Keys to Love (8 page)

“You want to know why the piano is there? Because that’s where I told them to put it!”

“I…I’m sorry, Mr. Alexander,” Kurt stammered. “I didn’t know.”

“And now you do.” Jesse’s voice calmed. “Kurt, you did a good job for us the last time, and I know this tour is going to be the largest you’ve ever worked, but you have to keep your cool. I won’t tolerate people being degraded. Understand?”

Kurt nodded quickly.

“Good. Then why don’t you check to make sure things are set with the speaker system so we can put the music through for the dancers.”

“Right away,” Kurt said, hastening from Jesse as he spoke the last word.

Julian spun toward Jesse. “I do love your prima donna Keys to Love
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moments when they’re so well timed.”

“Yeah well, it seemed like a good moment to pull out my inner diva, especially since it looked like you were having trouble.”

Julian gave him a shove. “I was not.”

Jesse snorted. “Jules, you’re so not intimidating.”

Morgan looked at Julian. “Sorry, he’s right. But thanks for coming to our rescue.”

Julian gasped. “I can’t believe you’re siding with him!”

Morgan smiled at him, then looked to Jesse. “Thank you, too.

You didn’t have to cover for us.”

Jesse shrugged, his gaze going to Remmy. “Why
is
the piano there?”

“Darius asked us to move it because he was marking off the stage so the dancers would know their positions. He thinks the problem with one of the routines is there’s not enough space, so he was going to talk to you about having the piano sit somewhere else on stage, for the problem routine, at least.”

Julian and Jesse glanced at the stage floor and the new Xs marked in yellow tape.

Julian snapped his head toward Jesse. “You didn’t ask them to move it?”

“No, I lied. It came out convincing, didn’t it?” Jesse looked back at Evan, who had lingered close to the scene, but allowed Jesse to handle things. “Ev! Did you see me? I told a convincing lie!”

Evan chuckled. “Convincing to anyone who doesn’t know you. But the shouting did help hide the fact you’re an awful liar.”

Jesse spun toward the mic. “Fine, take away my victory.”

Seeing Morgan looked confused, Julian said, “Jesse couldn’t tell a convincing lie if his life depended on it, so whenever he makes an attempt and thinks it sounds believable, he’s very proud of himself.”

Morgan grinned. “How honorable.”

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“Isn’t it, though?” Julian glanced at the other roadies, wishing they would excuse themselves, but they didn’t seem to pick up his vibe of wanting time alone with Morgan. “Well, I suppose I should get working.”

Morgan nodded. “Yeah, me too.”

Julian lingered in place for another moment. That’s it? Didn’t Morgan have anything else to say to him? But what did he expect him to say? Admittedly, he was hoping he’d ask him to lunch again, but just as he didn’t want to ask Morgan in front of the other roadies, Morgan probably felt the same way. Or maybe Morgan didn’t want to have lunch with him again. Maybe one time was more than enough.

Julian attempted to slow his racing thoughts. Yeah, he truly had turned the corner onto Mental Street. He aimed for the piano. “Alright, then.”

“Okay. Have a good rehearsal.”

Julian nodded. And he had thought Kenny wasn’t smooth.

That display was beyond pathetic. He sat at the piano and sighed as he watched Morgan walk away. To continue this charade was nothing but detrimental to his emotions. It was time for it to stop. He looked down at the keys and flew his fingers over them in a flurry of notes. Opening night of the tour, the first man who flirted with him would be in his bed.

Julian stood off stage, watching Jesse entertain the auction crowd as he got them to bid higher on private drum lessons with Brad. Somehow, he couldn’t get into the spirit of the moment.

He knew after Kenny went up, it’d be his turn to step out on stage, presenting a façade of smiles and good humor, when really, he felt utterly depressed.

Pathetic. How many times had he called himself that since Monday? He mourned not talking to Morgan all week as if they’d broken up from a long term relationship. Julian mulled it over in his mind again and again, trying to figure out why he felt so drawn to him. No answers came. He didn’t know Morgan very well, they’d already had tense moments between them, but all he wanted was to know him better. He wanted to ease any tension with a touch, a caress, a kiss. He envisioned Morgan’s lips on his, Morgan’s strong hands exploring his body. He imagined what Morgan would feel like beneath his touch, all hard muscle and smooth skin.

Julian jumped as Jesse slammed the gavel down on the podium and yelled, “Sold! For twenty-five thousand dollars!”

Julian let out a soft whistle. That was about ten thousand more than they were expecting. Not bad for the opening item. It set a good precedent that perhaps they’d make even more than they anticipated. Out the corner of his eye, he saw Brandon and Shunichi talking with Evan, all three dressed in Versace tuxes similar to his own and looking amazing.

Jesse had insisted everyone wear tuxes, saying it would create a nice, high class look, not to mention he loved how Evan looked in a tux. And yet, Jesse was out on stage in black leather pants and a midnight blue cashmere sweater. Kenny had been ready to choke Jesse when he saw how he was dressed. Jesse simply said as the emcee, he needed to stand out, then added as a final thought how he hated wearing a tuxedo.

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Julian glanced to his other side at Kenny chatting with Robbie Russo. He was surprised to see the guitar master from Black Heart Down had shown up for the auction, but then Robbie and Kenny were good friends. What really surprised him was that Robbie came without Kyler, whose presence he was never far from.

The fact Robbie came alone silently spoke that he and Kyler must be at odds…again. It was a common occurrence when they were all recording to see Robbie stomping out of Black Heart’s studio with Kyler rushing after him. As Julian gazed at Robbie he couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. At least Robbie looked like he was having fun now, and he was dashing in his black tux with the short spikes of his ebony hair styled perfectly, his blue eyes holding a smile.

Julian glanced at Kenny. He noticed him fidgeting with his bowtie and faced him. “Here.” He placed his hands on the black silk tie and straightened it. “Don’t be so nervous, Kenny. It’s no different than going out on stage for any concert.”

“It’s a lot different. What if no one bids on me? What if
he
embarrasses the hell out of me?”

Robbie clapped Kenny on the back. “I think that’s a given, man. He did with Brad. You’ll just have to roll with it.”

Julian nodded. “It’s why the crowd is in such a good mood, and people in a good mood spend money more freely. And I wouldn’t worry about no one bidding on you. That’s the least likely thing to happen.”

Brad walked toward them, laughing softly. He slapped a hand down on Kenny’s shoulder. “Good luck, man. He’s really on tonight.”

Kenny groaned.

Julian smirked at Brad. “And lucky you. I saw that blond beauty who won those drumming lessons.”

“Yeah, there're just three problems.” Brad patted his own crotch. “He’s got one of these.” He cupped his hands to his chest as if holding large breasts. “And is missing two of these.”

Keys to Love
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“A little experimentation never hurt anyone,” Julian said.

Brad winked at him. “Only if you’re volunteering to be the lab rat.”

“Well, if I had known that’s all it took to turn you from your heathen het ways, I would’ve started squeaking ages ago.”

Jesse’s tenor called them all back to the moment. “And now our next item is for the ladies only.” He held up his hand at a couple discontented groans. “I know, gentlemen, I know. I tried to convince him to be an equal opportunity dater, but he can’t keep from walking that straight road.”

Kenny covered his face with both hands. “I can’t do this.”

Julian patted him on the back. “It’s going to be fine. He already said you’re a ladies only item.”

“Of course,” Jesse continued, “that’s not to say I couldn’t be persuaded to sell him to a man. Everything has its price, after all.”

Another pitiful groan escaped Kenny’s throat.

“And so, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our second item, Kenny Cooper!”

Brad shoved Kenny toward the stage. “Better get out there, man.”

Kenny trudged a step forward.

“And don’t forget to smile,” Julian called.

Kenny paused just before getting within sight of the audience.

He sucked in a deep breath, lifted his head, set his shoulders back, and strutted out wearing a broad smile. He stepped on stage to loud clapping and hooting.

Julian saw Jesse turn toward Kenny and noted his mischievous smirk. Poor Kenny. He really may not survive.

Jesse flung his right arm toward Kenny. “And here he is! Isn’t he handsome, ladies? And the winner will get him all to herself for an entire night, to do with as she pleases.”

Kenny attempted a lighthearted laugh, but it came out with a nervous edge. “Jesse, you make it sound like I’m prostituting
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myself.”

Jesse waved his words away. “That’s ridiculous. You’re not prostituting yourself. I’m pimping you out.”

The crowd laughed. Kenny chuckled with them, though it held no humor.

Jesse tapped his gavel on the podium. “Alright, let’s open the bidding at five thousand.”

Julian watched several numbered cards shoot up and a bidding war began. Within minutes, Kenny was at fifteen thousand, but as Jesse called for sixteen, hesitation lingered over the audience.

Jesse pulled the mic from the podium and walked across the stage. “Looks like everyone’s not sure about going higher, and I can understand that. I mean, you don’t know much about him, so let me see if I can entice you with some information. Born on August twelfth, Mr. Cooper just turned twenty-three last month.

Sure, he might be on the downward side of his sexual peak, but really, it balances out since even being a rock star doesn’t get him laid much.”

“Jesse!” Kenny snapped.

Julian burst out laughing with the rest of the audience.

Jesse continued over the laughter. “And as you can see, he can be somewhat foul-tempered. But that’s nothing a good woman couldn’t whip out of him. In fact…” he held his hand out to the side. Evan walked on stage carrying a small riding crop with a leather popper on the end. He handed it to Jesse and turned to leave. Jesse sliced the air with the whip. “As an added bonus, we’re throwing in this fine tool to help the winner keep Mr. Cooper in line.”

Julian could hardly breathe through his laughter. Kenny played right into Jesse’s hands, proof of how well Jesse knew him to be able to anticipate his reaction. With the crowd roaring, a woman’s voice shouted, “sixteen,” and the bidding started again.

As it lagged around twenty-six thousand, Jesse faced Kenny, talking to him as well as the crowd. “Alright, Kenny, you’ve beat Keys to Love
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Brad by a thousand bucks, which is pretty lame for a lead guitar.

Sorry, but I either got to open the floor to the men, or you need to drop your drawers and show the ladies what they’re really bidding for.”

Kenny’s jaw dropped rather than his pants.

As the raucous crowd settled, a female voice called out, “Twenty-seven thousand.”

Julian looked to the crowd and let out a surprised cough.

Sitting toward the back of the hall, Krista Hansen held up her numbered paddle.

“Awesome!” Jesse said. “We have twenty-seven. How about twenty-eight?”

The blonde who Krista outbid snapped her paddle up.

“Twenty-eight!”

Just as she finished her last word, Krista shoved her paddle high. “Twenty-nine!”

Julian watched as Kenny staggered back a step, and for an instant, he thought Kenny might faint. But Kenny kept himself standing, if not a little wobbly.

Jesse looked to the blonde. “Your bid. She jumped it to twenty-nine. How about thirty?”

With a discontented look, the blonde shook her head.

Jesse raised his gavel above the podium, called out for other bids, and when none came, he slammed it down, declaring Kenny sold.

Julian saw Krista glowing in her victory, but he couldn’t help but wonder where she’d get the money. He doubted Greg would fund her going on a date with Kenny, not even for such a good cause. He glanced to his side as Evan walked up. “Well that was unexpected.”

“For everyone except me, Jess, and Krista.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember when Krista pulled me and Jess aside last week?

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She asked if we could help her get him. Of course we said yes. We looked at it that we’ll just be donating a little extra to the foundation and told her to go as high as she needed. Plus, you know Jess was bouncing off the walls at getting to play matchmaker. His saying he was going to open the floor to men was her cue to jump into the bidding. We wanted it to go as high as it could on it’s own, then see if her coming in at the last second could up it some more.”

Julian grinned. “You guys are horribly wicked.”

Evan laughed. “Yeah, but it feels so good.”

Kenny walked off stage, his eyes and expression glazed.

“Krista…Krista bought me.”

“That’s awesome, man!” Robbie said. “You got your girl!”

Kenny whipped his head toward him, his dazed look replaced by panic. “No I don’t! Now I have to go out on a date with her!

Like, just the two of us!”

Brad snorted. “Uh, yeah, that’s how most dates work.”

“But then I’ll really make an ass of myself!”

Julian gave him a shove. “Like you said last week, making an ass of yourself in front of her is a habit. But since she still showed up to bid on you, obviously it doesn’t bother her.”

Kenny’s panicked expression dropped as a non-amused one took over. “That doesn’t really help.”

“And as I’m sure Jesse would put it,” Evan added, “she probably thinks your dork ass is sexy.”