Page 104 of Tumbling Hearts

“That was beautiful,” Santi says. “I swear, you guys exude so much chemistry! It’s always so cool, watching you sing like that.”

“Chemisty?” Gene purses his lips, then looks at Ray. “Yeah, I guess I’d say the same myself.”

“We work so well together, babe,” Ray says with a teasing smile.

“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.”