Chapter Six: Back to Work
It was awesome! Brock put together five new songs, each aimed at our new "focus" and they were electric! One of them, titled "Alone", seemed to go over really well with the night's crowd. I thought the applause to be louder than normal, but maybe it was just because of the heightened passion with which Brock sang rather than the message in the lyrics. It seemed he was telling a very special story, his story, through that song. I was sure this one would hit the radio as soon as we recorded. Unless they managed to figure out it's real meaning first.
The response to another, "Blind Darkness", was a little different. The song was rather dark and somber, much different in tone than our fans were accustomed to. It dealt with fear and the homosexual lifestyle rather directly. I'd warned the guys it might not be well received and was especially nervous because I was the lead vocalist, since I had a deeper range than Brock.
They didn't even clap. I could hear muted whispers, some referring directly to me, as we took a quick break before the next set. We went out back, to cool off and allow Blake to smoke. All of us were clearly nervous about going back in there. Retaking our places, we were greeted only by an ominous silence. Brock's voice shook and I missed a note as we began the next tune. As always, our collective confidence returned as we played on. Revisiting some old crowd-pleasing favorites, we quickly regained their attention and all went perfectly. At the conclusion of our last song, we received a standing ovation from the entire place. Brock's mother was crying, which was somewhat disturbing until I noticed the smile that beamed beneath her tears. Somewhere in the crowd were those record label scouts, we'd been told, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't pick out a single one of them from the audience. This could be interesting, to hear what their reactions were, especially to the new material.
All things considered, it had been another successful show, I thought. People left with smiles and many CD's were sold. We were charged up from our good work and I couldn't wait to see what the rumor mill might say about us now. By 1 A.M. the shop had closed down and we were completely packed up, tired and ready to go home. Brock and Blake left together, hand-in-hand and grinning from ear-to-ear. Brady finished his cigarette and fished out his car keys.
"You gonna crash with me tonight, buddy?" He smiled wickedly at me, slapping my butt lightly with a drumstick.
"Well," I missed, "I suppose I could... If you think you can handle me, big guy!" We both laughed at that and walked, arms around each other, into the warm spring air.
As we reached the parking lot, I heard an alarm beep and saw lights flash. Brady walked up to the car and opened the door for me, a look of pure amusement on his face.
"Well, aren't you going to get in? Or are you just gonna stand there looking stupid all night?" I couldn't believe my eyes! There before me was a brand-new white Lincoln Town Car! A vehicle worth at least $50,000, which Brady had obviously borrowed from his father's dealership. Something had to be up. Brady never took a demo except for extra-special occasions. I hopped in quickly; wondering what the occasion was, hoping that I hadn't forgotten his birthday or something. Before pulling out of the lot, he gave me a quick kiss.
"You seem surprised, dude." He said as we pulled up to his apartment and parked the Lincoln.
"I am," I replied, confused, "did I miss something, Brady?"
"Not yet. We'll see when we get inside."
He unlocked the door and walked into the apartment. As I followed, it occurred to me that all the lights were off. The living room was covered in darkness as he shut the door and locked it loudly behind us.
In a flash, the room was bathed in light. A banner hung from the ceiling, declaring "Happy Anniversary!" in bright, festive colors. The room was filled with balloons and other decorations. As I turned to him, in great shock and embarrassment, Brady handed me a single white rose.
"Happy one month anniversary, babe!" He excitedly announced to me, that devilish grin registering again on his face.
I didn't know what to say! Everything was so beautiful and I was incredibly embarrassed at having forgotten this special day. So, I did what anybody else would do in my situation. I cried. I broke down and sobbed like a sissy little girl, head in my hands.
"Bill," He said softly, hand touching my shoulder, "is something the matter? Did I do something wrong?" His voice trembled as he spoke those last words.
"No! It's just all so... Wonderful! I can't believe anyone would go to all this trouble just for me." And I couldn't! I was so overwhelmed. I loved Brady so much, more than ever before. He's amazing!
"You're worth more than that to me..." We embraced tenderly. He lifted my face and I stared helpless into those beautiful hazel eyes.
"I love you, Bill. More than anything. More than life itself."
"I love you, too! And I always haven and always will. Thank you so much for this, Brady." Our eyes locked again and lips met. The emotions we hungrily shared with one another ran far deeper than words could really relate. Without even breaking our hold on one another, we moved quickly to the bedroom, discarding clothes haphazardly as we went. By the time we fell onto his bed, flesh mingled with bare flesh, nothing between us but the head radiating from our youthful bodies like a wildfire. That night, we completed our physical play, discovering all of each other. We became one being, with a love and total bond so strong that nothing, I was sure, could ever tear us apart. As we lay together, exhausted, still wrapped in each other's arms, I realized that my one and only wish was to stay just like that, alone with Brady, forever. Then I drifted off to sleep.