Page 89 of Tumbling Hearts

They record the instrumental first, with Ray using more harmonica than he normally would live. Santiago also plays every lead guitar part since Gene’s hand is still injured. He might need to overdub the piano too, if Nicky never shows. After they get that on tape, Gene and Ray stand in the booth alone together, just as they always do for vocals. They share a mic like they do on stage, faces coming so close to each other, lips almost touching. Gene’s cheeks feel warm as they sing the chorus⁠—

“Take me away, honey, where dreams are met.”

Gene gazes at Ray, catching a dashing smile.

“I’ll drive you away through the golden sunset.”

The warmth flows through him as he smiles back, butterflies dancing in his chest.

“Woah-oh, baby, through the golden sunset.”

Gene looks through the glass, at the Brooms and their entourage watching them both—and he locks eyes with Toshiko. She smiles at him.

His gut sinks.

All this time, she’s had no idea of the things he’s done with Ray. For all she knows, he and Ray are simply best friends. She’s supposed to be Gene’s girlfriend, and yet he cheated on her without a second thought. What does that say about him?

That I’m a piece of shit for doing that to her.

He turns his gaze toward Ray again as Ray takes over the verse solo. He knows Ray must also have his own internal struggles with Carol. With how they’d argued before, with Ray wanting to stay with her, combined with the feelings Gene remembers from so long ago—how he’d comforted Ray when he broke up with Harriet—there’s more than meets the eye.

Gene wishes he could just forget everything all over again like he did while on tour. But that’s impossible now with Toshiko actually present. He can’t push her away when she’s been wanting to reunite with him—no, he needs to act like he’s missed her, otherwise he’ll come off as a selfish prick. Which, maybe he is, but he doesn’t want her to think that.

Maybe during their down time today, he can write her a song. Maybe a song she can sing, for her next English album. He’s never written a song by himself—always with Ray—but he figures if it’s something simple for Toshiko, he can figure it out. Something to show he still cares for her. Something to show he’s not a lying cheating asshole, that he wants to treat a lady right.

Something to pretend he’s not queer.

The Dusty Brooms take a break to eat some lunch. Dennis calls for pizza delivery, so thankfully no one has to leave the studio to get food. Especially so, when all they have for traveling is either the bus or their own feet. Ray sits on one of the couches in the main room of the studio with Carol, both eating a pepperoni slice.

Though, Gene seems to be done eating already. He’s sitting on a folding chair with an acoustic guitar in his lap, Toshiko right beside him. They’re close enough to eavesdrop on if Ray pays attention—because, well, of course he’s paying attention. After everything that happened during this tour, Gene reuniting with Toshiko is like a punch to the guts. Ray knows he shouldn’t be mad. Hell, he’s just as much at fault for trying to stay with Carol. It’s completely reasonable for Gene to want to make sure his girlfriend doesn’t suspect a thing. But Ray can’t help but be curious about what they’re talking about.

So far, what he’s caught of their conversation is nothing much. Just Toshiko telling Gene about her own Japanese tour and Gene doing the same with the Brooms’. Ray hasn’t been able to hear everything since Santiago is rather loud, chatting up a storm with Pat and Maurice. Santi sure sounds excited, and rightfully so, beaming about the girl he met during the Halloween party. Apparently he got her number, and is hoping he can convince her to visit them all in Michigan when they’re done recording.

Carol has been rather quiet, though. She’s been quiet ever since her return last night, only talking to Ray when absolutely necessary. They only have one bed in their room at the hotel, and when they slept, she didn’t touch him at all, facing the other way. He wonders if she really does want to repair their relationship, since she’s become rather apathetic about it. Granted, Ray hasn’t been doing much himself to repair things either. He’s been more focused on the tour, wanting to record, and, most importantly—Gene.

Ray takes another bite of his pizza as he intently watches Gene. He didn’t catch what he said to Toshiko, but there’s no missing the strumming of his guitar. It sounds like fairly simple chords, could be any ol’ song. But the more Ray keeps listening, he hears Gene singing—lyrics and a melody he doesn’t recognize.

That’s odd. Could it be a cover of a song by an artist that Ray hasn’t heard? But that’s very unlikely; Ray and Gene basically have identical music taste. Anything that Gene knows, Ray should know also. So if it’s a song only Gene knows…

Does that mean Gene wrote it himself?

Ray’s pulse spikes as he continues to listen. Gene’s voice is so calm and soothing, the lyrics like a sweet love song⁠—

“Yeah baby, I need to hold you…

In my arms, baby, I wanna adore you…”

Ray nearly crushes the paper plate in his hand.

What the fuck?

He can’t take it. A lump forms in his throat. Fire burns in his chest, so hot that he can’t just sit here idly by and let Gene sing that to her.

Ray stands up from the couch. He’s done eating, throwing his plate and napkins into the nearest bin as he walks toward Gene. He doesn’t say a word to Carol, doesn’t say a word to anyone until he’s right next to his best friend.

“Hey, Gene?” he says, setting his palm on Gene’s shoulder, making him stop his strumming.

“Oh, hey Ray. What’s up?”