Page 44 of Tumbling Hearts

The crowd erupts with more cheers. Gene opens the song with a riff, and the rest of the band builds on it as the volume crescendoes. Ray shimmies and sways to the beat, coming back to the mic to sing the verse solo:

“I need to get away from here.

Nothin’ left for me now.

Maybe we can find our place,

If you can show me how.”

Gene then rushes up to Ray’s side, strumming his guitar as they sing the chorus into the mic:

“Take me away, honey, where dreams are met.”

Their faces are so close, basically almost touching—one wrong move and their lips would meet. Ray can feel Gene’s breath on his cheek. It stirs a fire in Ray’s abdomen, as they continue singing⁠—

“I’ll drive you away through the golden sunset.”

He turns to look at Gene, cheeks almost brushing against each other as he gives him a smile. Gene grins back; Ray’s heart flutters, the warmth flowing all throughout him.

“Woah-oh, baby, through the golden sunset.”

Everyone can see them like this—so close, so happy, so goddamn ecstatic to be here on stage. The energy of the audience, of the band, and of Gene lifts Ray’s soul to new heights. It’s as if he’s soaring through the sky—through the golden sunset. This is where he’s meant to be, singing on stage like this.

And with how wonderful this first show has already been, he can tell this is going to be their greatest tour yet.

Gene heads backstage with the rest of the Brooms, finding his locker and putting his guitar back in its case. It’s been a wonderful first show. He’s been dying to perform again, and today his wish came true. Being on stage, bright lights shining on him, cheers from all directions, and with Ray at his side… he felt like he was on cloud nine. It was a little nerve wracking though, being their first performance in months. He needs to get used to his adrenaline pumping like that again. The coke he had with Nicky before the show helped ease that. He’d brought a bottle of Jack onstage to keep himself afloat, too, countering the upper with a downer so he could stay balanced—which, of course, he accidentally left the alcohol on stage behind an amp. Think of it as a little gift for the roadies, I guess.

He puts his guitar back in its locker, unsure of when he’ll need to take it back out. Eventually it’ll go on the bus with the rest of the equipment. But now’s not the time to be hauling stuff, as there’s currently a party backstage in the greenroom with the Brooms and their opening band. Food is lined up on some tables, along with bottles of various types of liquor. He spots Ray conversing with Carol nearby one of the tables. Of course. It’s not like they could leave her at home, much to Gene’s dismay. She’s Ray’s fucking girlfriend, after all. But at least she won’t be with them every stop of the tour, having some modeling gigs lined up for when they are in New York and California. Maybe one of these days she’ll find a gig so good she can’t help but stay there.

Gene knows he’s being unfair; she doesn’t seem like a terrible person or anything. He’s simply jealous. He tries his best to calm himself, taking in a deep breath—in and out.

Snap!

He turns his head, only to find Maurice standing next to him, camera in hand.

“Did you just get a photo of me?” Gene asks, tilting his head.

“Yeah. I liked the face you were making,” Maurice says nonchalantly. He smiles, stretching the scar on his bottom lip.

“The face I was making? What face was I making?”

“You looked serious—calm. Full of thought, which I thought was interesting right after a show. Like you’re reflecting on something.”

“I… I guess you’re not wrong,” Gene chuckles.

“I bet you’ve got lots to think about.” Maurice smirks, then looks in the direction of where Gene was originally staring—over at Ray and Carol.

Gene looks that way again. Ray is actually walking towards him, scooching past Dennis and Santiago, almost in a hurry, leaving Carol standing by herself at the table.

“Hey, Gene!” Ray says once he’s gotten close enough to be heard over the party chatter. His smile is so charming; it stirs butterflies in Gene’s chest.

“Oh, hey Ray. What’s up?” Gene asks.

“I think I left my wallet in the dressing room. I didn’t want anyone snatching it while I’m not there.” Ray fidgets with his thumbs. “So I was gonna go look for it. Did you want to… accompany me?”

A flash of deja vu hits Gene so hard, he almost loses his balance. He’s seen this situation before. Yes, the same thing happened during their last tour. He went with Ray into the dressing room, and…

“Sure, of course I’ll go with you.” Gene smiles. “What about Carol? Is she fine over there by herself?”