But, after their conversation at the Main, Nicky realized they were both feeling down and short on friends. So, here he was, trying to be a friend to his ex.
The camp attendees had divided into two teams for a no-hit scrimmage. Nicky laughed at the thought. He might not have seen Kenny play much, but he did know the guy and could only imagine how aggressive he liked to get on the ice. No-hit would be hard for him.
Kenny stood in the center of the circle in the middle of the ice. Nicky wasn’t really sure what they were doing. Kinda looked like there were preparing to dance. Both players bent over as a ref dropped the puck. They battled for it. Nicky thought Kenny won, but then the puck slid to his opponent.
Searching the recesses of his mind, Nicky tried to recall all the hockey terms Kenny had tried to teach him over the years. Deking? Was that what he was doing? There were cross-ice passes, and he thought Kenny drove down the center of the ice. Driving meant skating, right? Unless one of them came out on the zamboni-thingy. Then they’d actually be driving on the ice.
Nicky snorted to himself.
The scattering of onlookers around him gave him odd looks, but he was too focused on the ice to care.
The guys out there were fast. Nicky knew that much. He leaned forward in his seat, his eyes following Kenny as he twisted out of the way of a guy on the other team. By some magic, the puck stayed with him. He kicked it forward with his skate, almost like he was playing soccer instead of hockey. His stick moved so fast Nicky could barely follow it as Kenny snapped off a shot, beating the goaltender over his shoulder.
“That was so cool.” Nicky didn’t speak to anyone in particular. Why hadn’t he watched hockey before? These guys weren’t even the professionals yet; though one day they would be. Only the best got to go to a camp like this. He’d heard Kenny say that enough over the years.
After a while, and a million line changes Nicky couldn’t keep track of, the coach blew a whistle, and both teams skated to their benches.
Kenny took a water bottle and stood off to the side, holding himself apart from any of the discussions before walking toward the tunnel.
Nicky waved when he caught Kenny’s eye as he left the ice, not sure if this was a good surprise or a bad one.
“Stupid idea, Nicky.” He muttered at the blank look on Kenny’s face. He waited until Kenny made his way up to Nicky’s seat.
“Hey. Didn’t expect to see you here.” Kenny stood a safe distance away.
“Thought maybe we could do the friend thing.” Nicky shrugged.
“You drove all the way here to watch us scrimmage?”
“I rode with Wylder to see her mom and just had her drop me off here.” It was a lie. She was in Nashville, but if the night went as he’d planned, Kenny would never know about the fib. “So, I don’t know. I thought we could hang out or something.” Nicky felt ridiculous and totally out of his element. There was way too much sporty brouhaha happening in this arena.
Kenny laughed. “How much do you hate this?”
“It’s actually kind of cool, but I’m a fish out of water here.” Nicky smiled. “I’m also bored out of my mind just working at the Main every day. I could use a night out. As friends.”
Kenny glanced down at his feet uncertainly before he finally nodded. “As friends.”
Nicky followed Kenny from the movie theater, checking his messages as they walked down the busy sidewalk. He was having a good time with Kenny and wasn’t ready to call it a night yet. And it seemed neither was Kenny.
“I’m starving.”
“You had like three buckets of popcorn.” Nicky laughed, always amazed by how much Kenny could eat. It was nice spending time together like this. It felt…normal. The whole evening reminded him that even before all their relationship stuff happened, they were friends. Nicky had missed that friendship.
“That was a snack. I’m ready for a meal. Let’s go get some seafood. Or pasta? What are you in the mood for?”
“Wylder’s waiting for me, so I’ve got to head back.”
“I can give you a ride home.” Kenny stopped at the crosswalk. “Or just tell her to meet us at the restaurant, and we’ll all hang out.”
“Really?” Kenny had never wanted to hang out much with Nicky’s friends before. That was part of dating someone who wasn’t out yet. But they weren’t dating now.
“Of course. I’ve always liked her, she’s hilarious. I just don’t think she cares too much for me.”
“Well, now that we’re just friends, she’ll you a whole lot more. But she’s actually in Nashville right now.” Nicky’s face flushed red.
“You totally lied?” Kenny laughed.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to tell you I drove to the arena on the off chance you’d want to hang out. Sounds pretty pathetic.” Nicky shrugged sheepishly.
“Oh, hey, Thai food.” Kenny gestured at the restaurant across the street. “You feel like Thai?”
“I could eat my weight in some Pad Thai right about now.” Nicky breathed a sigh of relief.
“Perfect. I’m getting spicy basil rolls to tide me over till the real food is ready.” Nicky and Kenny walked side by side across the street, laughing and enjoying each other’s company in a way they never had as boyfriends. It felt right, just being friends. Their relationship had never been easy, and he often wondered if they’d just tried too damn hard to make it work.
“Hey, Nicky?” A camera flashed in his face. “Where’s Beckett? Does he know you’re cheating on him with the senator’s son?” Another camera flashed, and someone stuck a microphone in his face.
“Kenny, what’s it like as a gay teenager with ultra-conservative parents?”
“I’m not gay,” Kenny insisted. “Nicky and I are just friends.”
“So, your politics aren’t in line with your father’s?”
“Nicky, can you give us a comment on the rumors that say you have a fetish for famous straight boys?”
“Oh, come on!” Nicky laughed as he whirled around to face the swarming media circus. “If you knew me at all, you’d know how ridiculous that statement is. I’m not a fame seeker. I went to high school with Beckett Anderson, and I’ve known Kenny since we were kids. Twin Rivers is a small town, guys. I’m not news. I’m not a juicy source for gossip. I’m a regular gay kid out with my straight friend, Kenny. We’re grabbing some Thai food, and then I’m going home…alone. How is that a headline for your gossip sites?” Nicky threw his hands up in disgust and tried to walk away.
“What’s the status of your relationship with Beckett?”
“No comment!” He could feel his cheeks flushing red with anger.
“Did you know Beckett Anderson performed at a political rally today? He spent the day hanging out with Asher Brooks, and the two left the rally together under some strange circumstances. We hear the president’s son has quite a crush on your man. How does it make you feel that Beckett might be moving on?”
Nicky felt an unreasonable stab of jealousy at the mention of Asher Brooks. He was a total hottie. Nicky had to remind himself that Becks wasn’t gay and wouldn’t be interested in Asher anyway. But his jealousy refused to listen to that logic when he wasn’t sure it was true.
“Just leave us alone, please.” Nicky sighed.
“Doesn’t look like there’s an ‘us’ anymore,” one of the reporters said.
Nicky turned to see Kenny’s retreating figure as he walked around the corner, leaving Nicky to deal with the media all by himself. Nicky cursed the name Beckett Anderson and his sexy soft lips that got him into this mess.
12
Becks
“Beckett Anderson, you better still be in Nashville.” Skyler’s voice rang in Becks’ ear through his speaker phone. He pulled it away from the side of his face to let her scream at him while he focused on the scenery rolling past the window.
Twin Rivers. Home. It felt like a lifetime had passed since he took in the small buildings of Main Street, when in reality he’d been there not long ago.
<
br /> Why did life seem to have changed so much?
It kind of looks like you’ve lost him already.
Becks refused to let Asher’s words be the truth. He leaned back in his seat, eyeing the secret service agents up front as if he didn’t know how he’d gotten there. When they’d arrived in Twin Rivers, two cars met them, courtesy of Asher. Wylder glanced at him, her eyes sparkling as if it were all just some grand adventure to her.
“Becks, are you even listening to me?” He’d almost forgotten Sky was on the phone.
“Yes, cuz. What’s up?” He was too tired to summon the energy to argue with her.
She lowered her voice. “You just left the rally without telling any of us.”
“I told Sofie.”
“Sofie is an assistant. When you abscond with the president’s son, the least you can do is let the label know why you’ve kidnapped the most important teenager in the country.”
Asher leaned over Becks. “He didn’t kidnap me.” He grinned. “I’m hunting love.”
Wylder barked out a laugh.
Becks groaned. The kid sounded exactly like the Beckett Anderson of old—before his guts got all twisted up.
“I like that kid.” Skyler chuckled. “But it doesn’t excuse you. He’s the first son, Becks, and he just left a rally, ignoring all his press responsibilities after the speeches. And he left with you! The most prominent gay star in country music right now. Those reporters don’t know you. They don’t know everything was an act. What do you think they’ll say about you running off with the underage Asher Brooks? Your PR team is having a fit. This doesn’t look good.”
Becks sighed. “Maybe I stopped caring about what looks good.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Sky…I’m in Twin Rivers.”
“Oh.”
“Sof didn’t tell you?”
“After she prepped Harrison for the interview you were supposed to give, she disappeared somewhere. I haven’t been able to find her.”
That made Becks smile. If Sofie was nowhere to be found, it was because she didn’t want to have to tell them where he went. The label would alert the media and paparazzi would descend on him.
He needed to remember to give that girl a raise.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you.” Her voice dropped.
“No, you’re not.”
She laughed. “Well, fine, I enjoy yelling at you. But, Becks, you’re going to have a shit storm to clean up. So will Asher. He can’t just go where he pleases, and neither can you.”
“Will you hold off the guys at the label for a little while? Just give me a day.”
She sighed. “Of course, I will. I take it you’re there to see Nicky?”
“I don’t understand it, Sky.”
“Just…before you do this, be sure it’s what you want.”
Leaning his head against the window, he stared at the front stoop of his house as the car pulled into his driveway. The other car would take Nari and Avery to their families.
“I am, Sky. I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
“That’s good, cuz. Really friggin’ good. I love you.”
“Love you too.” He hung up and slid the phone into his pocket before facing Wylder and Asher. “Look, I don’t want to barge in on Nicky in the middle of the night. We don’t have a lot of options here.”
Asher grinned as he stared out the window. “A real house. I haven’t stayed in one of these since I was little.”
Wylder chuckled. “You live in a huge house. Remember? It’s white.”
“Yeah, but it’s not like this. I was a kid when we moved in. There’s staff everywhere. None of it is truly ours. But this…” He gestured to the small home Becks grew up in. “This is like real people shit here.”
Danny turned around from the passenger seat. “We need to sweep the property.”
Asher rolled his eyes. “It’s Becks’ house. I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Protocol. Just be glad your mother didn’t send half the secret service to Twin Rivers when I called to tell her where we were.”
At Becks’ questioning look, Asher explained. “My mom used to be a lot worse. She wouldn’t let me go anywhere without at least five agents. Now, she settles for two unless I go to big events. There had to have been at least a dozen on my service at the rally.”
Danny got out of the car and motioned to the agent in the driver’s seat. Together, they explored the yard, venturing around back. When they returned, Danny opened Asher’s door.
Light flooded the porch as the front door opened and a disheveled man stood on the threshold.
“Dad.” Wylder jumped from the car and rushed up the porch steps. For a moment, Becks wondered if Wylder had told their dad about her visit to their mom. By the way she hugged him, he guessed not. Wylder wasn’t an affectionate person.
“Becks?” His dad stepped forward, pulling his robe tighter around him. “It’s damn good to see you, boy, but do you have any idea what time it is?”
Wylder’s phone screen flashed, the light setting her face aglow. “About midnight.”
Becks approached his dad, relief flooding through him the closer he got. He hadn’t realized how much he missed his family, especially when he spent most of his time confused. Lumbering up the steps, he wrapped his arms around his dad, his back shaking as tears came to his eyes.
Nothing made sense anymore, and all he wanted was for his dad to tell him everything was okay.
“Hey.” His dad patted his back, not letting go of his son. “You’re okay now. You’re home.”
His stepmom appeared in the doorway behind them, her brown hair loose around her shoulders and a kind smile breaking free on her face. “Beckett.” When she said his name, Becks broke away from his dad and fell into her arms, releasing everything he’d kept inside. He didn’t care that Wylder stood back with her jaw hanging open or that Asher watched silently.
He couldn’t be the happy guy who never let anything affect him. Not anymore. Wylder knew where their mom was and even went to see her. Nicky wasn’t speaking to him. He’d convinced the president’s son to sneak away from Nashville with him to chase something Becks didn’t even understand.
“You’re going to be fine,” his stepmom cooed.
“Becks never cries,” Wylder whispered to Asher. “Ever.”
But he barely heard her as his stepmom ushered them all inside.
“Um, Dad.” Wylder kicked a toe against the ground. “So…this”—she jerked a thumb toward Asher—“is Asher Brooks.”
Their dad’s eyes widened as he took in the two large men in black and the smaller teen between them. “As in the president’s son?”
Asher stepped forward and stuck a hand out. “In the flesh. I love your house, sir. Real people always fascinate me.”
Becks wiped his face and glanced back at his bewildered dad shaking Asher’s hand. “Asher seems to think he’s fake or something.”
“Like a robot?” His dad pursed his lips in thought. “Or some kind of clone? I guess you could be an alien in a really good disguise.” His face remained passive as if he was completely serious.
Asher grinned. “I like you, Mr. Anderson.”
“Come inside. You all must be exhausted. We’ll get you settled, and in the morning you can tell me why you’re here.”
Becks loved his dad and stepmom. They didn’t make a big deal over Asher’s presence, maybe because they’d gotten used to having a famous son or maybe because they were just cool like that.
No matter what happened tomorrow with Nicky, being home was what he needed to feel more like himself again.
When Becks woke in his childhood bedroom, only a single thought flitted through his mind.
Coffee.
He needed coffee.
Because he was home in Twin Rivers. It was going to take a lot of the life-sustaining liquid to get him through the day.
Sounds came from the kitchen as he walked down the stairs. Pans cl
anged and forks hit plates. Rubbing his eyes, he entered the room.
Asher stood at the stove flipping pancakes while Beckett’s dad sat at the kitchen table with his newspaper spread before him.
“Dad,” Becks groaned, making a beeline for the half-full coffee pot. “Tell me you’re not making Asher Brooks cook you breakfast.”
“He offered.” His dad shrugged like it was no big deal.
Asher grinned, wiping his hands on the “Who’s your daddy?” apron his father always wore.
“Real people stuff again?” Becks filled a mug and inhaled the scent.
Nodding, Asher flipped a pancake onto a plate and handed it to Becks. It had a smiley face on it made with food coloring. Becks gripped his shoulder. “You’re a weird dude, but I like you.”
He took his plate and slid into a chair next to his dad.
“Where are your secret agents?”
“Doing a morning property check.”
“Of course, they are.” Becks laughed. “Sleep well?”
They’d put Asher on the couch after he’d insisted he couldn’t take Beckett’s room. His agents slept on air mattresses in the living room. Before he could answer though, the doorbell rang.
“Who would be here at this hour?” Beckett’s dad set his paper down.
Wylder bounced into the hall. “I called in reinforcements.” She pulled open the front door, letting sunlight flood the house.
It wasn’t until he heard a familiar voice that Becks stood.
“Where is he?” Julian Callahan called. “Beckett Anderson, get your scrawny ass out here.”
Joining his sister at the door, Becks crossed his arms. “My ass is not scrawny.” Tilting his lips into a grin, he took in the sight of his old band mate turned romance novelist. He looked older with his dark hair tied back from his face and a short beard covering his cheeks.
Becks pulled him into a hug, thumping him on the back.
Dating Him: The Series Page 13
