Twenty year old Corey Evans is one-half of 2ICE, the biggest duo on the radio at the moment. Pronounced twice, they're number one on the Billboard charts this week with their latest single. And number one in download sales, with two albums that have already gone platinum, to hear their manager tell it. And currently on their second U.S. tour, which has sold out stadiums across the nation. Despite this, there's an emptiness inside him which Corey can't seem to fill, no matter how many groupies he takes to his bed. He sees this same emptiness mirrored in the eyes of his band-mate, Ian Coltraine, who drowns his evenings after each show with a bottle of whiskey. Ian's the one Corey turns to when he wakes beside an unknown fan, still asleep in his bed and needs help evicting her. He's Corey best friend, the only person on the tour he can confide in, who he really trusts ... The one, Corey finally realizes, with whom he is madly, deeply, terribly in love. And he suspects Ian might feel the same. But his recent string of one-night stands makes Ian cautious about Corey's true feelings. He's wanted Corey for so long, and has watched him go through countless fans in search of ... what? Ian doesn't know. And he doesn't yet believe Corey when he says Ian might be it. Ian hopes so, but can't bring himself to believe Corey's fickle desire won't be gone in the morning. Can these two young men somehow move beyond Corey's past and Ian's pain to embrace a love they both so desperately desire?

Beautiful Disaster

Clearing his throat, Ian grinned. “Is that what you tell them?”


Corey frowned, confused. “Tell who?”


“Does it always start out like this?” Ian asked. “This innocent? You want to come in, is that what you say?”


“I don’t understand.” Corey’s hand slipped, releasing the doorknob. The sound of the handle snapping back into place echoed down the empty hall.


“Then what?” Ian’s eyes took on a hard sheen, his voice edgy and raw. Twin spots of color appeared high on his cheeks, and Corey didn’t know if he was ready to cry or scream. “What do you say to her, Corey, to get her clothes off? Do you tell her you love her? Do you promise her forever? What the hellgoes through your mind? Can you answer me that?”


“Nothing.” Corey’s words fell between them like dead leaves. “I don’t think, I don’t feel. It’s not real to me, Ian. It’s not—”


Chapter 15