A Bulletproof New Year (The Holiday Collection Book 2)

by Jenna Galicki

  Brandon cracked open his beer, took a long gulp, then tried to flip the cap into the fire, but he missed, and it accidentally hit Jeremy in the chest. “Sorry, bruh.”

  “Dude. That’s my fiancée.” Alan picked up the cap from Jeremy’s lap and sort of snapped it in his fingers, causing it to beeline directly at Brandon’s head.

  He ducked, and it sailed over the railing. They were over 20 floors in the air, and Brandon began to worry that someone below was going to get clunked on the head. He grunted a laugh and covered his mouth. “Is it true that you could kill someone by throwing a penny off the Empire State Building?”

  Alan’s eyes ballooned. “Shit.” He jumped from his chair and went to the railing. “I don’t see anyone down there. Do you?”

  “Nah. It’s after midnight. No one is—” Movement at the other end of the courtyard caught Brandon’s eye. It was someone leaving one of the ground-floor rooms and heading toward the doors that led into the lobby. “Huh?” Brandon would know that uptight walk anywhere. “I think Felix just had a booty call.”

  “What?” Alan leaned over the railing to get a closer look, then grunted a surprised laugh. “I think you’re right.” He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “All right, Felix!”

  Poor Felix almost jumped three feet in the air, and Brandon could practically see the exasperation on his manager’s face all the way up here.

  “Be quiet!” Felix shouted in return.

  “Are you serious?” Jeremy joined them at the railing. “Felix!” he shouted. “Get up here and spill!”

  “Go to bed!” Felix disappeared inside the hotel, leaving the guys looking at one another with confusion.

  “I didn’t even know Felix got laid,” Derek said. “He never mentions a woman or a casual hookup.”

  “Don’t give him a hard time,” Cam said. “The guy’s entitled to his privacy.”

  “Privacy?” Jeremy laughed. “There’s no privacy. Felix knows everything about us. And I mean everything. He knew that me and Alan were fooling around before any of you guys even suspected anything. You guys were floored when you found out. He just basically said, it’s about time you fessed up.”

  The sliders to the balcony suddenly flew open and Felix stepped outside, out of breath and his face flushed as if he just ran up the stairs to the penthouse. “Good grief! Can’t a man have a little extra-curricular activity without it being broadcasted to the world? Maybe someone at the hotel on the next block didn’t hear you announce that I was leaving a woman’s hotel room. Perhaps you’d like to shout it a little louder.”

  The rest of the guys started cheering and Derek let out a loud whistle, but Brandon was wondering if the penthouse door was left unlocked. “How did you get in here?”

  “I always have a room key, Brandon. In case of an emergency.” Felix put his hands on his hips. “Thankfully, I haven’t had to use it in a very long time.”

  “And this was an emergency?”

  “Yes. Of course. As I said, you just broadcasted to the entire hotel that I had a late-night visit with a guest.”

  “So, who was she?” Brandon asked.

  “A very nice woman that I met in the bar downstairs. I am allowed to have a social life, you know. I don’t have to retire to my room the moment we return from the venue.”

  “We’re happy for you.” Jeremy stood up and offered his seat to Felix. “Take a load off and tell us all about her.”

  Reluctantly, Felix sat down and joined them, which was a rarity. He even accepted a beer when Jeremy offered it to him.

  “So what was her name?” Jeremy asked.

  “It’s hardly relevant. There’s no need for me to re-hash my personal life. I’ll just enjoy a beverage and leave you be.”

  Brandon pulled his chair over to Felix and sat down. “Come on, Felix. You know everything about us, but we can’t say the same thing about you. Why aren’t you married?”

  “Because he’s a player!” Derek exclaimed, holding up his beer, and the guys clinked their bottles against it.

  “I am most certainly not a player. And you boys know I was married many years ago.”

  “So, that’s it?” Brandon asked. “It didn’t work out, once, so you’re done with marriage? I’m sure there’s someone else out there for you.”

  “Perhaps. But my work keeps me very busy, and I’m not willing to compromise my commitments.”

  All of Felix’s commitments were to Bulletproof, and a pang of guilt tugged at Brandon’s heart. The guy deserved to find love and companionship. “The band takes up all of our time too, but we each managed to meet someone and make the relationships work. Look at Travis and Derek. Both have careers that take them across the country, but they figured it out.”

  “Yes.” Felix’s voice turned humble and sincere. “I’m very happy for you boys. I truly mean that with all my heart. I’m very proud to have witnessed the successes you’ve achieved, both professionally and personally. You’re like sons to me.” He was quiet for a moment, and the guys waited to hear more.

  “You’ve made me realize that I missed a big part of my own sons’ lives,” Felix continued. “My career in the music industry has been all-consuming. I’ve put in long hours from the very beginning and have worked very hard. I’ve made a reputation for myself.” He smiled. “Even before Bulletproof. I’ve worked with huge names and mega-stars. I have a long list of accolades that’s practically unmatched. I wouldn’t change it for the world, but I do wish that I would have made more time for my sons when they were growing up.”

  “Are you close with them?” Brandon asked, realizing that he didn’t know much at all about Felix’s kids. “What are their names? Where do they live. Are they in the music business?”

  Felix opened his mouth to answer, and a short laugh came out at the onslaught of questions. “Ryan lives up north in San Francisco. Matthew is in Burbank. Neither were interested in getting involved in the music industry.” He sighed. “I guess I’m responsible for that. As I said, I put my career first and my family suffered because of it. I wasn’t home much, so I wasn’t close with my boys when they were young. But I’ve tried to make up for it over the last few years. We’ve been taking vacations together between tours, and we’ve reconnected. They appreciate the effort and that I’m finally making time for them.” He turned to face Brandon. “That’s why I suggested Bulletproof take a hiatus next year. So many amazing things happen during those precious first twelve months, and I don’t want you to miss any of them. Enjoy that time with your girls. Cherish every moment of it because you can’t ever get that time back.”

  A lump formed in Brandon’s throat. He didn’t realize that, even if the babies came on tour with Bulletproof, he’d be on stage and in soundcheck so much of the time that he’d surely miss milestones in their lives. He squeezed a hug onto Felix’s shoulders. “Thank you.”

  Felix responded with a reserved pat on Brandon’s back. “You’re very welcome.” Then he turned to study Alan and Jeremy. “I hope the two of you make the most of the time off as well. You have a tremendous wedding planned. Be involved in the preparation. Enjoy it. Don’t leave the details to someone else. And take an extended honeymoon. There’s no rush to return.”

  Alan gave Jeremy a warm smile. “Want to spend an extra two weeks in Fiji?”

  Jeremy’s eyes glazed over as he stared at his fiancée, and his forehead wrinkled. “A month in Fiji? Just the two of us?” He left his seat and climbed into Alan’s lap. “That sounds like heaven. You sure you won’t get sick of me?”

  “Never. You’re my ride or die, remember?”

  “Aw.” Jeremy wrapped his arms tighter around Alan’s waist and tucked his head into the crook of Alan’s neck. “I can’t wait until we’re married. Sometimes I wish we would have had the ceremony before Christmas when you first proposed.”

  “Really?” Alan asked. “But then we wouldn’t be looking forward to it with so much anticipation. It’d kind of be just like a party instead of the day w
e proclaim our undying love for one another.”

  Jeremy went limp and looked as if he were going to slide off Alan’s lap for a moment, but the two hugged each other closer and shared a kiss.

  It was really sweet to watch the two of them cuddle in the wicker chair, but Brandon was worried the thing was going to give out under their combined weight.

  “You two, as well,” Felix told Derek and Travis. “Utilize the time off to do something you enjoy.” He held up a hand in warning. “Just please don’t get yourselves arrested in the process.”

  Derek and Travis both laughed and nudged each other in the arm.

  Felix finished his beer and let out a long breath. “It was a pleasure, boys, but I think I’ll head to my room now. Thank you for the beverage. See you in the morning.”

  “Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to do it more often,” Brandon told him. And he meant it. The conversation was enlightening and left him with new appreciation for the people in his life.

  They all said goodbye and watched Felix leave the suite, quietly reflecting on the conversation and advice.

  “Wow,” Cam finally said. “He seems so uptight, but he’s a really cool guy.”

  “He’s like a father to us,” Jeremy said, then frowned. “We should have told him that. Why didn’t any of us tell him that, when he said we’re like sons to him?”

  “I don’t know,” Alan replied. “I know I’ve told him that before, though. We all have, right?”

  Brandon nodded, sure that he’d heard everyone tell Felix how much they cared about him over the years, but not remembering the last time any of them did.

  “What are you doing?” Alan asked Jeremy. “Who are you texting at this hour?”

  “Felix.” Jeremy read the words while punching them into his phone. “We love you, Felix! Thanks for being like a father to us!” He sat back in his chair and sighed. “Now I feel better.”

  A ringing phone startled Jeremy, but the sound wasn’t coming from his device. It was Brandon’s. “Is it Felix?” Jeremy asked.

  “No. It’s Lisa.”

  “Lisa?” The alarm was clear in Cam’s voice, and he leaned forward on his chair.

  It was almost midnight in California, and a sinking feeling hit Brandon in the gut. “What’s wrong?” he asked, into the phone.

  “Nothing’s wrong,” Lisa’s light-hearted voice replied.

  “Then why are you calling so late?” he asked, maintaining eye contact with Cam while he spoke.

  “Because.” Happy laughter came through the phone. “The babies kicked.”

  “They kicked?” Brandon immediately put the phone on speaker, a wide smile on his face. “Tell us everything.”

  “I was sitting in bed watching TV and started craving ice cream and then—”

  “Stop,” Brandon interrupted. “You can tell us in person. We’re going to fly home on the jet.”

  Both Brandon and Cam sat on either side of Lisa, with a palm on her belly. They’d been anxiously waiting for one of the babies to kick or move or do anything, for almost 35 minutes, while Lisa watched TV and snacked on a pint of mint chocolate chip.

  “Are you sure it wasn’t just your stomach rumbling because you were hungry?” Brandon asked, impatient and starting to doubt his sister’s story.

  “I told you. At first, I thought that’s what it was. But I put my hand on my belly and something thumped against it. Then it happened two more times. You guys didn’t have to rush out here. It’s three o’clock in the morning.”

  “I’m sorry,” Cam apologized. “Are you tired? Do you want to go to bed?”

  “No. I slept while I waited for you guys to get here.” She sighed. “I just wish you didn’t come here for nothing.” She looked down at her belly. “Move, little girls. Dance. Run in place. Do yoga.”

  “Yoga?” Brandon chuckled and quirked a brow at his sister.

  “I do prenatal yoga every morning. It’s supposed to help with the delivery.” She licked the back of the spoon, dropped it into the pint of ice cream, and made a face as she handed it to Cam. “I don’t think I ever want to eat ice cream again.” She squinted up at the ceiling. “You know what sounds really good?”

  “You’re still hungry?” Brandon asked, surprised at his sister’s appetite.

  “Not really. But I was watching the Food Network this afternoon and I can’t stop thinking about Mom’s lasagna. The chef didn’t use prosciutto, like Mom. He didn’t even use any sausage.”

  Brandon jerked his head back. “Just ground beef?”

  “Yeah. It looked delicious, but I couldn’t imagine eating lasagna without the sweet and salty flavors mixed with all that gooey cheese.”

  “Now you’re making me hungry,” Cam said.

  “Me too,” Brandon agreed. “I think I’m going to call Mom and ask her to make us a care package.”

  “Oh!” Cam exclaimed. “If you do, ask her to make meatballs. I love the way she fries them before putting them in the sauce. Sooo good.”

  “Great.” Lisa sighed. “Now I’m hungry again. I have to stop eating—”

  Both Brandon and Cam gasped at the same moment Lisa stopped speaking.

  “Was that one of the babies?” Brandon asked, his eyes as wide as saucers.

  Light laughter bubbled from Lisa’s mouth. “Yes! I think at least one of these babies likes Italian food.”

  Another thump under Brandon’s hand made him tear up. “Did you feel that, Cam?”

  “Yeah. I did.” Cam’s voice was shaky, and he wore a quivering smile. “I’m so happy we got to be here for this. Thank you for being so crazy and impulsive and insisting we jump on a plane as soon as Lisa called.”

  Their fingers gravitated toward one another until they touched and interlaced over the babies. Their lips met in a light kiss, then they both rested their head on Lisa’s shoulder, because she was truly the center of this magical moment and responsible for making their dream come true.

  The next two months of the tour took the band to 19 cities, and now they were on their way to Chicago where Bulletproof would be performing at the famed Resolution Gala at the Navy Pier tomorrow night to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It started snowing two hours after the tour bus left Detroit, and by the time they rolled into the lot of the Fairmont Millennium Park Hotel, the air was thick with flurries.

  Derek pulled back the curtain that covered the window as soon as the bus stopped. “Holy shit! Trav, come look.”

  Travis jumped from the couch and joined his husband at the window. “There must be six inches on the ground. Let’s go outside and enjoy it.”

  Having grown up in Southern California, snow was a big deal. They’d probably only seen heavy accumulation a handful of times. Cam, on the other hand, was originally from New York and not as impressed. “I don’t miss it,” he said. “You have no idea what it’s like taking the subway in bad weather. Delays. Dodging puddles and ice. I’m spoiled now. I can work in my jammies on the tour bus or in the hotel.”

  Brandon’s eyes dropped to Cam’s tight-as-fuck jeans. This man looked incredible in anything he wore, but the hotshot corporate-executive look, which was the total opposite of himself, drove Brandon crazy. “I still love when you put on a suit and go into the office in L.A.”

  Cam nodded. “Me too. I know it sounds crazy, but I actually enjoy the big business of downtown L.A. and working face-to-face with my colleagues. And there’s nothing like walking outside for lunch in the middle of winter and feeling the sun on your face and staring up at palm trees in the sky.” He looked down at the dog in his lap. “I know a big black Lab who misses the snow, though. What about Maggie?” he asked Jeremy. “Has she ever seen snow?”

  Jeremy ran a hand over Maggie’s blonde fur. It was the Golden’s first tour, and she was handling it like a champ. “I don’t think so. The rescue place said she came from a family in Newport Beach.” He frowned and hugged the dog. “I don’t know why anyone would give up such a nice dog. Wanna go play in the snow, Maggie? Huh? Brandy c
an show you how to catch snowballs.”

  Both dogs woofed in reply.

  It was late, and there weren’t any fans lingering, so while the bellmen brought their bags into the hotel, the guys and the dogs snuck around back to an empty section of the snow-covered parking lot.

  Brandon was never a big fan of the snow. It was just too cold. But he enjoyed watching the dogs play, and the rest of the guys were having just as much fun.

  Jeremy and Alan wrestled like teenagers, throwing snow at one another and rolling on the ground. Travis and Derek were making snow angels, while laughing and staring up at the sky. And the two dogs were running circles around one another, biting at piles of snow. Brandy suddenly ran over to Cam and barked, so he threw a snowball for her to chase. Maggie didn’t follow Brandy, though. Instead, she stayed seated in front of Cam and barked for her own snowball. “Watch this,” Cam said, with a smile. “Catch, Maggie.” He tossed a snowball at her, and she caught it, but displayed a comical, confused look on her face when it disintegrated in her mouth. Cam bellowed with laughter and continued to toss snowballs for both dogs, until they decided that chasing Jeremy and Alan was more fun.

  While everyone else was enjoying the snowfall, Brandon was freezing his nuts off. He stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets and hopped from foot to foot, laughing at his friends, his husband, and the two dogs.

  “You look cold.” Cam wrapped his arms around Brandon and rubbed his shoulders.

  “It’s fucking freezing!”

  “Let me warm you up.”

  Hot, full lips landed on Brandon’s, sending a layer of heat down his body. “How the fuck are you so warm?”

  “I got a hot rock star in my arms. That’s how,” Cam replied.

  “You better kiss me again. My toes are still a little cold.” Brandon tugged their bodies together and pressed his mouth against Cam’s so hard it almost knocked them both off their feet. A surge of heat rushed through Brandon’s body, and he no longer cared about the frigid temperature outside.

  “Hey, Bran! Cam!” Derek called. “Snowball fight!”

  Brandon was done with the snow, and the only thing he wanted to do was check into the suite and devour his husband. He moved his head to the side to tell Derek he wasn’t interested, and a snowball hit him right in the face.