Page 98 of Heartstring

“It’s all good. I can work from here.”

I stand, not caring that my chair dragging on the floor has clearly annoyed Stan, and hold Seymour tight.

“I’m really happy you’re doing this. And you can stay here as long as you need. I’ll never say this again, but it’s nice having company for a change.”

He squeezes my butt.

“Hey,” I call, slapping his hands off.

“Come on, let’s put the dishes in the sink because you need to tell me all about you and your Viking.”

He stands and grabs both our plates.

I fill Stan’s food and water bowls, then take a couple of beers from the fridge and head to the couch.

“So tell me what the cameras aren’t capturing,” he says. “And don’t skip corners. I know what your loved-up face looks like.”

“It’s…complicated.” I sigh. “I…him being with me is what triggered the media circus. We played it up for the cameras, hoping they’d see nothing more than a couple enjoying time together, but it’s all to keep the paps from finding out about his daughter. She’s a real smart kid. Funny too. That’s all.”

“Soooo, you’retogethertogether…or not?”

I shrug. “I guess we are. He’s made promises we both know he can’t keep. For Kay’s safety and the chance for a real life away from the cameras, he’ll do anything, and I don’t blame him. I’d do exactly the same, whatever the cost.”

“You’re in love with him.”

“That obvious?”

Seymour laughs. “It’s written in the way you looked at each other in the photo I saw of you in the park.”

“What? We weren’t together then. I was telling him to go away.”

He raises a brow. “Maybe with your words, but not with your body language and definitely not with your eyes.”

“How do you feel about it?” I ask because the guilt eats me up inside.

“A long time ago, we had the same conversation. My answer isn’t changing just because the man you love isn’t my brother. Everyone deserves a chance to be happy. You more than most, Ty. Porter would have wanted this for you.”

My throat feels choked with so much emotion that I can’t say anything, so I just hug him.

“Are you coming to the concert tomorrow?”

“Seeing you on stage again? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

* * *

My hands haven’t stopped shaking since I woke up this morning, and at this rate, I won’t be able to play without messing up.

The door to my office opens, and Mik comes in, wrapping me in his arms in just two strides.

“Fuck, I missed you. Is there a magic lamp we can rub in any of the many closets in this place? Because I would wish for the world to give us a few hours together, just us.”

“No magic lamps, and if we find one, I’m wishing for my hands to stop shaking or my stomach to stop churning.”

Mik cradles my face in his hands. “Look at me, Tyler David. You’re going to be fine. By the time you come on, we’ll have already warmed up the audience for you. Think of it as just us playing together again like we used to.”

“You’re forgetting the small detail that you’re in the biggest rock band in the country. If I mess this up, it’ll embarrass you.”

“Nothing you could do would embarrass me, baby. I just want the chance to play with you again on stage.”