Page 6 of Tumbling Hearts

It’s just like Carol said—I chose to spend a romantic weekend with Gene instead of her.

July, 1976

It won’t be long until they reach the Mackinac Bridge. They’ve only stopped once midway through their drive up north for gas and to use the restroom, but aside from that, it’s been smooth sailing. Gene’s been driving the entire time, as it is his car they’re taking. He prefers to drive anyway, feeling more comfortable at the wheel, and, simply, it’s nostalgic to him. Driving like this with Ray reminds him of when they first started recording last year. Back then they were still living in Grand Rapids, driving to and from Detroit, staying at the studio late and not getting home until well past midnight.

Today, the sun shines bright on a rather hot summer day: July third. The windows are down, the warm breeze tossing their hair around. Both he and Ray have on sunglasses, thin T-shirts, and denim shorts. Gene does his best to keep his eyes on the highway, but every now and then he chances a glance at Ray’s gorgeous thighs. Oh, how he wishes he could run his fingers over Ray’s skin…

Maybe later, if Ray lets me.

There are going to be fireworks shows happening all weekend—and there already have been, last weekend and during the week too, all across the country—but the biggest day will be tomorrow: the Fourth. Gene’s heart beats fast when he thinks of how fun it will be to watch the dazzling colors burst in the sky. And, most amazing of all, he actually will get to spend time with Ray. There’s probably going to be plenty of other things to do during the day—one of the things being a historical reenactment show at Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City. But Gene had told Ray when they were discussing their plans that he didn’t really care for that. What he wants to do, most of all, is to write music alone with Ray.

Ray’s dusty blond hair looks even lighter with the sun shining on it. His curls frame his handsome face gracefully, and it fills Gene’s heart with so much joy. Ray really is here, together with him, alone on vacation. Ray actually picked Gene over Carol. Gene can admit he was worried with how they were arguing, nervous that Ray would back out and stay home with her instead.

But no—Ray, in that moment, truly showed how much Gene means to him.

He wants to be with me.

Granted, things might go back to how they were once they get back home. It’s not like Ray broke up with Carol or anything. She’s still his girlfriend. Gene and Ray are simply going on a retreat—not something that’ll officially declare them as an item. That’d be impossible, even if Ray were single, with them being two rising male rockstars. But either way, Gene will take what he can get. If Ray wants to be alone with him now, he’ll do everything he can to make sure they have a wonderful time together. However that may be…

Currently, the radio is turned up, playing ‘Hot Stuff’ from the Rolling Stones’ new album Black and Blue. It’s got a funky groove, and Ray dances in his seat to the beat. He sings the chorus, and it makes Gene giggle.

“Try not to be too distracting,” Gene says. “I don’t want us to get in a wreck.”

“You won’t be as distracted if you sing along with me,” Ray counters.

“I guess.” Gene laughs. “Hot stuff,” he sings.

Trees, trees, and more trees pass them by as they continue driving down the highway. The road is almost a completely straight line for miles, making the drive rather monotonous until they reach the Bridge. So maybe Ray being distracting is a good thing, so as to not make Gene fall asleep at the wheel. Though something else catches his attention, as the song ends and he hears the DJ announce what’s up next…

“This next group comes from our home state, right here in Michigan. They’re big, they’re hot, and you all can’t get enough of them. Here it is, I’m spinning for you now—‘Burn it Down’ by the Dusty Brooms!”

“What the—hey! What the hell, that’s us!” Ray exclaims.

“Oh my god, you’re right!” Gene gasps.

A song most familiar to them plays through the car speakers. A slow riff from Gene’s guitar kicks off the intro while Stefan’s bass mellows out the bottom. Santiago plays two parts layered on this track—piano and lead guitar—and Pat’s hi-hat comes in to sprinkle on top. It all comes together as the verse starts, Ray’s voice strong on the track.

“Is it happening now?

Baby, baby, baby.

I can’t take it anymore.”

“That’s you, Ray! Oh my god, we’re finally catching it,” Gene exclaims. This isn’t the first time they’ve heard themselves on the radio—definitely not, with how big they’ve gotten—but it’s their first time on this trip. And also, Gene realizes, it’s their first time hearing the final version of ‘Burn it Down’ as just the two of them, no one else on the bus or in the studio or music shop or whatever. No, it’s just Ray and Gene.

Sure, they play the song by themselves sometimes in the bedroom, singing with each other and strumming acoustic guitars. But it feels different when played back to them. They’re just like any other successful band on the radio—they’re here, they’re popular, they’ve made it.

“Sing along with me, Gene!” Ray says over the music.

“Alright, yeah!”

And so he does, singing the pre-chorus together with Ray:

“Though did it end a long time ago?

Or did we forget all that we know?

A fire rages inside me, so,