Love Is Always Write Volume 4

him.
    "Shit, Chad's crushing on a rocker." Greg said to Derek over the music.
    "It's Blues, you idiot," Chad corrected quietly, but wondered if this made him look like some kind of groupie; impressed and ready to roll over just because the guy was in a band. He shook his head. Doesn't count. I felt like this before I knew he could sing. And sing well! Another sultry beat and his body's desire amped up.
    Chad came to the conclusion quickly that he didn't mind this feeling so much after all. If it meant he might get closer to the gorgeous man with the velvet voice he'd sacrifice a little confidence. After all, it looks like Zeb has enough for both of us!
    Everything was sexy about him. The tattoos, those eyes… the way he moved and the little looks he gave the crowd dancing in front of him. His voice and guitar skills were just icing on an already delicious cake. Chad found himself noticing the small things – how those long fingers so easily reached the strings of his guitar, how small beads of sweat formed on his brow and upper lip from the heat of the lights, and how no matter what song they were performing, whether a cover or what Chad was sure must be one of their own, Zeb made it all look effortless. He'd admired talent in many forms while he was at college, but he'd never been witness to anyone quite like Zeb.
    Then there was the little thing he noticed most, but that none of the other partiers probably paid any attention to. Any time the music was more soulful or seductive, Zeb's eyes would always catch his, and that smile he gave the whole crowd would change ever so slightly and his eyes would heat. He wondered if, at this distance, that last part could just be his imagination though.
    Through the band's first set he didn't ignore his friends completely. They still talked and laughed and did what they set out to do – celebrate. After graduation only him and Derek would remain local. They'd already found an apartment they could split in a halfway decent part of town. It would be a bit of a commute for Chad to his new sales job, but Derek would practically be able to skip to work.
    Derek's dad was throwing an almighty fit about his son sharing an apartment with a gay man but Derek, the amazing friend he always was, just brushed it off. "No worries, man. He'll get over it once he sees with his own eyes I'm not crossing over to the dark side." In past visits to the college Mr. Erickson had treated Chad a little cool but still polite. Anyone that knew Derek, including his father, was fully aware that once he made his mind up about something there was no budging. It was one of the things Chad loved most about his best friend.
    The band announced they were taking a break, and with a small sigh Chad saw Zeb and the other members use a back entrance off the stage and disappear from sight.
    "Think you'll start breathing again now?" Derek asked with a smirk, but quiet enough it was only for Chad's ears.
    "Oh shut the hell up," Chad returned, amused now instead of irritated. Before Derek could say anything else, there he was – Zeb, standing right in front of him.
    "So…" Zeb had one eyebrow raised like waiting for a reply, but to what Chad didn't know.
    "So..?" He asked back and saw that sexy smirk back along with a shake to his head.
    "So, can I buy you a drink now?"
    "Oh, um, yeah." The return of the awkward teen inside Chad was not welcome, but the race of his heart more than made up for it. Zeb turned but stopped and waited for Chad to fall into step beside him and they walked over to the bar together, away from Chad's friends and any smart-ass remarks they would butt in with.
    "Why didn't you tell me you were in the band?"
    Zeb chuckled. "Didn't exactly have a lot of time for chit chat. I was already supposed to be backstage before I even saw you, but I didn't want to take the chance that you'd leave before I could say hello."
    Between knowing Zeb had made his band wait just so he'd get to talk to Chad, and because now he knew Zeb had felt that connection just as instantly as he had, Chad felt some of his normal confidence return. They were standing by the quieter of the two bars, waiting for the bartender's attention, so Chad stepped in a half step and leaned against the rail. Looking directly in those amazing grey depths he purred, "Hello."
    He was pleased to see Zeb break out into a full true smile and almost laugh. "Hello yourself." All of Zeb's body language showed signs of him leaning in as well, but the