There wasn’t any chance I’d say no to that. Making eye contact with Sikes, I bobbed my head in Ely’s direction so he’d know to follow behind. Silently we walked, like it was the last time we’d ever be together and I was reluctant to let go of his hand once we got there.
“Ely.” I cupped his face in my hands. Something that had quickly become a favorite thing to do. I loved that he was smaller than me and I got to do this, tilt his head up so I could stare down into those beautiful eyes. “Text or call me as much as you’d like. If I don’t answer right away it’s because we’re in the studio. If you wake me up, so be it. I can’t think of a way I’d rather be woken then by hearing your sweet voice.”
He blushed, whispering, “Kiss me.” His eyes heavily lidded and near closed. I didn’t need to be told twice. I’d miss those sweet lips, even though I’d was just getting to know them. When I was with Ely, things felt different. Settled. Right.
We parted far too soon for my liking, but both needed to breathe. “I wish I could see you in the morning, but I know the bus will take off while we’re sleeping,” I said.
“I’ll be driving one of the trucks tomorrow, so I’ll only be able to respond when we’re stopped,” Ely replied.
“Make sure and think about what I said, about our date. Pick any place you’d like, and I’ll take you there.” I had no idea where to go, but as soon as Ely said where I’d enlist in Easton’s help to make the reservations. Shit, there will probably be a dress code so um, yeah there is that issue too. “Let’s not say goodbye since we’ll see each other again, let’s just say goodnight and know we’ll be together soon.” Never had I been so poetic. Seems Ely brings out a new side in me. “Drive safely.”
“Good night, Rhone,” Ely stood on his tippy toes, snagging another kiss.
“Good night, handsome.”
The place was still packed as Sikes and I walked back to our bus, party’s hopping, music blaring and old friends catching up. Not everyone was friendly, there were still some band rivalries and some that were just plain old jackasses. But for the most part, the bands were friends with others. In my opinion, no one was our competition. We had our own sound just as they did.
Just as I’d expected when I woke the next day we were in a different city. Hell, in a different state. Nevada far behind us right along with Ely. Out of sight, but never out of mind. The man had wiggled his way inside, embedding himself so deeply it surprised me, but in the best of ways. I wasn’t one to get attached. Hell, I could count my friends on one hand and lovers had swiftly become a thing of the past and I’d not be tallying those up. I’d dated before and hadn’t made any enemies that I was aware of when things ended. But I wanted Ely something fierce and was determined to not do anything to screw it up.
Shooting off a text to Ely, I reiterated what I’d said last night to drive safely before getting up to get my caffeinated fix.
“Morning,” I said, nodding to Sikes and Snipe.
“Morning,” they returned, engrossed in whatever they were reading on their phones.
With coffee in hand, I plopped down on the couch across from them, snagging a sugary baked goodie from the box on the table. “Who do I have to thank for this surprise?”
“The last fuel stop had a donut shop inside, thought you guys might need the extra energy after last night,” Snipe said.
“You’re a good man.” I winked. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
Snipe grunted. Seems to be the response the guards consistently gave.
While the bus was still quiet, with the other guys sleeping, I decided now was the best time to call my mom. Hitting the call button, I knew she’d be awake. All the years working for the school system had her up at six in the morning, even on the weekends since her body knew no differently.
Ring. Ring. “So you do still have my number I see,” she said in lieu of her usual warm, motherly hello. I knew I’d waited too long to call, but time got away from me.
“Sorry Mom, you know what it’s like.”
She sighed. “I do. How’s my baby boy? You headed home today?”
“I’m good, change of plans though,” I said.
“Did you meet someone?” she teased. “Besides Dez, he looks great.”
“Well, possibly that and more. It was great to catch up with Dez and meet his boyfriend. Their band was fantastic, and his voice is just… wow.”
“I’m glad to hear that, he hit some serious roadblocks along the way. What’s the more and tell me all about them. Don’t leave out any details. Except for sex stuff, I don’t want to hear about that from my son,” she added, excitement pouring through her every word.
“First off, we are headed to Seattle right now to record our first album!” I cheered, although she couldn’t see me.
“Oh my God, that’s wonderful Rhone. I always knew you’d make it. How long will you be gone?” she asked.
My turn to sigh, I missed her and believe it or not, I already missed Ely. “They said two to three weeks.”
“Why do I detect a hint of sadness at something you’ve wanted since I gave you your dad’s sticks?” Leave it to her to extract that from my sigh.
“I’m not sad about recording, I’m sad about being away from Ely,” I admitted.
“Tell me all about him.”
And so, I did. Filling her in on how we met, his dream to be a chef and that he lived in Vegas too. “We are going on our first date when I get back. Which reminds me, we need your help?”
“We?”
“Yeah, Seltzer, Chase, David, and I. Your realtor friend, what’s her name again?” I asked, searching my brain for it but continually drawing a blank.
“Theresa,” she filled in.
“Yeah, Theresa. We need two rental houses. One for Seltzer and me, and the other for Chase and David. We need them to be in a gated community, preferably the same one, and unfurnished cause we’d like to pick out our own stuff,” I continued to fill her in on the details and the amount we were willing to spend.
“Okay, got it. Keep me in the loop as to when you’re getting back so Theresa can line up showings. I’ll give her your cell number and make you the point of contact,” she added.
“Great, thanks Mom. I love you,” I said, beyond thankful for the wonderful relationship we had. So many others, Ely for example, didn’t have the love of their parents which was really fucking sad.
“I love you too, Rhone. Be careful love, we’ll talk soon,” she said, disconnecting the call.
I felt better, lighter, having talked to my mom. She had that way about her, even the guys in the band came to her from time to time. Now all I needed was to hear Ely’s sweet voice…
We spent the day working on the songs for the tracks we planned to lay down. Having played six of them consistently while on tour in Europe, we were set with those but needed another half dozen to complete the CD. By the time we got through the Seattle traffic, it was just after seven when the driver dropped us off at our hotel. Our room assignments were two guys to a room. Without question, we funneled into each just how our living arrangements were. Easton was meeting us in the restaurant downstairs so after we checked in and dropped off our shit, we headed down.