“What? You’re not bangable?”
“I am bangable—just, you and me in that way? Um, weird and kinda gross. You’re like my brother.”
“Thanks, man. Love you too.” Tommy got up and started taking off layers. He must have come from a shoot because he had on coats and multiple shirts. “I think I stay in Diego too much, ’cause it is frickin’ cold out there.”
Ru leaned against the back of the couch, sucking on the last of his shake. He should get up and have a salad to get some vitamins in too, but he was probably going to call it an early night. Without Adam, he didn’t think he could find the motivation to do much more for the day.
“Call him.”
Ru glanced up and threw Tommy an annoyed look.
“Don’t look at me like that. Every time you get that goofy look on your face, you’re thinking about him. Have you even played the song for him? You know, the one you wrote about him? The one the entire world is obsessed with and is on the top of every chart right now?”
Ru shook his head, not wanting to think about it. “He told me he wanted time. I’m respecting his wishes.”
“You were already a dumbass for not telling him sooner, but don’t be a dumbass and let him stew on this. Call him. Tell him you’re sorry. Play ‘Start Something’ for him. If you want to keep him, that is. If he doesn’t wind up in your arms in a blubbery mess by the end of the song, he’s not the right guy for you.”
“I can’t live without him.”
“Ru...”
“I’m serious, Tommy. The past couple weeks have been the best of my life. I feel in tune with the music, with my body, my soul, my heart, and Adam. If I can’t have him, I will fall apart. I can’t go through what I did with Kris again. I lived in this void of feeling for six months. Like nothing could touch me unless I let it. I wrapped myself in iron and avoided the whole world. I can’t go back to that. If Adam doesn’t want me...”
Tommy crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Ru, hugging him tight. “Don’t talk like that, kiddo. I need you around. So let’s work this out, okay?”
The door clicked again, and Binks held it open. Both Tommy and Ru looked up as Adam walked in with a guy neither of them knew. Binks nodded to them and backed out, closing the door behind them. Adam blinked, as if shocked, but then Ru realized he hadn’t put a shirt on, and Tommy was hugging him, so it looked like more than it was.
Ru pulled away and wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. The unknown guy gripped Adam’s arm to keep him from bolting. Tommy recovered first, getting up and striding across the room, hand outstretched to shake Adam’s hand.
“You must be Adam. It’s good to finally meet you. I’m Tommy. This knucklehead’s BFF.” He waved at Ru.
Adam took his hand, but his face was one big question.
Tommy yanked Adam into a hug. “Be good to him, okay?” he said quietly. “He’s like my kid brother, and he’s terrified you’re gonna break his heart. Please don’t.”
Adam nodded as Tommy let go. “Um, this is my friend Sebastian.” He motioned to the unknown guy. “He sort of talked me into coming. Helped me work out some of the stuff in my head.”
So this was the guy that Adam wrote about. The one Ru had written a song about and donated the proceeds it to the local LGBT youth center. Ru got up, suddenly feeling very naked without his shirt. “Sorry, I just got out of the shower. Let me grab a shirt.” He darted off toward his room.
“Don’t cover up on my account, sweetie,” Sebastian called after him. “I’m enjoying the view.”
Ru pulled a shirt over his head and made his way back to the living room. Adam still stood as though rooted to the same spot, but Bas was off talking to Tommy about some of the different guitars and art that hung on the walls. They were probably trying to give them a sense of privacy.
Ru walked over to Adam and suddenly wished he had pockets in his pajama pants because he wanted really badly to pull Adam into his arms or at least touch him but knew it probably wasn’t a good idea. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Adam replied.
“I’m glad you came over. I wanted to say I’m sorry. For not telling you sooner. It was a stupid thing to do. I really wanted to tell you. I was scared you’d freak out and leave me.”
“It’s okay. I understand. I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Probably would have been too afraid to send that first text.”
Ru smiled. “Yeah, about me liking Madonna.”
Adam flushed, and it was so hot that Ru wanted to drag him into his bedroom so they could just hold each other while the rest of the world worked out whatever it needed to. “Sorry about that.”
“No reason to be. I do like Madonna. And Britney, if you must know.”
Adam took a step closer, like he was asking to be touched without saying the words. Ru reached out and pulled him into his arms. He rested his cheek against Adam’s and was just grateful to have his warmth back. “Please forgive me, Adam.”
