Page 17 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Miles waited patiently at the side of the stage as the boys took their final bows. The tour’s last show came with a sense of relief. This Larkspur world tour had started back in January in Australia, and it was now mid-August. They’d played close to eighty shows in fifteen different countries, each one of them sold out. The tour had been one of the most successful of the band’s career, even allowing for the disruption of Mark leaving and Kellet rejoining the band.

Despite his best efforts, Miles had not been able to get to the band earlier than scheduled. He had only managed a brief meeting with Liam the night before. A dinner meeting with visiting executives from a UK-based record label had been sprung on him, and it was not a meeting he could afford to delegate. He hoped his small gift for Liam and the plans he had for them tonight went a long way to appease Liam.

As the guys paused at the edge of the stage for a final group hug and huddle, a familiar body stepped up next to Miles. Turning, he smiled at Mark before pulling him into a hug and slapping him on the back.

“Mark! So glad you could make it,” he said, stepping back to inspect the former drummer from head to toe. “You look good.” Turning his attention to the petite woman beside Mark, Miles leaned over and kissed her soft cheek. “You’re looking beautiful as always, Selena.”

Mark tucked Selena into his side, giving her a loving look. “Thanks for getting us tickets, Miles. It was a great show. You’d never know Kellet has only been with them a few months.”

“He’s done a fantastic job, and Jamie has never been happier,” Miles agreed.

Before Mark could reply, they were enveloped in the happy confusion of the guys coming off stage to hugs and congratulations from their families. He watched them all with quiet satisfaction, once again grateful that he’d taken the chance to sign these men all those years ago.

A shout for Seth shattered the loud hum of conversation across the area. The lead guitarist swung round, a huge grin on his face as he caught a slight blond man jumping into his arms, kissing him deeply. Miles chuckled softly at the stunned looks on the surrounding faces.

“Who’s that?” Mark asked quietly.

“That’s Cal. He’s been assisting Jax, but he hurt his foot and has missed the last three weeks of the tour,” Miles told him.

“Umm, guys. Something you wanna share?” Jamie’s voice made Seth and Cal pull apart, faces flushed.

“Nope!” Seth replies. “I don’t share.” Jamie quirked an eyebrow. “That’s all in the past. I’m a one-man guy now.”

“So, you and Cal are together?” Kellet asked.

“What gave it away, Kel?” Seth asked, with a grin that made Miles roll his eyes.

“Seth!” Cal admonished, wriggling to get down. Seth looked like he didn’t want Cal to go anywhere, but with another pointed glare, he eased Cal to his feet.

“Yes, Seth and I are….” Cal paused, glancing up at Seth. Miles watched the silent conversation they had, bracing himself for the news. He had a pretty good idea of how everyone would react, but you never knew.

Seth tugged a fine chain hanging from his neck under his t-shirt, unclipping it so a gold ring could slide onto his palm. Cal took it from him and slid it onto Seth’s left ring finger before turning and holding up his own left hand, which sported a matching band.

“Yes, Seth and I are together. Forever.”

Stunned silence greeted the announcement before Kellet’s son shouted, “You got married?”

“We did,” Seth confirmed, wrapping his arm back around Cal and pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, there was a flurry of congratulations and more hugs. Miles noticed Liam hanging back, a pensive expression on his face. He gave Seth a long hug, who murmured something in Liam’s ear. Liam gave him a nod, before stepping back and grinning at Cal. Miles could see it was a forced grin, as Liam teased Cal about being too good for Seth. To give him his due, Cal wholeheartedly agreed, eliciting laughter from everyone around them.

“Hey, Mark,” Miles called softly. Mark moved over to him, dipping his head to listen. “Can you have a talk to Liam tonight? Something has been bothering him for months, and I think it has a lot to do with your leaving.”

Mark’s startled expression met his. “What? What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to talk out of turn, but I’m concerned for him,” Miles said, not wanting to upset Mark. “He’s not been himself for months, and I think he needs to talk to you. When was the last time you spoke to him?”

“A couple of calls when Kellet rejoined the band. Otherwise, it’s been text messages, but they’ve been sporadic. He can take days to reply when I message him, and then they’re brief responses, not really telling me much.”

“I’m not telling you this to worry you, but he’s spoken a little to me about being stressed, but I’m sure it’s deeper than that. I was hoping with you being one of his closest friends, you might get him to open up.”

“No. It’s all good. Thanks for telling me. I’ll grab him at the party.”

“Thanks, Mark. You know you’re always welcome to anything involving the band. Just because you’re not a member anymore, you are still family.”

“Thanks, Miles. I’ll talk to Liam, and hopefully, that will help. I’ll call you, and maybe you can come for dinner one night. We can have a proper catch-up.”

“I’d love that,” Miles told him. He nodded to the dispersing crowd. “I’d better get this lot organized. Take care, Mark.”

***

Liam looked around the crowded hotel ballroom, trying not to appear obvious as he tracked where Miles was. They’d barely spoken two words to each other tonight, both being caught up in the obligations of the wrap party. He idly sipped at his beer, wondering how much longer he had to play nice before he could escape to his room to wait for Miles.

“Hey, Lee,” a familiar voice said next to him. Turning, he smiled at his former bandmate. They’d spoken briefly backstage, and he’d known that Mark would seek him out eventually.

“Hey, Mark.”

“Can I buy you a beer?”

Liam raised his half-full bottle. “I’m good, thanks, and besides, it’s an open bar.”

“I know, but it’s what friends do.” Mark looked at him. “That is, if we are still friends.”

“Wh… why would you say that?” Liam asked, horrified that Mark would think they weren’t friends anymore.

“You’ve been pretty quiet of late. I guess I figured that since I’m no longer part of Larkspur, our friendship has taken a back seat.”

Guilt and shame coursed through Liam, heat tingling in his face. “Mark. I’m sorry. I never meant to make you feel abandoned. I just—”

Mark tugged at his sleeve. “Let’s find a less crowded corner.”

Liam nodded his agreement, following his friend through the crowd. He slowed when Mark paused to kiss Selena on the cheek before continuing on. Liam gave Selena what he hoped was a warm smile. She softly squeezed his arm as he passed, warmth and what looked like sympathy in her dark brown eyes.

They found a couple of chairs tucked in the room’s corner, and Mark tugged his closer before sitting and facing Liam with a serious expression on his face.

“What’s going on, Lee?”

“With what?” Liam asked, confused.

“Sources tell me you’ve not been yourself of late, that you’re stressed out all the time. So, what’s going on?”

“Did Seth say something to you?” Liam asked, pissed that he’d been spoken about behind his back.

“I’m not telling you who my source is, but I will tell you I’ve heard comments from more than one person.”

Liam dropped his gaze, picking at the label on his beer bottle.

“Come on, Lee. I thought we were best friends. Do you really hate me that much for leaving that you can’t talk to me anymore?”

“What? No!” Liam’s head snapped up, and his stomach lurched at the hurt and sadness in Mark’s eyes. He reached out a trembling hand, which Mark grabbed and squeezed. “I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.”

“Then what’s the reason you’ve been MIA? And before you give me the excuse of the tour, it’s bullshit, and you know it. I know the schedule. I know the demands, so blowing me off with that will not fly.”

“Fuck. You always did call me out on my bullshit,” Liam mused. He ran a hand through his hair and took a calming breath. “You’re right. I have been using the tour as an excuse not to stay in touch. I didn’t want to remind you of everything you’d left. You needed time to rest and recover. You didn’t need to hear how Seth has been a grumpy bastard since Vegas, or how the crew beat us at laser strike because they had an almost professional sniper on their team.”

“Um, excuse you! I most certainly do need to hear those things, and you’ll tell me about them in a minute.” Mark leaned over, resting a hand on Liam’s knee. “But that’s not what’s been stressing you out. Even before I left, we were on track to have our most successful tour ever, so it can’t be the figures. So that leaves me quitting.”

Thoughts raced through Liam’s brain, bashing and colliding with each other as he tried to sort them out. He wanted to confide in his best friend, but he also didn’t want to cause Mark any more stress by admitting his guilt. Because that’s what it was.

“Just so you know, we aren’t leaving here until you’ve told me,” Mark stated, settling comfortably into his chair. “And the Lee I know would rather be in his hotel room chilling out than having to schmooze executives or make nice with people he’s just spent the best part of a year on the road with.”

“I take it back, I do hate you,” Liam groused, but with a half-smile so Mark knew Liam was teasing him.

Mark smirked in return but said nothing.

A few minutes passed in tense silence as Liam mustered his thoughts and courage. He waged an internal argument about how much to tell Mark. He thought of Miles, and how proud he’d be of him for owning his emotions. The thought of pleasing Miles and the potential rewards motivated him to push forward. This was Mark, his best friend. The friend he’d let down.

“I… I’m sorry for letting you down and for not realizing how bad your anxiety had gotten. I should have done more. You deserve someone better to be your best friend. Someone who can be there for you when you need them.”

“Lee,” Mark said, his voice pained. “You didn’t let me down. You did everything you could do with the knowledge you had. If anyone has to apologize, it’s me for not telling you sooner. I do regret that. And if I’d known that not telling you sooner would manifest into the guilt you’re carrying, I would turn the clock back this instant and change that.”

“But—”

“There is no but,” Mark stressed. “Please, Liam, let go of the guilt. If you want to do something to help me, then please let go of the guilt.”

The pleading tone had Liam nodding in agreement. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you. Look, now the tour is over, have you considered seeing a therapist?” Mark gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “I happen to know a really good one if you want a recommendation.”

Liam smiled at his friend, happy to see him stress-free and relaxed. Mark looked healthy and at peace with himself.

“Yeah, maybe it is something I should look at.”

“And I’m always here if you want to talk. I’ve really missed you, Lee. I don’t miss the touring and performing thing, but I do miss us. So, don’t be a stranger, eh?”

Liam nodded, his throat too thick to speak.

“Thank you for being there for me, Lee, even if you think you weren’t. Let me be there for you now.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Good.” Mark paused, then asked, “So, what’s going on with you and Miles?”

Liam looked at him in shock. “What do you mean? Nothing’s going on with me and Miles. Why would you ask that?”

Mark raised his hands to fend off the questions. “Protesting much?”

“No!” At the raised eyebrow he got in return, Liam slumped in his seat. “What makes you think there’s something going on?”

“His concern for you. He asked me to talk to you tonight. Also, both of you have been keeping track of each other all evening. It’s been very subtle, but as I know you both well, it was obvious to me.”

“Shit,” Liam groaned, running a hand down his face. “Do you think anyone else has noticed?”

“Maybe? Jamie and Kellet are completely wrapped up in each other, and as for Seth, he hasn’t left Cal’s side all night.” Mark gently kicked Liam’s shin. “And what’s with not telling me about Seth hooking up with a crew member?”

“Hey, you know as much as I do. But it sure as hell explains why he’s been a grumpy bastard since Vegas.”

“Fair enough. So. You and Miles?”

“He’s been helping me with my stress.”

“Helping how, exactly?”

Liam blushed, and Mark noticed straight away.

“Ohhh. ‘Helping’,” he said, making quote marks with his fingers. He gave Liam a salacious grin. “Tell me more.”

“He’s been teaching me meditation methods.”

“Uh huh. And….?”

“And other things,” Liam muttered, throwing daggers at his friend, who laughed in return.

“Good for you. Miles is sexy as fuck. I don’t blame you for going there.”

“I… I don’t know where we’re going, or how long it’s going to last, but….”

“It’s okay, Lee. I get it. You know where to find me if you need to talk. About anything, okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Mark. I’ve missed you too. I promise I’m going to be blowing your phone up daily.”

“I look forward to it.”

They both stood and embraced, Liam finding some peace in the familiar arms.

“Now, go find your man and work off the rest of your stress, okay?”

“Okay. Talk soon, yeah.”

They parted ways, and Liam felt a lot lighter than he had in a long time. Now he had a different itch under his skin. He’d done as Miles had asked and not jerked off since their video call, and desire and want thrummed through his veins.

He spotted Miles across the room, for once alone, and their eyes met. Liam strolled over to him.

“Hey,” he said, tucking his hands into his jeans pockets to stop him from reaching out for a hug. He longed to be held against Miles’s body.

“Did you have a good talk with Mark?”

“Yes. Thank you for bringing him here and getting him to talk to me.”

“Did it help?”

“Yes. I know there’s still stuff I’ve got to work on, but yes, it helped to talk to him.”

“I’m proud of you for admitting that, Liam.”

Liam smiled in pleasure at the words.

“Have you been a good boy since we last talked?” Miles asked, his voice low and husky.

“Yes, I have.”

“Very good. I have something special for you as a reward.”

Goosebumps tingled along Liam’s arms, and he unconsciously rubbed at them. A warm hand cupped his neck, and he raised his eyes to meet Miles’s.

“I want you to go up to your room and prepare yourself for me. You’ll find your gift on the table, along with instructions. Can you do that?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I’ll see you in around thirty minutes. I have my own key, so you won’t need to answer the door to anyone.”

With a nod, Liam walked away, keeping his pace measured so as not to give away his haste.