Half Notes and Highlights (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)

CHAPTER FIVE

Walking into the rented hair studio, Tyler greeted his new space with arms thrown into the air. “Hello, first California studio!” It came with all the necessities, so he only needed to make it his own. After making three trips to the car to carry in boxes, he realized he should have hired a helper. On a whim, he called Iris.

“Hi, neighbor. Are you busy? Feel like giving me a hand at my new hair studio? I’ll make it worth your while with a free haircut.” He hoped she knew the value of his services, because his prices weren’t cheap.

“A free haircut?” Her voice raised an octave with excitement. “I can come right now. I don’t have to work today. I’m covering for someone tomorrow and working a double shift.”

“Perfect!”

While he waited for Iris to arrive so she could help carry boxes, because she was so athletic looking that she could probably carry more than he could, he stocked cabinets and drawers with his supplies and unpacked some personal effects.

The door chimed announcing her entrance, and he welcomed her with exaggerated air kisses on both cheeks. “Welcome to my hair studio. What do you think? It’s small, but it’ll be amazing once I fix it up.”

“It’s nice. What’s this?” she asked with a laugh, bending over to look at the table next to the door.

“My leg lamp.” It was a shapely leg wearing a stiletto shoe and a fishnet stocking, topped off with a hot pink shade that had black fringe around the bottom. He clicked it on, and pink light lit up the leg and covered the table and part of the floor in a circle.

“I love it. And this phone is so cool.” She picked up the receiver to the fancy, antique European-style phone and brought it to her ear. “How did anyone talk on this thing? You’re stuck lugging the whole thing around with you. It looks heavy.”

“Oh, silly girl.” He waved his hand at her. “That thing was before the cordless phone. It was plugged into the wall. You had to stand in one spot and talk.”

She curled her lip and pulled the receiver away from her ear as if someone were breathing heavily on the other end. “That’s crazy. It’s cute though.” She placed the receiver back on the rest and walked around the small space. “I can’t wait to see what it looks like when you’re done. What do you want me to do?”

“Can you help carry some boxes in from the car?”

They spent the next couple of hours unloading the car, unpacking boxes, and hanging some pictures on the walls. The place was starting to reflect Tyler’s personality with bright colors and fun décor.

“What else?” Iris asked, since Tyler was looking around the studio.

“I think we’re good for today. I have a furniture delivery tomorrow, and I might do a little shopping. Let’s get to work on your hair.” He patted the salon chair. “Have a seat.”

She sat and looked at herself in the mirror. “What’s the plan?”

Tyler stood behind her, pulled out her ponytail, and pushed all her hair forward over her shoulders. “Your color is beautiful. I wouldn’t touch it, but I’d love to give you those highlights we talked about. Very subtle and natural. They’ll be amazing, and you’ll see how much they enhance your natural skin tone and California tan. And a conditioning treatment will make it shine like crazy.” He inspected the ends of her hair between his fingers. “I think we should take about two inches off the length and add some long layers to frame your face. You’ll still be able to wear it in a pony.”

She shrugged. “You’re the professional.”

He gave her gorgeous highlights, a deep conditioning hair masque, followed by a trendy cut, then a blowout. “What do you think?” He already knew she liked it because she had a huge smile on her face.

“I love it!” She ran her fingers through the length and turned her head back and forth, so the lights reflected her new highlights and picked up the luminous shine of her hair. “It’s shorter than I expected, but it’s so silky. I really love the highlights.”

He pulled it back to show her that she could still tie it up if she wanted, and she nodded. He also gave her a few sample-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner.

Before they left, he paused to look back at the place. “See you tomorrow, California studio.”

***

The next morning, Tyler arrived early, coffee cup in hand, and danced into his hair studio. He’d been in California less than a week and already had his first two clients—Ethan and Iris. Even though Iris was a freebie, she still counted. They weren’t one offs. Iris would be a steady customer, and he had a feeling Ethan would be as well. A smile spread across his cheeks at the memory of the salacious rock star, but it was interrupted by a jingle at the front door. It was the delivery man with the bright red lip-shaped couch he ordered. He loved that thing and ordered it as soon as he saw it. It fit nicely against the wall next to his table with the leg lamp.

The next couple of hours were spent putting everything in place, and by lunchtime there wasn’t anything left to do except wait. So, he ordered Door Dash and waited. Finally, it arrived—the signage for the front of his studio. When the workers were done, he stepped outside and looked up at his name in giant hot pink letters with his slogan beneath: Hair to Make You More Beautiful. He squealed. “It’s amazing!”

After giving the workers a well-deserved tip, he stayed outside and stared up at the sign for an indeterminate amount of time admiring it and reflecting on his accomplishments. This wasn’t his first storefront, but it was the first big step in his life 3,000 miles away from where he spent his entire life. It was a little scary starting over, but he was a risk-taker. With a happy sigh, he locked up and went home.

The high from earlier hadn’t worn off, despite having celebrated by treating himself to an expensive dinner. He wished Iris were home so they could go out for some fun. He contemplated stopping by the bar where she worked for a drink, but he wanted more excitement. He wanted to go dancing. So, he did.

He showered, did his hair so it was extra fluffy, and dressed to pay homage to the color combo of his new studio. The red leather pants were an ode to the red leather couch in the shape of a pair of lips, and the black furry vest he chose reminded him of the fringe on the leg lamp. He opted for a see-through fishnet top and some fancy rings. “I look hot,” he told his reflection, then jumped in an Uber and set out to set the night on fire.

Two hours later, he was dancing on a platform with a guy wearing spandex shorts and nothing else. The club was alive with music and the crowd was kickin’ it. There were so many beautiful faces, but Tyler was more interested in spiraling to the heavy beat. For now, anyway. In a couple of hours and after a few more drinks he’d find someone to go home with.

It was so fucking hot in the club. No wonder the guy on the platform with him wasn’t wearing anything except those cute shorts. He needed to cool down and headed to the bar for something cold. He felt someone following him and turned to find the guy from the platform hot on his heels.

“Hello.” Tyler fanned himself. “I didn’t mean to cut our dance short. I’m parched and need a libation. Care to join me?”

“That’s why I’m right behind you.”

When they got to the bar and ordered two fruity drinks, Tyler’s dance partner tried to hand the bartender cash, but Tyler wasn’t having it. “Thanks, I can pay my way. But we can still share a drink.”

“No. You can’t.”

They both turned in the direction of the unexpected deep voice and found Ethan standing behind them.

“What are you doing here?” Tyler asked, shocked to see Ethan in a crowded club.

“I’m still in LA for another couple of days and had some free time between shows.” Ethan leaned forward, separating Tyler and the dancer, and slipped the bartender his credit card. “Put both drinks on here, and I’ll take an IPA.” He gave the dance guy the side eye. “I got it from here. Enjoy your drink.”

Tyler probably should have been annoyed that Ethan dismissed the dance guy so quickly, but it was hot the way he swooped in and staked his claim and asserted his dominance. “Where’s your entourage?”

Ethan motioned to two guys standing a few feet away, one on either side. “Curt. Bill.”

Now that Ethan pointed them out, it was obvious that Curt and Bill weren’t there for dancing. First, they were wearing suits. They were also a foot taller than the rest of the crowd, and they were eyeing the place like they were with the Secret Service and Ethan was the President.

“Your hair looks good,” Tyler commented, sipping his pomegranate drink. “I take it you used the mousse I left and not that stuff your friend pranked you with.” A tiny chuckle escaped him at the memory of Ethan with helmet hair.

“I got him back for that. I replaced the regular milk with buttermilk at breakfast, so it literally tasted like someone pissed in his Cheerios.”

“ Ooh . You play hard.”

“I do.” Ethan smiled, sexily, as he stared at Tyler with twinkling black eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”

Tyler leaned back, trying to act offended, when he was actually flattered and a tiny bit excited. “Excuse me? You’re my client. I’m not going to—”

“Yes. You are. So, drink your drink. Or don’t. Because in thirty seconds, we’re outta here.”

Tyler didn’t know what to say. The audacity and arrogance of this man. Just because he was a rock star and they’d flirted, and because he was hot as fucking hell, with smoldering eyes and a jaw like chiseled stone, and a sculpted torso, from what Tyler remembered when Ethan was standing in the doorway to the bathroom in only a towel and dripping wet and—oh, who the hell was he kidding? He wanted to fuck this man the moment he laid eyes on him.

He took a big gulp of his drink, licked his lips, and placed the glass on the bar. “Let’s go.”

***

Laying naked on the exquisite cotton sheets in Ethan’s fancy hotel suite, Tyler propped himself up on his elbow and drew one knee toward his waist, popping his butt for emphasis. He watched as Ethan licked his lips and his eyes slowly washed over Tyler from head to toe. It was the exact reaction Tyler was hoping for with the seductive pose.

Ethan started to loosen his belt, but Tyler sat up and pushed his hands away. Normally, he enjoyed the slow, sensual art of love making, but the rock star stirred something inside him that necessitated urgent skin-on-skin contact. He unbuckled Ethan’s belt, unzipped his jeans, and pushed them down to his thighs at record speed. Black Diesel briefs stared back at him. He inhaled a breath as he curled his fingers around the waistband, anticipating the big reveal. Inch by inch, he exposed the dark happy trail that lined the center of Ethan’s lower abs. It made a beautiful contrast against the rock star’s fair skin. Finally, he freed Ethan’s length, and it was just as beautiful as the rest of him. Softly, he curled his hand around it, feeling its weight and smooth texture.

Ethan moaned and pushed his hands through Tyler’s hair and held it in a ponytail, so it was out of his face. “I love your hair. It’s soft and as wild and sexy as you are.” He tilted Tyler’s face up by the chin and leaned down until their lips brushed against one another, barely touching.

The heat of Ethan’s breath sent a hot shiver down Tyler’s back before they shared a fiery kiss. It was demanding and feverish. The way Ethan owned the kiss, and Tyler’s mouth, sent a sizzling heat through his body. His nerve endings were pulsing, and he let out a long sigh that turned into a moan against Ethan’s possessive lips.

The throb against his palm made Tyler wish for a taste, but he couldn’t tear himself away from the kiss that had their mouths fused together. Instead, he used his hands to pleasure his lover, but he couldn’t resist and broke the kiss with a deep intake of breath that made him slightly dizzy.

He gulped down a few more deep breaths as he watched Ethan slowly unbutton his shirt, one button at a time. The silky shirt fell to the floor, and Tyler gazed at the vision of beauty before him. Ethan’s expansive chest was covered with a sprinkling of fine black hair, and his round, symmetrical pecs had an arc that cast a slight shadow on the perfectly defined abs that sat beneath them.

He pressed his lips against the rope of muscles that protruded just above Ethan’s hip bones and nipped at the taught flesh. Caressing Ethan’s chest with one hand, the fingers of his other hand danced across Ethan’s abs. He moved both hands over Ethan’s hips, to his length, and then up to his chest again. He didn’t possess enough hands to explore the magnificent body in front of him. He wanted to touch it all at the same time. He couldn’t concentrate on one specific area. He wanted to feel every inch of muscle and flesh as a whole. He panted harder, and his hands dropped back down to Ethan’s length and stroked it.

Ethan moaned and dropped to his knees. He took Tyler’s face in his hands and stared at him with an intense gaze. His long dark lashes cast a feathery shadow on those incredible cheekbones. In the dimly lit room, with lust clouding Ethan’s eyes and his lips slightly parted, his face was exceptionally handsome.

A rush of warmth spread through Tyler’s chest, and his heart beat a little faster. He brought his fingertips to Ethan’s cheek, now rough with a hint of razor stubble, and Ethan pressed a kiss into the palm of Tyler’s hand and rested his lips there. A sigh left Tyler’s lungs, and he melted inside. They practically just met, and this man already had a hold on his heart.

He moved his hands to the back of Ethan’s neck, and Ethan enveloped him in a hug. They stayed with their arms around each other for a long few seconds, sharing an embrace and a connection that was unexpected for two people who only met a week ago.

Ethan slowly withdrew to look into Tyler’s eyes. He brushed the hair from Tyler’s face and traced a finger down the perimeter of his cheek. He slowly got to his feet and kicked off his shoes. He stepped out of his jeans and stood before Tyler, totally naked, revealing a sculpted body that was head-to-toe perfection.

Ethan cupped Tyler’s chin in his hand and dusted a gentle kiss on his lips, then he crawled into bed. As they lay side by side, silently staring at one another, there was unexpected intimacy.

Tyler rested his hand on Ethan’s chest and felt his heart beating. Ethan ran his thumb across Tyler’s bottom lip, and Tyler kissed it. Their lips met, tenderly, and their tongues exchanged a slow, passionate burn. With their mouths still pressed together, Ethan rolled on top of Tyler and they both moaned as their bodies gave each other the friction they desired.

Ethan’s lips moved to Tyler’s neck and imparted soft sensual kisses, causing Tyler to exhale a long sigh. With glistening lips and dark eyes hooded with desire, Ethan gazed at Tyler for a moment before he reached into the nightstand and retrieved a tube of lubricating jelly and a condom. His lips returned to Tyler’s for one more kiss.

A shiver ran through Tyler as Ethan’s lips ghosted down his body, then Ethan lifted Tyler’s ankles and placed them on his shoulders, causing Tyler’s breath to hitch with anticipation. This man was so gentle, so loving. Every touch was intimate and significant.

Wet, sticky fingers readied Tyler, making him gasp and pant, then Ethan filled him. Gentle at first, Ethan rocked his hips with small thrusts. Then it was faster. Harder. Deeper. Tyler gasped for air, dizzy from the cloud of euphoria that had him on the brink of ecstasy. He reached for his length, but Ethan latched onto it. Long, tight strokes left Tyler helpless as he surrendered to a wave of rapture that reverberated throughout his body.

Tyler tried to focus on Ethan, but his eyes kept rolling in his head. He clutched the sheet with one hand and held onto Ethan’s wrist with the other, tying them together.

Another deep thrust, and Ethan grunted. His knees shook, and he sighed loudly before he slowly lowered himself on top of Tyler. They stayed like that for several seconds, panting and trying to catch their breath, before Ethan slowly rolled over. With a warm smile, he pushed Tyler’s hair off his face and kissed him. “That was incredible. It’s exactly like I imagined it.”

Tyler propped himself up on one elbow, taken aback by the statement. “You’ve thought about what it would be like to sleep with me?”

“Since the first day I met you.”

***

A big black Escalade dropped Tyler off at his apartment before nine in the morning. He never expected to spend the night at the hotel with Ethan. He thought it would be a couple of hours of scandalous fun and then he’d be on his way, but Ethan wanted him to stay. With hearts in his eyes, Tyler pranced into his apartment. He stood with his back against the closed door and stared ahead as he replayed the night in his mind, a smile as wide as the ocean on his face. There was no way he was going back to sleep, so he made himself breakfast and listened to music for an hour before he went next door and knocked on Iris’ apartment door.

“Neighbor! Are you awake?”

Iris answered almost immediately, already dressed in cute shorts and a rock band tank top, drinking coffee. “Come in. Want a cup? It’s French pressed.”

“Of course it is.” It was the first time he was inside her apartment. It had the identical layout to his, only reversed, and hers was relaxed and cozy, where his was more art deco. He sat at the kitchen table while she poured him a cup of her fancy coffee, trying not to blurt out that he just spent the night with a famous rock star. “Why are you up so early?”

“The other bartender let me go a little early last night and took care of closing. I’m going for a bike ride by the beach. Want to come?”

He inhaled a giant gasp and sat a little taller. “I just started riding again a couple of months ago! My bike didn’t get here yet. Can I rent one?”

“Yeah, they—”

“I have the perfect outfit. I just bought it and haven’t even worn it yet. “

She glanced down at his lap. “You mean you’re going to wear something besides those leather pants?”

He pretended to be insulted. “These are designer and custom made.” He stood up, turned, and popped his butt in the air. “Look how magnificently they hug my little tushy.”

Iris threw her head back and laughed. “They sure do. They fit you like a glove. Finish your coffee and change so we can go before it gets too hot.”

Fifteen minutes later, he was knocking on her door again. She answered with a backpack hanging off her arm, her hair in a pony, and a cool-looking bicycle at her side. “I got you a—” She stopped talking and raked her eyes over him before a huge smile lit up her face. “What are you wearing?”

Tyler ran his hand over the spandex onesie. “My cycling outfit. Do you love it?” It had short sleeves and ended above the knee and fit him like a second skin. He chose bright orange because he wanted to stand out in New York traffic.

“You look like you’re going surfing.”

“I’ve never been surfing. Can you teach me after we go for a bike ride?”

“Slow down.” She handed him a bottle of water from her backpack. “I can barely keep up with this conversation.”

After securing her bike in one of those bike rack things on the back of her car, they drove to the beach. Conveniently, a bicycle rental shop was right on the boardwalk, and a purple one was calling him by name.

“Didn’t they have a hot pink one?” Iris asked when he rolled the bike to where she was waiting by a bench.

“Please, girl. That would have been so garish. I want to make a statement, not cause a pileup on the bike path.” He paused with his hand on his hip and chewed his lip. “I made an impulse purchase, and I’m starting to think it wasn’t such a good idea.”

“Let me guess. Streamers?”

“No. Streamers are always a good idea. Why aren’t they selling streamers? That’s a missed opportunity.” He pulled a baseball hat from a bag in the basket on the front of his bike and put it on his head. “Is it too much? Should I Coco Chanel it?”

“I’m not sure.” Iris studied it intently. “It’s . . . so normal looking.”

“I know, right? What’s wrong with me? I bought a plain white hat.” He handed it to her. “Take this thing away from me.”

She stuck it on her head and adjusted it. “I like it. But what about you? You’re not going to tie your hair up?”

He put his face into the breeze and closed his eyes. “I like the wind in my hair. It’s freeing.”

“Yeah,” she joked. “Because you’re so inhibited.”

Free wasn’t free enough as far as he was concerned. He hated limitations and had a hard time exercising any kind of restraint, but respected boundaries. At least he tried to. He thought about this as he rode down the bike path that bordered the sand. He’d crossed a professional line by sleeping with Ethan. But was that really so bad? The real concern, the reason he implemented the rule in the first place, was that he’d lose a client when the fling was over. Because, let’s face it, none of his hookups turned into anything serious, and he’d end up losing half his client list if he slept with whoever he wanted to without a second thought.

A quick jab to his heart reminded him that one hookup turned into something that could have been life changing, but that didn’t work out. A sigh left his lungs. One of these days he was going to think about his ex and not feel like his heart was cut in half. It’s been over three fucking years. Get over it! his inner voice screamed. He was trying to. And Ethan seemed like the perfect guy to do just that. In all this time, Ethan’s the only one that held his full attention. He couldn’t stop thinking about the guy, so when Iris pulled over near an agua fresca stand, Tyler decided to tell her about him.

Sitting on one of the concrete benches sipping the sweet watermelon drink, he blurted out, “I fucked Ethan Jones last night.”

Iris literally choked on her drink and sprayed a mouthful of agua fresca all over the pavement. “What?” she squeaked, wiping her mouth.

“Ethan Jones. Lead singer of Wolf Pack.”

“I know who he is. Did you just say you fucked him?”

“Actually, it was the other way around, but that’s just logistics.”

She lowered her chin and placed her hand on her forehead. “I don’t need graphic details.” Her hand quickly dropped to her lap, and she leaned closer, curiosity lighting up her eyes. “But tell me everything. Where did you meet him?”

Tyler had to think about the contents of the NDA he signed when he was commissioned to cut Ethan’s hair. It said nothing about disclosing that they had a physical relationship, probably because they didn’t have one at the time. It stated that he was prohibited from talking about anything that transpired during the appointment or profiting in any way in regard to Ethan’s haircut. It even went as far to specifically mention the sale of locks of his hair and combs and brushes used on the rock star’s head would be a breach of the contract. “He’s a client. I don’t usually fool around with my clients, but Ethan’s different. It’s not just physical attraction. He’s sweet. And funny. And he seems to really like me.”

The huge smile on Iris’ face turned downward.

“What’s wrong?”

She paused while she looked at him with doleful eyes. “You know he’s in a longtime relationship with his bass player, Wolf Wheeler. Right?”

Tyler’s heart landed on the pavement and fried in the hot sun. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Yeah,” she said on a nod. “I don’t think it’s a committed relationship. They’ve both been photographed with other people, but everyone who follows the band knows they’re a thing and have been for years.”

The ache in Tyler’s chest turned into stone and anger burned in his belly. He slammed his plastic cup on the bench hard enough for the lid to pop off. “That son of a bitch!”