the crowds. “You tell me right away and we're outta there. Don't even have to say a word.”

  “Then let's go see some smelly aquatic life,” Scott replied with a tight smile.

  “Awesome! And I have a special treat for you.”

  Scott sighed in exasperation. “Another surprise, Dev? I'm not sure my heart can take it.”

  “It's the best one I swear. You get to see me wear…” Devon let his words trail off for effect but the impatient expression on Scott's face made him continue. “You get to see me wear a hat with a shark's head on it.”

  “Wha—”

  Devon cackled as he interrupted Scott. “I forgot my disguise at home, so I'll need a hat and some sunglasses to go incognito.”

  “But I'm sure you can find a hat without a head on it,” Scott contested.

  “Where's the fun in that?”

  “I suppose you're going to wear orange, goldfish-shaped sunglasses too?”

  “Shit. Do they actually have those? That would be the best. I also plan on buying you a dolphin backpack.” Devon chuckled at Scott's squeaky gasp.

  “How did you know I always wanted a dolphin backpack?” Scott giggled, hand over his mouth.

  Devon thumbed the line of his jaw. “I've seen your video collection, remember? Dolphins are a definite theme.”

  Scott was still standing beside the bike instead of on it and Devon was about to mention it when Scott looked into his eyes, bottom lip tucked between his teeth. “Would it be too much PDA if I say I love you in the middle of the street?”

  “I can honestly say I've never done that,” Devon teased with the tilt of his head. “Wanna give it a shot?”

  Then Scott was all up in Devon's space, bending to nuzzle his nose into Devon's neck. Devon cupped the back of his head in support and maybe a little hopeful encouragement. “I love you, Devon,” Scott murmured, his breath sending tingles over Devon's skin. “I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day.”

  Devon sighed, resting his head against Scott's and gently massaging his neck. “I don't think I'll ever get over you saying that to me. I love you more than you'll ever know.” Scott lifted his head to gaze at Devon and Devon kissed him tenderly, lingering. “Day's not over yet. I still have a couple tricks up my sleeve.”

  “What else do—”

  “Hey, you two! Get a room.”

  Devon didn't flinch or move his forehead from Scott's, not even when his boyfriend's eyes widened, and he tensed. “Bite me, Wolf.”

  “I'm thinking you might like that too much, Dev,” Wolfie said from behind them. “You guys off to the aquarium now?”

  Scott almost fell into the handlebars of Devon's bike when Devon suddenly startled to attention. He eyed Wolfie with suspicion. “Who said anything about—”

  “You think we're idiots or something?” Shadow walked out of the diner, arching his back while a smirk cracked his face. He slipped his black leather trench-coat over his shoulders. “You've only talked about it since you met him, dumbass. Gonna take Scott to the aquarium someday. Like it was some kinky fantasy dream date you had. Weirder than fuck, man.” He patted Scott's arm but spoke to Devon. “By the way I told you that color would suit him. You can thank me later.” He winked as Devon shook his head.

  “We haven't been to the aquarium since Charley was a baby,” Wolfie revealed out of the blue while Charlene appeared at his side. “Why don't we grab her from the babysitter and make a day of it?”

  “Band field trip!” Bull roared.

  “What?” Devon squawked, panicking. “No.”

  Charlene beamed at him. “What's wrong, Dev? You don't want to share him anymore?”

  “Nope. You guys had your turn. Now it's personal.” Devon flinched when Scott elbowed him in the ribs.

  “Well then maybe you should get going instead of making out and scaring that poor lady at the bus stop,” Charlene teased. She raised on her toes to press a kiss to Devon's cheek. “Come on. You know we're only messing with you.”

  Devon sighed. “You've always been my favorite.”

  “Hey!” Shadow and Wolfie yelped in unison.

  “I don't mind if they want to tag along,” Scott said, surprising Devon.

  Devon leaned in close to him. “It's supposed to be just you and me. Big romantic gestures do not include bringing one's bandmates along on a date. Trust me, it'll be more like kindergarten than lovers' lane.”

  Scott chortled, eyes flashing in amusement. “Big romantic gesture, huh
? Did you get that from a book?”

  “I think he's been watching too much Oprah or Dr. Phil,” Shadow offered, very unhelpfully. Scott thought Devon's friends could be as annoying as him.

  “It'll be fun, and if you're lucky I'll drag you behind the dolphin house and do things to make all the fish blush,” Scott deadpanned. He bumped his hip to Devon's leg with a simper.

  So really, what could Devon say? “I guess that works for me.” He snickered and whispered again, “Then we'll go back to my place and practice some long weekend laziness, probably with a little sex mixed-in.”

  “It's not the weekend…wait! Did you say back to your place? But I've never even seen—”

  “New leaf, Scott. Full disclosure. Flaws, warts and all.” He patted the seat behind him then tugged his helmet on. When Scott slid behind him, Devon reached back to squeeze his thigh.

  “Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  In the end, Smokey Grey didn't join them at the aquarium and Scott was secretly glad. Breakfast had been overwhelming, mostly in a good way, but a lot to process all at once nonetheless. And as he held tight to Devon, the bike's vibrations again doing strange things to his lower anatomy, he admitted to himself that part of the enjoyment had been Devon's mission to share the many aspects of his life with Scott. And he'd started with a whopper; the most important people Scott could think of had greeted him in that diner. He couldn't have been more surprised or touched.

  It was no big surprise that he hadn't known it was Valentine's Day though. Scott hadn't celebrated since he was in grade school and then only because it was almost part of the ridiculous curriculum, or at least aesthetic, if the explosion of red heart decorations was any indication. Yet Devon in all his sappy goodness had given Scott an actual red and satiny heart-shaped box of candy. He wasn't sure he'd known those still existed except in horrible rom-coms, the ones Devon made him watch on occasion. They were a waste of film and money, but he'd never tell his hopelessly romantic boyfriend.

  And Scott didn't completely live under a rock, and his comment to Devon hadn't been totally truthful. He had been to the aquarium once since he was a child. The experience had been one he preferred to forget, so mentioning it had been unimportant since the field trip his sister had tricked him into going on with his nephew had been anything but leisurely and pleasurable. Deanna had been called into work last minute—or so she said—and since Scott had never called in sick a day of his life, or taken a vacation for that matter, he'd agreed after very little bribing or blackmail. He obviously liked Eddie, but the other twenty screaming children running around, not to mention an aquarium full of other school groups—not so much. That had been a three-plus Ativan day.

  That visit had been over six years before and Scott's preferred hermit lifestyle had only become worse, or better, since then. And who would've known that a single thirty-something rockstar was more work than a classroom of seven-year-olds. Devon had so much energy and enthusiasm and public affection for Scott―and how could he take any exception to that?

  And Devon. Devon. Devon. Devon. Much to Scott's dismay, his boyfriend had insisted they visit the gift shop before starting their tour. Scott knew that could only mean one thing.

  “You're not buying that,” Scott argued in his best Uncle Scott voice. Devon wiggled the deplorable shark-topped baseball cap at him, smug expression aimed right at Scott. It was made of baby blue fuzz, was beady-eyed, and came complete with jagged white teeth stretched into an evil grin. And of course, Devon had immediately struck a pose when he popped it on his head. “You're not…” Scott began but decided, why bother?

  “How sexy am I in this, sweetheart?” Devon asked, sucking in his cheekbones and pursing his lips. He'd shown Scott his infamous blue steel pose before and Scott still didn't get it or even like it.

  He shook his head, peering around them for looky-loos. “I don't think any self-respecting musician would wear that on purpose.”

  “Good thing I have no respect for myself then.” Devon cackled, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on. You said yourself that my music is less than respectable. Now we have to find something for you.”

  “You're going to make me wear that dolphin backpack all day, aren't you?” They hadn't yet found whatever bag Devon was looking for and Scott was trying hard not to do just that. Of course, Devon headed straight for the display of them, stupid hat sitting crookedly on his head.

  He had no intention on telling Devon how adorable he looked, but Scott had always had the worst poker face.

  “You can't fool me, Scott. You think I'm the cutest thing you've ever seen right now.”

  “Guess again, smarty-pants,” Scott chirped, hand on hip as he secured his messenger bag across his chest. “I was looking at the little girl in the goldfish glasses—oh dammit.”

  Devon's eyes lit up and he abruptly turned around. Scott bowed his head. For heaven's sake, he'd created a monster. “Excuse me, young lady?” Devon asked gently, kneeling before the sweet little girl. “Can you tell me where you got your fabulous eyewear?”

  The child had to be no more than four. She frowned at Devon then looked up at her mother. “Mommy. Can I talk to this stranger?”

  “Oh, my mistake,” Devon said quickly. “I should have checked with your mom first. My apologies, my dear.”

  The woman eyed Devon for a few heartbeats longer than necessary then simpered at him. “Devastation Caine, right?”

  Devon's face went from enthralled to cautious. “Well, that’s my day job.”

  “Don't look so worried,” she continued, laying a hand on Devon's arm. “I won't give you away and Maisie would be happy to show you were the sunglasses are if you'll maybe give her mom an autograph?”

  “You like Smokey Grey?” The words were out of Scott's mouth before his brain caught up. “I'm sorry. That was rude.”

  The mom laughed. “My ex-husband always asked me the same thing. But yes. Right from the beginning.” Her expression softened. “I was very sorry to hear about Beth. I met her a few times and she was a lovely woman. Shadow must be devastated. Please tell him his fans are keeping him in our thoughts.”

  Devon looked a little floored, but his answer was soft and appreciative. “Thank you. I'll pass the message along. It's been a hard few months. I know he appreciates all the support.” He looked past her at Scott, gesturing him forward. “Oh, this is my boyfriend, Scott. Scott this is—I'm sorry I didn't ask your name.”

  The way Devon said boyfriend made it sound like the most normal thing in the world and the look on the woman's face was priceless. She recovered quickly though, peering at his with amusement. “Denise. So the rumours are true? Nice to meet you, Scott.”

  “Rumours?” Scott asked with hesitation.

  “Nothing nasty, I swear. Devon's sexual orientation has always been a big topic in the SG fandom. I won't lie, most of us hoped he'd start swinging our way, but I'm happy he's found someone.”

  Scott blushed while Devon beamed. “Thank you. I'm a lucky guy,” Devon said, bumping his thigh to Scott's hip. “I'm also happy to sign anything you'd like if Maisie would do me the honour of accompanying me to the fish glasses.”

  “Huh?” the little girl asked, cocking her head adorably.

  Devon paused, since he’d forgotten to use child-friendly words. “I'm sorry, beautiful. I was asking if you could show me where you got those awesome sunglasses. I love your name by the way.”

  “My mommy made it,” she said, waggling her head so the glasses slipped down her nose.

  “Your mommy made those spectacular shades?” Devon bugged out his eyes for emphasis and proof of his feigned enthusiasm.

  Maisie squealed, a high-pitched giggle vibrating her little body as she wiggled on the spot. “No! She made my name, silly.” Once her snickers had subsided she turned to her mom. “Can I go show the glasses, Mommy?'

  “Why don't we all go together?” Denise suggested. “Then Mr. Caine—”

  �
�DuCaine actually,” Devon added.

  “Then Mr. DuCaine can sign something for Mommy. How's that sound?”

  Maisie wrinkled her nose and pouted her tiny lips. “But you promised we could get some penguin candy.” She flapped her arms in frustration and Scott bit back a giggle.

  “Darlin',” Devon said. “I would love to buy you a whole bag of penguin candy. How's that sound?”

  Denise rested her hand on top of Maisie's head. “You don't have to do that.”

  “I'd really like to. Madame, shall we?” Devon bowed like some royal doorman as he flashed a million-kilowatt grin. He offered the little girl his hand. She took it with a fit of giggles.

  Scott followed behind as Maisie dragged Devon across the store. Denise snuck a look at him. “So, you and Devon been together a while?”

  “A few months,” he replied with trepidation. He supposed it was all right to talk about it since Devon had so blatantly outed them.

  “Congratulations.”

  He wasn't certain that congratulations were in order, but he also knew fans could be weird when it came to their favorite celebrities. “Um, thank you.”

  They watched with matching looks of adoration as Devon crouched to let Maisie affix a pair of glasses on his face, both of them snickering like children. Scott marvelled at the way Devon engaged with the young girl. Witnessing Devon interact with her, as well as Eddie and that little neighbour boy Jeff or Seth or whatever, made Scott see how great a father he'd be. He couldn't help wondering if that was something Devon saw in his future, and what that would mean for their relationship.

  He winced when his pocket pulsed against his hip. It took a minute to figure out what it was but even when realization struck, he was still confused. No one called him unless it was Devon or something work-related and that was on very rare occasions. He dug the phone out and pressed the button without checking to see who it was.

  “Scott Weston,” he said, holding up a finger when Devon glanced his way.