Roadie In Love - 7. Back to Normal, For a While

Kevin gave Eric a call at ten o'clock the next morning after he found out when they'd be releasing him.

"Mmmmf?"

"Good morning to you too. I guess you only wake up early if you're in a hospital and are about to be released."

"Sounds about right. What time is it, like seven?"

"If you were in, say, Buenos Aries, yeah. New Mexico, no, it's ten o'clock."

"Okay, I'm almost awake. What's up?"

"They're cutting me loose in an hour. Think you can be here by then?"

"Yeah. That's checkout time anyway. I'll hop in the shower, get dressed and head over."

"Okay. See you in a while."

"Yeah. Goodnight. Love you."

Realizing Eric still wasn't really awake, although he did like the sound of 'love you,' Kevin called again in ten minutes.

After floundering for his phone for a few seconds, still groggy, "What now?"

"I don't hear the shower running. I'm guessing you finished in there already?"

"Shower, huh? Oh, shit. Did I sleep past checkout time?"

"No, it's only been ten minutes, but I had a feeling you weren't completely awake."

Throwing his feet to the floor and struggling to sit up, "Good. Okay, I'm standing up. I'm moving."

"Yeah, I bet. Let me hear water running, you have ten seconds."

"Or what?"

"Well, you got me there. We need to get on the road as soon as I'm paroled. I need to check on my car. We can stop for food on the way, but we should probably try to be in Albuquerque by three."

Eric had made it to the bathroom and turned on the faucet full blast.

"Hear that?"

"Yeah. Stay awake. See you in a bit."

Eric started urinating, "Hear that too?"

"Yeah. Are you pissing while you're on the phone with me?"

Eric finished urinating, "Nope!"

"Dick. Bye."

"See you in about thirty."

"I'm calling back in thirty-one minutes if you're not here."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll be there."

Eric showered and took care of the rest of his morning ritual. He checked Google Maps and left on time to get to the hospital in twenty-nine minutes. At the thirty-one-minute mark, Eric was standing outside Kevin's room door, waiting for his phone to ring. Kevin called.

Trying to sound casual, but failing, "Where are you?"

Eric walked in, "Right here. I waited until you called."

"You're something."

Eric walked over to the bed, where Kevin was sitting, dressed and waiting, kissed him, and sat down next to him.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. That's much better than mmmmf."

They chatted for a while until an orderly arrived to wheel Kevin out. They stopped at the state police barracks before leaving town to see where Kevin's car was located. After driving to the salvage yard, a worker pointed out where the new arrivals were. Kevin and Eric took the rest of Kevin's belongings and transferred them to Luke's back seat and trunk. They made another stop at the office, where Kevin signed the forms necessary to have them destroy the car. He walked away with a paltry six hundred dollars, the scrap value. Fortunately, he also received the paperwork necessary to provide to his insurance company and get whatever their payment would be for a totaled Equinox. They were finally on their way to Albuquerque.

After a short stop for lunch, they arrived in Albuquerque at a few minutes after three o'clock, driving directly to the Isleta Amphitheater. The road crew was starting to gather to discuss the layout. Kevin joined that meeting while Eric headed to the hotel.

Jason welcomed Kevin back, "Hey, Kevin. I'm glad to see you up and around. I'm sure everybody wants to hear what happened. If you're comfortable sharing, you can do that after we're done, okay?"

"Yeah, that'll be fine."

Jason continued the meeting. When everyone was clear on their duties, Jason gave the floor to Kevin. Kevin went through the whole story, from abandoning the band on stage until his departure from Tucumcari. They were all impressed that he went off-roading, unintentionally, at seventy-eight miles per hour and lived. Kevin was paired up with Luke Kenner, helping set up Pat's drum kit. Most of the pieces were light enough for Kevin to handle without damaging his re-located shoulders.

"I never thanked you for coming to see me and bringing Eric."

"Oh, no problem. We haven't worked next to each other too often, with you being Eric's guy. Ha, I guess that can be taken two ways. Anyway, you're part of the team and we all have to get along. And we all do, now that Chris is out of the picture. Thanks for that, by the way."

"Yeah, I guess I helped there. It's just too bad the idiot hit Mike's hand and not mine."

"Yeah, but look at the opportunity you got because of it."

"Still, at someone else's expense. I don't think that's so good."

"That's true. So, if I can pry a little, are you and Eric officially boyfriends?"

"We've never used that term, but, it's probably safe to say that. And like he said in the hospital room, forget you know that."

"Cool. Your secret is safe with me. Although, I have to tell you, pretty much everybody already assumes that."

"I kind of figured that was the case by now. Does anybody have a problem with it?"

"Danny Edmunds, wishes it was him, but he's never said anything like he has a problem with it. I think his daddy warned him about being good. Last year he spread a bunch of rumors, but nothing recently."

Kevin simply nodded, not willing to share that he knew that was indeed the case.

That night, Alexandra Plano filled in for Mike for the first time. They went back to their usual opening song, 'Enemies Never Survive' since Alex didn't really need to be in the spotlight to open the show. Cary introduced her along with the rest of the band. Unfortunately, during nearly every song, Alex lost track of where she was. Most of the audience didn't notice, but when she started 'Dagger in the Back,' there was a smattering of boos from the die-hard Deja Vu fans. This did not go unnoticed by Jason, who quickly found a quiet spot and called Allen Pierce, the promoter.

"Hello?"

"Hi Allen, Jason Mathers. Sorry about the noise."

"No worries. What's up?"

"Alex isn't going to work out. We're not even five songs in and she's screwed up close to twenty times already. She got booed when she started 'Dagger in the Back.' It was barely recognizable."

"Shit. She came so highly recommended. Damn it. There's no way I can get anybody else on such short notice. When is the next show?"

"Wednesday, in Phoenix."

"Fuck."

"I think we ought to go back to using Kevin."

"The roadie?"

"Yeah. He got a pretty good review from Variety Magazine. He bailed on Dallas because it was a huge place and the size of the audience freaked him out. But we don't have any more stadiums for about four weeks, Mike should be back by then. Probably in two or three weeks."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. He made a couple mistakes each night, but Alex blew way past that number in the first song. If she stays, I don't even want to think what the fallout would be."

"Okay. Throw me a text when the band is done. I'll call her and let her know to come home. You'll talk to Kevin?"

"Definitely. We may need to do something about paying him. We've got like ten more shows before Mike will be back."

"Okay. I'll work something out. Let's go with that, then. Thanks for calling."

"You're welcome. Bye."

"Bye."

Jason went backstage again and found Kevin, pulling him aside to a slightly quieter place.

"What do you think about Alex?"

Kevin hesitated because he didn't want to knock a supposedly professional musician.

Jason prompted, "Don't be afraid to say it. She's not doing very well, right?"

"That would be a nice way to put it, yeah."

"I'm glad you agree. To be perfectly honest, she sucks."

"Hehe. Yeah, that'd be more accurate."

"She's going home tomorrow. Are you okay with filling in again until Mike can come back?"

"Um, but what about Dallas?"

"Everyone understands what happened. The next stadium gig isn't for about four weeks. Mike will be back before then. Nothing between now and then more than twenty or twenty-two thousand seat venues."

"I guess. I wouldn't want to have the band use her any longer than necessary."

"She's lucky she'll finish out tonight. I'd swap you in now if it was even remotely possible, but we can't have a long delay."

"Okay. Sure."

"Thanks, Kevin. Allen's looking into what he can do about getting you paid a more reasonable fee for the extra duties."

"Um. Thanks. I would have done it for nothing more."

"Yeah, but with about ten shows coming up, I don't want any union issues. You'll probably get something like the per diem session musicians get. But we'll figure that out before Phoenix."

"Okay. I need to run, time to switch Eric's Axe."

"Go ahead. And thanks."

Kevin waved as he ran back to grab Eric's twelve-string. After the show was over, Jason sent Allen a text and watched as Alex answered a phone call. He could see her disappointment. When she happened to look up and see him, all he could do was shrug his shoulders. She nodded, said a few more words, and disconnected. She walked over to where Jason was.

"I'm sorry I didn't do a better job. I thought I knew the songs better than I did."

"No worries, Alex. These things happen. I'm sure you'll be fine back in the studio."

"Thanks, Mr. Mathers. I don't know if I want to join the band in the dressing room. You'll tell them why?"

"Sure. Take it easy."

Jason found the dressing room. The band was talking loudly about the show. Cary saw Jason walking in.

"Jason, we need to talk about Alex."

"Exactly why I'm here. She was just told by Allen to head home."

Cary continued, the rest nodded, "That's a relief. So what do we do from here?"

"We're going back to Kevin. There aren't any stadiums in the immediate future, so he's fine with filling in again."

Eric smiled, but it disappeared quickly, "We ought to find a way to get him paid more."

"Allen is already on that. There are too many shows before Mike will be ready to come back, to not avoid union hassles if we didn't."

They were all satisfied with the information. Later, at the hotel, Eric decided to let Kevin tell him the news, but prompted him in a way that wouldn't be obvious he already knew.

"So, were your shoulders okay after lugging drums?"

"Oh, yeah, they're okay. I probably won't be lugging drums before shows anymore."

"No? Why not?"

"So I don't tire myself out before the shows."

"It'd be better if you didn't tire yourself out after the shows, wink, wink."

"Alright, I can see you're just busting my chops. You know."

"I know lots of things, but what you're trying to get at isn't one of them."

"Alex got canned. I'll be the 'keyboard bassist' again until Mike is better."

Feigning surprise, Eric responded, "Wow, that's great!"

Kevin still suspected Eric already knew, but decided to let him have his fun.

"I should even get paid more to do it."

"Good for you. We should celebrate."

Their celebration could have been called the same as a Bryan Adams song, 'Summer of '69.

***********************************

The Phoenix show occurring two days later went fine. Kevin even made fewer mistakes than he did in either of the shows the previous week. They left for Las Vegas, where they would have two shows and spend four nights. The whole gang was looking forward to what most of them considered a mini vacation. Kevin and Eric, however, were closer to considering it a honeymoon of sorts. As Jason guessed, Kevin's pay was increased to a little over the minimum standard pay for studio musicians. It worked out to one-hundred and fifty dollars per show.

The caravan pulled into Las Vegas a little after three o'clock on Thursday, August eighth. The shows were at Sphere on the ninth and tenth. Blues Traveler once again would join Deja Vu and The Black Crowes on stage. But seating eighteen thousand, six hundred didn't panic Kevin. They weren't due in San Diego until Monday the twelfth. Kevin and Eric planned on making the best of their time in Vegas.

However, it appeared Robert Burns had made other plans. "The best-laid schemes o'mice an' men gang aft agley" came into play just after dinner the first night there. Kevin was a big seafood fan. Seeing smoked trout on the dinner menu, he couldn't resist. He'd never had it before, but there wasn't a fish he didn't like so far. While it tasted okay to him, about two hours later he felt like his stomach was turning upside-down. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, he wasn't alone; so, there was at least a better idea about what hit him. Lucas Kenner didn't have the smoked trout, but he did have the same rice side order Kevin did. Joe Spess drove them both to the local urgent care center where it was determined the cause was from Bacillus cereus bacteria. This is one of the quickest acting bacteria and is found most often in rice. They were given something to settle their stomachs, and instructions on what to do and not do, and were sent on their way. Needless to say, there was no progress made in Kevin and Eric's sexual journey that night.

Kevin was still feeling a little under the weather on Friday, but felt he'd be able to make it through the concert. He had to leave the stage for one song about halfway through to visit the men's room and guzzle some more Pepto, but he returned and completed the set. He was quite pale and weak after the last song and Mike helped him off the stage. There was to be no three-group finale, so Kevin caught a ride to the Hotel, refusing for Eric to accompany him and miss the after-party festivities. Eric hesitated, but Kevin insisted Eric remain, since he would probably fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Kevin was almost right. When Eric returned to the Hotel room a little later, Kevin was sprawled across the bed sideways, still dressed. He was however, able to remove one of his shoes before crashing. Eric stripped him down to his boxer-briefs and positioned him on the bed so he was able to lie down himself in a normal position. Eric wrapped his arms around Kevin and slowly fell asleep himself.

Eric woke Saturday morning to the sounds of dry heaves coming from the bathroom. Checking in on Kevin, he saw that he was still pale, but Kevin said he felt a little better. Toast with jam and ginger ale were the best Kevin could do at breakfast, but even that was better than the dry toast and water that he suffered through the previous day. He even went as far as having a cheese sandwich for lunch, which he was able to keep down then having some plain noodles for dinner. Kevin was able to make it through the show that night without a visit to the bathroom but was nearly as wiped out afterward. He once again went back to the Hotel alone. Eric was happy to see Kevin mostly undressed and sleeping with his head and feet in the expected positions when he returned to the room.

Sunday morning arrived to a happier, more chipper, Kevin. He even felt well enough to give Eric a kiss good morning.

"It looks like someone is feeling better."

"Oh, three hundred percent better, Eric. I don't know how I'll feel later, but right now, definitely better than I have for a couple days."

"Cool. I suspect you'll tire easily today but be well enough to survive the five-and-a-half-hour bus ride tomorrow."

"Getting up with the sunrise might not be so pleasant."

With a leer, Eric whispered, "We'll go to bed early tonight."

"Oh, geez. I'm sorry I messed up our plans for a wild time in Las Vegas."

"No worries. It wasn't you who cooked the bad rice. I found out that almost a dozen people befell the same fate as you."

"Misery loves company, but since I only know Luke out of all of them, it's not much of a help. How is he doing, by the way?"

"Better than you, he didn't eat quite as much of his rice as far as I understand."

"Lucky shit."

Eric looked at Kevin for a moment, waiting to see if he realized what he'd said and how it related to his recent illness.

"Oh, shut up! I guess neither one of us had any lucky shit the past couple days."

Kevin started laughing and Eric joined right in with him. Breakfast was almost normal for Kevin that day. Toast and jam, a small cheese omelet, tea and apple juice passed his gums without a hitch. Lunch and dinner also went well for Kevin. Still eating a little on the bland side, but he felt well enough to accompany Eric and a few others to see Blue Man Group that evening.

After returning to the Hotel that night, Kevin felt frisky. He took two condoms and a tube of lubricant out of his bag and put them on the bedside table.

"It's our last night in Vegas. Do you think we can make love tonight?"

Eric wasn't so sure, "Are you sure you're okay, feeling strong enough?"

"Yes. The few kisses we've shared recently have been nice, but I think it's time for more."

"As long as you're positive."

Kevin reached for Eric to give him a bear hug and started kissing him. Eric felt the desperation in Kevin's kisses.

"Mmmm. You're positive."

They began to undress each other, slowly removing each article of clothing to avoid breaking the kiss, except for removing their shirts. Naked, they laid down on the bed, each reaching for the other's genitals, slowly fondling each other. Kevin, still apparently weakened from his illness struggled to get erect. That wasn't going to stop him from at least having Eric make love to him. Eric didn't fail to notice this.

"Are you sure you can do this?"

"If I can't get hard enough, I'd still like you to make love to me. Please? I need you so badly."

Eric answered by reaching for the lube and rolling Kevin on his back. He started slowly, and gently, massaging Kevin's anus. He took his time to ensure Kevin was properly prepared. Eric was nowhere near the fourteen inches that Mike joked the morning after Kevin and Eric spent their first night together; close to half, but not quite even there. When he felt Kevin was ready, he reached for a condom, and after rolling it onto himself, used some more lube.

Eric moved between Kevin's legs, "You're sure about this, right?"

"More sure than I've even been about anything. Go ahead, I'm ready."

Eric slowly pushed up against Kevin's anus, increasing the pressure gradually. It didn't take very long before the head of his dick passed through Kevin's sphincter.

"Hold it there a second, okay?"

"Anything you want, Kev."

After a few moments, Kevin urged Eric on, making him stop for shorter and shorter intervals as he penetrated deeper and deeper. Finally, Kevin felt Eric's hips touching his buns and moaned quietly.

"Ohhhh, God, you feel so good inside me."

"It feels good being inside you too."

"Take me Eric. Make love to me."

Eric started pulling back, almost to the point of completely removing himself. Just before Kevin could complain that Eric had pulled out, he started pushing himself back in. Eric repeated these steps, moving faster on each stroke. Kevin's semi-hard penis was flopping back and forth with every one of Eric's thrusts.

"Mmmm. Harder. Please. Give it to me good!"

Eric complied. Well, for a couple more minutes anyway. He felt the pressure building inside him and gave one final, deep thrust. Grunting as he came, he nearly drowned out Kevin’s moans of pleasure. When Eric had released all the love-juice he could, he collapsed onto Kevin's body, kissing him madly. As Eric softened, Kevin began to doze. By the time Eric slipped out, Kevin was asleep. Eric slowly rolled off of Kevin and removed the condom. He walked to the trash can to deposit the used prophylactic, returned to the bed, and pulled the covers up over the two of them.

Next up - "What Happens in Vegas, Well, It Happens Elsewhere Too"