Onstage, AJ Mobley is smart, clever, and commands attention. Offstage, he’s shy and lost to everything but his music. The reason for the difference? Tyrone Dahl.
For the past two years, AJ and Tyrone have been the star attraction at the Reno bar, Heat Wave. Their "dueling pianos" act is fast and funny, but their camaraderie isn’t just under the spotlight. They’re best friends away from the show, too. An opportunity to take their act to Las Vegas seems like the perfect next step in their careers. There’s only one problem—AJ’s been in love with Tyrone almost from the moment they met. He’s hidden it well; after all, Tyrone might be bisexual, but he’s also never lacked for company. AJ would rather be his friend than another notch on his bedpost.
But Vegas beckons. And Tyrone wants to take the leap. The last thing AJ can ever do is deny his best friend...
EXCERPT
...For the first time, AJ noticed the shine in Tyrone’s eyes, the slightly bloodshot whites. He’d been drinking. Had he slept with Kira? Probably. The picture it painted soured AJ’s mood even further.
Pushing over AJ’s legs, Tyrone sat next to him on the couch and propped his own feet up on the coffee table. He leaned back his head and closed his eyes, a long line of dark scrumptiousness that made AJ’s mouth water even now.
“Man, you would not believe the night I’ve had. That Kira is a girl and a half, let me tell you.”
AJ grimaced. “Aw, come on, do I really need to hear all the gory details?”
Though his eyes stayed shut, Tyrone smiled wide. “You don’t want to hear how she wants us to open a new restaurant in the New York, New York? Okay, I’ll spare you those and just tell you how good she is at giving—”
“The New York, New York? The casino in Vegas?”
“No, the one in Albuquerque.” He smacked AJ’s thigh. “Of course, the one in Vegas. I told you she books acts there. You never listen to me.”
“I listen. You just say an awful lot that never means anything.”
At the gibe, Tyrone’s smile softened, and he turned his head in order to level those baby browns right at AJ. “That’s why I like you. You call me on all my shit.”
It was impossible to stay annoyed at Tyrone when he did that, even worse when he looked like that. Against his better judgment, AJ relaxed and shifted in order to make both of them more comfortable.
“So you had a good time tonight?” he asked. If Tyrone wanted to tell his stories, AJ would listen. He might put up a fuss at first, but honestly, it was better than Tyrone leaving him alone again.
“Not for the reason you think I did. I didn’t sleep with her. You know I said that to mess with you.”
“Because I think so clearly when I’m woken up at four-thirty in the morning.”
“You’re going to remind me of that until the day we die, aren’t you?”
“No, just until the next time you pull a stunt like this again.”
Tyrone chuckled. “Kira loves us.” Back to the earlier subject, it looked like. “She’s been scouting around, trying to find something that’ll mesh with the vibe of this new restaurant, and she thinks we’re perfect for it.”
“She thinks we’re perfect after one show?”
“Nah, this was the fourth one she saw. You never saw her watching before?”
AJ shook his head. Unless they were right up by his piano, he rarely remembered anybody in the audience. All his attention was fixed on Tyrone.
“Anyway, we’d get a three-month probationary contract, twice what we’re making now, plus tips. In Vegas. You just know those are going to be sweet.”
“But we live here, Ty. You really want to up and move like that?”
A frown replaced Tyrone’s smile. “What’s wrong? This is our dream.”
“No, it’s your dream. I’m perfectly happy here.”
“You call this happy?” He gestured around the dark apartment, the silence echoing back at them. “You live the quietest life of anyone I know. I can’t even remember the last time I saw you go out on a date.”
“Because it sucks being gay in Reno,” AJ countered. He might have had to hide his feelings for Tyrone all this time, but at least he hadn’t had to worry about disguising the truth about his sexuality. That had been blurted out the very first time he saw Tyrone kissing a guy. His hopes had soared for precious seconds until Tyrone laughed it off and explained he was bi. Which in AJ’s book meant straight, but horny enough to take it anywhere he could.
Tyrone made a face, brushing him off. “That’s no excuse. Plenty of guys come through who look at you twice. You’re just too much in love with your piano to notice them checking you out.”
No, I’m just too much in love with you to want anyone else...
