Chapter 18
The tour has flown by, with each show more successful than the last. Now being the last day of November, the Dusty Brooms are done performing for a while, back home in Grand Rapids having a small party of their own at Gene’s parents’ house, celebrating Gene’s twenty-second birthday.
It’s quite the celebration, with the whole band present, Dennis as well, and Maurice even brought Kenneth along.
Ray had learned during the tour that Kenneth is actually not only Maurice’s best friend—he’s also his boyfriend.
That sure was a shock to Ray. But he can see here at the party how Maurice and Kenneth are rather reserved with showing affection in public, especially around Gene’s parents since they have no idea about the true nature of their relationship.
Ray personally doesn’t know what sort of biases Gene’s parents may hold—and honestly, I’m a little afraid to know their opinions, myself.
As Ray sits down on the couch with Gene at his side, a drink in his hand, he reminisces.
Exactly a month ago was the night he’d spent alone with Gene.
It was such a magical moment—it felt surreal, being close to Gene in a way he could barely even describe.
They were merely friendly, sure, but it felt like more than that to Ray.
He remembers feeling so happy, so intimate, he could almost swear there were a few times he thought Gene might kiss him.
But it never happened—and Ray didn’t want to initiate anything romantic himself.
Especially since, just the night before, he had declared himself exclusive to Carol.
He didn’t want to be even more of an asshole breaking that promise almost immediately.
That’s not to mention how crossing the line between friendship and romance with Gene might spell disaster, anyway.
Even if he were single. As much as he might have feelings for Gene, it’s better this way—for the band in general, too—if he keeps his emotions locked up.
He’s been enjoying his time with Carol, and she likes him as well.
They’re still going strong, despite her not being present at the party at the moment.
During the tour, on Halloween night and every night after, Carol returned to her spot in Ray’s bed.
Gene stayed with them too, sleeping next to Santiago and no longer in Maurice’s room, so at least that was better between them all.
But honestly, to Ray, having Carol with him that first night after the private one with Gene seemed so strange.
He could do more with her than with Gene—kiss her, caress her body, even touch her intimately—but it felt different.
It felt purely carnal, sexual. And while Ray still enjoyed that, something seemed like it was missing.
He tried not to worry about it, figuring stronger emotions for Carol would come with time; after all, they’d only known each other for a couple weeks before they decided to go steady.
Regardless of his feelings, he wants to do right with her. He’s committed. As a matter of fact, once their lease is up at their little apartment, the Dusty Brooms as a whole plan to move to Detroit and Carol will be joining them there.
Over the last month, Ray had gotten to know Carol better and learned a little of her past. Before she joined them on tour, she’d been living with her parents—whose strict ideals infuriated her.
They’re the type of Christians who hate rock-’n’-roll.
They thought the music’s influence was tainting Carol’s mind, but Carol was having none of it.
She’d sneak off to local shows whenever she could, using the money she’d earned from her part-time job, eventually hatching a plan to finally leave her parents’ nest for good.
She’s of age anyway, so she figured it was about time.
But despite all that, Carol still insisted her parents are good people.
They’ve always provided for her and gave her a roof over her head, supported their community, and gave to the church.
Which is why Ray felt comfortable asking Carol to go back to live with them for a while as they all are planning to move to Detroit.
All her belongings are still there anyway, giving her time to pack everything, and it would only be a little over a month before they’d be reunited—for good, this time.
As for the Dusty Brooms in general, they’d played their last show of the tour a couple days before Thanksgiving in Columbus, Ohio.
Earlier in November, while they were in Chicago, the Brooms had their first radio interview—featured on a talk show segment on the wildly popular WLS AM 89.
It was mainly Ray and Gene being interviewed, with a little bit of input from everyone else in-between (except for Stefan; he’d only introduced himself and that was that).
Their music has been coasting along smoothly on the rock and top 40 stations, rivaling even the likes of the Rolling Stones.
And they’ve been around so much longer. Ray thinks there’s other factors playing into it, especially since the Stones haven’t had a new album in over a year and had some hiccups replacing their old lead guitarist with Ronnie Wood, but perhaps such an opportunity is the perfect time for the Brooms to jump in and steal the spotlight.
Especially when Michigan as a whole hasn’t seen any rising rock acts in years.
A few days ago, Ray and Gene had traveled to Detroit to be interviewed by Creem magazine for their upcoming January issue—‘Michigan’s Newest Rising Stars: Meet the Dusty Brooms’.
Not only that, one of Maurice’s photographs of Ray and Gene will be featured on the cover of the issue.
The fucking cover! Stardom for the band has been creeping up quickly, but Ray is all for it.
He loves the feeling of being up on stage, their music booming from all directions, with Gene at his side.
Presently, Gene is next to him now, sitting with him on the couch.
It’s getting later into the evening, with a few people having left for home already.
As the hours go by, Gene has more to drink, more cake to eat, and surprisingly, more dance moves to shake out.
He air-guitars along to one of his favorite records: Transformer by Lou Reed.
Ray lip syncs the lyrics of each song with Gene’s playing, stumbling through the night as a couple of drunk fools.
Eventually, all that’s left of their party is the two of them, aside from Gene’s parents.
Ray had already planned to stay the night, so once the record is over and the hour is past midnight, the two young men retire into Gene’s old bedroom.
This room brings back so many good memories to Ray’s mind.
It’s where they’d spent most of their time together while Ray was still in school, practicing guitar and creating their first original songs.
It’s essentially the birthplace of the Dusty Brooms. It’s not quite the same, with Gene’s record shelves and player gone, same with his dresser, and the bed has been replaced with a guest bed since he’d brought his original to their apartment.
But it still has the same cozy vibes that Ray adores.
He also realizes that—if he’s to stay the night in this room with Gene, there’s only one bed.
Ray and Gene pass on a shower tonight, a bit too drunk to imagine themselves standing up properly without slipping on the wet floor.
Gene previously had left a few clothes in the bedroom closet, just in case of a night like tonight where he stayed over, and he grabs a couple pairs of pajamas for both himself and Ray to sleep in.
Sharing clothes with Gene, as simple as it is, has become something Ray cherishes.
It’s yet another way for them to show their deep connection to each other.
Once they’ve changed, they both sit on the edge of the bed.
Ray’s head is swirling from the shots he’d had earlier.
He looks at Gene—oh, beautiful Gene—and he figures he can risk being a little affectionate again.
Why the hell not? He sets his hand atop Gene’s, entwining their fingers together.
Gene’s cheeks flush to an endearing crimson red.
“You’re finally the same age as me,” Ray says, wanting to keep the mood playful.
“You say that every year,” Gene chuckles. “We’re only a few months apart. So no matter what, we’re basically the same age, anyway.”
“True, true.” Ray shrugs. “Either way, happy birthday, Gene. Here’s to another great year.”
“Thanks, Ray.” Gene smiles—the same sweet smile that always makes Ray’s heart melt. The warmth of his hand is so comforting. “So… I doubt you wanna sleep on the floor. So you’re gonna cuddle with me.” He says it almost like a command, making Ray’s heart stutter.
“If that’s what you’d like, anyway,” Ray says.
“Of course. There’s no one else I’d rather have with me on my birthday,” Gene says. “Come on, here, let’s lie down.”
“Alright.”
And so, Ray gets up momentarily to shut off the light before lying down with Gene.
Despite this being Gene’s birthday, it almost feels like a present for Ray, getting to cuddle with Gene again.
It’s exactly what he’d wanted, missing the feel of his touch from the last time they’d done this a month ago.
There have been some nights where they probably could’ve cuddled once they’d gotten back home from the tour, seeing as Carol went back to Detroit temporarily and they have a room to themselves in their apartment.
But Ray felt too shy to ask. After spending a whole month with Carol sleeping next to him, he wasn’t sure if Gene even wanted to bother with it again.
But now, with the way Gene wraps his arm so tenderly over Ray’s waist, it’s all the answer he needs.
“So tell me, Ray,” Gene says, his face only a few inches away from his own. “Does Carol cuddle you as well as I do?”