“Just adding some piano, kiddo. This is a Ballad with a capital B. Needs the keyboard. Sit down, play, sing. Don’t mind me.”
Ru sat down on the wooden stool and adjusted the mic before pulling up his guitar. The song began slow, a tentative touch, like that first kiss, and talked about how meeting someone could blow apart the whole world.
He sang about the scars of his past being put to rest, then began the chorus, which Tommy joined in without prompting adding a soft harmony to Ru’s powerful tenor melody. Then on to the second stanza about wanting to find out what would happen next in their relationship. By the time Ru got to the bridge, he had tears streaming down his cheeks and was singing like he hadn’t in years. Maybe the practicing really was helping. He’d been singing for hours already before meeting up with Tommy.
When the last strum of the guitar had faded, Tommy left the keyboard, crossed the room, and wrapped his arms around Ru. “You are crazy in love with this boy already, and you barely even know him.”
Ru didn’t know what to say. He felt like the song had torn all the words from him and set them free. Yeah, he was crazy about Adam Corbin. He hoped beyond all hope that what they had was the stuff of legends but knew it was far too soon to speak of it.
“And that song, kiddo, was phenomenal. Just a few nitpicks, and then we can play this for Herb tomorrow,” Tommy said as he returned to the keyboard and the notes he’d made.
“I don’t think I can do this without you, Tommy. Do you know how amazing we sound together?” Ru turned to his best friend.
“Yep. That’s why I’m gonna sing back up for your album. No need to ask.” His grin huge. “And AJ is gonna be so pissed when this song is number one, and his doesn’t even hit the top ten.”
“He’s written a song?”
“A ballad. One where Dane, Newguy, and I stand in back swaying and doo-wopping. I don’t doo-wop.”
Ru just shook his head, unable to believe the nerve of AJ. Vocal Growth had made millions off their harmonies. Sure, they all had occasional solos, but that would be one part of a song, not a whole song, and they had never just been background noise. “Okay, nitpick away. Let’s get this hammered out. Maybe I can sing it to Adam.”
“Have you told him yet?” Tommy asked, suddenly very serious.
“Told him what?”
“Who you are.”
Ru frowned at his music stand.
“You have to tell him, Ru. What if he finds out some other way? He’ll be pissed you’ve been hiding it from him.”
“I’ll tell him soon. Honest. I just sort of have to figure out who I am first.” Ru picked up his guitar and began to strum. Maybe he was finding his way.
“You are Ryunoski Nakimura, superstar, legend, and guy in love with the boy next door,” Tommy said.
