"Before we wrap up the night, I'd like to thank each and every member of our band program for their hard work and dedication over the past year. The musical, the marching competitions, the choirs, orchestra, concert, and jazz bands, as well as many other events, would not be possible without you or our supporting community encouraging the music program. Thank you for an amazing year and evening."
Mrs. Templeton takes another few minutes to mention the graduating students and their involvement over the past four years.
"For the final performance of the night is a song I'm sure you all recognize, featuring our soloist, Jamie Peterson."
Jamie walks to the front of the stage from the wings, where he fiddles with the microphone Mrs. Templeton was just using. He nods to her when he's satisfied.
Mason doesn't think much of it- Jamie's had plenty of solos throughout the four years he's been in the band, though those are usually from his seat with the other trumpets. Then Mason realizes, belatedly, that Jamie doesn't have his trumpet with him.
Then the music starts, and Jamie opens his mouth. "Birds flying high."
Mason's jaw drops.
"You know how I feel."
Jamie is…
"Sun in the sky."
Singing.
"You know how I feel."
He's never heard Jamie sing before, and now he's wondering why. Jamie is good. Low and smooth, his voice is clear and controlled with every note, never wavering or off-pitch.
"Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling…" His eyes flick up. "Good."
Jamie leans away from the mic a little as the song gives way to the music, and he gives a smug smile that is way more attractive than it has any right to be.
Mason grips tightly to the edge of the seat, his knuckles going white as Jamie leans in to sing again.
"I'm feeling good
Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good."
The music picks up with a trumpet solo, reminding Mason of the music he'd hear in the James Bond movies. Remembering prom and how Jamie looked in the tux, it's easy to picture his best friend as the famous spy.
"Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
For me."
Jamie's body moves with the music, letting it sweep over him through the instrumental section of the song. He's confident in front of the mic in a way Mason doesn't usually see from him, and it makes Jamie ten times hotter than he already is.
"Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life."
The power builds in Jamie's voice with every repetition of the chorus until he's belting out the final words. He's putting everything into the song, enough that his body is thrumming with passion and it's radiating off him in waves. It's the sexiest thing Mason has ever seen.
"It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good."
It's more than what Mason's poor, little gay heart can handle. He's glad he's not sitting with Brodie and Kellen for this concert, because they would definitely notice Mason's flushed cheeks and uneven breathing.
"I'm feeling good."
As if he knows where Mason's thoughts went, Jamie's eyes lock on his.
"I feel so good."
Mason's breath catches. It feels like Jamie sang that line directly to him, and Mason's mind tumbles further into the gutter. He's already on the edge and barely holding back, but Jamie is sweaty, and his blue eyes glitter knowingly as he sings about feeling good. Mason doesn't stand a chance.
"I feel so good."
Thankfully, the song ends there, because Mason doesn't think he can handle how Jamie looks and sounds like sex on legs. Not to mention the arrogant swagger- an act that is nothing like Jamie's actual personality, but just as hot- that fit the song perfectly. The looks Jamie sent to the audience, to him, that said he knows how hot and tempting he is.
Mason wants to take him to bed and not leave until the next day.
The silence hangs in the air for a few moments before the audience starts clapping, Mason numbly following along. He watches as Jamie bows, beaming as Mrs. Templeton takes the mic back to congratulate him.
The minutes following is a haze as Mrs. Templeton wraps up the concert with more thanks as the house lights brighten and people stand to leave.
Mason follows the crowd from a distance to the front of the auditorium to wait near the stage for the band members to finish packing up. He hangs back, hovering near the wall with his eyes locked on the floor. He can't be around Brodie or Kellen or Jamie's parents, and especially not Eden. Not like this.
A pair of Converse steps into his line of sight.
His eyes track up the long, skinny jeans-clad legs, to the flattering red shirt, to Jamie's adorable face. There's a mix of emotions on his face; Mason can see that he's pleased with himself and is proud of his performance, and he's still glowing with the adrenaline high he always gets when performing. He's also looking at Mason with an open hopefulness.
He's waiting for a well-deserved compliment.
His lips are plump, red, and wet from playing his trumpet and Mason's two seconds away from kissing him. Right there in the middle of the crowd.
"So? What'd you think?" Jamie asks when Mason still doesn't say anything.
Mason licks his lips and opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He can't speak. Jamie rendered him speechless with his mind-blowing performance. Mason looks away. Swallows. Tries again.
"Is, um." He clears his throat. "Is there somewhere private where…"
Clearly confused by his reaction, Jamie says, "Um, yeah. Yeah, the practice rooms should be open."
He leads the way to the band room, and Mason lets out a shaky breath and forces himself to get a grip. He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. There is another problem right in front of him, though. Jamie's skinny jeans show off his perky ass. Mason wants to cup it in his hands. The want and need to touch him is more than what he can handle, and as soon as they're alone, Mason is crowding Jamie against the door.
Jamie makes a startled noise when Mason grips his shirt near the collar with both hands and shoves him against the wood. He presses his lips firmly against Jamie's, who makes another delicious, surprised noise that Mason swallows with his mouth.
He kisses Jamie like he can't get enough of him because, well, he can't. He wants to absorb everything Jamie has to offer; his noises, his touch, his smell and body and heart. Mason feels like an empty well, begging for Jamie to fill every inch of him. He needs, he needs, he needs.
Jamie's mouth parts under his, out of surprise, and Mason realizes he should've asked before throwing himself at his best friend. Before he can act on said realization, Jamie puts his hands on Mason's waist, pulling him closer as he kisses him back.
It's wet and sloppy and messy. It's raw desperation and pure need. It's everything Mason has wanted for the past two years.
He has to break the kiss sooner than he wants, but his lungs need air, and he's feeling light-headed. They're both panting, a dribble of spit connecting their mouths. Jame's eyes are blown, and his lips are redder, wetter, and plumper than before. His cheeks are flushed in the adorable way Mason loves.
"What about Bahti?"
It takes more than a few seconds for Mason to process Jamie's question, but even after the words register in his kiss-hazed mind, it still doesn't make sense. His confusion might have something to do with how dizzy he's feeling; thanks to the amazing kiss or the lack of air. He's not sure which.
With his chest heaving, Mason says, "What?"
"I thought… you were kissing Bahti after prom."
"Bahti? I don't- there's nothing there with Bahti."
"But…" Jamie licks his bottom lip and Mason wants to chase it with his own tongue. "You kissed her. At Brodie's party after prom."
Right. Mason remembers now. "Oh. That. It was like I said; I was tipsy and thought it'd be easy practice." He winces at his own words. "That sounds really mean, but it somehow made sense to my alcohol-induced brain at the time."
"Oh. So… you're not…?"
Mason bites back a laugh. "No. I'm gay. And really, really attracted to you."
Jamie brightens at that. "Really?"
"Yes. So much." He grinds against Jamie's thigh, letting him feel how affected he is by his performance, by the kiss. By him.
Jamie's eyes widen as his mouth falls open. He looks like he wants to say something, but then he pulls Mason into another knee-weakening kiss. One of his hands is pressing against the small of his back, and it roots Mason to him. His touch is warm and grounding. It's hypnotizing.
Mason releases Jamie's shirt to slide one hand to the back of his neck, tugging him closer. He pushes himself up on his toes and tilts his head to deepen the kiss. A hum of satisfaction rumbles through Jamie's chest. He puts his other hand on Jamie's shoulder for balance but almost falls over anyway when Jamie slides a hand down to grab his ass.
He moans into Jamie's mouth, pushing his tongue against Jamie's. He nips and sucks on Jamie's bottom lip, giving as good as he gets. He doesn't know how long they stand there making out, but they're abruptly interrupted by a buzzing in Jamie's pocket.
Jamie fumbles with his phone and looks at it for a moment, his eyes dazed from the kissing. He mouths a swear word before blinking and shaking his head to focus as he answers. "U-um. Hey, Mom."
"Jamie," she says. "Where are you? We're by the stage, but we don't see you."
"I'm in the band room." With half of his attention on the call with his mom, Jamie smooths Mason's shirt, straightening his clothes to make him look appropriate for public again. It's touching and warms Mason's heart.
He starts patting down where he messed up Jamie's hair, combing it through with his fingers.
"Still?"
"Yeah."
"Will you be out soon? We'd like to see you before we go out."
"Yeah, I'll be there in a few."
The call ends, leaving Mason and Jamie standing there, silently staring at each other. Jamie lifts a hand to run his thumb along Mason's bottom lip. "You, um, you look good like this."
"You do, too."
Jamie leans in for another kiss, and it's sweeter than the heated ones from before.
"You're mom's waiting," Mason mumbles before they get carried away again.
Jamie groans, but lets go of Mason so he can take a step back. Glancing in the mirror on the wall, Jamie ruffles his hair and smooths out the wrinkles Mason made with his fists. He also adjusts himself in his pants and, wow. There's no way Mason can not think about that now.
Before he can open the door, Mason puts his hand on Jamie's arm. "Wait. I'm, um. I'm not out, so…"
"I won't say anything," Jamie promises.
Mason flashes him a grateful smile.
"You might want to clean up in the bathroom, though," Jamie continues, gesturing in the direction opposite of the auditorium. "I can get away with looking flushed because I just finished performing, but you'd definitely raise some questions."
Mason turns to look in the mirror, and he sees how his lips are kissed-swollen and as red as his cheeks. He looks like he was just ravished by a horny teenager. He shoots a mock-irritated look at Jamie.
"Hey, no. You can't blame me for that. You were the one who shoved me against the door and kissed me until you couldn't breathe."
A cheeky grin. "True. And I'd do it again."
Jamie's blush is endearing, and Mason kisses his cheek.
A few minutes later, Mason finds Jamie talking to his parents and Eden. His parents are on their way out, and Jamie and Eden are talking about going to Sheri's. Even though Mason has stated his claim on Jamie as his best friend (and more), he still feels a jolt of annoyance. Especially when he's invited, along with a bunch of others.
He wanted the rest of the night alone with Jamie, but it sounds like they're not going to tumble into bed anytime soon. Well, they can't do it at Mason's home, and Londa is at Jamie's with the twins, so they wouldn't be alone there either. He's not going to fumble around with Jamie with his sister in the next room.
Reluctantly, he goes to Sheri's with the band kids- sharing Jamie with them is better than them having Jamie to themselves. Jamie playing footsie with him under the table does make it better, though.
One by one, Jamie drops everyone else off until it's just the two of them.
"Would you like to stay the night?"
Mason smiles.
Later that night, when the house is quiet, Jamie sings for him again.
After dropping off the other band kids, Mason shyly asked Jamie to sing Feeling Good again. His body was still humming from the earlier performance and needed to hear it again. Jamie had smiled and passed over his phone for Mason to plug in the aux cord and cue the song. From the passenger seat, Mason hung on to every word as he smiled, stupidly heartsick. It made Jamie blush.
Now they're on Jamie's bed, Mason on his back and Jamie propped up on an elbow over him. His face is only an inch away, and his features are soft and delicate in the moonlight. He's breathtakingly beautiful.
"I don't know if Feeling Good is right for a moment like this," Jamie whispers.
"Then sing something else?"
Jamie thinks for a moment, then starts quietly singing a love song about being in love with someone who is your everything, followed by a ballad about wanting to be home with your partner, instead of being away. Mason likes the line 'I miss you, you know.'
As Jamie sings, he caresses Mason's face; the back of his fingers over his cheeks, the pad of his thumb running down his nose. The gentle touches lull Mason, and he lies there, his eyes fluttering shut as he strokes Jamie's arm. He's warm and more content than he's been in a long time.
It's a beautiful and intimate moment that would have Mason overwhelmed with emotions if he wasn't on the brink of falling asleep.
"Thank you," Mason mumbles sleepily when Jamie finishes the song. "I love you."
Lips lightly brush against his. "I love you, too."