away.
That fucking Sal, man.
Perhaps it was best that he and Braylin not get involved, but Zen had still been working through his feelings and trying to figure out the best way to approach Braylin when Sal had dropped that bomb. Sure, he’d messed around with guys on previous tours. But he’d never dumped anyone. Whoever he’d taken into his bed had known upfront that they were playing, messing around and that was it. A way to dull the tediousness of touring and have a good time.
Now, here he was, still unable to get Braylin out of his mind. Even if Braylin told Zen he wanted to be left alone, at least he’d know where he stood and let go of his mini obsession. If Braylin was interested in exploring something with him, they could still save any involvement until after the tour was over.
Regardless of how things went, he couldn’t leave things the way they were. Braylin deserved to know that he was worth being treasured.
* * * *
Braylin sat alone in the room he shared with Pete and Trevor. He was perched on the edge of the rollaway, his spot for the next week of the tour. They’d all been taking turns. He had to admit that he enjoyed rooming with the guys, and while he’d worked harder than he ever had in the past, it was doing something he loved. And he was accepted, officially part of the crew and no longer viewed as the newbie.
Things were turning out great.
Sort of.
So far, he’d been mostly successful at avoiding Zen, had been able to keep to himself. Why staying away from a man he didn’t know that well was so painful he couldn’t imagine. He shouldn’t be pining over a rock star. Hadn’t he told himself that when he first got the job?
Braylin pushed off the small bed then hoisted his small rolling suitcase onto the mattress. Floor space was at a premium, but Braylin had always been skilled at performing Tetris-like maneuvers when it came to organizing or packing. That was probably why he became the champion at beating everyone at set up and tear down every night. After the first few days on tour, it had become a friendly contest between them all.
Braylin smiled. He had the sense he’d be developing lifelong friendships and was thankful he’d snagged the job—despite the unfounded disappointment of Zen’s rejection. He didn’t have the right to mourn a fantasy that didn’t become real.
After digging through his clothes, and realizing he was on his final non-funky shirt, he mentally added laundry to his list of things to do the next day. They had one day off before they dragged their asses back on the bus to the next stop. There were actually three busses. The band and manager had the most tricked out one, then the rest of them were split up between the other two. And of course, there were the two massive trucks that carried all the equipment. It was quite the caravan when they hit the highway.
Braylin grabbed his clean shirt, last pair of briefs and sleep pants then brought everything into the bathroom. He wanted to jump in the shower and wash off the stink of the arena and the sweat of the day before he climbed into bed. Part of the reason he hadn’t elected to go out with the guys was so he could have some alone time in addition to a leisurely shower.
Not that he didn’t enjoy having a taste of the party life—something he’d never indulged in before—but he was accustomed to a quieter existence. For him, going to a movie or maybe grabbing a soda at a fast-food place while his friends got burgers, was the most social life he’d had back in the Valley. Most people probably thought he was boring, but whatever. He’d rather play music or go to concerts.
Once Braylin stepped into the shower, the steam from the hot water surrounding him, he was in heaven. He didn’t know how Pete and Trevor did it. They’d go out drinking, and sometimes dancing, after a show when all Braylin wanted to do was pass out.
In reality, the so-called partying Braylin had done with them was rather mild. With his food issues, he couldn’t drink beer and he didn’t care for hard liquor—even the ones that were grain-free. But taking in the surroundings of the different cities while out with his new friends had still been fun. He’d never really been much