Salvation is playing at a small bar in New Orleans, last gig before they go on the road. Ryan is looking forward to having a good night with Ben, but will something disrupt those dreams? See what's going on in this week's chapter of In Pieces. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
The first two sets went very well. The audience was small
but appreciative. Some had even dressed as the various members of the band,
including a couple of priests and nuns and even one pope. When Ryan had
attended concerts with Cassie, he’d often worn that band’s T-shirt as a symbol
of unity, but he’d never gone so far as to imitate their dress. Then again, most bands didn’t dress quite as
distinctively as Salvation. At least not in his experience. Maybe New Orleans
was more open to that sort of thing than St. Louis.
Earlier in the day, while Ben and the others were
rehearsing, Ryan had found a few minutes to call Cassie and say hello. They
didn’t get to talk long, but he promised her a longer call as soon as he could.
It was good to hear her voice, see how she was doing… and tell her about Ben
and him. She practically squealed over the phone, she was so pleased at the
news that they were together at last. She said she was doing well and keeping
busy but she missed him. She told him they would definitely have to find time
to come visit her, which idea Ryan seconded. He couldn’t wait to show Ben off,
and for Ben and Cassie to get to know each other. Hopefully Ben wouldn’t mind.
Between sets, the band signed autographs and posed for
pictures. Ryan stood proudly by, watching. Ben was certainly in his element,
smiling and charming and gracious to everyone. They didn’t get a chance to
dance, but Ryan still had hopes that might happen after the last set. The bar
had a juke box that was kept busy when the band wasn’t playing. He was pretty
sure he could find something on it that was slow and romantic if he looked hard
enough. If not, they could always improvise.
He took a few photos for the book , but Ben had told him not to worry about
taking too many —they’d be playing New Orleans again at least once or twice
before the tour was done—so he kept the number down. Afterward he claimed a
spot against the wall where he could stand and watch the band to his heart’s
content. Ben had warned him that this gig would run later than usual since bars
stayed open all night here. It might be past two before they got out, but Ryan
didn’t mind. They could always sleep in a little tomorrow.
“Hey, tiger, how’s it going?” a voice broke into his
thoughts.
Ryan glanced over to find Brandon standing beside him, drink
in hand, cheesy grin firmly affixed. Ryan wasn’t entirely surprised. After all,
Abby had warned them he might be there. He’d hoped that wouldn’t happen, but
now all he could do was make the best of a potentially bad situation.
“Good,” he replied politely. “You?”
“Never better. How about we go outside? Get a little fresh air? Kinda
stuffy in here, don’t you think?”
Ryan pushed down his annoyance at the other man’s
presumption. “Thanks, I’m good right here,” he said, keeping his eyes fixed on
Ben. Maybe Brandon would catch a clue…
“Ah, afraid lover boy will be jealous? I get it. He does
tend to be possessive when he’s in love, doesn’t he?”
Ryan turned startled eyes in Brandon’s direction. Brandon was openly smirking. Was he deliberately
provoking Ryan? To do what? And why?
“So tell me something, is incest like legal now? I mean it
seems to be all the fashion. You see it on TV, in books… and in real life.”
Ryan’s cheeks heated. He clenched his fists, resisting the
urge to punch Abby’s boyfriend in the mouth. What did she even see in this guy?
Whatever it was, he couldn’t see it.
He also wasn’t going to let Brandon get the better of him,
either. He took deep breaths until he felt calm enough to respond without
anger. “Ben and I were stepbrothers ten years ago. We have no blood ties. If
you’ll excuse me…” He pushed off from the wall and walked away from Brandon,
still seething internally. The bar was right in front of him, as he maneuvered
across the room. Why not?
He stood at the bar for a few minutes before the bartender
was able to get him, wiping his hands on a cloth around his waist. “What can I
get you?”
“Shot of whiskey,” Ryan responded. When the bartender set it
in front of him, he bolted it, feeling the liquor burn along his throat as it
went down.
“Another one,” he said, pushing the empty glass forward. The
bartended obliged. This time, Ryan sipped at it, determined to keep his wits
about him. “What do I owe you?”
“Nothing,” came the immediate response. “I know you’re with
the band. It’s all good.” He gave Ryan a gap-toothed smile. Ryan tried to smile
back, but it felt stiff.
“Thanks,” he said. Just then, he felt an arm about his waist
and he started to stiffen until he realized the band was no longer on the
stage. When had they stopped playing?
“Hey, what’s going on?” He heard Ben’s familiar voice in his
ear and realized Brandon hadn’t followed him to the bar, as he’d first thought.
He directed his gaze to Ben’s beautiful blue eyes which were perturbed.
“Can we go outside?” Ryan asked.
“Sure. We just went on break before the last set.”
Ryan knocked back the remnants of his drink just before Ben
drew him close and kissed him, long and hard. By the time the kiss ended, Ryan
felt better. “I needed that.” He took Ben’s hand in his and led him out the
front door, never looking around to see where Brandon might be. He didn’t
really give a shit.
to be continued
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