“Good.” Dom nodded approvingly. “Come on. We’re almost at the barricade.”
“We don’t need to be at the front,” I protested feebly even as we continued to weave through the crowd. “Honestly, I don’t mind.”
“Shut up,” he said, kissing my cheek. “My Shadow wants the barricade, then we’re watching from the barricade.”
Now I was the one blushing, almost as brightly as my twin had a few moments ago. But really, who could blame me? Dominic had me falling for him a little more every day—something I hadn’t even realised was possible.
I eyed his big shoulders as they slid through a group. Beneath his shirt was my latest work of art. After goingthrough hundreds of possible designs, I’d finally settled on one I was happy with.
It had taken Dominic a little while to find an artist whose work he loved enough, but yesterday, he’d had yet more of my work inked onto his skin. This piece sat right between his shoulder blades. It showed a small woodland cabin, and the focal point was a bench outside, two figures entangled on it.
I couldn’t love it more.
Dominic was the same. The only reason he was even wearing a shirt was because the venue had a strict dress code. Plus, the artist had read him the riot act about how to look after it. It was only his fear of it not healing properly that had had him donning a shirt.
He still groused about it the whole time he got dressed.
Mind you, I couldn’t blame him for wanting to be shirtless today. Summer was in full swing, evoking memories of the first and only other time I’d seen this particular band live.
Once again, I was here with Dominic. We were in the same place—right at the front, mere feet from the stage—but everything else was different.
Max was with us, instead of being off somewhere else with his girlfriend. I had a friend there too, Xander settling as far away from my twin as possible. Best of all though, Dominic and I didn’t have to hide. He was free to box me in with his arms, kissing my neck as he did so. I could lean back into him without needing to keep our love hidden.
There was also no fear that Dominic would rather be off with Max instead. No worries about what the future would hold. I knew that already.
It would be spent with the man at my back.
Luca Weston and the other members of Caffeine Daydreams strolled onstage to thunderous applause. Iwhooped and hollered, Dominic almost deafening me as he joined in. The bass player and guitarist, Kai and Silas, exchanged a brief kiss before picking up their instruments. Their coming out last year had dominated the headlines for months.
Their love story wasn’t the only one the paparazzi had had a field day with. I smiled as Luca blew a kiss to a man in the pit, on the other side of the barricade from where we were standing.
“Who’s that?” Dom shouted in my ear over the opening guitar riff.
“Luca’s husband,” I yelled back. “They got married a while back. He’s a journalist, I think.”
“And he comes to the shows? That’s so cute.”
It was cute. The band members’ romances had played out on the world stage, giving queer joy to many. Of course, there were haters, but their supporters outnumbered them a hundred to one.
Mine and Dominic’s relationship might not be the stuff of headlines, but it was just as special, nonetheless.
“Not as cute as you.” I twisted to give Dominic a peck. “Love you.”
“Pass me the sick bucket,” Max groused, leaning on the railing beside me.
I rolled my eyes, not even slightly bothered. If anything, I secretly loved the comment. Max and I were still finding our groove, but this sibling teasing felt almost…normal.
I’d give anything to have normal with Max.
Unfortunately, Xander didn’t seem to have got the memo. With us in between them, he resorted to leaning over the railing to glare at Max. “You better shut your fucking mouth before I do it for you.”
Now Max was hanging over it too, glowering atXander with murderous intent. “I fucking dare you, trumpet boy.”
I groaned. Really? Today?
“Potassium pinecone,” Dominic barked.
I sighed in relief as both men settled down. How such simple words had them immediately falling in line, I’d never fully understand. But I didn’t need to. I was just grateful it had worked.