by TL Travis
“Of course, what’s up?” he said, reaching into the drawer where we kept the menus and restaurant fliers.
“Why don’t you like Lucas?” I asked, twisting a napkin I’d found on the table around my fingers.
He sat there, thinking about his answer for a few moments before answering me. “I don’t like the way he expects you to wait on him hand and foot. The only thing missing was for me to come in and find you feeding him grapes while fanning him.”
“Oh.” Not the answer I expected to hear at all.
We ordered a pizza and talked while eating and in between, I washed a ridiculous amount of laundry. I hated using the laundry mats while on tour so toward the end, we started balling our shit up. Diamond magically appeared as the pizza was being delivered. I swear he had a sixth sense when it came to food and could smell it from a mile away. Too funny. But the three of us spent a comfortable night at home sharing the road trip antics with my father, watching his moods shift from laughter, to concern and back to laughing at the shit that went on.
After spending three weeks at home, we found ourselves back on the road for our second tour. Lucas and my schedules only worked out to where we could see each other a couple of times which sucked. He was in his final semester of college, which meant he needed to buckle down, and we had daily band practices, but I was happy I got to see him at all.
This time we shared a bus with the guys from Double Duty. This bill had four bands on the docket and we were still at the bottom. We’d been working on some new lyrics because Sal wanted us in the studio when we got back to town to put together tracks for a new CD. This time though, we’d be in a real recording studio which was totally new to us.
Sharing a bus with another band was good and bad at the same time. They gave up two of their four bunks for us to share and their two who were without opted to crash on the couches at the front. We kept the shared bunk set up the same as we had for the hotel rooms.
Diamond and Mickey were sleeping at opposite ends of their shared bunk and woke the entire bus in the middle of the night with Mickey yelling at the top of his lungs, “Dude get your dick out of my face.”
Everyone, driver included burst into fits of laughter.
“Don’t act like you don’t like it,” Diamond retorted.
“Enough guys,” Stoli, road father, reprimanded them.
But it was pretty fucking funny. What did suck though was eight guys plus a bus driver sharing a shoddy old shower toilet combo.
This tour started off by taking us through the Midwest then down through the southwest again and back up. We played in Seattle in the middle of the tour before heading to Wyoming. The way they had it mapped out literally put us all over the place. Whoever set this one up was graphically challenged as it would have flowed much better had there been more thought put into it beforehand. But it was what it was.
Most of the time we were parked at the venues which occasionally had some sort of water hook ups. Sometimes we opted to split a hotel room which left guys sleeping on the floor, but at least it gave us a full-size bathroom to take turns in.
But with us nearing the middle of the tour, that would land us in Seattle this weekend and Lucas was coming out to the show.
“Stoli, we need a quick band meeting,” I asked as we came off stage.
“Okay, DD won’t be back on the bus for at least an hour. Let’s head there.” The three of us followed him out to the bus. Once there, I made sure the driver wasn’t inside and shut the door.
“Um, Lucas is meeting me at the concert Saturday night,” I told him.
“Fine, thanks for the warning,” he said, stalking toward the back.
“No that’s not it. Fuck dude, calm down.”
He stopped. “What is it then?”
“I think it’s time we came clean with DD. I’m not gonna not kiss my boyfriend who I haven’t seen for weeks and act like I’m someone I’m not.” My anxiety increased the more I spoke.
Stoli’s initial anger seemed to dissipate as I finished with my rant. “Yeah, you got a point. At some point I’m sure they’ll catch Mickey and I with some rando.”
Mickey grinned the devilish grin we’d grown to know meant trouble. “Okay, let’s tell them tonight once we’re on the road.”
We agreed, meanwhile Diamond stayed focused on whatever game he was playing on his phone. I often wondered if the three of us being gay made him uncomfortable. If it did, he never said anything although he never spoke to Lucas much either.
We went back inside to get cleaned up and grab something to eat while we waited for DD to finish their set, so we could head out.
Once we were on the freeway, Stoli announced, “Hey guys, can we have a tour bus meeting?” I watched as he toyed with his dad’s dog tags, a move I alone knew he did when he felt uneasy about something.
When everyone was in the common area he continued, “With us playing at home this weekend we’ll have some friends,” he looked at me, “and um, family there watching the show.”
“Sweet,” Nate answered.
“Well, there’s something you should know about us,” he continued.
Tommy leaned forward in his seat, Nate stood staring and Chase and Brent turned to face us.
“We’re um. Fuck, we’re gay,” Stoli spit out, rather angrily.
“And you’re telling us this because?” Nate paused, waiting for us to fill in the blanks.
“My boyfriend will be there,” I informed them.
“Cool, can we meet him?” Tommy asked.
“Um, yeah I guess. You guys are okay with this?” This was far too easy which made me question their motives.
“Why wouldn’t we be? But are all of you gay?” Chase asked.
“No, not Diamond,” Stoli quickly added.
He didn’t want them to get the wrong impression. Diamond didn’t say anything, he let us have our moment. A coming out moment, as though we wouldn’t be doing that repeatedly for the rest of our lives.
“Oh, right on,” Tommy leaned back, grabbing the Xbox controller. “Who’s up for some Call of Duty?”
Mickey bolted across the bus, “Me,” he said before plopping down beside Tommy and grabbing the second controller.
I looked up at Stoli who shrugged before pulling his phone from his pocket and that was the end of the conversation. Seems in my mind I’d made it a bigger deal than it really was.
Come Saturday, Brett, my dad and Lucas where waiting by the gate when we drove past. I’d already alerted security they’d be there. They guided them to our bus after we’d parked. We jumped out and hugged everyone then began the introductions. Stoli’s mom couldn’t come because his little brother Brandon was sick. We took them inside to give them a tour and check things out behind the scene. My dad and Brett were in awe, but Lucas was completely uninterested and spent most of the time typing away on his phone.
I slid my arm around his waist and whispered, “Babe, could you at least pretend to be interested in what we do?”
He stood on his tiptoes, kissing my cheek. “I am, I swear. But I’m more interested in watching you get hot and sweaty on stage.”
By the time we finished with the tour, it was time take our places on stage. With a final kiss and wishes of good luck we hit the deck. I looked over a couple of times and caught glimpses of my dad singing along with us. Man, that was a stellar moment. I didn’t even know he listened to our music which made me happier than I think I’ve ever been. Brett was jamming out along with us, but Lucas I couldn’t see. He was probably just hidden by the curtain. We finished the show with a bang in front of a great hometown crowd. The venue was packed to the hilt and our stage exit was met with chants for more.
“Wow, that was great guys,” Brett said, opting for high-fives versus hugs since we were drenched in sweat. Diamond grabbed a pile of towels, tossing one to each of us.
My dad was beaming and didn’t care that we were sweaty messes as he hugged me. “That was awesome!”
“Ha, thanks D
ad. I’m glad you came. Where’s Lucas?”
They both shrugged and started talking with the guys. We had to move to the side to allow the roadies on stage to set up for DD. Slowly, we meandered toward the dressing rooms. Still being low on the lineup we hadn’t been allotted one yet. Stoli wandered off to grab us a few bottles of water, but when he hadn’t returned ten minutes later I got a knot in the pit of my stomach.
My dad and Brett went in search of the restroom just as Stoli emerged with a screaming Lucas at his side. Stoli was fucking pissed, his face was red and I thought he was going to punch Lucas.
“What the fuck is going on?” I yelled at them.
“Are you gonna tell him or should I?” Stoli yelled while pushing Lucas.
“Stoli, don’t fucking touch him!” I warned him.
“Why don’t you tell him, Stoli, since you’re the only one who knows what’s going on?” Lucas tossed back.
“Someone better fucking tell me what’s going on.” I had had enough, these two needed to sort their shit out.
“I went into the break area to grab the water they told us we could have and little boy blue here,” referring to Lucas’ latest hair color, “Was sucking the hair off some guy’s sweaty sack.”
All the blood left my head and I felt like I was going to vomit. “Wait, what?” I turned to Lucas. “What’s he talking about?”
“Your other boyfriend here,” he pointed at Stoli, “thinks that’s what he saw, but he didn’t come close enough to see that I was helping him sew a tear in his pants.”
“While they were still on him?” Stoli argued.
“Yes, he didn’t want to take them off. I was just trying to help him.” Lucas sidled up beside me. “You know how I like to help out when I can,” he said to me using, his sweet voice. Something felt off and I knew Stoli hated him although I didn’t know why, but to take things to this extreme may just be the end of our friendship, this was not cool.
“Come on you guys, knock it off.” I said, trying to ease the tension. “We’ve drawn a crowd over nothing. I’m heading out with Lucas. I’ll catch you guys when it’s time to leave.” I hugged my dad and thanked him for coming before wrapping my arm around Lucas, guiding him out.
When we got to the bus I led him inside. “What the hell was that about and why did you call him my boyfriend? Again?” I plopped down on the couch and he sat beside me.
“Baby, you know he’s jealous of me.” He started kissing the side of my neck. My cock twitched when he hit the sensitive spot below my ear.
“Mmm. Jealous of what?” I was losing my train of thought as he began rubbing the front of my jeans with the palm of his hand.
“Me. Enough talk about him.” He sucked in my bottom lip. “Let me take care of my man before we have to part again.”
I grabbed the back of his neck, pulling his lips to mine. He unbuttoned my fly as I felt my warm erection hit the cool air. When he began stroking me, I threw my head back against the couch mumbling, “Fuck.”
With his mouth on mine and him stroking my cock, I was literally putty in his hands. The weeks between our hookups were increasing in frequency and it wasn’t going to take much to get me off. His grip tightened, adding a twist on the upswing just below the head before sliding back down only to have the move repeated. I was lost, between the rhythm of the strokes and his tongue delving in and out of my mouth it was just…ahh. When he started sucking my tongue, I thrust up in his fist, coating the front of my shirt.
With a final kiss, he pulled my shirt off over my head, tucked my deflating member away and re-buttoned my pants before I’d even caught my breath.
“Ugh, can’t move,” I whined.
“Ha, no worries. Which one is your bunk, so I can get you a clean shirt?” He headed toward the back of the bus.
“I have to share to with Stoli, bottom left bunk.” I stood to help him but he stopped.
“You share a bunk with Stoli? What else do you share with him?” he spat.
“Huh? Am I missing something here? You have eight guys and a driver on one bus. We are all doubled up. What are you getting at?”
What was with all the aggression and hostility tonight?
“Are you and Stoli fucking?” he said with his hands on his hips assuming his confrontational stance.
“I’ve fucked around with no one but you and you know that. What the fuck, Lucas?” I crossed my arms across my chest to keep from punching something. He knew I’d never cheat on him.
“Sorry but I’m not happy about this. You guys need to get your own bus.” He grabbed my bag and tore a shirt from it. “And you need to do laundry, your clothes stink.”
He tossed the shirt at me, I put it on before addressing him again. “We don’t have the money for a bus. You know we don’t make shit, Lucas. Five minutes ago you were all over me and now you’re trying to start an argument that has no grounds for which to stand on. I’m not cheating on you. I never have, and I never will.”
Lucas walked up to me, wrapping his arms around my waist, “I’m sorry, Joey. I love you and I trust you. But, I…don’t…trust…Stoli.”
“Whatever Lucas, the guys are walking up to the bus now. Let me walk you to your car.” As we turned, Mickey and Stoli entered. Stoli took one look at us and stormed off, punching the side of the bus in his wake. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but it needs to end, Now.” I took Lucas by the hand and guided him off the bus and over to his car.
By the time I returned to the bus, Stoli was back and all eyes were on me as I entered. “What’s up guys?”
Everyone shrugged, Nate spoke up, “That was cool your dads came out. They seemed to have enjoyed themselves.”
“Yeah, that was sweet.” While I was thinking about it, I took my phone out to text my dad thanks again before plopping down on the couch beside Mickey. Stoli stalked off and hid in our bunk, sliding the curtain closed behind him.
“Hey bro,” Mickey nudged me, “Stoli says we’re swapping bunkmates so you’re with Diamond.
“What? Why?” I looked from face to face, searching for an answer.
“Dude, how long have you and Stoli been friends? Best friends nonetheless,” Diamond asked me.
Pulling my hair back into a tie, I blew out a breath. “Hell, as far as I can remember. Like since birth. Why?”
“Why did you believe Lucas and not him?” he continued.
“I think it was just a misunderstanding, that’s all. I’m over it so I don’t see why he isn’t. It was about my boyfriend, so I should be the one with the problem here. I don’t see why this should affect our friendship.”
“Friendship is about trust, it’s the basis for all relationships,” he cut in. “The fact that you didn’t trust him to tell you the truth was like a knife to the heart. You need to take a look around my friend because you’ve been going through life with blinders on,” Diamond finished before disappearing behind the curtains of his bunk.
I turned to Mickey who was still beside me. “What am I missing here?”
He shrugged, turning the Xbox on. “Who’s up for some mad gaming?”
I moved to let Tommy take my seat to play with Mickey. We were only halfway through this trip and if Stoli was going to ignore me it was going to make for one long ass journey.
The first couple of days he acted as though I didn’t exist, didn’t utter a word to me, but by the time we came off stage from the show in Missoula, he clapped my back and told me, “Great job, Joey,” before walking off.
I stood there, stunned into silence.
Diamond came up behind me. “Just give him time, Joey. Let him come to you, don’t push it.”
I nodded and followed behind them to the bus.
Chapter
Twelve
With that tour behind us, our sights were set on recording our new CD. Sal had set us up with a studio in Seattle and we were meeting him there at nine a.m. Monday morning. We’d written a few songs while on the road, but still wanted to have a cou
ple more down before we committed to which ones we’d be recording. The last song Stoli shared with us that he’d written, Time to Move On, bothered me, and I couldn’t put my finger on why.
Sal got us thirty days in the Seattle studio. Luckily, with the songs we had written we also had the music started for most of the tracks, but felt the pressure the minute we walked through the door as Sal and Easton were waiting inside for us.
“Good morning, boys.” He clapped his hands together to get our attention. “I know this is somewhat new to you, so today we’ll introduce you to the process and show you the rooms you can use while you’re here. From what Stoli told me, some of the songs are done, but the melodies aren’t so you’re going to need to jump on that first thing.”
Way to point out the obvious and make us even more fucking nervous.
“Sorry for reiterating what I’m sure you already know, but it’s up to me, well us,” he gestured between himself and Easton, “to make sure we’re on the same page and keep to the timeline I’ve proposed.” Easton handed each of us a sheet of paper outlining the expectations Sal had.
“Also, I’ve got a contact whose band is looking to sell their old tour bus – cheap. It’s not a looker, but with a little elbow grease you guys could make it your own. Seems you impressed the hell out of the other bands you’ve toured with’s management teams. The phone’s ringing off the hook to add you to their tours. I’m holding them back until we see how this CD pans out and get the release scheduled. I’d like to tie that in with whichever tour we decide best suits you.”
“Wow,” Stoli said, “that’s, well fuck man, that’s a lot for us to take in.”
Sal raised his brow in question. “You not happy about this, son?”
“Hell no. I’m ecstatic and I guess now is as good a time as any to let you guys work your magic while we produce ours. I believe you have a contract that needs four signatures on it?”
I commended Stoli for his handling of a situation that clearly left the three of us speechless. Straight to the point without being rude.
“That I do. Brett explained it to you guys?” he asked, retrieving a pen from his interior suit coat pocket.