Chapter 32 #2
“Babe?” Pat says, raising an eyebrow. She’s sitting in a folding chair next to Stefan, Nicky also beside them. Dennis is out for the moment, grabbing them all some dinner. “Is there something going on that I don’t know about?”
“Oh, nothing that you wouldn’t be able to guess,” Gene says, putting a hand on his hip. He might as well play into it, being vague. It doesn’t feel like the right time to tell Pat the truth just yet, but if Santi already knows, there should be no harm in hints like this.
“I don’t like that answer.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Santi, do you know? Don’t think I don’t see you snickering like that.”
“There’s nothing to hide, really!” Santi laughs. “They’ve always been like this; haven’t you noticed?”
Pat chuffs out her lips. “Okay, I guess so. But I feel like something’s a bit different than before. Like more… romantic than before.”
“Aw, there’s no harm in it, though,” Ray says, petting Gene’s shoulder. “Isn’t it the French who give their friends kisses as greetings or something? So, I could be a lot worse.”
“I wouldn’t think it’s worse,” Gene says, feeling daring.
“Oh my god, you guys are gonna give me a heart attack with how mushy you are,” Pat says, waving a hand at them.
“Nothing wrong with showing affection for those you care for, right Gene?” Ray asks.
“Yeah, for sure.” He smiles.
“But I still think this is all a little over-the-top. I can understand why Carol was always so upset with you guys. What would Toshiko think, if she saw you two acting like that?” Pat points out.
Gene chokes up. He doesn’t want to answer that.
But he needs to give some sort of explanation, to not seem too suspicious.
“Well, she knows that I’m close with Ray.
So I don’t think she’d mind. We’re just two guys being silly.
Besides, I always make time for her and don’t ignore her, like Ray did with Carol. ”
“Hey!” Ray says, giving him an adorable red-faced pout.
“What? Just telling the truth.”
“Okay, okay, whatever.” Ray shakes his head, crossing his arms. “At least me and her are broken up now.”
“About time for that,” Pat says. “I tried suggesting it to Carol, but she liked you so much, she wanted to make it work.”
“You did?” Ray says, astounded.
“Yeah. I’m just looking out for you guys, since I’m both your friend. And it looks like I was right—you seem happier now, Ray.”
Ray’s eyes widen, his expression oh so cute. “Oh, really. Well… thanks.”
It’s funny—Gene tried suggesting the same thing to Ray before, to break up with Carol, but not really in the same way.
It’s unfortunate that any talk of girlfriends with him usually becomes an argument.
And look at how it ended—Ray is single, and Gene is now with Toshiko.
But he doesn’t want to think about it further.
No, he wants to have a good time while she’s away working.
He wants to record music with the band, play blues guitar, and spend quality time with Ray.
It’s everything he’s been yearning for.
The Brooms head back to their motel after they’re done recording for the day—not the Chateau Marmont this time, but a smaller place closer to the studio on Sunset Boulevard.
While their publicity on the Halloween incident wasn’t necessarily bad, Gene doesn’t want to go back there for a while, if he can help it.
Give it some breather room. Maybe during another tour, months away from now, they can return to the Victorian-esque hotel.
But this place works better, and it was rather cheap for Dennis to book them here for the week.
They’ve already checked in earlier in the day when they dropped off their bags, so after arriving here via taxi, they split up into their respective rooms. Originally Gene thought he’d be rooming with Toshiko, but with her away on business, that leaves him… free.
Ray and Gene’s rooms are on the second floor.
They pass by the rest of their gang, as they’re all stationed on the first floor, with only the two of them going up the stairs to the balcony.
Despite it being December, the California night breeze is still rather warm.
Much warmer than what they’re used to this time of year in Michigan.
Ray starts to walk toward his own door, but before he does…
“Hey, Ray, wait,” Gene says, making Ray turn toward him. The lights from the surrounding buildings highlight his handsome face, the breeze making his blond curls sway.
“Yeah?” Ray asks, putting his hand on the balcony railing.
“Would you want to… stay in my room tonight?” Gene smiles. “Since Toshiko isn’t here.”
“I was wondering if you were gonna ask. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to, because you and her…”
“I know. But again… she’s not here.” Gene reaches forward, putting his own hand on Ray’s. “It could be like how I said before—our own little secret. No one else has to know.”
Ray looks down at their hands, then back up into Gene’s eyes. “You sure she wouldn’t find out? I mean, Carol did.”
“No hickeys then,” Gene chuckles. “But yeah, I think we’re safe. She’s not due back to reunite with us until later this week. She doesn’t even have a key to my room, either. And I don’t think any of the other Brooms would say anything about us rooming together to her. We’ll be fine.”
Ray chuckles as well, shaking his head. “I just find it surprising that… you really don’t mind cheating on her?”
Gene glances behind himself, making sure no one else is on the balcony, before gazing back at Ray.
He’s got a point. But this turmoil has been clawing at his mind for way too long.
If he doesn’t satiate his need for Ray, he’ll just sit in his room, alone, dulling the ache with weed or alcohol.
Or smack. “I’ve already crossed that line by doing it with you before.
While I feel… bad about it, I don’t know.
I hate thinking about it. I just want you, Ray. Please?”
Ray’s smile is so sweet. “Alright, Gene,” he says so easily.
Gene’s heart bursts with butterflies. He reaches for his room key in his pocket and unlocks his door.
After settling in, taking their shoes off, and freshening up in the bathroom, Gene and Ray find themselves pulling off each other’s clothes in a frenzy.
In-between kisses and touches, each piece of clothing falls carelessly to the floor.
Once all is off, they land on the bed—still groping and stroking and kissing relentlessly.
But Gene has to break for a moment to grab the jar of Vaseline from his suitcase, doing it quickly so he can be right back on the bed again.
“You still brought that, even though you thought Toshiko was going to stay with you?” Ray giggles.
“You never know. I just like to be prepared,” Gene says with a smile, petting Ray’s chest.
“That’s fair. I just find it surprising…”
“I can’t get you off my mind, Ray.”
His eyes soften, looking at Gene with such a tender expression. “I can say the same. I just don’t know what’s going to happen…”
“Well, no one can predict the future. But we have what we have right now. If I can do it with you tonight, I want to.”
Ray smiles at that. “Alright. I want that too. But… how exactly were you thinking?”
“How? You mean like…”
Ray sits up a little, moving over to hover above Gene, his hands on Gene’s shoulders. “How do you want me?”
That sultry look, Ray’s blond curls hanging over his face, blue eyes so goddamn beautiful, sends a pleasant shiver up Gene’s spine. “I want you to fuck me,” Gene says.
Ray thrusts his hips, rubbing his already-hard cock onto Gene’s thigh. “I’d very much like that. Y’know, I don’t think I’ve ever fucked you on a bed before.”
“You’re right,” Gene chuckles. “It was always in the dressing rooms. But I fucked you on a bed.”
“True, true. About time for me to return the favor, huh?”
“Absolutely.” Gene reaches up, pulling Ray’s face down to smother him with another kiss.