by Shawn Bailey
Kalen nodded. “He put water in my hair.”
“He had ice cream in it,” Jonas said in his own defense. He and Sean were seated on the den sofa watching hip hop videos and pretending to be cool.
Frankie carried Kalen over to one of the other chairs and sat down.
Kalen got off Frankie’s lap, walked over to the television, and began bouncing up and down to the music.
“The kid definitely has rhythm,” Sean said.
The song ended. Kalen clapped and then kissed the television screen and the lady video jockey.
“And he has good taste in women, which neither of his brothers seem to have,” Sean continued.
Jonas punched him on the arm.
“Ouch, I was just joking,” Sean said.
“I think the lady V. J. is pretty, too,” Jonas said. He tossed his hair.
“If you like her so much, why don’t you marry her?” Sean teased.
“I don’t like her that much,” Jonas said. “She doesn’t have the right equipment to sustain my attention.”
“Ooh, guess who got an A in college English this week?” Frankie said. “He said sustain.”
“I’m doing very well in college, thank you,” Jonas said. “How about you?”
“I’m holding my own,” Frankie said, watching Kalen dance again. “But Kalen’s going to grow up to be a Supreme Court Justice.”
“Or a backup dancer,” Sean said. “It’s too bad we can’t take him with us tonight. I bet he’ll love seeing you guys on stage.”
“We can show him the video,” Frankie said. “Try to get us a copy.”
“That’s not my job, man,” Sean said, playing with a strand of Jonas’s hair.
“What exactly is your job?” Frankie asked. He ducked the decorative pillow Sean tossed at him.
“I keep Jonas happy,” Sean said.
Jonas nodded in agreement.
Frankie scowled playfully. “I applaud your efforts. Jonas is a lot to handle.”
“Bite me, Frankie,” Jonas said.
“Bit me, Frankie,” Kalen repeated.
Frankie looked at Kalen. “Excuse me. Where did you learn that from?”
Kalen giggled.
The doorbell rang, and Frankie went to answer it. Gerard and Luke were on the other side of the door.
“Come on in,” Frankie said. “We’re in the den watching videos.”
“Have you heard from Adam?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, about an hour ago,” Frankie answered. “He should be here soon.”
Luke and Gerard followed him through the house.
“This place is always so clean,” Luke said. “You sure you don’t have a maid?”
“Yeah, his name is Frankie,” Sean said, getting up to greet the other two men. They shook hands. “He’s a clean demon. He even does windows.” He paused. “We’d loan him to you, but Jonas might miss him.”
“No I won’t,” Jonas said sarcastically.
The doorbell rang again. Frankie rolled his eyes at Jonas and went to answer it. This time he found Adam at the door. He got rewarded with a big kiss for answering. “Hey, boyfriend, are you ready for your debut?”
“Yeah,” Frankie said, still a little amazed that he had such a hot guy for a lover. Adam looked so stylish in his navy suit, white shirt, and diamond accessories. The man definitely had class down to a science. “Jonas is trying to give me away to Luke to clean Luke’s place.”
“Not before you clean mine,” Adam said as they arrived in the den. “I’m glad everyone is here. Let’s get Kalen over to Amanda’s and get to the Superdome. It’s time to party.”
Everyone stood up. Sean grabbed Kalen and Jonas got Kalen’s backpack. Kalen had since grown-up in Sean’s eyes, and he’d gotten rid of Kalen’s diaper bag. Sean was turning into a father before Frankie’s eyes. Frankie went around checking the doors and windows and he set the security alarm on the way out. They all got into the van, and Sean backed out of the driveway and headed to Amanda’s place. Kalen was having a sleepover with Amanda’s nephew Jonathan. He and Kalen were becoming fast friends. Kalen didn’t even say good-bye when they arrived. He saw Jonathan and ran toward him.
“Should we be worried?” Sean asked.
“Naw,” Jonas said. “The kid likes ladies. You saw him kiss the girl on the television.”
“He’s kissing girls on television?” Adam asked. “Who has he been watching kiss?”
“Frankie,” Jonas and Sean both said.
Frankie scowled. “Boy, you two are as thick as thieves. You even lie simultaneously.”
“Who have you been kissing?” Adam asked, taking his hand and dragging him to the van.
“No one,” Frankie said quickly. “Didn’t I tell you earlier they were trying to get rid of me?”
Sean laughed menacingly as everyone got back into the van and headed toward Poydras. They ran into a lot of traffic near the dome. The sidewalks were crowded, too, with people coming to see their performance. There was armed security directing traffic. Their equipment bus had caught up to them and their bodyguards, too. Adam got out of the van to direct everyone to the entrance they were supposed to use.
Frankie got a thrill when he saw a lot of his favorite performers backstage. He tried to act nonchalant but wished he’d brought his autograph book with him.
The Kerrys were scheduled to appear right after the first intermission. Adam thought it was a perfect time since the crowd was still high on adrenalin around that time. The next thing Frankie knew he, Jonas, and Gerard were taken to wardrobe and then to the stylist and finally someone put makeup on them. The people managing the Extravaganza had arranged everything. Frankie was so glad he talked Gerald and Luke out of dressing them in leather for their New Orleans debut. Gerard wore white, Jones had on blue, and Frankie got the honor of dressing in red.
“People love anything that has to do with America,” Gerard assured them.
“Why are Luke and Adam staring at me?” Frankie asked. “Are my pants too tight?”
“No, they’re just being stupid,” Gerard said. “You look hawt. Red makes your cheeks glow and your eyes twinkle.”
Jonas nodded in agreement.
Frankie would have believed those two if he hadn’t noticed other guys checking him out, too. He checked himself in one of the mirrors. He did look exceptionally good in that color. And he could move around in the material. He wiggled hips and squatted to make sure the pants wouldn’t rip when he performed. Guys actually stopped in their tracks.
“Maybe you shouldn’t do that,” Gerard said. “You’re getting too much attention.”
Frankie stopped wiggling, and people went back to what they were doing.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news guys,” Jonas said. “But there’s some girls checking us out.”
Frankie and Gerard looked around.
Sure enough a hot girl singing group was looking and waving at them.
“Don’t get scared, Jonas. I’ll protect you,” Frankie said with a laugh.
“One of them is waving at you, Frankie,” Gerard said.
Frankie waved back to be neighborly.
One of the girls jumped around with joy when the others congratulated her for getting Frankie’s attention.
“Adam is so going to kill you,” Jonas said, looking in the other direction.
Frankie looked over at Adam and gulped. His boyfriend did not appear pleased.
“You are welcome to hide out at my place,” Gerard said. “Adam looks like he’s about to blow.”
A stage manager came through giving instructions. He started sending groups to different rooms.
Adam walked up and took Frankie’s hand and pulled him close to him. “You stay near me so I can keep an eye on you.”
“Yes, baby,” Frankie said to buy himself a reprieve.
Jonas and Gerard just laughed at him.
The room they were taken to had a big-screened television so they could watch the show and plenty of food and drinks. Luckily the girl gro
up went to another room. Adam continued to sit very close to him. The scent of his cologne made Frankie stomach flutter. Please don’t let me get an erection in these tight pants. He took his concentration off his boyfriend and put it on the screen. The show had started and the first group was on stage. An hour later Frankie started getting antsy. He wanted so badly to kiss Adam and do other naughty things with the man. He moved around in his seat.
“Are you okay?” Adam asked him.
“Yeah,” Frankie lied.
Gerard and Jonas looked at him and laughed.
Shit, do they know? “Excuse me,” he said, rising. He walked to the men’s room and put his hands in cold water. That helped some. He used the toilet while he was in there, and washed his hands again. A couple of seconds later he rejoined his friends. More people had left their greenroom and began appearing on stage.
“Hey, isn’t that those girls you were flirting with earlier, Frankie?” Jonas asked.
Adam moved closer.
“What girls?” Frankie asked. If Adam didn’t stop moving, he would have to find an empty room and have his way with him.
The MC announced them as Cinnamon. The young ladies began to perform.
“Hey, they’re good,” Gerard said. “That brunette can sing. Maybe the two of you can cut a record together, Frankie.”
Okay he didn’t know what he did those two idiots, but he would pay them back eventually.
“Would you like that?” Adam asked.
“No,” Frankie answered quickly.
“Good answer,” Adam said. “Stop trying to get him in trouble, you two demons.”
“We’re not doing anything, are we, Jonas?” Gerard asked.
“Yes we are,” Jonas answered.
Gerard laughed. “Jonas I am so going to dress you in leather next time.”
“It’s intermission time,” Luke announced. “You guys better stop playing around and get ready.”
Frankie eased out of his seat.
“Talk to one girl and I’ll tie you to the bed,” Adam warned.
Gerard continued to laugh.
Frankie didn’t see the humor of the threat. Somehow he knew Adam meant what he said.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Ladies and gentlemen, making their New Orleans debut, Louisiana homegrown soul, the Kerrys!”
The curtain opened, and Adam’s palms got sweaty. He was so nervous hoping that the audience would love his group.
The boys began to perform, and the audience cheered. They did two numbers from their current CD, and the crowd sung right along with them.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for coming,” Jonas said. “I’d like to introduce the members of our group. Standing behind me, on drums, hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, is Gerard Tyler.” He introduced the other guitar players and the guys on horn. “To my left, playing the violin is my younger brother Frankie Kerry.” The crowd went wild, chanting Frankie’s name.
“I bet he’s blushing,” Adam said to Luke. “He still can’t stand attention.”
“And me, my name is Jonas.”
The women in the audience screamed.
“Uh-oh, Sean,” Adam said. “Jonas has a fan club, and it sounds like all women.”
“Bite me, Adam,” Sean said.
Adam chuckled.
“We’re going to break this next record down slow,” Jonas continued.
The women continued to scream.
He began to play the opening chords to “All My Life” on the piano.
The audience went wild, and women hopped from their seats and ran to stand to the stage. The security kept them at bay.
Frankie began to sing, and Jonas and Gerard came in with the chorus.
“They sound so good,” Luke said, starting to tear up.
Frankie took the mic and began walking the stage, singing to the audience and the girls near the stage. “I really love you!”
The women screamed at him as though he was singing directly to them.
The audience helped them sing and held up brightly colored glow sticks that transformed the dome into a sea of red.
“I hope the video guys are getting all of this,” Adam said.
“They are,” Sean said. “I promised them beer.”
The Kerrys went straight into “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” before the audience cooled down. Frankie put on his dark sunglasses and started with the talking intro, and then he started singing.
Adam felt chills run through his body as Frankie crooned the soulful song. He took control of the stage, getting down on his knees and singing from his heart.
“I’m going to kiss him so much later when I get him home,” Adam said proudly.
Frankie rose and finished singing the song.
The crowd started stamping their feet and shouting, “Kerrys, Kerrys.”
“Thank you, everybody,” Frankie said. “For our last number, we’re going to go back, way back in the past probably before any of us were born. This number is for our baby brother Kalen. We’re not home to say goodnight to him, but I hope he’s watching. Hey, Kalen, it’s me Frankie. This one is for you.”
The band began to play “A Lover’s Concerto.” Gerard came down from his drums and sung lead this time since his voice was higher than both of the brothers.
“I’m going to kiss him so much later on, too,” Luke said. “I’m dating an idol.”
“You two guys are so sick,” Sean said, clapping and whistling for the Kerrys as they made their exit from the stage. The crowd began to chant for an encore.
“I bet they are so stoked,” Adams said. He couldn’t wait for the concert to end.
By midnight the crowd had left the dome and the party moved to a ballroom upstairs. The Kerrys had change out of their stage costumes and now wore suits. The girl group, Cinnamon, had found their way over to them, and the brunette was standing very close to Frankie. There was no way he was going to lose his babe to a girl. Adam inched his way closer to eavesdrop on their conversation. He pulled Frankie aside.
“Hey,” Frankie said him. “Did you watch us?”
“Yeah,” Adam said. “You guys rocked. Let’s dance.”
“We can’t,” Frankie said. “Tory will go ballistic.”
“Not if we we’re dancing in a group.” He pointed. “I see line dancing. Come on lets go do the Electric Slide.”
He had no idea that Frankie knew that dance. Adam kept his eyes on his young lover as he wiggled those slim hips of his.
Gerard and Luke joined them. Jonas and Sean, too.
Adam went back to keeping an eye on Frankie since the girls from Cinnamon were watching him. Somebody put on Cupid’s Shuffle next. Adam, Luke, Sean and Jonas move out the line to catch their breaths. The two youngsters Frankie and Gerard continued dancing.
“You didn’t tell me Frankie could dance like that,” Adam said to Jonas.
“You didn’t ask,” Jonas answered.
“He can wobble and twerk, too,” Sean said.
Adam looked at him oddly.
“What? I live in the house with him. He’s always dancing with Kalen.”
The young women of Cinnamon joined Frankie and Gerard.
Just his luck the Wobble came on next.
The girls from Cinnamon had that dance down to a science.
Frankie got behind the brunette and Gerard teamed up with a blond.
Jonas stopped Adam and Luke from doing something stupid. “Cool it, it’s only a dance.”
“Frankie is pretty good at that,” Sean said, adding salt to the wound.
“Too good,” Adam said angrily. Almost everyone in the damn place was either wobbling or watching.
A slow record came on next, and the two girls coaxed Frankie and Gerard into dancing with them.
The next song Adam had never heard before. The video blasted on a screen.
“Hey it’s Taeyang,” Gerard said when he and Frankie finally ditched the girls.
“Who the hell is Taeyan
g?” Adam asked.
“He’s a Korean singer,” Frankie answered. “From the Big Bang.”
“The Big Bang Theory?” Adam asked.
Frankie scowled at him. “Just watch the screen.”
The women in the room started screaming.
“I love his hair,” Frankie said.
“Me, too,” Gerard agreed.
The singer had a platinum Mohawk.
Frankie and Gerard started doing the Ringa Linga dance with the guy on the screen.
A waiter came around with drinks when the video ended. He gave sodas to the kiddies, and the adults got to have real drinks. Champagne. Yeah, just what I need. And the night might have been perfect had he not seen Myron and some guy headed their way. He looked to the right. Nico and some guy were coming over, too. Adam pulled Frankie closer. “I don’t want to panic you, but Nico Washington is close by.”
“Yeah, I know. I saw him earlier,” Frankie said. “Myron’s getting closer, too.”
“I see him,” Adam said. “Jonas invited him.”
Myron made it to Sean and Jonas. The other guy with him was kind of attractive and reminded him a bit of Frankie except Frankie was much sexier and cuter.
“We can leave this if it’s going to get uncomfortable for you,” Frankie said.
“I’m cool,” Adam said. “He’s Jonas’s friend. So eventually the two of you have to speak to each other.”
“No, I’m talking about Nico. He’s coming.”
Adam look to his right again. Sure enough Nico had made his way through the crowd. He and the guy he was with were wearing matching white tuxedo jackets with black trousers. Nico had lost more weight and wore his hair a little longer.
“Good evening,” he said once he had finally landed by them. “Great show, Frankie.”
“Thanks,” Frankie uttered from behind his soda glass.
“Babe, there’s someone I’d like you to meet. This is my friend Adam Montgomery. He owns the Montgomery Arms Hotel near the CBD, and this is Frankie Kerry.”
Adam shook the man’s hand.
“Hello, my name is Solomon Turk. It is so nice to meet you two. Nico has told me so much about you.”
Adam looked at Nico for some kind of confirmation. “What do you do, Mr. Turk?” He noticed the way both men were checking Frankie out. It would be so like his former lover to try to out Frankie in a public venue.
