Page 6 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Liam checked the time on his phone, frustration making him curse when he realized it was only fifteen minutes since he’d last looked at the damn thing. He tossed it onto the bed before resuming his pacing. He still had two hours until he had to get on the bus to Denver, and he was as bored as fuck.

He’d killed some time during the day by going to the hotel gym and working out before taking a sauna. It had eased some of his tension, but he still felt wound up. After eating a late lunch, he’d jumped online to see what was being said by the fans about Jamie and Kellet. Most of the responses were positive, although, of course, there would always be those negative ones out there. He ignored those, focusing only on the good ones, so as not to bring down his mood.

He’d been tempted to tweet a response to a question about how he and Seth felt about the situation, but he knew better than to do that before clearing it with management. He’d talk to Miles later, and he and Seth could post something once they were on their way.

He hated the thought of the twelve-hour drive from Vegas to Denver, but at least it was a night drive, so he could hole up in his bunk and sleep for most of it.

He returned to the bedside, his eyes fixed on his phone. Should he? No! He shook himself mentally. He didn’t have enough time to seek a hook up. He didn’t need sex to ease his tension. He could hold out until he returned to LA and his pre-booked appointment with the discreet agency he used. His dick twitched at the thought of being fucked so hard until he couldn’t remember his name.

He pushed the thought aside, even as his eyes strayed to his suitcase in the corner. Again, no! He wasn’t pulling out his favorite toys to appease his wants. He was stronger than that. Four more nights, that’s all. If he didn’t jerk off between now and then, the release he got would be so satisfying, it would last him until the end of the tour.

He did another sweep of the room, checking every drawer and cupboard to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind. He dropped into the chair at the table where his laptop was open. He checked his email, pleased when he saw one from Isla with the stats from the previous night’s show. He eagerly opened it, happy to lose himself in facts and figures.

It wasn’t something he had to do. The team at MC Management were excellent at their jobs. They were fast and efficient, many having worked for Miles for years. Larkspur had been Miles’s second independent signing. His company had been small, only employing two others, and they had appreciated Liam helping with the numbers and social media.

As Larkspur had taken off in popularity, Liam had been forced to step back from the day-to-day running of the band. They were too busy writing, recording, rehearsing, and touring for him to be as hands-on as he wanted to be. Fortunately, Miles had agreed to have him still receive the daily numbers and allowed him to sit in on various meetings that affected the band. Jamie, Seth, and previously, Mark, had all been happy for Liam to be their management liaison, so he continued to do it.

A knock at the door drew him from his spreadsheet analysis. Glancing at the time on his laptop, it surprised him to see that he was due on the bus in thirty minutes. He stretched as he stood, before crossing the room to open the door. With a quick glance through the peephole, he saw Miles waiting for him.

Now what?Bracing himself, he opened the door with a smile.

“Hey Miles, what’s up?”

“Are you ready to go?” Miles asked, his voice low. Liam noticed his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes as it normally did, and there was a tightness in Miles’s jaw.

“Yeah, just about. Let me pack away my laptop.” He frowned at the older man. “Is everything okay?”

“Just a trying twenty-four hours, that’s all,” Miles replied.

“Has something else happened?” Liam asked as he tucked his laptop into his travel duffle. He glanced up in time to see Miles rubbing a hand over his face, his shoulders slumped in weariness. “Miles?”

Miles looked up and gave him a tired smile. “No, not really. Seth will meet you all in Denver.”

“What? Why?” Liam groaned. “What the fuck has he done now?” Liam loved his bandmate. He really did, but some days, he could quite happily choke the man.

“Nothing that concerns the band,” Miles reassured him. “He’s gone to LA to sort out a small legal issue with Art, and then he’s flying straight to Denver to meet you there.”

Liam’s fingers twitched to message his friend and find out what was going on.

“Don’t, Liam,” Miles said, his voice almost a growl. “He’s asked for privacy, and I made him promise to tell you when he can. There’s nothing you can do to help him.”

A familiar itch tingled under Liam’s skin, and he suppressed the urge to shudder. He needed to stay calm. If Miles said it was under control, then he needed to trust that. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to center himself.

“Liam? Are you alright?”

Liam’s eyes snapped open to find Miles only a few feet away, concern etching his handsome features. Handsome? Since when did Liam think of Miles as handsome? He was, of course, with his hooded gray eyes, straight nose, and high cheekbones. He could have been a successful model. Add in the whole silver-fox vibe he had going on, and the man was downright sexy.

“Liam?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry.” Liam pushed away his errant thoughts and picked up his bag, before reaching for his suitcase. “Shall we go?”

“Of course,” Miles replied. “Do you have any plans for the week off?”

“Other than sleeping in my bed, no,” Liam told him. He deliberately tried not to think of the one thing he did have planned. Miles didn’t need to know that Liam was going to get fucked six ways to Sunday once he was home. “Why?”

“No reason. Make sure you get some rest, and try not to worry about your bandmates.”

“I won’t. They’re grown idiots. They can look after themselves.”

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you.” Miles squeezed his arm, which he still held. The strength of the grip sent tingles down Liam’s spine to his dick. Liam bit back a gasp. He was not so touch-starved that a simple gesture from a friend was making him hard.

Pulling away, he began walking down the corridor towards the elevators.

“Liam!”

Miles’s shout had him stopping and turning back to face him.

“Have a good break.”