Billie
The following week…
“Mr. Rourke! A comment please!”
“How long have you been working with Wayward Lane?”
“Are you dating Brodie James?”
The service elevator in his building was out of order today, so Luis escorted Billie out the front entrance. Big mistake. An onslaught of reporters yelling questions bombarded Billie as he walked out the door, the chaotic noise and blinding flashes fueling his panic. Luis shielded him as best he could as they walked quickly to the SUV, reporters in pursuit.
Billie had the sudden urge to call Eli, that deep voice a soothing balm to his anxious mind. They’d talked by phone and texted, but they hadn’t been able to sync up their schedules to see each other in person since the night they’d slept together. He missed his sweet, caring badass. Eli had informed him that when he wasn’t at work, he was busy knitting a baby blanket for Dax and Mason’s future child. Fuck, how could Billie resist falling for such a sensitive man? Eli was slowly melting Billie’s hardened heart. Said heart began to race as he thought about seeing Eli in person again.
Billie pulled out his phone and tapped away.
Billie: Chaos tonight outside my apartment. I wish you’d been with me. Paps are hounding us. On my way to the final meeting with the band.
Eli: Sorry to hear that. Are you okay?
Billie: I’m fine. Another few weeks and this will all be a distant memory. How are you doing?
Eli: Ok. On my way to a job. Bodyguard detail for a movie premiere in Manhattan.
Billie: Sounds exciting. Speaking of excitement, I wanted to know if you’d like to go with me to the band launch party in two weeks.
Eli: Luis is going with you
Billie: I mean go with me as my date not as my bodyguard
Eli: I would love to, but Mason would object since I’ll be working the event. But maybe you could come back to my place afterwards?
Billie: If I stay overnight, I might need to borrow your clothes again
Eli: what’s mine is yours but I don’t think you’ll be needing them could we meet up tomorrow for lunch? I miss you
Billie: I miss you 2. Pick me up at noon?
Eli: I’ll talk to Luis
I miss you? God, Billie was turning into a lovesick sap. He swore to himself he wouldn’t get hearts in his eyes again over any man and yet, here he was. He should’ve been scared out of his mind, and yet his instinct told him that Eli was different.
His phone pinged with a new message from Frankie, and Billie turned his thoughts back to work. He was on his way to the final fitting with Wayward Lane and thank God! One more month of this and he was done. Once the tour kick-off party was over, Billie could relax back into his normal routine. Maybe take a vacation. Any minor adjustments the band would need to their stage wardrobe while on the road could be handled by their tour stylist.
They arrived at the studio on time, and as they drove up to the entrance gates, he noted the group of reporters huddled nearby. Once safely inside the lot, Billie and Luis parked and made their way to the conference room.
Ivan greeted them as usual as the band members slowly trickled into the room. “Any issues today? The reporters are starting to ramp up the pressure now that the tour is only a month away.”
“They were camped outside my apartment building. And your studio just now. Apparently, they think I’m dating Brodie.” Billie rolled his eyes.
“You wanna give them something to write about, Billie?” Brodie asked as he sauntered up to Billie and placed his arm around his shoulder. Billie laughed and shrugged off the arm but not before he noticed Ivan’s icy expression.
“Hey, where’s Eli?” Holloway asked.
“He’s on another job,” Luis answered and held out his hand. “I’m Luis Guzman. I’ll be traveling on your tour detail. Nice to meet you.”
Holloway shook his hand and slowly perused the six-foot-five Luis with his shaved head and neck tattoos. “Holloway. Very nice to meet you, Luis.”
Brodie gave Luis a once-over also. “Van, I don’t know how you found this security company but good job.”
“Focus on the task at hand, guys. Luis is on the clock.” Billie nudged Brodie with his elbow. “Your outfits are over there. Please get changed.”
“Come on, Billie, let us have some fun. I’m stressed out, and I need a bit of flirting to make me feel better,” Brodie whined.
“We’re on a deadline! Move your ass and get changed, Brodie,” Ivan barked out. Not one to just roll over and do what he was told, Brodie toed off his shoes and started to take off his shirt.
“In the other room!” Ivan shook his head and stalked off.
“That man needs a vacation,” Billie murmured.
“That man needs to get laid,” Brodie piped up and everyone chuckled.
Billie spent the next hour assessing the garments that each member modeled. A minor adjustment on a few items, but overall, it was done. Once he was finished, the band members went back to rehearsal.
“Billie, a word in private please,” Ivan asked.
“What’s up?”
“I have to inform you that we received a disturbing e-mail about an hour ago. A threat against you and Brodie, and I’ve forwarded it to Mason Naylor. The rumor that you’re dating Brodie has spread like wildfire, and now social media is feeding off the tabloid trash. We all know there are some obsessive fans out there—and hopefully the e-mail about you two is just talk—but the tone and content are concerning. You need to stay vigilant and listen to your security detail.”
Billie’s body began to shake, and he jumped when his phone buzzed. “That’s probably Mason trying to get hold of me. Thanks for the heads-up. Does Brodie know?”
Ivan’s eyes swirled with fear. “I have to talk to him now. I’ll see you at the launch party. Until then, lay low.”
“I will. Take care of Brodie.”
“Always,” Ivan said and left the room. Billie turned to find Luis talking on his phone. Billie’s own phone kept buzzing with notifications.
Mason: Upping your detail given e-mail per Ivan. Luis on day. Eli on nights, we’re short staffed so I had no choice but keep it professional. Listen to Luis and Eli. Concerns, call me.
Billie: Thanks
Billie sighed with relief when he read the next text from Eli.
Eli: Mason just briefed me. No fooling around until the threat is resolved.
Billie: Understood.
Eli: I’m still taking you for lunch tomorrow. Secure location. Will be good to get your mind off things. I’ll see you at your place tonight, eleven PM. Luis will be back in the AM.
Billie: Got it
With trembling hands, Billie managed to gather all his stuff.
“I got the update from Mason. You okay?” Luis asked.
Billie shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll wait until I get home to have my breakdown in private.”
Luis gave a small smile. “I’m sure everything will be fine. These types of e-mails are more common than you think, especially for celebrities like Brodie.”
“I’ve never experienced this before, so I’m a bit freaked out. I just want to go home and lock myself in my apartment for the next month.”
“I don’t think you need to worry. Between me and Eli, we’ve got you covered.”
“Thanks, Luis.” Billie double checked the room to ensure he hadn’t missed anything. The drive back to Manhattan was quiet, and Luis stayed in the apartment until the switch-off. Billie had to admit that he was looking forward to Eli staying overnight. As it was, every sound in his apartment made him jump.
Knock. Knock.
His body tensed, but Luis shook his head. “It’s Eli.”
When Billie caught sight of Eli for the first time in a week, he had to fight the urge to run into his arms. Not wanting to embarrass Eli while he was working, Billie stayed seated on his couch. Luis left and suddenly they were alone again.
“How are you holding up?” Eli asked as he sat down beside him. Beautiful brown eyes full of warmth and kindness made Billie’s nerves settle.
“I’m freaking out inside. I just hope this weirdo fan e-mail is just that and it’s not a real threat.”
“Mason and Jon are looking into it. In the meantime, come here.”
Billie scooted over and Eli placed his big arm around his shoulder, tucking him into his chest. His rapid breathing was no longer from fear, but from his intense feelings for Eli. Feelings for this wonderful, amazing man that grew with every passing day.
“Mmmm. Best. Hugs. Ever,” Billie mumbled against Eli’s shirt.
Eli chuckled and squeezed tighter. “You told me that already. I’d ask if you have extra blankets for me so I can sleep on the couch, but we’re practically drowning in them.”
“I like to be cozy,” Billie replied.
“Mission accomplished.”
“You’re too tall to sleep on this sofa. You can sleep with me. There’s plenty of room.”
“Ahh, I don’t think so.”
“I’ll be a good boy and keep to my side of the bed. Promise.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.”
“Are you calling me irresistible?”
Eli blushed. “If the silver boot fits…”