Page 4 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)
There was an unusual tension between them as they walked down the hallway to Jamie and Kellet’s suite. Miles wished he had more time to sit Liam down and talk to him properly. Liam had been partly right. He didn’t want to know the details of Liam’s hookup, but all of his protective instincts had risen to the fore when the light had caught the mark on Liam’s jaw.
Miles sighed quietly to himself. One problem at a time. First, deal with the fallout of Jamie and Kellet’s relationship being discovered. Next, find out what the hell Seth was up to, and then he could tackle Liam’s problem.
They reached the suite just as room service was arriving, and the scent of fresh coffee and pastries wafted from the cart. As they followed the server into the room, Miles saw Jamie and Kellet sitting on the couch, while Wil, Kellet’s son, sat across from them in one of the comfy armchairs.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Liam tip the server and quietly close the door behind him. They each helped themselves to coffee, and Miles took a sip as the others got settled. Liam took one of the other armchairs, his gaze barely leaving his bandmates.
“How bad is it?” Kellet asked, his voice tight with worry.
“Someone got pictures of you last night holding hands outside the arena, again in the bar, and of you kissing in the elevator,” Miles recited. “The usual gossip sites are having a field day, and the slightly more reputable press have contacted us for comment.”
“So, you’re going to release the prepared statement?” Jamie asked, his hand reaching out to clasp Kellet’s.
“Yes. Jax is adjusting it now, and she’ll email it through shortly. Once you’ve checked it, we’ll issue it, and hopefully, that will keep the sharks at bay for a while.” Miles leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on his thighs. “I’ve sent a couple of guys up to Juniper to monitor your family, Kel. You’ll want to call and give them all a heads up that there’ll be journalists nosing around, asking questions.”
Kellet groaned and dropped his head onto the back of the couch. Miles felt sympathy for the guy. Kellet was a private man who’d lived a quiet life for the last seventeen years. He was a successful bar owner and an excellent father to his son, Wil. Being thrust into the limelight with his former high school band was a huge lifestyle change. To give him credit, Kellet had risen to the occasion and, after a few jitters, had settled into the touring routine. Reconnecting with Jamie had brought them both happiness that had been missing from their lives.
“I’ve already spoken to Mom,” Wil said from his seat in the corner, and Kellet snapped his head up to look at his son. Wil gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Dad. She said to tell you she and Ma have been expecting it, and they’ve got it covered. She’s arranged for Mimi and Pops to stay with them, and Ma has drafted a brief statement from the family. She’s emailing it to Jax, who’ll send it out with the official release.”
“Good work, Wil,” Miles said approvingly. He was proving to be an asset to the team. When Jamie said Kellet would only come back to the band if Wil could join them on tour, Miles had agreed, not expecting much from the young man. But he’d jumped in from day one, keeping his father on an even keel, doing everything that was asked of him by Jax and Larry, the tour manager, all without complaint. In the few conversations Miles had had with him, he’d proven to be astute, and Miles could see him succeeding in whatever field he chose once he started college in the fall.
“What do we do now?” Kellet asked.
“We carry on as planned. The bus leaves for Denver at nine tonight. It’s probably best to lie low for the rest of the day. We’ll arrange a car to meet you in the parking lot to avoid the paparazzi and fans that will be sure to be hanging around downstairs.” He gave both men a reassuring smile. “Once the Denver show is over, you’ll head home for the week, and hopefully, some other story will crop up, and you’ll be left alone.”
Miles stood, shoving his hands into his suit pants pockets. “I have to admit, Kel, you’re taking this better than I thought you would.”
“Yeah, a bit surprised at that myself,” Kellet said ruefully, running a hand through his hair. “I guess I’ve always known it would happen. I don’t want to hide what Jamie and I have; I just don’t want to share it with the world. It’s no-one else’s business what we do once we’re off that stage, but I know that’s not a realistic expectation to have.” He shrugged. “As long as I have Jamie in my life, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
Miles smiled at the loving look that Jamie gave Kellet. He really was happy for the two of them. His gaze slid to Liam, who was also watching the couple with a pensive look. Frowning, he returned his attention to Jamie and Kellet.
“On that note, we’ll head off, and I’ll see you later.” Miles offered his hand, and Kellet gave it a shake. “If you need me for anything, don’t hesitate to call or message me. Jax is also available if you need her.”
“Thanks, Miles. We’re just going to hang out, and we’ll see you on the bus tonight,” Jamie replied.
Liam stood and hugged his friends, his voice quiet as he told them he’d see them later. Miles didn’t miss the way both men looked at Liam, obviously picking up on something being wrong with their bandmate, but they didn’t push it.
They left the room as they’d arrived—in silence. Miles noticed Liam was pressing his left thumb into the palm of his right hand, as though to ease the pain from his fingers as they walked.
“Are you in pain?” he asked.
“What?” Liam replied with a frown.
Miles nodded at Liam’s hands. “Is your hand hurting?”
Liam looked blankly at his hands before abruptly shaking them out and stuffing them into the pockets of his jeans.
“No. All good.”
Miles didn’t believe him for a minute. He stopped as they reached Liam’s room. Liam looked at him expectantly.
“Aren’t you going to go in?” Miles asked.
“Um, yeah. Of course.” Liam looked up and down the hallway before flicking his gaze to Miles. “Was there anything else?”
“Yes. I’d like a word if you don’t mind.”
“Yeah. Sure. Of course.” Liam gave him a weak smile before slipping the room card out of his pocket and unlocking the door.
***
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!! Liam willed himself to stay calm. His skin was itching again, tension riding in his shoulders. He tried for casual as he dropped the door card and his phone onto the small table, and plastering a smile on his face, he turned to face his manager.
Miles regarded him coolly from the doorway, silver-gray eyes probing. Liam willed himself not to fidget under the intense stare.
“Is there anything you want me to do to help with the Jamie and Kellet situation?” Liam asked, desperate to break the silence.
Miles took a moment before replying with a shake of his head. “No. Jax has everything under control, and the label is aware of the situation.”
“Ah. Good. Okay.” Liam nodded. His mouth felt dry, and he swept his tongue over his lips to moisten them. “So… um… what did you want to talk about?”
“I just want you to know that if there is anything you want to talk about, I’m always here.”
“I know.”
Silence yawned between them until Liam realized that Miles wasn’t going to let this go unless he said something.
“I’ve just got a few things on my mind, that’s all,” he finally conceded, hoping it would appease Miles. It didn’t.
“What things?” Miles crossed his arms across his chest, an eyebrow raising in askance.
“The usual tour stuff, and now Jamie and Kellet,” Liam replied.
“It’s all under control. We knew this was likely to happen sooner rather than later, so all contingencies are in place.”
“Yeah. I know. But, y’know, I just feel like I should be doing more. I hate that they’ve had to announce their relationship sooner than they wanted. They deserve the private time they’ve had to reconnect.”
Miles sighed, his hands dropping to his sides. “Liam. You’re being a supportive friend and bandmate. Just keep doing that and leave the rest of it to the management team. Okay?” Miles paused, his eyes searching Liam’s face.
Liam nodded, not trusting himself to say anything further. He didn’t need Miles worrying about him as well.
“Okay then. I’ll see you before you leave for Denver. Please, don’t worry about Jamie and Kellet. Everything will work out.”
Liam nodded. “I know. I’ll see you later.”
Liam closed the door behind Miles, resting his forehead against the cool wood. Taking a few deep breaths, he reassured himself that he just had to hold it together for three more days.