Chapter Two
The energy coming from the crowd sent Quentin “Tin Man” Lauder’s blood rushing through his veins. He smiled, watching the glow of fifty thousand QL bulbs being swung back and forth in the audience. There was nothing like hearing that many voices rapping back at him. It made him high—hearing words he’d strung together and knowing people had taken the time to learn them.
“CT!” he shouted.
The crowd roared.
Moments like that made him come back time and time again to the music industry.
“One more time!” He made his way down the center of the stage that stuck out through the middle of the crowd.
He continued his hit Broken Symphonies. From time to time he leaned over to touch hands. He had to be careful because usually, people tried pulling him down to them.
As the concert drew to a close, he sat on a stool at the front of the stage to address the crowd. He wiped his forehead with a towel one of his dancers had handed him as the session continued. He joked with his fans, speaking one on one to quite a few of them. Quentin eve handed out some prizes—t-shirts, hats, CD’s, tote bags—all of them signed.
With that over, he did one last song, introduced his band then they all congregated at the edge of the stage for a final bow. When he finally exited the stage and the house lights came up, he walked into a group hug with his team.
“Another tour complete!” Someone hollered from the back of the circle.
“Yup—and I’m exhausted. Quentin told them. “I miss my own bed.”
They laughed.
“I need you guys to stay in touch,” Quentin said. “I love this group and when the next tour comes around, I’m going to need my crew.”
They all voiced their agreement to his suggestion.
“Thank you guys for everything—I mean that.”
Taking a step back as the circle would allow, he held out a closed fist. “All right. Bring it in.”
When they all had their hands on top of each other’s, Quentin looked around. “Tin Man on three. One, two, three….”
“Tin Man!”
It took a little while to gather all the hugs he could. He talked to a few people, and signed a few letters of references for some of his dancers. They would then use that as proof that they had in fact performed with him. Sometimes a dancer’s face is covered or obscured so it was never ideal for them to point out a video to prove they had in fact danced for someone. He took pleasure in doing that because Quentin believed his dancers deserved only the best.
When things finally calmed down with his workers, he left the building through a side door to a massive crowd. Again, he stopped to take pictures with fans and signed anything they stuck toward him.
After a few minutes, his guard eased himself between Quentin and the crowd and Quentin knew it was time to go.
“Yo! Quen!”
Only one man on the face of the earth ever called him that. Everyone else called him Quentin, or Tin Man or as his brother liked to call him, Rin Tin.
Quentin turned and tilted his head to see around the massive frame of his bodyguard. He allowed his eyes to search the crowd of screaming fans until he located the beaming face of Alex Stern. Stepping around the guard, he hurried over and reached through the crowd to grab Alex’s hand and pulled him forward. It wasn’t easy with fans grabbing at him, but finally, , Quentin hugged Alex then helped him over the barrier.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
Alex grinned. “Surprise!”
Quentin crinkled his nose then laughed. “You alone?”
“Nah. Husband, right there!”
Quentin reached out for the man’s hand and pulled him forward as well then over the barrier. Without another word, he led them in through the back door to the hotel. Once there, he hugged Alex again.
“This is my husband, Rafe,” Alex introduced them. “Rafe, this is Quentin Lauder.”
The two shook hands.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Quentin said. “I didn’t mean to be so out of touch with people.”
Rafe smiled. “A pleasure. And don’t worry about it. Alex and I had our hands full for a while there.”
“Everything okay?” Quentin turned to Alex.
“Oh yeah—life isn’t always perfect but you soldier on.”
Quentin nodded. “What did y’all think of the show?”
“You were great.” Rafe replied. “I’ve never been to a hip hop concert before. Never had a reason, you know?”
“I’m making him do a lot of firsts.” Alex winked.
Rafe blushed but Quentin merely laughed.
“Thanks for the gift you sent us,” Rafe said. “You were way too generous.”
“Are you kidding?” Quentin asked. “Alex is the reason my mom is still around today—trust me. Nothing is too generous for him and the man he loves.”
“Oh man.” Alex blushed. “I didn’t do anything heroic.”
“Well, that’s what you think.” Quentin rubbed the back of his neck. “You two hanging around for a little bit?”
Alex and Rafe looked at each other—no doubt doing that telepathic thing that couples deeply in love did. When they smiled at each other and nodded, Alex spoke. “Sure, we can hang for a bit.”
“Good!” Quentin said. “Gimme a second then we can grab something to eat and chat.”
Alex nodded and Quentin stepped around them to talk to his guards and other people that always seemed to follow him wherever he went. It got tiring really quickly but it seemed that was the nature of the beast. By the time their impromptu meeting was over, everyone else had left. He hurried back to Alex and Rafe.
“Okay, come with me,” Quentin said.
In no time at all, they were seated in an empty restaurant and after their orders were taken, Quentin lounged back. “Congrats on the wedding,” he said. “I know it’s late but you would not believe the hell it’s been putting this together. I really wanted to be there but with the preparation and scheduling, I couldn’t break away.”
“I get that,” Alex said. “Your worry too much. But, going to these lengths to see you—I don’t know.”
Rafe laughed.
“I was trying to scare him,” Alex said. “Why’d you have to ruin my fun?”
“Like anyone was going to believe you’d stop coming to his shows,” Rafe said. “Seriously?” Rafe leaned in as if telling Quentin a secret. “I surprised him with the tickets and you’d think I was proposing or something.”
Quentin laughed as Alex pouted and was rewarded with a kiss from Rafe.
“I love you.” Rafe whispered.
“You better,” Alex said with a bright grin.
Their drinks arrived and after a toast, the three delved into talking. Though Quentin was physically there, he couldn’t help wondering what kind of husband he would be if life was different. Would he even get that chance even if ever part of his life wasn’t under a microscope?
“And that’s how we met,” Rafe was saying by the time Quentin pulled himself together. “Married life isn’t easy but we love each other so we make it work.”
Alex nodded.
Their meals came and Quentin picked up his fork after setting his napkin in his lap. “My body feels like I was hit by a truck.”
“Well, your tour started a year ago,” Alex said. “It’s bound to take it out of you. Maybe you should consider taking a little break.”
“I was thinking that—maybe I’ll go home for a little bit,” Quentin said.
“Good, because we have a little guy who would love to meet uncle Quentin,” Alex said.
“Wait—what?” Quentin leaned in. “You have a kid? We’ve been talking all this time and you never once said anything about a child.”
“It’s new. We just got him.” Rafe said.
“But still.” Quentin eased his plate away. Suddenly this news was way better than anything he could put in his mouth.
“It just never came up!” Alex smiled. “I mean you were always so excited about some new project and Rafe and I were dealing with some stuff—but I’m telling you now.”
Quentin laughed and patted Rafe then Alex on the back. “I’m so happy for the two of you! So I’m definitely coming home.”
The three men laughed and finished their meals.
“I saw your mom last week,” Alex said. “I go for the haircuts but stay for the hugs.”
“Aren’t they the best?” Quentin asked. “She keeps gushing about you. Have you taken your little one to meet his grandma yet?”
Alex arched a brow then laughed out loud. “Not yet. Rafe and I are still trying to get some stuff together. I did mention it to her though so it won’t be a total shock when we do get around to bringing him down. He’s been through more than someone his age should have to deal with.”
Quentin nodded. “Whenever you’re ready. Just know that kid is going to be spoiled rotten.”
Rafe groaned. “I can believe it. She already dotes on Alex.”
“Of course. I’m amazing!” Alex smiled before reaching over to drop a kiss to Rafe’s cheek.
After a couple more drinks, Quentin glanced at his watch and frowned. It was already after four in the morning. “Did you guys drive in?”
Alex shook his head. “We took a bus. There was no way we’d make it in if we had to worry about a car.”
“Your baby has a sitter, right?”
“You won’t believe this—but we left him with Micah,” Alex said with a smirk.
“Wait—Micah…as in, Dr. Every time-he-opens-his-mouth-I-wanna-throat-punch-him Steinberg?”
“He’s not so bad,” Rafe said. “I mean, he used to be but since he’s been getting regular dick, he’s mellowed out.”
“Pfft.” Quentin laughed. “Okay, if you say so.”
Alex chuckled. “Rafe is right.”
“Sure, Lex, sure. Anyway, it’s really late and I don’t think you want to be rushing to get a bus now,” Quentin said. “Let me get you a room upstairs.”
“We can’t ask you to do that,” Rafe said.
“Babe, trying to talk Quen out of this, is like banging your head into a wall.” Alex explained around a yawn. “And I’m too tired for a concussion.”
Quentin grinned proudly. “I’ll call downstairs and set it up. Besides, what were you going to do? Walk back to New York?”
Alex made a face at him that only made Quentin and Rafe laugh harder.
It took a little under half an hour to get them set up with everything they needed and after Alex and Rafe retired for the night, Quentin stopped at the front desk to give them further instructions. He ensured breakfast would be sent up in the morning and that anything they called down for from room service was placed on his tab. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Alex.
Quentin was too tired to sleep. Instead, after a shower, he sent an email to his agent and label informing them he would be taking the time off. That for the next three months he’d be living a life away from the public so don’t even bother trying to contact him. Almost immediately, Harry, his agent messaged back asking if he was insane.
“No.” He wrote. “But if I stay here I will be.”
The next few hours were spent playing video games and sending out text messages to his mother. She was a night owl, which made no sense. She ran a hair salon and barber shop in Manhattan and even though the doctors told her to take it easy, Daisy was still going as hard as ever.
The heart attack a few years back was a wakeup call for Quentin. He’d spend months at a time on the road without seeing her—go days without speaking to her. Now, he flew her out regularly, forcing her to take a break. He visited whenever he could and spent as much time as he could manage with her. He even took a few tour stops off his list so he could take that time and ventured home for a hug. Astrid was everything to him. If one day he lost everything, Quentin knew after all the pretenders walked away, his mother would be there.
Morning came slowly over Connecticut. He lay on the bed, waiting to hear if a bird would sing but all he got from the outside was silence. His cell kept buzzing on the bedside table beside him and since he knew his mother would never call him so early and his brother was probably still sleeping, Quentin ignored it.
Then his room phone rang. He moaned, rolled over and grabbed it. “Yeh-lo.”
Alex laughed. “You still do that?”
“Why change a winning formula?” Quentin asked. “You guys are up already? Man, you’re killing my impression of married life.”
“What do you mean?”
“Shouldn’t you two be having sex or something?” Quentin asked. “You’re married with a kid—how much alone time do you really get now-a-days?”
Alex said nothing.
Quentin could feel his friend blushing through the phone. “And you’re still the same Alex.” He laughed. “What’s up, brother?”
“You sent us breakfast?” Alex asked.
“Of course. You can’t go back to New York on the empty—besides, this place makes the best pancakes around.”
Alex chuckled. “You might be right. Rafe just finished his fourth.”
“Of course I’m right. Listen, I’m in room twenty forty four. Stop by before you two leave, eh?”
Alex promised he would and Quentin hung up and climbed from his bed. On the way to the bathroom, he grabbed the cell. As he did his business, he scrolled through the messages, replied to some, delete some and just ignored others.
“T.J, I’m heading to the condo in New York. Wanna come by for dinner on Saturday?” he sent his brother. “I’ll cook and I’ll invite mami.”
He finished up on the toilet, flushed then sent his cell on the counter while he shaved his face then inspected up his nose. After ensuring all was right in the world of nostril hairs, Quentin took a quick shower. As he got dressed, his phone chimed so he checked.
“Sure. You know I’ll be there,” Tanjay Lauder replied. “I thought you wouldn’t be back for another two weeks.”
“I’m cutting it short. I have a winner to surprise in Boise, then I’ll be coming back. After that I’m finished working for a few months. So, I’ll be around.”
“LOL! You going to Boise. I think I laughed too hard on that one.”
“Ass.” Quentin smirked. “There’s nothing wrong with Boise.”
“Yeah—whatever. LOL. I’m heading to class.”
“Cool. Learn things.”
“Dick.” Tanjay responded.
“I love you too,” Quentin text back.