Chapter Twelve
Herb loved the song and insisted Ru record it right away, then spent the next few days editing and hyping it to some of his local radio buddies, which got Ru an invite to perform on a late-night show. So instead of getting ready to fly back to see Adam early, Ru was in hair and makeup in LA on some studio set, with Tommy perched on the nearby sofa, watching. They had made it official, announcing that Tommy was doing backup vocals on Ru’s new album, which sent the media into another frenzy.
“Afterward we have a party to meet some radio guys,” Tommy was saying.
“I just want to go back to Minnesota.” He wanted to see Adam. He hadn’t had time to do more than text him a handful of times in the past few days.
“You will. Your flight doesn’t leave till late tomorrow.”
“How’d you convince AJ to let you be here, anyway?” Ru asked.
“I told him that if he started spewing hate, I’d reveal his concert secrets.”
Ru turned to look at his friend despite the protests of Lily, who was working on spiking his unruly hair. “You are going to make him hate you.”
“He already hates me. AJ hates anyone who isn’t AJ. Did you see that picture he posed for inTeen Celebs? I was like, dude, you’re not even a teen, you poser, and talking about how being inspirational for fellow teens is so important. That guy sends my bullshit meter off the chart.” Tommy tied his shoes and stood up, looking more like a European glam star than the American boy-band prince he was.
Lily giggled.
“What? It’s true?” Tommy protested.
“I know,” she said. “I’ve done his hair.” And just like that she went back to fitting Ru into the rock-star image he’d created for himself since leaving the group, which included lots of eye makeup, high hair, and even glittered platform heels he’d had to special order.
When all the primping was finished, Tommy and Ru were herded out of the dressing room for pictures. After a million poses and camera flashes, they were finally allowed to head to the stage. Tommy patted Ru’s back and whispered, “Good luck.”
Ru had to talk first then he’d get to perform. When he’d been part of Vocal Growth, AJ had done that part. Now it was all on him. He put on his game face and made his way out into the crowd, waving, shaking hands, smiling. Everything surreal, but when he shook the hand of the host, who he couldn’t remember the name of, and sat down, he just gave it his all.
The questions were as easy as Katie, his manager, had promised they would be, even when asked about his homosexuality. Ru was prepared. He’d spent a few hours reading Adam’s rambling. Knew about the bullying at school—from Adam’s out friend Bas who’d been beaten up bad enough last year to require a couple dozen stitches, to Adam’s encounter with a football teammate.
Ru spoke about the importance of young people having support, about how difficult it was to come out in a world where being gay was scorned, and how bullying had to be stopped. He talked about statistics and his work with LGBT shelters and the Trevor Project. He didn’t know how much of it would actually make it to the air, but he felt good when he finally got up and went to the mic.
Once he’d picked up his guitar, he was back in his element. He looked into the camera, knowing Tommy was on the board behind him, though he could have asked for any keyboardist in the country. When Ru began to play, it was for Adam, the sweet song of new beginnings. The audience was on their feet, moving and cheering before he was halfway through the number, and when he let his voice take over for the bridge, showing them his true skill and range, the cheering was deafening. All in all, an amazing performance.
Ru practiced all day long, every day, since his talk with Herb. The producer had been right, of course. His voice was an instrument and his songwriting a talent, both of which needed constant practice and fine-tuning. He’d rewritten his two other songs; one was based almost completely on the story Adam told in his journals about Sebastian. That song he had already recorded and donated to LGBT youth shelters, the song and all proceeds from it.
The lights faded, and Ru felt Tommy grab his hand as they were led off stage. Once away from the crowd, Tommy threw his arms around Ru and hugged him hard. “You were so incredible.”
Ru blushed. “I was just being me.” The fashionable chunk of hair left free to hang down bugged him when he glanced up. “With more makeup and hair gel than most of the western world, but still me.”
Tommy laughed and put his arm around Ru’s shoulders, walking them toward the dressing rooms. “See, and you were all worried. I bet that performance will be on YouTube in an hour. You should send it to Adam.”
“Not yet,” Ru said. He wasn’t sure how he’d tell the Adam about the realities of fame. Announcing anything about their relationship to the media might just kill it before it began had crossed Ru’s mind a time or two. He didn’t want to drag Adam into the spotlight. That had to be Adam’s choice, and if they stayed together it would happen eventually.
A photographer snapped a photo. Ru frowned. There weren’t supposed to be more photos after the show. That’s why they’d taken them before.
“Tommy, are you and Ryunoski an item? Is that why you’re here with him and not in San Diego with Vocal Growth?” the photographer asked.
“I’m here supporting my best friend,” Tommy said. He dropped his arm. “Security!”
The camera kept flashing. Ru felt blinded for a minute but let Tommy and then Security lead them away to a secure area of the building. Tommy’s phone rang, and he went to take the call, leaving Ru alone in his dressing room.
Ru stared at himself in the mirror, a little shocked by what he saw. Was that really him? He looked beautiful, like some work of art, flawless skin and smoky eyes. But it didn’t feel like him. This persona seemed more like a mask to hide what he didn’t want to show the world.
Tommy returned. “Let’s get to the party.” He paused when he saw Ru staring in the mirror. “Did you want to change?”
Ru shook his head. “This is who I have to be, right? For the cameras?”
“You can be whoever you want to be, Ru.”
“But I’m gay. So this is what they expect of me. Some glammed-up queen.”
“Not feeling pretty?” Tommy’s tone was light and teasing.
“I’m beautiful, but you know I’m not really.”
Tommy grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Not yet, but you’re working on it. Now let’s go party. Just think, tomorrow this time you’ll be on your way to seeing your boy.”
Ru thought of Adam and couldn’t help but smile. “See, there’s the pretty. Let’s go get our groove on.”
