"Wake up, Eddie…" a voice whispered in my ear. I groaned, snuggling deeper into the pillow. I was perfectly content sleeping; Bella could just kiss my ass.

Slow, opened-mouthed kisses started up the back of my neck, ending just behind my ear. "C'mon, Glitter Baby, time to get up."

I gasped, suddenly remembering everything from the night before. "Adam?" I whispered, slightly in shock.

"Yeah, baby?" I felt him snuggle close, lacing his fingers through mine.

Turning over, I faced him, smiling at his sleep-mussed hair. "I thought it was a dream."

He smiled and I noticed he must have washed his face, because it was completely make-up free and dusted with freckles. Leaning in, he softly placed his lips on mine as he wound his arms around my waist to tug me in.

"It was real, baby, I promise." He lightly bit my lip as if to prove his point before pulling away and walking toward his suitcases. "We've gotta get up, we're leaving for Lincoln soon."

"What…?" They were leaving?

Adam turned around with an amused look on his face. "I have a show in Lincoln tonight, but I'm coming back for our second show at theWarfield. Don't you do your research?"

Huh? Research? "What are you talking about?"

He laughed outright then, shaking his head as he started to pack. "I have the craziest and most dedicated fans. You should see the shit they post on twitter that I'd completely forgotten about! It's endearing and creepy at the same time."

"Hmm…" was all I had to say to that. I was lost.

He winked at me. "You'll understand shortly enough, baby. Just wait till they catch us. The papz are gonna have a field day. I can see the ship name now — 'Cullbert'!" His hands formed an imaginary marquee in the air as he said it.

It hit me then and I groaned, hiding my face in the pillow. "You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me. Like 'Brangelina'?"

I was shocked when I felt a sharp, playful smack on my ass. "Not about this, Eddie. You need to know up front; once they find out about us, your privacy is gone."

"Oh, shit…do you think…" How could I ask this without hurting him?

I felt the bed sink beside me and his hand started to rub the small of my back. "Hmm?"

Swallowing, I tried to act cool. "Maybe we could…keep it under wraps for a little bit? Just until my parents—"

"It's okay, I understand." His voice was comforting and I turned my head to make sure his face matched his voice. He had a soft smile playing his features.

Hiding my face back in the pillow, I felt the need to explain further. "They're liberal, but they're the kind of parents that would say 'I could never have a gay son'…"

He stopped massaging my back and flipped me over. "Hey, I'll help you through this as best I can, okay?" His full lips turned up in a bright smile. "It'll be alright, I promise. You're not alone."

"In the aftermath…" I mockingly sang back, giggling halfway through.

Swatting at me, he rolled his eyes playfully. "Ass."

*fye*

"Edward?" My mom's voice called as I stumbled through the front door.

I kicked off my boots and trudged into the living room. "Yeah?"

"Where have you been? Your sister's at work and Dad went to the store, so I have had no idea where you were, and your phone's off." Her frown was scary.

Ugh, leave it to Bella to stir the pot and leave. "We went to a concert last night, Mom, and I met someone there. It's okay, I was safe."

She shook her head angrily. "No, Edward, it's not okay. I was worried.Don't you have any concern for other people? I thought you were dead, for Christ's sake!" She paused, eyeing me through angry eyes. "And since when do you dress like that, in eyeliner and leather pants, hmm?"

I sighed. "It was for the show, Mom. Bella's idea."

"What show was it?" She cocked an eyebrow and I had a feeling something was coming.

"Adam Lambert's new tour."

She nodded slightly. "Anything to do with this?" She held up the Chronicle issue with the picture of Adam and me kissing. I froze.

"…No?" I suddenly felt really nervous.

She walked toward me, shoving the article in my face. "You sure, Edward? Looks like it could be."

I rolled my eyes—this was fucking stupid. "Yeah, I'm sure, Mom. Stop treating me like I'm a stupid kid, okay? I'm old enough to take care of myself."

"Then act like it and don't do things that are inappropriate." She slammed the article down before stalking into the kitchen.

"Inappropriate? How is a kiss inappropriate, Mom?" I leaned against the kitchen entrance, suddenly feeling a shit storm coming on.

She sighed. "You know what I meant, Edward."

"I don't think I do." Actually I did, but I wanted her to confirm it.

She slammed the jar of olives she'd gotten from the cupboard down on the counter in frustration. "Kissing a man, Edward. Homosexual behavior is irresponsible and disgraceful."

"No, Mom, it isn't. Stop trying to act all conservative."

Her head snapped in my direction. "Why are you defending it all of a sudden? Trying to hide something?"

"I've never been against it, Mom! And no, I'm not hiding anything. I just can't belie—"

"Shut up, Edward, and go to your room right now. I don't want to talk about it anymore." She held up her hand as if it were to stop me.

I growled. "I'm not a teenager, Mom!"

"Just get out of my face, Edward!" she screamed before adding under her breath, "Just wait until your father hears about this."

What the fuck?

"You're not gonna tell dad, are you?" I pleaded.

She scoffed. "You'll be lucky if he hasn't already seen it at the store! Now, go!"

I huffed as I stalked to my room, pissed off and wanting to punch something. Just as I walked through the door, my eye caught on my phone that I'd thrown against the wall and forgotten about the day before. I picked it up, examining it to make sure it still worked and thanked God that it turned on before shutting the door.

No messages so far which, for once, I was okay with. Shrugging out of Bella's jacket, I hung it on the back of my chair and a scrap of paper fell out of the pocket. I smiled as I picked it up, reading the elegantly messy script written on it.

"Call or text me while I'm gone, okay?" he asked, pressing a piece of paper into my palm.

I chuckled. "Of course."

He pulled me into a tight embrace, softly pressing his lips to mine before the elevator doors opened and we had to act like complete strangers.

I opened my address book on my phone to add him as a new contact before pressing 'send new message' to open a blank text.

-Hey, it's Edward, figured you'd like my number as well… ;)- It didn't take him long to reply.

Adam: Eddie! I'm so glad 2 hear from u, this bus ride is a killer

I sighed, flopping down on my bed. -Yeah, coming home wasn't so fun for me either…-

Adam: Oh no, what happened?

-My mother saw the SF Chronicle spin about us…-

Adam: Shit

I groaned. -That doesn't even begin to describe what she said-

Adam: Honey it'll be ok, I promise.

-I highly doubt that…-

Adam: Fuck, I gotta go, Lane's needing my attention. Ttyl?

-Yeah…- I tossed my phone to the other side of the bed before rolling over. I wanted nothing more than to hide away from what was most likely looming around the corner.

*fye*

I didn't know how long I'd been out, but after a while, I woke up to darkness. It was comforting, as if nothing could touch me, like I was invincible.

The door creaked open, slicing the darkness with light. "Edward?"

"Yeah, Bells?" My voice croaked out.

"Can I come in?" She sounded nervous—why would she be nervous?

I nodded slightly and the light brightened before cutting off completely. She crawled up the mattress to lie next to me, wrapping her arm around my torso tightly.

We stayed there in acomfortable silence for what felt like hours before she said anything.

"Mom spoke to me…" she whispered. "Asked about you and Adam."

I nodded, not knowing what to say. "…Yeah?"

"Yeah…wanted to know what I knew, and what I thought."

Clearing my throat around the lump that had suddenly formed, I braved the next question. "…And?"

"I didn't say anything incriminating…just said that you both met at the festival the other night and became friends. She didn't see how being friends meant you'd go kissing them in front of a bunch of people, but parents don't understand things most kids do, anyway…" She rolled me to face her and brushed my hair out of my face.

A smile flitted over my lips. "Thank you, Sis."

"I support you in anything you do, you know that, baby brother." She chuckled. "But you're gonna have to face the music sooner or later… Dad knows nothing, so…tread lightly."

Just then my phone buzzed and she grabbed it before I could. "Ooh, five missed texts and a voice mail from a one Adam Lambert." Her eyes widened. "Oh, my god, I totally forgot about last night! I wanna know everything!"

I groaned, snatching the phone from her. "No, you don't."

"Oh, I think I do! You're talking to him, swapped numbers, so obviously you're alright now. And you didn't come home last night!" She sat up, bouncing excitedly.

Smirking, I waggled my eyebrows at her to give her what she wanted. Why deny her the fun? I only had her to thank anyway.

"Did you…you know…" She bit her lip. "Have sex?"

I laughed out loud then. "Close, but no, I'm not ready for that yet."

"Close? As in—?"

I had to cut her off before she got too far from the truth. "We…just rubbed off on each other…through our clothes…"

Well, that was awkward.

"That's…hot…in context, but ew. You're right, that's not something I wanted to think about. You're my brother." She laughed.

My phone buzzed again and she smirked. "I'll leave you alone, but remember, we have to face the music soon. Talk to Adam about it, I bet he can help."

I laughed, waving her off before checking the texts.

Adam: Hey you, sorry bout that earlier, u ok?

Adam: Eddie, everything ok?

Adam: Ok, I'm worried now. What's wrong?

Adam: Edward, don't make me sick my brother on you!

Adam: Ok, well I hope you're ok…gotta go do sound check before the show.

The fuck? Drama queen, much? I'd only fallen asleep.

I laughed to myself. At least someone worried about me.

The last text was from an unknown number: Hello, is this Edward Cullen? Yeah, this is Neil, Adam's brother. He told me to try and get in touch with you. He's on stage right now and he's pretty worried.

Before the cavalry descended, I figured I'd shoot him a quick text. –Fuck, yeah, this is Edward. I'd fallen asleep after he had to talk to Lane. Sorry to have worried everyone.-

Neil: I figured. Leave it to Adam to freak out over nothing. I'll let him know, thanks.

His brother seemed like a pretty cool guy. I'd have to meet him.

So now you wanna get cozy with the family?

Oh, shut up.

While I was at it, I figured I'd text Adam. –Hey, sorry about earlier, I'd fallen asleep to escape my mind. Everything is alright, so far. Hope your show goes well. Also, next time you can't get a hold of me, text my sister, Bella: 415-580-2667 :)-

Pulling my sorry ass out of bed, I decided to go out to the living room and make an appearance. Everything was as normal as could be— Mom and Dad on the couch watching their late night crime shows.

Whew.

I was hoping to sneak into the kitchen to grab a bite to eat. I was starving. "Edward?"

Fuck.

I halted in my tracks and poked my head around the corner. "Yeah, Dad?"

"C'mere a sec."

I sighed, walking into the living room. "Hmm?"

"You never came home last night. Your sister says you were at some concert? Hung out with the band all night?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Wow, maybe I could get off scot—free. "Yeah, it was pretty awesome, actually."

"Well, make some good contacts. You need to make something of yourself, Son.

Of course.

"Thanks, Dad. Love you too." I smirked and escaped to the kitchen.

*fye*

Stepping out of the shower, I glanced at the clock—it was eleven in the morning. I felt a small wave of déjà vu, but ignored it as I got dressed and headed to the living room to veg.

"Morning, Son." Dad walked out of the kitchen with two mugs of fucking coffee heaven, handing me one.

"Mmm, thanks, Dad."

He sat down next to me, changing the channel to TMZ to catch up on the entertainment circuit. "Welcome. You're up early, huh?"

"Yeah, well, I slept all day yesterday, so I'm a little out of whack." Among other things.

He chuckled.

"We have an interesting piece on Adam Lambert, Harvey!" was heard coming from the TV screen and thankfully there was a knock on the door for me to act nonchalant.

"I'll get it, Dad." I headed toward the door as I heard the rest of the editorial.

"What's that?" Harvey asked.

"There's speculation that he may be dating a San Francisco native, seen here locking lips at a local music festival." My eyes widened a bit as I heard my dad splutter into his coffee and opened the door to find a gorgeous man on my porch.

"Adam?"