Redeeming Kyle: 69 Bottles #3 (17 page)

I watch as he puts his head in his hands. “Talon, I think we need to show her she has no reason to want to run away. After talking to her I understand better that I can’t change it, that I can’t bear the burden of it for her and I know that she’s found her happy place. She looks at that picture, the one with both babies in it, and she says that’s what makes it worth it, and she’s right. In the end, that’s all that matters.”
 

He smiles at me. “You’re absolutely right. I can’t even begin to imagine what she’s thinking about all of this.”
 

“She’s scared, just like you and I are. She just hides it better than we do.”
 

“Which is why I’ll continue being a duck for a while. I just need to love her, you know?” He stands up and comes toward me where I’m leaning against the counter. He sets his container down and takes my cheeks in his hands. “Just like I need to love you.”
 

My breathing stops, my cock grows hard instantly and I stare into his eyes. “I’ve realized something in the midst of all of this madness. I’ve realized that not only do I love her more than life itself, but I’m in love with you too.”
 

“Jesus, Tal, talk about knocking a guy on his ass. Do you mean it?”
 

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. You know that. I love you, cowboy.”
 

I love that he uses Addison’s nickname for me. “I love you too.”
 

Then his lips meet mine in a warm dance of lips and tongues, I can’t help the moan that escapes before he pulls away. “Now go take care of our girl. Come out if you want. But bundle her up, it’s chilly out tonight,” he says as his thumb rubs along my cheek before releasing me.
 

“Hey Tal?”
 

“Yeah.”
 

“I needed to hear that tonight. Thank you.”
 

He winks at me and hops down the steps of the bus, pushing open the door and I can hear the guys jamming outside. I readjust my cock and go back toward the bedroom. I get halfway there before I remember her apple juice and I turn around.
 

Going back into the kitchen, I pull the bottle from the freezer and pour her a big plastic cup full. As I head back, Peacock steps out of the bathroom. “Hey man, you alright?”
 

“Yeah, why?”
 

“You look upset?” I cock my head. “Wanna talk about it?”
 

“I honestly just have a question.”
 

“Shoot.”
 

“Are you and Talon and Addison together?”

I smile, “Yeah man, we are. Does that bother you?”
 

He chuckles. “God, no. It’s nice to know though. Makes things easier.”
 

“Easier, how?”
 

“I’m not ready to talk about it.”
 

“Eric? Seriously, it’s alright. We already know, dude.”
 

He looks at me, shocked. “How?”
 

I shrug. “You’ve never been into the ladies. You put on a front, which is good for you, but that’s not who you are. We don’t talk about you or anything, but Talon and I figured it out a long time ago. Whether Mouse or Dex know, I have no clue, but you saw Dex the other day, he doesn’t give a shit and Mouse is your best friend. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t know.”
 

“He knows.”

“So that leaves who, Dex? Man, open that can of worms with caution though. He won’t be mean about it, but you know it will give him ammo, you know how he gets.”
 

“Yeah, I know. Does Addison know?”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “I don’t think so.”
 

“Good, don’t tell her. I’ve been promising her a talk for a long time, about what really happened between Jess and I back in San Diego. Let me tell her, okay?”
 

“Absolutely.” I smile and take his hand, we bump chests like we always have. “Now get out there. I’ll go see if Addie wants to join you.”
 

“I didn’t intend to eavesdrop from the bathroom, but, is she pregnant?”
 

“Shh.” I smirk.
 

“Congrats, man.” He smiles wide.
 

“Thank you, Eric, that means a lot.”
 

“Anytime. You guys need anything, holler.”
 

“Will do.” We slide past each other and I finally make it back to the bedroom. I expected to see Addison asleep on the bed when I return, but she’s not. She’s writing in her journal.
 

“Hey baby girl.”
 

She looks up at me with her bright, beautiful green eyes and the warmest smile spreads across her lips. “Hey cowboy. What took you so long?”
 

I smile, truly happy for the first time in a long time. I set her drink on the bedside table and slide onto the bed. “Talon and I just talked.”
 

“Oh, about what?”
 

“He confessed to loving and being in love with me.”
 

She covers her mouth with her hands. Then pulling them away she asks, “How does that make you feel?”
 

“Fucking amazing.”

“I’m so happy for you,” I tell Kyle. I knew it was coming and I doubt that Talon would ever lie to me, but sometimes I think he doesn’t understand his own emotions.
 

“You knew, didn’t you? That he was going to tell me that?”
 

I sigh. “Yeah, we talked about it in the car; I just didn’t think he’d do it so soon.”
 

“Why did you talk about it?”
 

“Because he’s so worried about you and I needed some reassurance. All of this is so overwhelming that…” I pause and take a deep breath before continuing, “I needed to know that it’s real.”
 

“Oh panda girl, it’s always been real, whether we admitted it to each other or not.” He lifts his hand and strokes it gently along my cheek, I lean into his touch. “I knew I loved him and I’ve told him I love him before, it’s just… I don’t know. I know it’s hard for him,” he says sadly.
 

“Does that bother you?”
 

“What? That it’s hard for him?” I nod. “No, actually it makes me happier because I know he doesn’t just say it to placate me, or even you. I know that when he says it, he truly means it. So yeah, it makes me happy and I’m glad he confided in you. You bring out parts of him I never knew existed and I love you all the more for it.”
 

He leans in and kisses me on the lips. It’s not charged, but it’s sweet and I melt into him. That’s when I hear music playing. I pull back from him, listening. “What are they doing?”
 

Kyle smiles, “They’re doing what they do best.”
 

“Where?”
 

“Outside, around a fire. You want to go out there?”
 

I hesitate. “I wanted to spend some time with you tonight.”
 

“Oh baby girl, we can do that and still go out and watch them for a while, it’s…” he looks at the clock, “just after seven. Come on, let’s get you bundled up”

I’m back in my flannel pants, still wearing Kyle’s t-shirt and I have my hoodie and wool pea coat on. Kyle grabs a spare blanket from the closet and brings it with us. When I step off of the bus, I am greeted with the biggest smile from Talon I’ve ever seen. He literally lights up the night. The smile grows bigger when Kyle steps off of the bus behind me.
 

They’re jamming, playing a new song I don’t recognize and I instantly fall in love with it. Talon, Peacock and Mouse have their guitars and Dex is hitting what looks like an electronic drum set.
 

I turn to Kyle. “I have an idea, do you mind grabbing my phone?”
 

He kisses my forehead. “Not at all, I’ll be right back.” He hands me the blanket and I fold it over my hands and Talon nods for me to come sit next to him.
 

I walk carefully over to him and lay the blanket out on the ground for me to sit in front of the log he’s on, but off to the side. I want to make room for Kyle too. I watch and listen as they continue with just music, no lyrics, but it doesn’t matter, it takes everything I have not to get up and dance.
 

Kyle returns and sees me sitting next to Talon and smiles. He comes around the fire and sits behind me and I settle in between his legs. “Here you go,” he whispers in my ear as he hands me my phone. I put it in my pocket and then put my hands on his knees, lifting myself onto his lap. He gently wraps his arms around me, holding me to him. The guys finish out the song.
 

“Okay, that was awesome. Do it again,” I say with a big grin on my face.
 

Talon laughs. “With lyrics this time?”
 

I look at him and smile wide. “Yes, please.”
 

He laughs, “You got it, angel.”
 

Dex whacks his sticks together to count them off and then beats his drums. Peacock picks up next on the bass and the sound is booming, but beautiful. Then Mouse and Talon join in. They play a couple of bars before Talon starts to sing and I’m transfixed. Forgetting my plan all together as I listen to the words. The song is upbeat and I want to dance.

His voice is sultry, but yet has his hard gravel to it that makes my panties wet and I shiver.
 

Kyle misinterprets my shiver and picks the blanket back up off of the ground. He wraps it around my legs and I smile at him, lean in and kiss him sweetly as he sways me back and forth to the music.
 

“Wow!” is all I can say for a minute. “I have an idea, if you’re interested…”
 

“What’s that, angel?”
 

“A sound bite.”
 

“The label would be pissed,” Dex says from across the fire.
 

“I wouldn’t release it without their approval, Dex. Believe me. But I think it would be awesome. Something raw and unplugged from 69 Bottles.”
 

“Go for it,” Talon says with a smirk. “Guys, let’s do the other one.”
 

“Which?” Peacock asks.

“The one right before they came out. ‘Sunshine and Roses’.”
 

“Got it.”
 

I get my phone ready to record and nod at Dex, who counts it off. I push record as Dex and Peacock set the tone, they’re quickly followed by Mouse, then Talon steps in with a separate guitar part.
 

When I look at you, you’re all I see

The love in your eyes is all I need

There isn’t any love greater than yours

You’re perfect, like sunshine and roses…

I stop the sound bite but the guys keep going and I start crying. It’s one of their softer pieces, like ‘Your Eyes’ is, but it has a harder edge to it…

I need your look, your touch, your laugh,
 

I need your eyes like I need

Sunshine and roses

Talon is looking at me as he finishes off the song.
 

I’m crying, of course. “You didn’t?” I ask him.
 

He laughs. “Yeah, angel, I did.”
 

“What the hell are you doing to him?” Dex takes his stab. “He’s gone all love crazy over you. It’s sad really. He used to be a great songwriter.” Dex is laughing so I know he’s joking.
 

“He still is, dickweed.”
 

“Ah hell, for you he’s amazing, but I’m pretty sure you’re biased. But no matter, it’s a great fucking song.”
 

I roll my eyes at him and he laughs.
 

Kyle and I stay out for another song that I pull a sound bite from, the song is good, but I like the first one better. Then of course ‘Sunshine and Roses’ just might replace ‘Your Eyes’ as my top played song.
 

Kyle and I say good night. I lean down and kiss Talon on the lips. “Love you,” he whispers.
 

“Ditto, big man,” I whisper back and he smiles wide.
 

Once we’re inside, Kyle helps me undress, taking my coat and hanging it up. “Thank you.”