Page 6 of In the Shadows

Turning back to the fans, he announced our next number, “Here is,Time To Move On.”

When I wrote this song, I never thought for a second that I had a chance with Joey. I was turning into a pissy son of a bitch and needed to get over him and move on. Now I saw the lyrics in a different light. No longer filled with the pain of longing for what might never be. It’s the song that ended up bringing us together. When we perform it, it’s our moment in the spotlight to shine as a couple. And until he kissed me in front of the packed house tonight, no one outside of our band family knew that. But soon the world would come to know it as our song.

We finished up late, taking a bow at the front of center stage before I threw out a couple of picks and Diamond tossed a set of drumsticks into the crowd. Tonight, we played to a much smaller, but just as rowdy crowd and I had to say it would go down in the band tour log books as one of my favorite shows and venues that we’d ever played.

They didn’t have showers on site for us to use, so we sprinted to the bus yelling “dibs” as Diamond shoulder checked his way through us like he was defending a goal on the ice, before running onto the bus and locking himself in the tiny bathroom we had. Rob laughed, “Don’t worry, guys, Sal booked us a spot at KOA two hours down the road with water hookups and community showers. We’ll camp there for the night and you can shower then if you can wait that long.” He shifted the bus into drive and headed out of the lot. Arriving in the dead of night would allow us some anonymity from the public eye at least.

Joey and I plopped down on the couch, opting to play GTO as Diamond and Mickey traded places in the bathroom. I was positive they were draining the small water tank, so waiting was a no brainer for me.

After pulling into our spot, Rob went to check us in while Joey and I changed into gym shorts and flip flops. We grabbed our towels and toiletry bags and headed straight for the community showers.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Diamond hollered as we exited the bus.

“That doesn’t leave much does it?” I asked Joey.

He snickered, “No and since neither of us has a vagina, I’m not sure where he was headed with that.”

Approaching the showers, I wanted to ask him to shower with me, but wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. I reached for the door knob to the first one I came to and stopped.

“Wanna share?” Joey suggested.

I met his eyes, even in the dim yellowed campground lighting I could see the pink tinge in his cheeks. He was just as unsure as I was. I nodded and pulled the door open for him to enter ahead of me. He reached over, turning the timer on the wall which activated the lights as we gazed around, taking in our surroundings. The entire stall was tiled floor to ceiling with a skylight overhead. There was a single shower head, toilet, sink, and mirror. We hung our towels up on the wall hooks before staring at each other, wondering who was going to make the first move. I locked my thumbs in the waistband, gearing up to pull my shorts down while Joey turned the shower on, allowing the water to heat up.

How many times over the years had I seen his bare chest? His slender muscles, the way his ink flowed over his left peck, up onto his shoulder, before weaving down his back and stopping at his waist. I had the colorful variations in his full sleeve memorized. I remember every tattoo he got, having been by his side or on the table next to him getting my own work done each time. How many times had I wished I could run my tongue along them, outlining each one? Licking my way down his spine, between his cheeks, seeking that which I desired most. To enter him. Make him mine. I’d never rimmed anyone before, never wanted to and now I could think of nothing more than my desire to do so to Joey.

He turned, facing me. We eyed one another curiously as we moved to take our shorts off at the same time. Uncertainty flooded me, only to be replaced with desire as I drew his naked body against mine. Our rapidly hardening cocks came together. Feeling the naked flesh of my best friend against me as we now crossed the line to lovers was beyond words. That realization jolted my core, and I flinched.

“What’s wrong?” Joey asked, moving back and covering his private area with his hands preparing for a rejection that wasn’t coming.

“I’ve waited so long for this, I’m just finding it hard to believe that it’s finally happening.” I licked my lips before once again pulling him to me, consuming his mouth with mine. His lips parted, my tongue wasted no time before diving inside and seeking his. Gripping the back of his head possessively, I took control fearing he’d disappear right before my eyes if I let him go.

His hand snaked between us, wrapping around both our shafts and lightly stroking from base to tip. I wrenched back, drawing in a breath between my teeth as I looked down. Seeing our cocks together in his fist forced shudders through me. Between the fact that I was in such a sensual setting with Joey, and that I hadn’t hooked up with anyone in more than three months, I was nearing the edge faster than I wanted to. Mesmerized, I watched our heads darken on each upstroke. He added a twist, before gliding his hand back down. After several strokes, the release building in the base of my spine was refusing to be held back any longer.

“Joey,” I panted.

“I know,” he mumbled, pressing his lips to mine and sucking my tongue in tune with his ministrations.

With his hand and mouth fucking me in unison, there was no holding back. I thrust up into his hand, once, twice before I couldn’t take it anymore. My come coated his hand and I felt his cock throb before his release spilled over, mixing with mine.

I braced my hand against the wall, steadying myself. My knees were weak, my heart was racing, and my head was flooded with the fresh memories of our encounter.

Joey reached into the shower, rinsing off his hand before grabbing me and pulling me under the water with him.

I’d never been an open, emotional man. I wasn’t one to share my feelings. But right then, my emotions were all over the damn place. Me, the man who was always in charge, always certain of my decisions was now reduced to a head over heels in love sappy lump. A simple act of frotting had now become the most memorable sexual encounter I’d had to date. I’m not sure if that was a good thing or just plain old sad.

“Hey,” Joey paused, staring at me with soap in hand.

“I love you,” I blurted out, somewhat unconsciously.

“Okay, wasn’t where I was headed, but I love you too.” He kissed me. “Turn around and let me wash your back before we run out of hot water.”

Just as we finished drying off, the timer shut off, turning the lights off on us. We walked out into the dark of night and on to an extremely quiet bus. Looked like Easton kept his word and was hanging with the Winnebago gang since I didn’t see him in his usual spot on the couch. He wasn’t gonna be a happy camper tomorrow, which made me thankful it was going to be a full day of travel.

I didn’t so much as finish that thought when Diamond came storming out from the bunk area as we stepped further into the bus. “Easton needs our help. The newbies are at it again.” Joey and I dropped our stuff as Mickey emerged from the back and the four of us headed over to the slip BOD had for the night. We heard the music blaring before we even rounded the corner.

“Fuck, they’re gonna get us kicked out of here,” Joey said.

Bang, bang, bang, Diamond pounded on their door so hard the siding vibrated. An extremely frazzled Easton emerged. “Thank you.” The poor guy looked like he was nearing a total meltdown.

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