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“I miss you when I send you home,” he said, “but it’s important we do this with intention. Either we live together or we don’t, and if we don’t, then by definition that means we spend time in our respective homes and away from each other at least a couple of nights a week.”

“I can’t argue your logic, but I still hate going home. It wouldn’t be entirely wrong for me to say you’re my everything, because emotionally you are, but I have other responsibilities — work, friends, and probably some things I’m not thinking of.”

“My life is beyond full, and yet, I’ve craved having someone to share it with. Thank you for being that person, Davy.”

“And thank you for inviting me into your life,” I lowered my voice, “Master.”

When we finished dinner, Master walked me down to the beach, where we took our sandals off and walked on the sand, and eventually walked into the water and let the waves hit our shins.

“It’s paradise, Master.”

“I’ve considered buying a beach home, but my business manager convinced me it’s better to rent a house when I want to visit, rather than dealing with hurricanes and the specialized insurance for them, and all the other issues around beachfront living.”

“I’ve never considered what I might want to buy if money was no object.” I thought about it a few seconds. “When I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot, but I couldn’t afford lessons and didn’t want to join the military. I don’t think I want to be one anymore, though.”

“You know enough about cars, I assume you have one you’d buy if you had the money. You knew how much the McLaren cost without having to look it up. Lots of people don’t even know the name of the brand, much less which model they’re looking at or the cost.”

“I work in the auto industry now, and I’m with car and motorcycle guys all day long, Master. There were lots of conversations when information first started leaking out about the W1, and lots of comparisons to the F1 and P1. If money was no object, I’m not sure what car I’d want, but I’m pretty sure it’d be less than a hundred grand or only slightly more. Maybe an Audi or Maserati. I think the Trofeos are probably more than I’d be comfortable driving around, but I could buy a used one and be comfortable with the price, I think.”

I looked up at Master. “I don’t really want one of those, though. Gonzo has a Nissan Maxima that kicks ass. I like the Altimas, too. That’s more my speed, I think.” My ancient little Civic got me around and was dependable. I’d thought it was fine, but now that I’d driven true performance vehicles, I guess I knew what I was missing, when I didn’t, before. Still, it got me back and forth to work when the weather didn’t work with the bike.

“And a house?” he asked. “Would you be on the river or on a mountain? Or maybe deep in the woods? Or perhaps you’d want to be in a neighborhood somewhere?”

I shrugged. “Your house is kind of perfect, Master. On the ridge, so it’s high up without having to drive up and down a mountain, and just a few minutes away from downtown. I like the river, and thought about how nice it might be to have that view every day while you were doing your music video, but wherever you are is where I’m happiest.”

“I have a house on the river, but I haven’t been to it since you came into my life, so I’ve been considering selling it. You’d have a long drive back and forth to work — nearly an hour. That’s two hours a day I wouldn’t get to see you.”

“We could spend time there on the weekends, Master.”

“A valid point, and I have a boat in a boathouse. We should make a trip up there and go out on the river before I decide whether or not to sell. If we like the boat I can put it in a marina somewhere close to downtown.”

Chapter 21

Will

We had a phenomenal vacation, and then returned home to discover Animal was back. When he moved down from Nashville after I hired him, he didn’t bother to rent a place since I gave everyone in the band a bedroom. Silver has a townhome in a gated community near the river, but most often stays with me. Animal did an extended VRBO thing when we returned from tour, understanding we all needed some time apart, but I guess he decided he was done with that — which was more than fine. The band has become my family and I love having them around.

I told Davy to unpack while I went for a swim, and Animal joined me in the pool.

Animal’s name is Michael Cole, and sometimes we call him Mike or Mikey, but mostly he’s just Animal.

“Davy’s good for you.”

“So you’ll be okay with him moving in permanently?”

When everyone moved in, I told them they were fully responsible for anything done by someone they brought to the house, so they should be sure the person was trustworthy. I also reserved the right to say they couldn’t bring someone back to the house. I don’t deal well with drama queens. However, I didn’t give them a way to say I couldn’t move someone in. Still, I figured I should check in with them before I moved Davy in for good.

“It’s fast, but yeah. He fits. I mean, I didn’t think he would, at first, but he does.” He shrugged. “His dick front and center wasn’t a big deal for the ditzo I brought home to fuck after the vid shoot. I’d shacked up with her a few days and knew she was cool, but maybe we can give him some shorts or something if I bring someone home who might not understand?”

I nodded. “His rules now are that he’s my slave and not the band’s slave. I can tell him to get ya’ll some food or something to drink, but ya’ll can’t order him to do those things, or anything else. For the house to run smoothly, people have to be courteous and friendly, and that’s expected of him, but no more than it would be if he was my boyfriend. We’re about to redo our contract, and I’ll write in that the one thing ya’ll can request when I’m not around is for him to put shorts on. I’ll need you to text me when you do, so I don’t punish him for it when I walk in the door.”

“That’s cool.” He blew out a breath. “She signed the NDA without any argument, though she balked at having to put her phone in a lockbox. She did, but she wasn’t happy. It’s easier to get chicks when they know who I am, but simpler when they don’t.”

Animal does a reverse-disguise thing. He wears a hat on stage and anytime he’s seen in relation to the band. He has dozens and dozens of hats. Also, he wears a lot of eyeliner. Butch eyeliner — and don’t ask me to explain the difference between girl eyeliner and macho eyeliner because I can’t, but Mikey looks downright feral with it, while mostly normal and happy without it. When he wants to be in disguise, he just doesn’t wear the hat or the eyeliner, and no one recognizes him.Ever.

“I think it was easier for me to fall for Davy because he had no idea who I was when he met me.”

“Yeah. I can see that. I took Silver out and got her drunk one night — all miniskirt and thigh boots so everyone in the place was looking at her. I guess she woke up feeling more like a guy the next morning, and I went downstairs to find him doing kickboxing stuff with the heavy bag. Not sure what’s up with that. I think she just doesn’t know what to do with herself when we aren’t working, maybe.”