Reading Online Novel

Twisted(135)



Lila laughed and gave him a light shove. “Not yet. Go get ready for her first.”

“I’m more than ready for her now.”

“I just bet,” she said drily. “Save it for the shoot, stud. We want this video to be hot enough to fucking crash YouTube.”

“I’m not wearing a penis sock. Just so you know.”

“Nah, we figured we’d have you perform au naturel.” When he gaped, she shook her head and pointed down the hall. “Outta here or you get the sock.”

“Most interesting threat I’ve ever heard.” He picked up his guitar and snuck one more quick glance at Jazz as she talked to one of the cameramen, gesturing with both hands as she often did. The sight made him smile.

God, he’d missed her. He would’ve agreed to exile in an igloo in Antarctica if a glimpse of her was his reward.

“There’s the Titanic smile. Been waiting on it.” Lila sighed. “Damn you people and your epic loves.”

He flushed. “Can I get a sock for my head too?”

“You wish. Scram.”

Gray found the dressing room she’d indicated and walked into a zoo. Simon was spinning around on the swivel stool in front of the mirror, his legs kicked out as if he was on a ride at the fair. Nick slouched against one wall and laughed hysterically at something on his phone. Deak, the only sane one of the bunch, stood near the window, talking quietly on his cell.

He also happened to be the only one who was dressed.

“Jesus H. Christ, if nudity is required, I’m leaving.”

Silence descended. Simon stopped spinning like a mad top, Nick stopped laughing. And everyone stared at Gray as if they’d seen a ghost.

He smiled. Well, they kind of had, if his occasional nickname counted.

“Holy fuck. He lives.” Simon bolted off the stool and pulled him into a hug, clapping him on the back hard enough to dislodge a vital organ or two. He stepped back and gripped Gray’s shoulders. “You look great.”

“Thanks. And you look naked.”

Simon laughed and grabbed a pair of leather pants off the dressing table. “When you’ve got it, flaunt it, bro.”

Gray lifted an eyebrow at Nick. “That your theory too?”

“Nah, I just got distracted. Not like I haven’t been at a wang party before.” Nick tossed aside his phone, pulled on a pair of faded jeans sans underwear and extended his fist, knuckles out. “Good to have you back, man.”

Gray smiled. “You actually sound like you mean that.”

“I do.” Nick shrugged. “When you’re not around, I gotta practice with Leather Loins over there and he preens more than plays.”

“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” Simon leaned toward the mirror to line his eyes. “Want?” he asked over his shoulder.

“Hell no, I don’t want. You think I’m a damn female?”

“Not you, jackoff. I meant Gray.”

Gray grinned. “Goddamn, it’s good to be back.” He met Deak halfway across the room to slap hands. “How you doin’, Pops? Lovin’ all over that woman carrying that baby of yours?”

A shadow passed over Deak’s face though he recovered quickly. “Yeah, yeah, you know it.” He laughed and gripped Gray’s shoulder—the good one, thank God. Deak could’ve killed him with a careless shoulder clap. “You look incredible. Doing all right?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat and met the other man’s gaze squarely. Of everyone, Deacon had been the most militant about kicking Snake and his drug habit out of the band. Gray certainly hadn’t expected a hero’s welcome from him. “I know you probably don’t have a lot of faith in me right now, man, but I want you to know that I’m straight.”

“Pretty sure we all knew that already.” Simon leered over his shoulder. “Isn’t that why you get to bang the hottie on camera? Prior knowledge and shit?”

“I’m not banging her on camera.” Though the more everyone kept talking, he was seriously starting to wonder what kind of video shoot he’d wandered into. “I haven’t turned to porn yet.”

“Don’t rule it out, buddy. Times are tough.”

Nick shoved Simon hard enough to upend his stool. “Christ, shut the hell up.”

Gray shook his head. “Sorry,” he said in an undertone to Deacon.

He just laughed. “I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. I’m the one who invited you to join this fucking chaos.”

“Misery always loves company.”

“You got it. And about the other…listen, I’m betting on you, man. I always have been. Whatever it takes to get you back to a good place, I’m behind you.”