“So, you’re the singer I keep hearing about.” He was gruff and his eyes were stern and formidable.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Blade.”
“Is my son wasting his time in this band? What makes you think you can make it in the industry? What makes your band stand out from the thousands of other bands that aren’t getting a record deal either?” He was brash and almost insulting. Tommy looked mortified, with bright red blotches stained on his cheeks.
“We have exceptional musicians,” Angel boasted. “Tommy’s the best guitar player on the indie circuit. We have an impressive following, and I’ve had interest from record producers in the past. I’m not a complete unknown in the industry.”
“Don’t you have a real job?”
“I’m a chef. A sous chef, actually. But the band is my real job.”
“So, you’re another one, schooled with a trade and the opportunity to make a lucrative career, wasting your time with a band like a teenager.”
Now Angel was insulted. He pressed his shoulders back, lifted his chin and met Mr. Blade’s eye.
A loud crash outside diverted the attention away from their grating conversation and ultimate standoff. Through the glass sliders Angel could see, what appeared to be, a frat party going on in the back yard. A small group was engaged in a serious game of beer pong, while another threw too many logs on the fire pit. The cause of the commotion was a football-cradling jock that knocked over a table. He had dark hair, so Angel deduced that he probably wasn’t Tommy’s brother. Robert was more likely to be one of the two blonds tossing a ping pong ball into a red plastic cup.
“Sorry I didn’t warn you about Tommy’s dad,” Jessi whispered in his ear. “He can be a little direct.”
“Ya think?”
Jessi nodded her chin toward the patio doors. “Were you trying to pick out my handsome brother-in-law?”
“Handsome?” Angel raised a quizzical brow.
“Very.”
“Is he as cute as Tommy?”
“No one is as cute as Tommy, but Robert’s a close second.”
“Really? Now I’m intrigued.”
Another upheaval of noise outside caused Tommy’s father to snort and grit his teeth. “Those hooligans are going to wreck my house,” he complained, as he stomped outside.
“Don’t mind my husband.” Tommy’s mother took Angel’s hand in a gentle embrace and patted it. “He sometimes speaks too freely. It’s nice of you to celebrate my younger son’s birthday with us. Tommy speaks very highly of you. So does Jessi.” She was a petite woman and as sweet as could be. It was a welcomed contrast to the curt and tense conversation he just had with Tommy’s father. He didn’t get a chance to speak to her very long before she got pulled away to deal with an issue in the kitchen.
Jessi touched his arm and pointed toward the stairs. “Here’s the guest of honor now.”
Robert could have been Tommy’s twin, only with a few years shaved off. He had the signature Blade flaxen hair and fair complexion, but his eyes were a dark sapphire instead of Tommy’s bright blue, and the gorgeous length of Tommy’s hair was missing. Robert also had about two inch in height and twenty pounds of muscle on Tommy. There was no mistaking Robert was a football player, and by the trophies that adorned a shelf on the wall, he was a star.
Robert galloped down the last few steps as soon as he saw Tommy. They enjoyed a bear hug that revealed the closeness that most brothers shared. Angel watched them together, laughing, arms slung over the other’s shoulder, and the erotic thoughts just burst into his head. He tried to contain his smile by wiping it away with his hand, but it wouldn’t subside. Jessi nudged him with her elbow.
“Stop it.” She was brandishing the same wicked smile that he was trying to disguise. “Do you know how many years it took me to stop that fantasy from playing out in my head?”
“You are just as bad as I am.”
“Worse.”
“Am I interrupting anything or can I kiss my favorite sister-in-law?”
Jessi threw her arms around Robert. “Happy birthday!”
Robert gave Angel the same questioning look that Mr. Blade had on his face, but quickly dismissed it. He didn’t wait for an introduction. He stuck his hand out. “I’m Robert.”
It was a warm friendly handshake.
“It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Angel.”
“Oh, you’re the singer! I should’ve known. Tommy told me what close friends you are.” He rolled his eyes toward Jessi. “And sis over here never stops talking about you.”
The resemblance was almost unnerving, and Angel couldn’t stop grinning. “You should come to one of our shows. How long are you home for?”
“Just the weekend.” He sounded disappointed. “I really want to catch a show. I can’t believe I haven’t seen Tommy’s new band. I feel like such a bad brother.”
“Not at all.” Tommy slugged Robert in the arm. “You got school. That’s more important. New Jersey’s only an hour and a half away. You can come see us after finals.”
“I will. I promise. Look, I gotta run. I’m supposed to be making a beer run, but as soon as I get back, we’ll catch up.”
“Go. We got all night.”
Angel watched Robert spring out the door. He didn’t realize he was staring until he heard Tommy laughing.
“Would you please stop looking at my brother like you want to eat him up?”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that you two look so much alike. I wasn’t expecting the resemblance to be so strong.” That wicked smile was back on his face. “It’s giving me very naughty thoughts Very, very naughty thoughts.”
“I don’t know who’s worse, you or my wife.”
“I think we already determined that she’s worse, but just by a hair.”
It was late, and Angel wasn’t looking forward to the drive home, but Robert and his college buddies easily coerced Tommy and Jessi into more than a few drinking games. They were in good spirits but neither of them were in any condition to drive. Angel liked Robert, and Mrs. Blade was a kind woman, but he wasn’t so sure he liked Tommy’s father.
“Why so quiet?” Tommy asked. “Didn’t you have a good time?”
“I did, but . . . ”
“My dad?”
“I got the feeling that he thought I shouldn’t be there. Like I was intruding.”
Jessi stuck her head in from the back seat. “That’s because he’s a fuckin’ homophobe.”
“Jessi, my father isn’t homophobic.”
“Really? Coulda fooled me.”
The alcohol made her more straight-forward than usual, but Angel appreciated her outspoken honesty. Mainly because he thought she was right.
Angel sat down on the side of the bed – his side of the bed – and spread his hands out across the crisp sheets. He turned to look at Tommy and Jessi, already cuddling together. They were looking back at him. They were waiting for him. He smiled softly and snuggled next to Tommy, burrowing his face into the crook of Tommy’s neck. This was the way they fell asleep every night – Tommy in the middle, on his back, with Angel and Jessi on either side snuggling up next to him.
Angel peeked at Tommy. His eyes were closed and the corners of his mouth were pulled into a tiny smile. It must be nice to have two people love you as much and he and Jessi did.
Angel was sure Tommy knew that he was in love with him. The only problem was finding the right time to say it – in English. He must have told Tommy a half dozen times in Spanish, te amo, but he didn’t know if those two words transcended the language barrier. He was unsure if the emotion in his eyes, when he said them, translated their meaning.
Angel’s hesitation wasn’t because he was unsure about Tommy’s feelings. Angel always fell hard. He was always the first one in a relationship to blurt out those three words that left you awkwardly waiting for the return sentiment. He wasn’t afraid of an ‘I love you’ hanging in the air. That wasn’t the issue at all. He knew Tommy loved him back. His hesitat
ion was because he didn’t know how Jessi would take it. She acted like she was secure and confident in her relationship with Tommy. She portrayed self-confidence and relentless self-assurance, but Angel was afraid that deep down, she was scared of losing Tommy. It was too soon. It would have to wait.
He snuggled closer to Tommy, pulled the sheet up and pressed his lips to Tommy’s shoulder. The soft pillow top mattress on the king size bed, with its plump down comforter and fluffy pillow, felt like paradise. It was made for him. It was peaceful and serene and sleep made Angel float away. The bed shook, and it brought him back to consciousness.
“Goodnight, baby,” Jessi kissed Tommy. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Tommy replied.
Jessi pulled at Angel’s shirt for a goodnight kiss.
After he kissed her, he looked at Tommy. He still couldn’t believe he was sleeping in bed next to Tommy almost every night. He put his mouth to Tommy’s buttery soft lips. His tongue was moist and warm and still made him tingle. “I love you, my prince.” The words were unexpected, and just slipped out of his mouth.
“I love you, too.” Tommy pulled him in for another kiss. It was more intense than the previous one, but just as long and just as tender. When their lips parted, Jessi was propped up on her elbow, staring at them with her eyes wide open.
“You know this doesn’t mean I love you any less, honey,” Tommy said. “I thought we talked about this. I still love you, more than ever.”
She nodded. “I know, baby. It was beautiful.” Her voice cracked a little. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“I didn’t plan on saying it.” Angel tried to read her face. “It just came out, but I would never say it behind your back.” She had a small tear in her eye. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Jessi. “Are you sure you’re OK, sweetheart?”
“Of course, I’m OK. It was just a very touching moment.” She laughed it off. “I’m such a sap!” She lay back down and cuddled up to Tommy. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. Tommy watched her for few seconds, and then he kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes.
Angel loved watching Tommy with Jessi. He loved seeing the love and care Tommy displayed for her. It was heartwarming. It’s one of the things that made him fall in love with Tommy in the first place. It sounded strange – watching how much the person you loved, loved someone else, made you love them even more, but it was the truth.
Angel settled down, nestled against Tommy and slung his arm across Tommy’s chest. Hearing Tommy say those three magical words, sounded like heaven. He rewound the moment in his head over and over, until he drifted off to sleep, with Tommy’s ‘I love you’ echoing in his head.
Jessi waited until she knew both Tommy and Angel were asleep, and then she waited a little longer. She rolled over to the edge of the bed, and out of Tommy’s embrace. She stayed there, pretending to be asleep, making sure her breaths were deep and long, for at least another five minutes. She slowly sat up and let her legs dangle off the side of the bed.
“I’m getting something to drink,” she whispered. “Do you want anything?”
No one responded.
She tiptoed down the stairs and poured herself a glass of water in the kitchen. She leaned against the counter, in the dark, and stared at the wall. She concentrated on the small shadow that flickered in through the window. She wouldn’t think of anything else, only the shadow. She put her glass down on the table and went into the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and let the water run. She stared at her face in the mirror for a long time. She heard the “I love yous” that Tommy and Angel exchanged, replay in her head. Slowly, her mouth bowed into a deep quivering frown, and she burst into tears.
Chapter Twenty-Six
It was the first Sunday Angel had off from the restaurant in a month, and Tommy wasn’t around. He was with Jessi and her sister’s house. Angel took advantage of the time off by sleeping late, and running errands. He hurried back into his apartment and out of the blistering cold February wind. Winter in the suburbs of New York City could be brutal and today it was dipping into the teens. He dropped his CVS bag on the table and draped his pea coat over the back of the chair. He rubbed his hands together for warmth and put on a pot of coffee to chase away the chill. While the coffee was brewing, he checked the time. It was only 2:00 in the afternoon, but his duffle bag was parked and waiting by the door until it was time to head over to Tommy and Jessi’s house. His overnight bag was getting smaller by the day. His toiletries were already at the house, in addition to a change of clothes. He was anticipating the day when he wouldn’t need to travel between Williamsburg and Bensonhurst. The day that all his belongs would be at Tommy and Jessi’s house. He laughed under his breath. It was on a few weeks and he was already moving himself in. He poured himself a cup of coffee and took it into the living room with his laptop. He killed another hour by scrolling through his emails, visiting the band’s fan page and posting a few promos about this week’s upcoming shows.
He got up to get another cup of coffee and someone knocked at the door. A surprised smile lit up his face when he saw Tommy standing there, bouncing from foot to foot from the cold. A black ski hat covered his head and isolated his bright eyes. His shoulders were dusted with lingering deposits of snow. “Come inside. I didn’t know it was snowing out.”
“It just started. I only walked a block a half from the car and look at me. I’m covered.” Tommy spread his arms. Most of the snow melted by now and left dotted spots of water on the sleeves of his jacket. Angel gave Tommy a small kiss on his very cold lips and helped him off with his jacket. He was only wearing a thin long-sleeve T-shirt with a flaming number 13 on it. Angel put his arms around Tommy and rubbed his back and shoulders to offer protection from the cold. “Are you warmer now?”
“I’m still a little cold.” The coy smile on Tommy’s face was delectable. Angel tasted it with a kiss. “I’m so glad you came by, mi amor, but I wasn’t expecting you home this early. Where’s Jessi?”
“She got called into work, so I came by.”
“Work, on a Sunday?”
“Yep.” Tommy blew on his ice-cold hands and stuck them in the front pockets of his jeans. “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week keeps the entire industry working nonstop this time of year.” The coy smile was back. “She’ll be gone all night.”
It was perfect. Angel didn’t know how to schedule alone time with Tommy and he was waiting for a situation just like this one. Thank you, Mercedes-Benz. Fashion Week would forever mark this vital moment in his life. It’s a date that would never be forgotten. Every year when the calendar turned over to the month of February, a month that exemplified romance, when heart shaped boxes of chocolates lined the shelves and cupid shot his golden arrow through someone’s heart, he would be reminded of this day.
Angel took Tommy’s chilled hands from his pockets and brought their palms together. Angel heated them with his warm breath. “Is that better, mi amor? Would you like a blanket, or perhaps a drink to warm you?”
Tommy answered with a playful smile. “Are those my only choices?”
Angel sighed. He took Tommy’s hands and placed them, one at a time around his waist. He brushed the back of his hand across Tommy’s rosy wind stained cheek. “Your cheeks are so cold, my prince.” Angel ignited them with his lips, chasing away the mid-winter frost. “Let’s sit in front of the fire and pretend we’re snowed in, miles from civilization.”
The fireplace came alive with the flip of a switch, immediately sending a wave of heat into the living room. With Tommy’s help, he moved the coffee table so they could sit on the floor directly in front of the fire. He tossed the plush red blanket that was draped over the back of the couch onto the zebra-striped rug in the center of the living room. “Let’s get you out of those wet clothes before you catch cold.”
Tommy looked down and turned his head from side to side as he inspected his chest and arms. “My clothes aren’t wet. They’re perfectly dry
.”
“Don’t you play hard to get with me, Tommy Blade! Take off those clothes before I rip them off you!”
“I would normally opt for you tearing my clothes off, but since this is my favorite Black Sabbath shirt, I’ll do it myself.”
Tommy pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it on the couch. He stepped out of his jeans and stood, naked, with the glow of the fire behind him. It illuminated his body with an aura of deep orange and red, casting golden shadows in the curves of his upper arms. He was breathtakingly beautiful in the otherwise unlit room.
“Bonito,” Angel whispered. “Beautiful.”
Tommy pulled at Angel’s shirt and at the button of his jeans, removing his clothing, slowly. They stood undressed with their feet in the rumpled velvet throw. They shared a long embrace while their cocks tousled between them. Angel’s lips met the soft flesh of Tommy’s neck and he sunk his teeth into it. Tommy moaned and went limp in his arms.
“Let’s sit and watch the fire, mi amor.”
Tommy gave him a mischievous smile. “I’m standing here naked and you want to watch the fire?”
“Why rush? I have a beautiful afternoon envisioned for us, right here, in front of this romantic fire. Sit. I’ll be right back.” He graced Tommy’s moist lips with a kiss and trotted off to the kitchen. He retrieved a bottle of wine and some glasses and returned to his waiting prince.
Angel stopped as soon as Tommy was within sight. He was a vision, sprawled lengthwise facing the fire, propped up on his elbow, while his golden tresses fell over one shoulder. Angel needed to take a deep breath before he could move.
He set the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc down on the hardwood floor next to the rug and poured two glasses.
The Prince of Punk Rock Page 14