Page 82 of Taste of Surrender

By the time we landed back in LA, neither of us was feeling very relaxed from our trip. As we walked through the sliding doors of the private terminal at LAX to meet our driver, the all too familiar sound of cameras snapping photos and questions being shouted out started up.

As we hurried into the black SUV, I heard someone ask, “Is your relationship the reason Jesse’s leaving the band?”

Jesse leaving the band? What the fuck?

Over the years, I’d gotten good at ignoring the paparazzi and their thirst for the latest gossip, so I tried my best to show the question didn’t catch me off guard. It did, though. Was Jesse leaving? I’d always feared I’d be the one to make the band fall apart because of the secrets of my sexuality. Had I?

“What the hell was that all about?” Jasper asked as the driver shut the door.

I lifted a shoulder. “No clue. I should call Jesse to find out what’s going on.”

After the articles came out that identified Jasper as Jesse’s brother, we’d tried to ignore all the speculation, but maybe we’d missed something major if rumors the band was splitting up were flying around before I fucking knew anything about it.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Jesse as our driver pulled onto the 405.

“Hey,” he greeted. “Still in Cabo?”

“Nah. We just left LAX, but what the hell is going on? Are you leaving Surrender?”

“Fuck no. Why would you believe some bullshit rumor?”

“I don’t know.” I blew out a breath. “Guess I’m still not sure we’re really cool again.”

“We’re cool unless you break my brother’s heart.”

I looked over at Jasper and laced my fingers with his. I gave him a warm smile and then said into the phone, “That would never happen.”

“Good. And again, I’m not leaving the band.”

“Well, that rumor had to come from somewhere, right?”

“Who fucking knows. People just like to start shit. They see an opening and want to make money off someone else’s life.”

“True. We need to debunk it somehow.”

“Rina can make a statement.”

I shook my head slightly. “I don’t know. Feels like words won’t be enough.”

“So, what are you thinking?”

“Well,” I cracked a smile, still looking at my boyfriend. “We could go on a double date.”

Jesse snorted a laugh in my ear while Jasper’s eyes widened.

“A double date?” Jesse asked.

“Sure, why not?”

“I mean, I guess that’s what people do, but you better not fucking suck face with my brother in front of me.”

“I can’t promise that.” I winked at Jasper. “But you’re one to talk since you always have your hands all over Olivia.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You do kiss in front of us,” I reminded him.

“Well, she’s not your sister.”