Tommy yanked his sandwich free of the paper wrapping and took a huge bite, dripping mayonnaise and oil everywhere.
“Wow, messy much?” Ru teased. His was whole wheat, skinny bread with fat-free turkey, light Swiss, and pickles.
“You’re just jealous,” Tommy said, mouth full.
“Yeah, a little. But you’re the one who’s gonna be practicing choreographed AJ moves all night feeling like a bloated whale.”
“Ouch.”
Ru took a bite of his sandwich. It was good, flavorful, even without all the extra calories added. “Maybe I’ll take up running.”
Tommy laughed, took a swallow of his drink then laughed a little harder. “You run? From the paparazzis, maybe. So you’re going to be staying with your boy tonight.”
“Subtle.”
“In his folk’s house. No playing—that’s weird.”
“Seriously, when was the last time you got laid? ’Cause your obsession with my sex life is getting a little old.” Ru picked at his sandwich. He planned on letting Adam set the pace. It was only fair, and he remembered all too well what it felt like to be pressured.
“I need a girl first. One who isn’t going to run to the media the second I ask her out.”
“I thought you had a black book of one-night stands?”
Tommy sighed and pushed his plate away. “I did. Except half of them are calling the paparazzis with info about my sexual prowess now and saying they had no clue I was gay.”
“But you’re not gay,” Ru pointed out.
“It’d probably be easier to get laid if I was.”
Ru shook his head and made a crude gesture with his hand.
“Dude, gross, and that only goes so far, you know.”
“Been working for me.” Ru smiled at his BFF.
“Yeah, while you fantasize about being with Adam? I need someone to fantasize about being with too. Just ’cause I’m straight doesn’t mean it doesn’t get old.” Tommy looked wistfully out the window. “Some of my old friends from high school are getting married in the next few weeks.”
“Is that what you want? To get married?”
“Not right this second but someday.” He waved his hands at Ru. “I want what you have.”
“What I have? An ex who is using my fame to skyrocket his own success?”
“No. I mean that goofy look you get on your face anytime you think of Adam. Or if I say his name you smile.” He pointed at Ru’s face. “The past week has been a total turnaround from where you were. I was worried. Didn’t know if you were going to make it through leaving the group. But even when you were with Kris, I don’t remember you being this happy. I want that.”
Ru grabbed Tommy’s hand and squeezed. He hadn’t realized how lonely his friend had probably been. “I bet there’s an Amanda waiting for you somewhere in Minnesota.”
“Amanda?”
“First girl name I could think of that sounds close to Adam.” They both laughed.
“So are you staying here tonight?” Ru asked.
Tommy nodded. “Doing some studio stuff tomorrow with VG. Might fly out sometime next week, though. You going to be in the condo during the week?”
“Yeah. I’ll try to work on new songs. Did you know Adam’s journals are brilliant? I’ve gotten another half-dozen song ideas out of them. I’m hoping he lets me read some of his older stuff. I may have been around the world a few times, but sometimes I feel like he’s got a better grasp of it than I do.” Ru picked up his sandwich and finished it off. “I bet he’d have a huge following if he had a blog or something.”
“You could bring it up to him.”
