Pride inflated Felix’s chest. “You’ve actually paid attention to some of the things I’ve said during our meetings. Thank you, Brandon.” He shot narrowed eyes at Derek, Alan, and Jeremy. “The rest of you should apply yourselves as much as Brandon. It’s your band too.”
Brandon threw his shoulders back, sat taller in his chair, and beamed with a bright smile as if he were the teacher’s pet. Until a crumpled piece of paper hit him in the cheek, and someone snickered and mumbled, “Ass kisser.”
“Technically, Bulletproof will be on hiatus,” Felix continued, without missing a beat. “But there will be a handful of staggered dates. Music festivals. Special appearances. That being said, I’m going to double up on dates as much as possible over the next few months.”
Brandon was about to protest, but Felix raised his hand and kept talking.
“We have Bulletproof’s private jet at our fingertips, so you’ll be able to fly home to visit your sister between shows when needed. This is going to be a hectic tour, but it’ll be worth it. And the tour will still wrap up shortly after the new year so Brandon can be home for the final thirty days before the baby is due. One more thing, and then you’re all free to go. We added a last-minute date at the end of the year, and it’s a big one. Bulletproof will be playing the Resolution Gala on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
They headed out for the tour 14 days later and had been on the road for just over two months before they had to jet back home. It was hard to believe that Lisa was at 12 weeks already, and that they were on the way to the obstetrician’s office, via Bulletproof’s private jet, in order to find out the sex of the baby.
Brandon and Cam were able to slip into LAX without fanfare, which was something Brandon wasn’t accustomed to. He didn’t like the regularity of arriving without a horde of fans and paparazzi. It was too normal. Brandon Bullet did not blend into a crowd. But, sometimes, it was necessary, so he tied his wild hair into a knot at the back of his neck, ditched the flashy rock star wardrobe and threw on a baseball cap. The bodyguards stayed a few feet away, so they didn’t draw attention, but it was Brandon’s hot-as-fuck corporate executive husband that turned heads and caused people to recognize them.
The screams that permeated the terminal almost gave the other travelers a heart attack and caused TSA to snap to attention. Uniformed officers and barking dogs rushed toward Brandon and Cam, but their bodyguards quickly stepped in and alerted airport security of Brandon’s celebrity status, and, together, they calmed the over-zealous fans.
Brandon felt bad that he couldn’t stop to talk to them, but he didn’t want to be late for Lisa’s ultrasound. So, he raised his arm and showed everyone love with a peace sign, which elicited more screams.
Rocco, Brandon’s personal bodyguard, was waiting just outside the restricted area and led Brandon and Cam away from the commotion. Brandon’s private driver and limo were waiting outside, and they sped off the moment they entered the vehicle. With only minor traffic delays, they made it to the doctor’s office just as Lisa was called in for her appointment.
“Finally!” she exclaimed, as she gave them each a quick hug.
There was no hiding her baby bump anymore, and Brandon and Cam both smiled down at it, then smiled at each other. Brandon was still amazed that this was their growing baby, and each time he saw his sister, the reality that they were going to have a child in a few months just about blew his mind.
Once Lisa was settled in the exam room, the nurse called them inside to join her. Brandon squeezed Cam’s hand with anticipation. “We’re going to find out if we’re having a little boy or a little girl.”
“I know!” Cam whisper-shouted. “I can’t wait. I’ve been trying to put it out of my head all day, but it’s all I could think about.”
“Me too.”
They both stood on Lisa’s left, making the now-familiar chain of clasped hands that tethered the three of them together. The doctor turned the monitor in the opposite direction so they couldn’t see the screen, squirted some jelly onto Lisa’s belly, and ran the wand over it. The doctor’s smile straightened into a thin line, her brows drew together, and she was quiet for longer than expected.
The three of them exchanged uneasy glances, but it was Brandon who spoke up first, a nervous tick now tapping at the corner of his mouth. “Is something wrong, Doc?”
She tilted her head as she studied the screen. “Not exactly.”
Brandon’s heartrate sped up, and he imagined a multitude of worst-case scenarios. “What does that mean? What’s wrong?”
The doctor didn’t answer. She clicked a few buttons and a row of black and white photos popped out of the machine.
“Is that our baby?” Cam asked, straining to see.
She ripped off one of the photos and turned it toward them. “Do you see this?”
“Yeah,” Brandon answered, slowly.
The doctor smiled. “No. You don’t.” She traced a swirl on the photo. “This is your baby girl.”
“We’re having a girl!” Brandon exclaimed. He gave Cam a hug that lifted him clear off the floor and laughed with joy in his heart.
“We’re having a sweet little princess!” Cam exclaimed.
When Brandon and Cam finally separated from their hug, they hugged Lisa who was wiping tears from her eyes. “I’m going to have a niece. I’m so happy for you guys. Is she healthy?” Lisa asked the doctor.
“You didn’t let me finish.” The doctor wore a broad smile as she touched the ultrasound photo again and repeated her previous statement. “This is your baby girl.” Then she circled another shaded area of the photo. “And this is your other baby girl.”
Brandon’s jaw fell open and Cam looked as if he was about to pass out, while Lisa gasped and let out a happy laugh.
“Twins?” Brandon asked, still dazed at the news.
“Yes.”
Cam turned toward Brandon, an awestruck smile plastered across his face. “Two baby girls. I can’t believe it. You always said you wanted a big family. I guess we’re getting a head start.”
Stopping in Nashville always required extra security because of Travis Fontana. The parking lot of the hotel was literally a maze, as barricades were set up directing cars through throngs of fans and press. Dozens of bodyguards lined the small area blocked off from the bus to the hotel entrance. The people behind the railing were divided, with hardcore rockers on one side and country music fans on the other. They weren’t in opposition, just sticking together with their preferred genres, although their screams seemed to be rivaling one another in both pitch and fortitude.
Cameron had never seen anything like it. He quickly realized that this was the first time Bulletproof had visited country music’s capital since Derek and Travis were married, and the city was giving them a celebratory welcome. The newlyweds looked a little shell-shocked at the reception and stood with their hands clasped staring at the crowd with disbelieving smiles.
“You two better watch out,” Brandon teased Alan and Jeremy. “You might have competition for America’s number one rock star couple.”
“Not a chance.” Alan threw his arms around Jeremy and gave his fiancée a ridiculously long and seductive kiss. Naturally, the fans, both heavy metal and country, went wild.
At seeing the attention diverted from them, Derek and Travis had to initiate their own lip-lock. The screams doubled, causing Cameron to cover his ears, but Brandon pulled Cameron’s hands away. He cringed at the vibrations jostling his eardrums. “What are you doing? I’m going deaf.”
Brandon wrapped his arms around Cameron’s waist and tugged their bodies together by the belt loops of his jeans. “I’m not going to be left out of a little PDA. Lay one on me, baby.”
A naughty grin spread across Cameron’s face before he slammed their mouths together in a domineering kiss that was sure to leave at least one of them with a bruise.
The fans went ballistic. Press was shouting questions at them. And Felix was losing his cool. “Excuse me! That’s eno
ugh! Can we move this X-rated display inside before we get slammed with a lewd and lascivious behavior citation?” Felix literally shoved them all down the path and into the lobby. “The six of you act as if you’re sex-deprived teenagers half the time.” He huffed and rolled his eyes. “I’ve learned, the hard way, never to get the room directly below yours.”
Cameron burst out laughing, but quickly disguised it with a cough when all eyes shot to him. Felix was generally a good sport and took a lot of ribbing from the guys, but he had a short fuse when it came to business and Bulletproof’s PR.
Justine, the dog nanny, was last to enter the hotel with Brandy and Maggie, who were also accompanied by four bodyguards. There was no way they’d be able to walk the dogs themselves with the crowd outside, and security ensured that no one bothered Justine or the two diva dogs. Cameron thanked her, took both leashes, and they headed up to the penthouse.
“That reception was crazy!” Derek exclaimed, once they were settled in the suite. “I bet there’s going to be a lot of your fans in the audience tonight,” he told Travis.
An obvious question crossed Cameron’s mind, and he wondered why no one suggested it before. “Why don’t you guys bring Travis on stage to sing with you tonight?” Everyone turned to him at once, and he didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. “He used to sing rock before he switched to country music. Not hardcore stuff like Bulletproof, but I think he can handle it.” Cameron knew he wasn’t exactly qualified to offer his opinion, but it just seemed logical since the city was filled with Travis’ fans.
“What a fantastic idea!” Derek rubbed the palms of his hands together with excitement. “What do you say, Trav?”
Travis looked unsure but intrigued. “I don’t know. Fans might not appreciate it if I butcher one of Bulletproof’s songs.”
“Are you kidding? Don’t you remember how much those people at the diner loved it when me and you stole the tour bus and performed AK-47 on the roof?”
A hearty laughed bellowed from Travis’ mouth, and he wrapped his arms around his stomach as he rocked back and forth. “Good times, bruh.”
“I got an idea,” Brandon interrupted. “Travis can sing one of Bulletproof’s songs and then I can sing one of his country hits. I’m up for the challenge.” He turned to his bandmates. “Can you learn the music in a few hours?”
The guys reacted with enthusiastic shouts of “Fuck yeah!” Then they waited for Travis to give his approval.
Travis shrugged. “I guess you guys got more to lose than I do. I was a Bulletproof fan before I met you guys. I already know all your songs. You gotta learn music and lyrics.” He grinned. “Let me warn you ahead of time. My fans are tough. If you guys mess up one of my songs, they’re gonna be all over it.”
The crowd was out of control. The stage shook from the foot stomping going on throughout the arena, and Cameron’s chest vibrated from the music. He was used to the unruly, recalcitrant heavy metal rockers and the aggressive mosh pit that usually dominated Bulletproof’s audience, but tonight’s fans were on fire. Their energy level was unprecedented. The shouts and screams were at an all-time high, and the fist pumping was nonstop.
Cameron watched his husband – Brandon Bullet, rock god extraordinaire – strut around the stage. Brandon wore heavy black liner, which made his bright blue eyes pop. His lion’s mane of blond hair blew in all directions, wild and untamed. The silver chains that dangled on his bare chest sparkled under the overhead lights, and the thick leather bracelets at his wrists added an extra bad-boy vibe that made him look super hot.
Cameron was riveted.
“Put your tongue back in your mouth.”
It was Travis, who was standing at the side stage with Cameron.
“I can’t.” Cameron extended his arm toward Brandon. “Do you see my husband?”
“No. Because I’m too busy eye-banging my husband.” Travis jutted his chin toward Derek, who was on his knees at the apron. Derek wore a leather motorcycle jacket, which opened at the center to reveal a strip of bare skin. He leaned back, so his long black hair swept the stage as he rocked his head from side to side. His back was arched at an almost impossible angle, and he lifted his hips toward the ceiling as he delivered a mind-blowing solo on the guitar. “Holy fuck!” Travis grabbed his cowboy hat with both hands. “He’s brilliant!”
“That he is,” Cameron agreed.
Alan began pounding on his double bass drums with a thunderous beat. The crack of the cymbals crashed through the air like lightening. He started slamming the skins with so much force that he broke a stick. In one quick leap, he jumped onto his stool and threw both sticks into the audience, almost causing a near riot as fans rallied to procure them.
Jeremy extended his arm toward Alan and screamed into the mic, “Alan Motherfucking Delgado! Master of the double bass!”
The crowd went crazy.
Brandon finished the last lyric and then let out his signature scream, like a deafening exclamation point at the end of a sentence. He wiped his face with a towel while fans continued to shout and cheer. He waited for the roar to die down before he addressed the crowd. “My throat feels like I just swallowed glass. I think I might have to ask someone else to take over for the next song.”
A disapproving and confused murmur ran through the audience. The crowd wasn’t happy about Brandon handing off the mic, and Cameron felt their disappointment. Brandon Bullet was an entertainer that brought energy and adrenaline to the show, and it wouldn’t be the same without him, but they were in for a huge surprise.
“I’m just fucking with you guys!” Brandon yelled into the mic. “It takes more than a few death metal screams to hurt these pipes! We have a special guest tonight, and he’s gonna rock the hell out of a Bulletproof favorite! Get those fists in the air and give a hearty Nashville welcome to Travis Fontana!”
The crowd almost lost their minds and let out a series of insane screams. It immediately filled Cameron with a surge of excitement and anxious anticipation. He wasn’t privy to the band’s rehearsal with Travis, and he knew that this was going to be a bombshell.
Travis ran on stage and quickly whipped off his cowboy hat and his plaid shirt. Underneath, he wore a Bulletproof Tee, heavy silver chains, and a series of leather bracelets that matched Brandon’s. He grabbed the mic and delivered the lyrics to AK-47 with a raspy snarl. It wasn’t the raw, throaty growl that Brandon had, but Travis’ voice was filled with grit, and he rolled his hips seductively as he moved around the stage. Girls screamed and rushed at the railing, necessitating extra security to move into place.
Brandon joined Cameron at the side of the stage and administered a smoldering kiss. He was covered in sweat and his skin felt as if it were 500 degrees. His hair was a mess, and he was out of breath, which caused his massive chest to expand dramatically.
Cameron inhaled Brandon’s masculinity. It was an intoxicating aroma of musk and brawn. His gaze glided over his husband’s body and the way his chest and tattoos glistened. Cameron’s eyes rested on the silver barbells that skewered Brandon’s nipples, and it caused him to inhale a sharp gust of breath. Brandon had never visited him mid-show before and holding this rock god in his arms was driving him crazy. He tugged their bodies together, roughly. “You’re so fucking sexy. How much time do we have?”
An erotic chuckle left Brandon’s mouth. “About 60 seconds. Even I’m not that quick.”
A stagehand appeared with a cup of Brandon’s special Throat Coat tea, and he quickly drank it. Someone else presented a flannel shirt and Brandon slipped into it. He left Cameron with a deep kiss then ran back on stage, just as Travis finished the song to an astounding round of applause and foot-stomping cheers.
Brandon’s huge arms swallowed Travis in a big bear hug, causing the crowd to scream louder. Then Brandon picked up Travis’ cowboy hat, placed it on his head and took the mic. “I hope I do half as good with one of Travis’ songs as he did with AK-47.”
The fans were shocked that Bulletp
roof were about to tackle a country music song and quieted. Cameron had to admit to himself that he wasn’t quite sure Brandon could pull off the sultry tone that Travis was known for. Until Brandon opened his mouth and started to sing.
“He sounds wicked cool,” Travis said, now standing beside Cameron at the side stage.
A series of incoherent syllables left Cameron’s mouth. He was so flabbergasted that he couldn’t even form a sentence. Watching Brandon on stage, crooning with such deep purity in his voice, was surreal. The fans seemed just as shocked, and actually seemed to be listening, mesmerized. Whistles and shouts of approval began to fill the room proving that Brandon Bullet was, indeed, an icon who could sing anything.
“Man, that was an incredible show!” Brandon settled into one of the chairs on the balcony of their suite and swiped a hand over his throat. “My voice was like butter. I never knew I could sing like that.” He threw another log into the firepit, disturbing the already blazing flames. It caused the pile of wood to shift and a few sparks flew in Travis’ direction, who was sitting on the opposite side of their little circle of chairs.
“Sure,” Travis joked. “Try to set me on fire because I killed that shit tonight!” He sat taller and spread his arms to the side. “If anything ever happens to Bran, I’m your new lead singer.”
Everyone laughed and nodded in agreement, including Brandon, but the idea of being replaced wasn’t something he felt entirely comfortable joking about. He walked over to the bucket, fished another beer out of the ice, and clinked it against Travis’. “You were the guest of honor tonight and blew the roof off. But nothing is happening to me, so just get the idea of replacing me out of your head.”
Travis laughed louder and sorta fell over the arm of his chair.
A Bulletproof New Year (The Holiday Collection Book 2) Page 10
