Page 20 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Miles smiled and greeted his staff as he strode through the offices of MC Management after a productive few days in New York. It still amazed him how successful the company was after all these years, but then again, he and his team had put in the hard work, and they deserved the success they had.

“Good morning, Miles,” his PA, Isla, said as he entered the partially enclosed area that held her workstation and his office.

“Morning, Isla. How are things looking?”

“So far, so good, but it’s early in the day,” she replied, smiling brightly at him.

“Don’t tempt fate, you witch,” he teased back. “I don’t have time for any issues or problems today.”

She laughed as she followed him to his desk. “Jax will come up as soon as I let her know you’re here, and then the Larkspur boys have their debrief meeting scheduled for eleven.” She checked the electronic tablet in her hands. “Dain Matthews from the label wants a catch-up, nothing urgent so I’ve put him off until later in the week, and the band you were going to check out tomorrow night has had to reschedule as they’ve all caught Covid and are isolating.”

“Thanks, Isla. Tell Jax I’ll be free in fifteen minutes. That will give me enough time to clear my emails and drink my coffee.”

“That a hint, boss?” Isla asked with a smirk.

“Y’know, any decent PA would have had my coffee sitting on the desk waiting for me when I came in. Especially as I arrived back just after midnight and I’m operating on only a few hours sleep.”

“Pity you’ve been stuck with me for the last fifteen years, then, isn’t it?”

Miles chuckled as his sassy PA left his office, pulling the door closed behind her. He had lucked out when he’d hired her as a general office administrator all those years ago, and they’d developed a sibling-like relationship. Shrugging out of his suit jacket, he logged into his email, scanning the ones that Isla had already marked as needing his attention first.

A knock at the door had him checking his watch. His fifteen minutes had flown by, and Jax, Larkspur’s personal assistant and another of his valued team, strode into the room. She placed a mug of coffee on the corner of his desk.

“Your coffee, Your Majesty,” she said, voice low and deferential. A muffled laugh came from the outer office.

“There’s a reason I send you away on tour for months at a time, Jax,” he said, picking up the coffee. “You and Isla are menaces when left alone for any length of time.”

Jax giggled as she took a seat, and Miles crossed the room to poke his head around the door. “Thank you, Isla. Can you give us a reminder ten minutes before the meeting, please?”

At her nod, Miles closed the door and returned to his desk. Jax had her laptop open with a fresh legal notepad sitting next to it.

“Did you have a good week off?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you. We had dinner with Cal and Seth, and just chilled out.”

“How are they settling into married life?”

“Ugh. They’re all heart-eyes and pet names. It’s sickening.”

Miles laughed at her expression. He knew she was joking from the amusement in her eyes. “I still can’t believe Seth has fallen in love and got married. All in the space of a few weeks.”

“He’s always been our problem child,” Jax agreed. She tapped at the keyboard on her laptop. “As you know, the press release about their marriage was well received and the feedback on social media has been positive. There’s been a request from Music News Now! for an interview with the band.”

“Might not be a bad idea, and MNN is one of the better outlets. Add it to the list of things to discuss at the meeting.”

Jax hummed, and they worked through a small list of other items they needed to bring up in the meeting.

“Did Kellet get Wil off to college, okay?” Miles asked.

“Yes. He and Jamie, along with his mothers, dropped him off two days ago. Jamie and Kellet got back to LA last night.”

“He’s a good kid. He fit in well on the tour.”

“I was certainly grateful for the extra pair of hands, especially after Cal abandoned me.”

“Can you get an email address for Wil for me? I want to drop him a personal thank you.”

“Of course,” Jax replied, and a few seconds later, Wil’s contact details appeared in his inbox.

“Thanks. I presume Kellet is planning to move down here permanently from Juniper?”

“I think they’re going to split their time between the two, for now at least,” Jax told him. “Have to admit, I’ve never seen Jamie so happy.”

“He took the split with Kellet hard, all those years ago. It took him a long time to let anyone get close, but even then, there was never anyone serious. He’s a one-man person. Kellet is the one for him.”

“Three down, one to go,” Jax said cryptically, making Miles look at her in askance. “You know, Jamie and Kellet. Seth and Cal. They’re all lovey-dovey. That only leaves Liam.” She scrutinized him over the top of her coffee mug. “Unless there’s something you’re not telling me, boss?”

He stared back at her, keeping his expression bland as he tried not to think about how much he’d missed Liam. They’d only managed one call during his week away, and he was desperate to see how Liam was. He’d have to act professionally in the meeting. There wouldn’t be time for anything personal.

“Miles?” Jax leaned forward, all teasing dropping from her face. She placed her mug on the desk, resting her elbows on the edge. “What’s going on with Liam?”

“Who said there’s anything going on with Liam?” he prevaricated.

“Miles Cartwright, I have known you for too damn long, plus you asked for adjoining rooms at the hotel. Are you and Liam….?”

Running a hand over his face, he met her gaze. There was no point in hiding it from her. Like she said, they’d known each other for too long.

“Yes, Liam and I are sleeping together,” he admitted with a sigh.

“Since when?” Jax’s blue eyes were round as her suspicions were confirmed.

“Since break week.”

“Oh.” She looked shocked at that. “How?”

He gave her a deadpan look, which she waved away in exasperation.

“Ew! No, I don’t mean that, and you know it. I mean, how did you suddenly go from being manager and client to lovers after eighteen years of knowing each other?” She sat back in her chair, gasping. “Oh, was it an unrequited love thing, and you finally admitted your feelings for one another?”

“Jax,” Miles moaned. “Stop! All you need to know is that we’re exploring something. If and when there is anything else to tell you, I will.”

“Wait? How’s this going to affect your relationship with the band? And more importantly, what do the others think of this development?”

“You’re the only one who knows,” he admitted. “And regarding how it’ll affect the band, it shouldn’t.”

“Really? You haven’t told the guys? They’re going to be pissed at you both if they find out before you tell them.” Jax frowned at him. “You’re either in love with the man and haven’t admitted it to yourself, or you’re letting your dick do your thinking.”

“Jaqueline!” he bit out, using her full name. She had the grace to look abashed but didn’t back down.

“You know I’m right, Miles. So, which is it?”

Miles groaned and dropped his head into his hands. “It’s different with him,” he admitted quietly. “I haven’t felt this way since Rory.”

“Do you think it could turn into something serious? Something like what you had with Rory?”

“Maybe?” he replied, slumping back in his seat. “I’ve always kept things professional. With all my clients. If Liam and I become more, then there could be or will be, questions raised about a conflict of interest.”

“Possibly, but probably not. You’ve been their manager since day one. They’ve reached a level of success and status born of hard work. No one could say you’ve coerced them into anything because you’re sleeping with one of them.”

The phone on Miles’s desk buzzed. He answered it. “Yes, Isla.”

“Larkspur just arrived. They’re settling into the boardroom with coffees. I’ve told them you’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Isla. Jax and I are just wrapping up.”

“Liam asked if you have time to see him after the meeting.”

Miles paused at that. “What did you tell him?”

“I said that you possibly could squeeze him in, but it would depend on how long your meeting runs for.”

“Did he say what it was about?”

“No. He said it wasn’t urgent, but just a small personal matter he wanted to discuss with you.”

“Thanks, Isla.”

He hung up the phone and rose from his chair.

“Problem?” Jax asked.

“No. I don’t think so. Liam wants a personal meeting after the debrief.”

“I bet he does,” Jax said with a waggle of her brows.

Miles rolled his eyes as he waved her ahead of him. He wondered why Liam had gone through Isla rather than just texting him. He made a mental note to ask him when he saw him.

***

Liam watched in amusement as Seth placed a coffee in front of his husband before dropping a kiss on the top of Cal’s head. He made sure Cal had everything he needed before getting his own coffee and settling into a seat, pushing it as close to Cal’s as he could.

“Why don’t you just sit Cal on your lap and be done with it?” he asked dryly.

“Because he needs to use his laptop, and it’s easier if he’s sitting at the table,” Seth retorted with a grin.

“I never thought I’d see the day when you’re completely and utterly in love, Seth,” Liam told him.

“Yeah, miracles do happen,” Jamie agreed.

“Well, we had two miracles happen this tour,” Seth said, making the others frown at him. Seth pointed to where Jamie and Kellet were sitting, just as close as he and Cal were. “You two reconnected after too many years apart, and I found the love of my life, so two miracles.” He turned his stare to Liam. “Pity you didn’t find love, Liam. Then we would have been three for three.”

Liam rolled his eyes, hiding his discomfort behind what he hoped was a well-worn mask of indulgence. He wasn’t ready to put a name to the feelings he was having for Miles, but they were undoubtedly deeper than anything he’d felt for anyone in the past. The last week had crawled endlessly, and he was desperate to see Miles again today.

Isla had been vague when he’d asked for a private appointment with Miles, but it was the only way he could think of to get to see the man alone, if only for a few minutes. They’d messaged and managed a couple of video calls, and his last message from Miles had been about his delayed flight the night before. Miles had apologized that he wouldn’t be able to see Liam until later, but Liam was impatient.

Before he could retort, the conference room door opened, and Miles and Jax strode into the room. Liam drank in the sight of Miles in his pale gray vest and suit pants. He looked a little tired, but smiled brightly when he saw them all there.

“Good morning,” he greeted them, the deep timbre of his voice sending goosebumps down Liam’s spine.

A chorus of greetings echoed around the room. Liam noticed Miles met the eyes of each of them before reaching Liam. His gaze lingered slightly longer on Liam, and it was all Liam could do not to squirm in his seat. Instead, he gave a small nod and picked up his coffee to sip from, concealing his expression from everyone.

“You’re all looking well,” Miles told them as he settled into his seat at the head of the table, Jax to his right. “I want to congratulate you all on your most successful tour. Kellet, thank you for stepping in when Mark left. You saved what could have been a disaster, and both the label and I are extremely grateful to you.”

“Thanks, Miles,” Kellet said, a faint flush staining his cheekbones. “I want to thank you all for convincing me I could do this, and for supporting me and encouraging me when I thought I wasn’t good enough. You’ve made a dream come true, and for that, I can never thank you enough.” Kellet’s gaze slipped to Jamie as he spoke, and the loving look he gave his partner made Liam’s inside melt. It was obvious that those two were meant to be together. Had been since they first met as scrawny teenagers. Despite being sad that Mark had left, having Kellet rejoin the band had been one of the best decisions they’d ever made.

“As you all know, Kellet has agreed to stay on with Larkspur, and the label is more than happy, as am I,” Miles said. He turned his glance to Seth. “I’d also like to thank you, Seth, for not giving me as many gray hairs as normal.” Everyone laughed as Seth nodded graciously. Miles continued. “And Cal, although I question your sanity, thank you for your help on this tour. I believe your new software program is going to be a game changer for us.”

“Thanks, Miles. I’ve got the first beta system ready to go, and Jax and I will test it starting tomorrow.”

“Great news. I look forward to seeing it working.” Miles looked down at his laptop.

Liam watched as Miles worked through the list of items they needed to discuss. He wanted nothing more than to be held in those muscular arms, to feel Miles’s body flush against his as he fucked into Liam. His body warmed at the memory of being filled, and he shifted in his chair, trying to relieve the pressure on his half-swollen dick.

“What do you think, Liam?” Miles’s voice broke into his heated thoughts, and Liam flushed under the scrutiny of steely-gray eyes.

“Um… sorry, what was the question?”

Liam heard Seth snicker from across the table, but Liam ignored him. The knowing look in Miles’s eyes made him fidget, and he dropped his gaze.

“I asked if you were agreeable to interviewing with MNN?”

“Oh. Yes. Of course, if that’s what everyone else wants to do,” he said, looking around the table. The guys were all staring at him, probably wondering why he was the one spacing out in the meeting. He was usually the one who was taking notes and asking questions.

“Good. That’s settled then.” Miles leaned back in his chair. “Anything else anyone wants to discuss?”

“Just want to say thanks again to you and your team, Miles, for looking after us so well over the years. We wouldn’t be who we are today if it wasn’t for you guys,” Jamie said.

The rest of them murmured their agreement, and Miles smiled humbly, but happily at the praise. “Mostly, you guys make it easy. But please, can you just stay off the radar for the next few months?”

“Hey! Why are you looking at me?” Seth protested. “I’m the married one. I’m all responsible now.”

Liam couldn’t help but laugh, joining in with the others teasing Seth.

“So, what are everyone’s plans for the next few months? I mean, I’m just asking, so I know whether I’ve got to do any more press releases,” Jax said with a smirk.

“We’re splitting our time between here and Juniper, tying up Kel’s loose ends,” Jamie said, and Kellet gave him a warm smile as he twined their fingers together.

“I’m… ah… looking for a therapist,” Seth admitted, making everyone pause. He gave them all a warm smile. “I need to work through my parent issues. Now I know what unconditional love looks like I need to be the best person I can be for Cal and me.”

A lump formed in Liam’s throat, and he stood and walked around the table to pull Seth up into a hug.

“I’m so proud of you,” he murmured in Seth’s ear. “I’m always here if you need me, okay?”

“Thanks man. And the same for you too, yeah? We’re always here for you, too.”

Liam nodded and pulled away, returning to his seat. He felt Miles’s gaze on him, but he didn’t look up.