Chapter Twenty-one #2
Jesse shoved him on the shoulder in a light reprimand.
Evan chuckled and swayed away from the push. “So has Greg set a target release date for the album yet?”
“He’s thinking the first week of August for ‘Euphoria’ to come out as the first single, then release the album the last week of August, which should give us plenty of time to finish recording now that everyone’s clicking.
Trish is having some issues with ‘Vanish’ because the beats have to be so hard and fast, she can’t keep up with it, but we’ve decided we’ll have Jeremy adjust it during editing, and we’ll slow it down a touch when we play live.
I’m not thrilled about it, but there’s nothing else we can do.
“And Greg told me today that he’s got a photo shoot scheduled in July to get some promos and shots done for the liner, and we’re going to be making the video for ‘Euphoria’ then too, so July’s going to be a busy month, but I already told him I need the 30th free for Brandon’s birthday.
Other than some small publicity stuff he’s planning on for August, he’s already talking up his contacts to have us go to New York in September for interviews and photo shoots.
And it looks like we’ll be kicking off our tour on my birthday. ”
Jesse poked at the cake, his voice softened.
“You know, I always thought I would be torquered about doing stuff like this, traveling for publicity and interviews, going all over the country on a professional tour, but now I’m dreading the day when I get on the bus. I don’t want to leave you behind.”
Evan laid his hand over Jesse’s. “I know. But with what I’m projecting for recording, my album won’t be released until December, so I can catch up to you anywhere you’re at until I hit the road, which probably won’t be until mid-January or early February.”
“But what about after that?”
“Then we’ll do the best we can.” Evan brushed Jesse’s hair back from his forehead.
“I trust you. I know you’re not going to screw around on me, no matter how long we’re apart.
And I know you’re headlining your own tour, but Greg will probably book you for about a four month run, so if you wanted, when your tour’s finished, you could join me on mine as my opening act.
If you did, you’d get to play bigger venues and get more exposure since it’ll be a world tour, and most importantly, we’d get to be together.
” He softly touched his lips to Jesse’s and grinned.
“Just think of all the different countries we’d get to make love in. ”
Jesse returned the kiss. “I was sold when you offered letting us open for you, now I would beg to tag along on your tour.” He saw that Evan had finished his cake. He stood up with Evan’s hand in his. “Dance with me.”
Evan rose and followed Jesse away from the table.
He wrapped his arms around Jesse’s waist. Jesse tucked his head into the curve of Evan’s neck, his arms embracing Evan’s waist as well.
As they slowly danced, Evan noticed every time Jesse’s right leg moved, something hard pressed against him, but it was too square and small to be what he was used to, and besides, Jesse hung to the left. “What do you have in your pocket?”
Jesse stopped dancing and retrieved a small box wrapped in gold paper from his right front pocket and set it in Evan’s hand.
Evan stared at the gift. “You got me a present, too?”
“Of course I did. Open it.”
Evan freed the box from the paper and opened the gray velvet lid. Nestled in black velvet was a white gold ring holding a round cut, finely faceted, deep burgundy gemstone. Eight sparkling diamonds embraced the gem, four on each side.
“It’s your birthstone,” Jesse said. “Well, one of them. June has a couple, the pearl and this one, and I had to get this one because it’s called alexandrite. It changes color naturally when different light hits it. In the daylight it’ll be bluish-green, but in lighting like this, it’s that color.”
“It’s beautiful.” Evan lifted the ring free. His eyes fell on an inscription on the inside of the band, Forever Yours-Jesse. He stared at it, then slowly looked up at Jesse. “That’s the best present I’ve ever gotten, and the ring is nice, too.”
Jesse’s eyes shone as his smile reached them.
He took the ring from him and lifted Evan’s left hand.
“I had the band custom made to get it the right size. The only problem was, the finger I wanted it for you never wear rings on. I still stole one of your rings to get it sized close, and you have so many, you never noticed.” He glided the ring smoothly onto Evan’s left ring finger.
He gazed at the perfect fit. His heart pounded.
He raised his gaze to Evan’s. “If you don’t want to wear it on that finger, I can always get it resized for another. ”
Evan laid his hand on Jesse’s cheek. “There’s no other that I could imagine it being on.”
Jesse’s smile widened, the nervous beat in his chest slowed. He bent at the waist and kissed Evan’s knuckle above the ring. When he straightened, Evan embraced him, weaving his fingers through the back of Jesse’s hair, and welcomed Jesse’s lips with his tongue.