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Ray knew he was overreacting. Unfortunately, knowing doesn’t mean he had the ability to stop himself from doing it.
Rose and the Petal Pushers had been offered a small time tour, just around California, for the next two months. It was wonderful and both Ray and Rose were beyond stoked. Then of course, as things always seemed to happen that way, Ray was offered the photography gig he needed to jumpstart his budding career. There’d been no way to say no.
So, here Ray was, wearing a RatPP shirt and wishing desperately that there was a way that he could just see Rose’s face again. They’d met three years ago, in 1996, and had been inseparable since. Ray was pretty sure this was the longest they’d been apart since the weekend they met.
But the reality was there, always looming. This was Rose’s dream, to travel the world and put her music out to people. She wanted that connection with everyone and with a best friend in Trevor Wilson, an upcoming star at this point, she had a shot. What that would mean for Ray was pretty clear, too.
Ray would have to swallow up the sour tang of pain each time his heart beat out the name of the girl he was in love with and remember that they weren’t quite as far as they seemed from each other. Not really. Even now, only a few hundred miles separated them. Later, maybe a few thousands, but it wouldn’t matter.
Rose loved Ray.
Ray loved Rose.
That’s all they needed. They’d get through anything so long as they continued to love and support each other.
Anyway, this tour had finally given Ray the push he’d needed. (And, yeah, okay, maybe Trevor dropped a little extra cash so he could get there faster. It’s not Ray’s fault his career is only starting and Trevor’s already got a large foothold in the music industry.)
The ring box sat on the nightstand, glittering softly in the lamplight. It brought Ray’s adrenaline up, thinking of having to ask the question, but nothing in his life has ever felt more right.
The landline rang, pulling him from his thoughts and he glanced at the wall clock. Two A.M. Time to tuck Rose in over the phone.
Scooping it off the hook, he smiles as he pressed it to his ear, “Hey, darling.”
“Evening, mi corazón. Thinking about me?” She asked, voice a bit raspy from her set, but the smile was obvious all the same.
“Always.” Ray promised, because no matter where she was in the world, she’d always have a home in his mind and in his heart.