Keys to Love (6 page)

Then to say it didn’t matter? He’d wanted to say something nonchalant, cool, laidback, and that’s what came out. Morgan gave himself a mental kick. He didn’t understand why when he finally had Julian alone, he turned into a shy schoolboy trying to tell his first crush how he felt. He was normally a lot smoother than this.

Morgan wondered if keeping his job was really a good idea between his jackass boss and now this. He originally thought it’d be enough to just meet Julian. Now he confessed to himself he wanted so much more from him. Not that he’d be able to get it with this blunder.

The tense silence continued to drag out as Morgan sought to find words, a neutral topic they could talk about. He cleared his throat. “So, has your truck been acting up lately?”

“The navigation screen’s acted glitchy for the past week, but I didn’t think much of it.”

Morgan nodded. “Sounds like one of the computer modules could be fried.”

Julian let out a noncommittal, “Ah.”

To Morgan’s relief, he saw an open parking spot by the small diner that was his destination. He parked and smiled at Julian.

“Here we are. I hope you like it. The food’s nothing fancy, but damn good. The place is owned by an older couple and they
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make everything fresh themselves.”

Julian looked at him. He could tell Morgan was trying to ease the tension between them, and really, there was no need for such tension. Morgan hadn’t intended to hurt his feelings. It was his own oversensitivity making him feel rejected, which was ridiculous in of itself. He shouldn’t feel rejected when he hadn’t even hit on Morgan.

Julian allowed his lips to lift in a smile. “It sounds lovely.”

He reached to open the door, halting as he felt Morgan’s hand on his forearm. He glanced at him, but Morgan was stretched between the front seats reaching in the back.

“Here, before you step out,” Morgan said, and sat back in his seat, extending a small umbrella toward him.

Julian slowly took it, touched by the kind gesture despite his snappishness. He nodded his thanks and climbed out of the Jeep.

Morgan came around to walk at his side, and Julian tipped the umbrella to cover him also. Morgan moved under it with him, walking so close their arms touched.

Julian tried to will his racing heart to slow. Why was it, even with knowing how Morgan felt, he still couldn’t let his attraction toward him go? He assumed he was expecting too much. Even though he got an instant crush on him, that didn’t mean it’d go away easily. If anything, it would probably take longer. Julian sighed. He really didn’t need a case of infatuation right now.

Morgan stopped outside the restaurant and held the door open for him. Julian walked into the single dining room. Only a handful of people occupied the place, giving them uninterested glances. The smell of freshly baked bread and pot roast wafted through the air.

Morgan pointed to a booth by a window. “Is that one alright?”

“It’s perfect.”

Julian had no sooner slid in, than a woman, her hair mostly gray with a few brown streaks running through, approached their table with a wide smile directed at Morgan.

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“Well look who’s here. It’s been a long time since you’ve stopped in, hon. I was starting to wonder about you.”

Morgan grinned up at her. “Sorry, Anna, I’ve had to cut back on eating out. And I’m going to be leaving for a few months for work, so don’t worry if you don’t see me until next year.”

“I’ll still worry about you. Now what do you boys want? The pot roast is the special. Perfect for a day like today.”

“I’ll take it.” Morgan looked to Julian. “Do you want to see a menu?”

Julian shook his head. “No, I’ll have the same.”

The hint of a smile touched Anna’s lips as her gaze moved over Julian. She nodded. “Alright, two pot roasts it is.” She took their drink orders then disappeared to the back.

Julian brought his gaze to Morgan. “Why was she smiling at me like that?”

Morgan shrugged, wearing a grin of his own. “Maybe she thinks you’re cute.”

“Well of course she does. Who wouldn’t?” Julian joked.

“No one.”

Julian paused at the seriousness in Morgan’s voice. He glanced down at the table, then out the window. He absolutely would
not
allow his mind to take that comment where it wanted to.

“Are you excited to go on tour?” Morgan asked softly.

“Not really. I’ve done it so many times. Not to the level of what Evan’s tour was, and certainly not to the level that this one’s going to be, but I’ve traveled with my music for a very long time.”

“I know.”

Julian brought his gaze to him. “You do?”

Morgan took a breath to answer, but before he could, Anna stepped up to their table with their food. She placed a plate laden with pot roast, potatoes, and carrots in front of each of them, along with their iced tea and a basket of warm bread. As she left, Morgan cleared his throat. “So you probably have a lot to get
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settled before you leave. I know I do, but I can imagine it’s worse for you.”

Julian caught the subject change, and though he wanted to know what Morgan meant by his earlier statement, decided to go with the new topic until he could bring the old one back around. “I don’t have all that much to do. I’ve settled most things already. The biggest part will be how hectic next week’s shaping up. Evan’s hosting an auction on Wednesday where all of us are putting up items with the proceeds going toward a cancer research foundation.

“For my item, I’m offering a private piano concert, and I decided rather than make the winner wait until we come off the road, I’d do the concert Friday night, if they’re local and available.

Then our kickoff concert is Saturday, so even before going on the road, I’m going to be playing like crazy, but it’s more than worth it for the cause.”

Morgan stared at him. “A private piano concert?”

Julian nodded, his gaze on his food as he cut it.

“How private is it going to be?”

“Just me, the winner, and whoever they’d like to bring. And some security, of course. Evan’s not willing to take the chance that whoever wins won’t be psychotic, so he’ll have guards with me. Just because a person has money doesn’t mean they’re sane.”

He laughed lightly. “It’s usually quite the opposite.”

Morgan didn’t acknowledge the joke. “How high do you think the bidding will go?”

“It’s hard to say. A private concert is difficult to put a price on.

I imagine it’ll depend on the bidders and how many are fans of me personally. Lucky for me, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is going to let me use a hall in the Symphony Center. I have friends there, but again, it was Evan who pulled that string for me.” Julian took a bite of the pot roast and froze with the fork in his mouth. He slowly drew it out. “This is fantastic.”

As he set to devouring his food, Morgan slowly picked at his own.

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“Tell me more about your music store,” Julian said between bites. “Is it primarily pianos?”

Morgan looked at him as if coming out of deep thought.

“Yeah, mainly pianos, but other traditional instruments too, strings, woodwinds, a small selection of brass and percussion, and all the accessories for instruments.”

“What about guitars and such?”

Morgan shook his head. “My father wasn’t a big fan of rock and pop music. He wanted to keep the shop focused on the needs of classical musicians or things like what a kid needs to be in a school band. He was really big into supporting school music programs, would even donate instruments to kids who couldn’t afford them. I know it’s from him that I got my love of music and teaching.” He chuckled. “Too bad neither one worked out.”

Julian looked at him, confused. “What do you mean about teaching?”

“I was a high school music teacher for eight years. I might not have the talent to play as a professional musician, but I can play well enough to instruct, and also teach the history and mechanics of music. But that was before the funding fell out. I lost my job this past spring and I spent the summer trying to find another one, but no luck. I’ve been waiting tables and working at a kennel until something better came along.” A soft smile graced Morgan’s lips. “And now it has. I’ll get to be a roadie for you. Sure, it pales next to teaching, but it’s better than wiping up half chewed food from people.”

Julian could easily tell that unlike so many roadies who lived and died by the bands they followed, Morgan held no such passion toward Conquest. “You taught for eight years. Then you’re around thirty years old?”

“I just turned thirty-one earlier this month. You?”

“Twenty-six. I’ll be twenty-seven in November. But I’m confused about why you’re going to be a roadie with us. What about your music store? Doesn’t it bring in money?”

“It probably would if I could afford to have it open, but my
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father racked up some hefty debts and I can’t pay for staff right now, so the only time it’s open is when I have the time to be there, which is pretty much never. I just have a sign posted on the door that it’s open by appointment only. I’m hoping with being on the road with you guys, I’ll be able to save up some money to get it operating again.

“I’ll admit, though, I’m torn between keeping it or just liquidating everything and letting it go. It was my father’s pride and passion, but it’s hard walking into it.” Morgan’s voice quieted.

“I was the one who found him, after he passed away. Even though I know if he could’ve picked a place to go it would’ve been where he did, it bothers me that he died alone.”

Julian slid his hand across the table toward Morgan’s. “I’m sorry.”

Morgan cleared his throat a couple times. He glanced up at Julian with a strained smile. “That’s just how it is sometimes, right?” He gave Julian’s hand a few quick pats. “Now what about you? I’ve got a feeling you came from affluence.”

Julian slowly drew his hand back, feeling a twinge of hurt that Morgan hadn’t taken it, or opened up more to him. “I suppose you could say my parents are well off. They still reside in Connecticut. I attended private schools, and had personal instructors for piano, tennis, and swimming.”

A smirk quirked one corner of Morgan’s lips. “No offense, but you don’t really come across as the athletic type.”

“No offense taken, because I’m not. That’s why I needed personal instructors. One year of failing physical fitness was one too many for my parents.”

Morgan laughed. “How does anyone fail gym class?”

“From telling my teacher I didn’t see the point in running unless I was doing so for my life and informing him I flat out refused to put my wrists in danger by hitting a volleyball, as I was already playing piano. But for the record, I did turn out to be a fair tennis player and I’m an excellent swimmer. I even competed at swimming. Of course, that was mostly for the added benefit Keys to Love
45

of it.”

“Yeah, I’m sure I can guess what it was. Probably the same one that keeps me glued to the swimming and diving events during the Summer Olympics.”

Julian stared at him, silent.

Morgan tipped his head. “So you didn’t know, or you weren’t sure?”

“About what?”

“You tell me.”

Julian shook his head. “No.
You
tell me.”

Morgan leaned over the table toward him, looking as though he was about to tell him a secret, though he didn’t bother to hush his voice against those who could overhear. “I’m gay, Julian.”

Julian continued to stare at him.

Morgan suppressed a chuckle at Julian’s doubtful expression.

“So, do you want dessert? All the pies here are homemade.”

Julian finally blinked at being asked the odd question. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and sighed on seeing Jesse’s name and number on the screen. He looked at Morgan. “Sorry, I have to grab this.” He answered his phone.

“Hello, Jesse.”

Jesse’s voice sounded through the phone. “Jules! I have a huge problem and only you can help me.”

“What is it?”

“I’m in dire need of an extremely talented keyboardist and pianist to play in my band. Our old one took off for lunch and hasn’t come back.”

“You really are a master of exaggeration. It’s only…” Julian shook back his shirt sleeve and glanced at his watch. “Oh, I didn’t realize that was the time. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just not like you to be late, so I was starting to worry. Is everything okay?”

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“Yeah, everything’s fine. I lost track of time, is all. I’ll be right there.”

“Alright. Later.”

“Bye.” Julian ended the call. “It seems time got away from me.

I’m twenty minutes late getting back for rehearsal.”

Morgan slid toward the end of the booth. “I’ll take full blame for that.”

“You will not! My damn car will.”

“Okay, I’ll go with that.” Morgan stepped up to the cash register where Anna stood waiting. He reached in his back pocket for his wallet, only to feel Julian’s hand on his elbow.

“I have it,” Julian said, retrieving his money clip.

Morgan shook his head. “No, I’m the one who invited you.

I’ll pay.”

Julian faced him, one hand on his hip, one finger doing an annoyed tap. “You saved me from the rain, you brought me to get food, the least I can do is pay. Just swallow your pride and take it.”

Morgan only barely managed from bursting out in laughter, but couldn’t hold back his grin. With the stance Julian had, the tone in his voice, he looked too damn sexy to argue with. Though, if this was how Julian looked when he did argue, it would be worth instigating a few spats with him on occasion. His impression of Julian from seeing him during interviews and publicity was that he must be a man of mild manners and supreme politeness. But Julian had showed him his fiery side when he reprimanded Kurt the day they met. He couldn’t deny, he liked seeing this different side of him.

Despite wanting to say how much he’d rather swallow something other than pride, Morgan inclined his head and stepped back from the register. He saw Anna smirking, and said a silent thank you that she opted to not embarrass him.