Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  “You’re not helping.” Vaughan brushed a kiss to the side of Frederick’s head before speaking to his friend. “We’re heading out. Wanted to say hey before we did that.”

  “You sure you don’t want to borrow my cuffs?”

  “Yeah. I have other ways,” Vaughan purred.

  “My man!” Wiz hugged Vaughan then reached out to shake Frederick’s hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Frederick. Make sure Sin brings you back sometime, eh?”

  “I will. Good to meet you.” Frederick took the man’s hand and shook it once. He wondered what other ways Vaughan was speaking of. Frederick shivered just thinking about it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Though Vaughan didn’t want the night to end, it had to. They had precious little time left, and spending it listening to loud music surrounded by gyrating bodies suddenly didn’t seem too appetizing. He escorted Frederick from the party, stopped long enough to talk to Tiny and for them to finish their drinks before climbing back on the motorcycle. Instead of heading back to his apartment, Vaughan detoured to a small, all-night diner close to Prince’s. There were so many thoughts swirling about in his head, all of them to do with Frederick and what was happening inside Vaughan.

  At the party Tiny and Wiz had thrown around the phrase your man, and Frederick himself had called Vaughan his boyfriend. But what did that even mean? Frederick would always be traveling—that was just the nature of the beast. Though they’d only just met, Vaughan wasn’t dumb enough to not see what was happening. They weren’t in love—but love was the issue because Vaughan, for as much as he was wary about the whole situation, saw Frederick as someone he could fall in love with, given enough time. No matter what Frederick said, Vaughan was still a little gun-shy about the timing of everything.

  And how much of Frederick would Vaughan get? Ten, twenty, thirty percent? After the fans, producers, editors, hair and make-up, blah, blah, and blah got through with Frederick, how much room would Vaughan really get in the violinist’s world?

  Sure, Frederick said he would be back, but the road to hell being paved with good intentions and all that. A waitress told them to grab a seat anywhere, and Vaughan chose a booth out of the way close to the glass. He slid into the seat and watched as Frederick sat across from him. Vaughan had no idea what to say out loud. Inside his head, he was pleading for Frederick not to go, to stay with him and see if what they had was real. There was no way their tentative relationship would survive a month.

  A month, two days.

  How quickly the mood changed. At the party, he could barely contain himself, but now, all he felt was irritation—at himself for letting things get this far and at his body for wanting Frederick.

  “You guys want to order something?” The waitress’s voice cut through his thoughts, and Vaughan looked up at her and smiled.

  “Coffee, black.”

  “Good. And you honey?” She asked Frederick.

  Frederick returned the grin and nodded. “The same but I’d like some cream and sugar with mine.”

  “Okay.” She set two menus on the table and hurried off.

  “So … this is it,” Vaughan said. His voice was hard, and that surprised him. Usually, he was better at hiding his emotions.

  “Only until I return. Remember, you and Kelliani will be my guests at the concert at The Lauriette Theatre. Two passes are already put together for you.” Frederick reached across to Vaughan’s hand and squeezed.

  Vaughan pulled his hand away and exhaled long and slow while easing backward to lounge in the semi-comfortable seat. He leveled his eyes on Frederick even as his phone rang in his pocket. That seemed strange, for Vaughan was almost certain he’d put it on vibrate earlier.

  He ignored it. That was probably another one of those damn ghost calls he’d been getting so much of lately.

  “I’m sure Kelly would…”

  The waitress returned and set their coffee down. “Did you gentlemen want something to eat?”

  “No,” Vaughan said. Even if he did order something it would go to waste. His appetite seemed to have been hiding. “I’m good. Thanks.”

  “And you?” She turned her attention to Frederick.

  “No, thank you.” Frederick smiled at the waitress and began reaching for the creamer inside the bowl.

  “Where are you going after you leave me?” Vaughan asked.

  Frederick smiled at Vaughan as he stirred his coffee. “I am not leaving you, Vaughan. Please don’t make it sound so final. I’m going back to Los Angeles. From there, I’ll be playing a couple of shows in Seattle, before heading to Hawaii. Are you sure you can’t break away a while to come with me? Sandy beaches in Waikiki would be a beautiful backdrop for us.”

  “I’m sure.” Vaughan took a quick sip from his coffee. “I can’t give up my life here. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but it’s mine. I haven’t had that all my adult life. I went from orders from my parents to orders from the military to this.”

  Frederick took a sip, and his facial expression turned from calm to disgust. “Blech. It’s still too strong. Anyway, Vaughan. I’m not asking you to leave permanently, just a little vacation that’s all. You do get those, right?” Frederick started adding more cream into his beverage. He’d already used four.

  “Yeah, I do.” Vaughan stopped and watched Frederick fuss over his coffee. “Um—yeah getting vacation time isn’t the issue. I’m off probation at work, so I am due two weeks’ worth. I just have to—” With a frown, Vaughan reached across and took Frederick’s coffee away. He motioned for the waitress to come over. “Can you bring us some hot water and an extra mug please?”

  She nodded and hurried off. When she returned, he thanked her, poured half Frederick’s coffee into the new mug, then added some hot water to top off Frederick’s java. “Here, try this.”

  Frederick did that and bowed his head once, pleased with the water. “Thank you. I was afraid to ask her to change it. Wouldn’t want to make a waitress upset, especially not at this time of night. Now, I was asking you about a vacation. Waikiki is gorgeous. I’ve been there. Lots of fun activities for us outside the bedroom.” Frederick smiled sweetly.

  “I suppose.” Vaughan ignored the rest of his coffee. His head was throbbing then, and Vaughan knew precisely what was going to happen—migraine. He sighed. “And me in Waikiki, well, I don’t know about all that. Dominican Republic is more my jam.”

  “Ah, if only I were going there for this tour.” Frederick said with a wry grin. “I suppose we can do it another time when I’m not tied up.”

  Vaughan paused for a second to smile before inhaling deeply and releasing the breath slowly through his mouth. “We should get you back to the apartment. I can’t leave Nef alone all night.” He shifted in his seat. “Look, Frederick, I’m really not trying to be a dick. I—well, hell. This—this is new to me. I don’t understand—shit. It’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone, intimately or otherwise. The last guy I was with, long story short, never try dating in the Marines.”

  Frederick sighed and took another sip of his drink. “Vaughan, it’s new to me, also. All I’ve cared about is my music and teaching. I haven’t had a real boyfriend in years.” Frederick extended his hand towards Vaughan and grabbed his palm.

  “What I know is I’m more than interested in you. I want to spend valuable time with you. I know that will be hard with my tour schedule, but don’t give up on us before we even get started. We’ve only begun to experience this, and though I’m anxious that you’ll grow tired of waiting for me and go elsewhere, I’m still excited about the prospects of cultivating a meaningful relationship. Don’t you want that?” Frederick’s heated blue gaze met Vaughan’s. Obviously, he’d been thinking about what they were doing, too.

  “Talking to you sometimes is like talking to the dictionary. But I understand what you’re saying. Of course I want that. Why do you think I’m so stick up the ass about this whole thing? I know we could be good together—that’s the whole point, and us being a
part now at, what I think is the most crucial part of every growing relationship, makes me a little froggy.” Vaughan sighed. “Listen, all I’m trying to say is if you go and decided not to come back, I wouldn’t hold it against you.”

  “Well I’m glad you and I want the same things, but why do you think I’d want to leave you?” Frederick exhaled and shook his head. “I really like you, Vaughan. From the moment I saw you I wanted to know more about you. And I don’t understand that comment. I’m only telling you how I feel. I’m sorry I can’t articulate it differently. I speak through my music.”

  For breath, Vaughan said nothing. He simply lifted Frederick’s hand holding his and kissed the back of Frederick’s wrist. “I get it,” he said softly. “Really, I do and one day, when I’m strong enough, I’ll explain my hesitation and my—never mind. Whatever comes we just have to handle it. Now, we should go.” Vaughan waved to the waitress. “You have to prepare for your trip, and I probably should get some sleep to get rid of this headache.”

  “All right. Believe me, I understand your hesitation. Things are moving a bit too fast, but don’t forget, that I do care for you. I don’t want to put undue pressure on you. Just know that I will be back.” Frederick started to get up, and he took money from his pocket, throwing a twenty on the table. “Instead of going back to your place, I’m going to go to my parents. Since you aren’t well, I’ll take a cab.”

  Vaughan almost suggested that Frederick go back to the apartment and be Vaughan’s medicine for the headache, but he swallowed instead. “Maybe that’s for the best,” Vaughan said.

  The waitress was taking too long to come over so Vaughan met her at the counter. He handed her a twenty and turned back to the table.

  “Hey, wait a minute!” she called. “This is too much.”

  “That’s fine. Keep the change. As for you, I’ll make sure you get your cab before I go.”

  “No worries. I can wait here. You should get back home to Queen Nef. I’m sure she misses you.” Frederick leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on Vaughan’s cheek. “I will call you before I leave for Los Angeles in the morning.”

  “Yeah.” Vaughan picked up his helmet from the table and hesitated leaving. He leaned in for one final kiss, and when their lips parted, for some reason Vaughan couldn’t step away. Instead he pressed his forehead to Frederick’s. “Good luck.” His voice cracked. “Knock ‘em dead.”

  Frederick grinned and squeezed Vaughan’s bicep. “I will, and I’ll be thinking of you the rest of the way.” He only took the seat back at the table and stared at him. He toyed with his necklace. “Remember, I care for you, Vaughan. I want more for us.”

  Gently, Vaughan caressed the side of Frederick’s face before letting his hand fall. “Say that to me again in thirty-two days.”

  “I’ll say it to you when I come back, and again when the tour is over.”

  Vaughan smiled as he backed toward the door. “I guess we have a date then, don’t we?” Vaughan smiled before turning and exiting the diner. He didn’t leave right away but rode the cycle across the street to a parking lot where a restaurant used to sit. The windows were boarded up, so he merely turned off the ignition and waited, watching the diner until long after Frederick was gone.

  Frederick is coming back.

  Frederick is coming back.

  He has to come back.

  Vaughan exhaled.

  His heart was broken.

  ****

  Once the taxi arrived, Frederick hopped in and gave them his parents’ address. The driver appeared to be happy about his choice to go from Cardova to Reading, knowing it would be a nice fare for him. Though there wasn’t a huge distance between the two cities, it wasn’t a hop, skip, and jump either.

  With Vaughan’s last words and kiss on his mind, Frederick’s mind was elsewhere. His body only wanted to be with Vaughan, building on their relationship, while his heart knew that music was his first love. Despite how he felt, he could not change the tour plans at this late date. Both of them would have do everything they could to remain sane while apart and, he hoped, when back together, they would have a clearer understanding of what this relationship could be for them.

  In a matter of twenty or so minutes, the taxi arrived at his parents’ mansion. Frederick hopped out and ambled up the cement steps. He knocked softly, and the maid, who he’d called while in the coffee shop alone, answered the door.

  “Good to see you, young Mr. Tremblay. I hope you have enjoyed your night.” She pulled the door wide open.

  “Yes, but it could’ve been better, Bree.” Frederick nodded at her and continued through the large hallway to the sitting room. During their conversation, Bree told him Frederick’s father was in the study, reading. Since he hadn’t spent a lot of time with Ulysses, Frederick decided to visit him before he went to bed.

  Frederick knocked once on the large door.

  “Who is it? Frederick, is that you?”

  “It is, Father. May I come in?”

  “Yes, of course. This is still your home, my boy.”

  Frederick waltzed in and shut the door behind him. He approached the large desk in the middle of the room, eyeing his father.

  “Well, it is about time I’ve seen you.” The older gentleman put down his book. “I was beginning to believe you were avoiding me.”

  “No.” Frederick shrugged and sighed heavily. “Not at all. You were working everyday, and we kept missing one another.”

  “And Mother tells me you’ve been spending a lot of time away from here. Seeing the Berringer kid, I hope. Mother thinks she might’ve picked you a winner.” His father grinned and bowed in his direction.

  Frederick grimaced thinking about the octopus he’d gone out with a couple of days ago. It was a complete disaster, then …

  Then?

  “Frederick?”

  Disturbed from his train of thought, Frederick cleared his throat and began toying with his necklace. “No, Father, it was a man I’d met at Stuart Hanover’s son’s party. He um … he and I have gotten close.” Frederick didn’t want to say they’d slept together because though his dad accepted the fact he was gay, he was most certainly a prude.

  “Ah, I see. And you like this man?” Ulysses straightened out his glasses on his face.

  “Yes. I like him a lot, and … things have occurred much faster than we’d thought. My going on tour isn’t helping either.”

  “Frederick. Didn’t you just meet this man? Or is he a boy? That’s sounds quite dramatic, isn’t it? You’ve only been seeing him a few days, right?”

  “Yes, and, Father, he is no boy. He is a man, all man.” Frederick smiled to himself thinking of his studly former Marine. “We like one another, and we both desire a complete commitment. Anyway, I let him retire back to his home and I came back here so we could talk. Not about this but—”

  “And why not? You don’t think I’m concerned about your love life?”

  Frederick shrugged and looked away from his father. “I know you are, but I’m a grown man. I shouldn’t be running to Daddy when I have problems with men.” Frederick groaned.

  “No, that is exactly what I am for.”

  Frederick closed his eyes a moment, and he heard footsteps. “Frederick, no matter how old you are, I will always be your dad. So you can tell me all about your man troubles, all right?”

  Frederick opened his eyes and nodded. “Thank you, but I assure you, I will be able to handle this one on my own. I am so sure, that I’m willing to fight for it when I return to Reading. I hope he’ll be ready to be swept off his feet.”

  “He would be crazy if he wasn’t. And by the way, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You’re still young. You can see as many people as you want, just be safe in doing it.”

  Frederick frowned and shook his head. “No, Dad. That isn’t my style.”

  I’m going to fulfill my tour duties, and when I come back, we will proceed with what I hope to be a committed relationship.” Frederick crossed his legs and lo
oked down, remembering he had Vaughan’s jacket on his back.

  As much as he wanted to visit Vaughan before he left to return it, Frederick knew it would probably be too much for them, especially him. Instead of complicating things, he’d just send it back to Prince’s in the morning.

  The jacket and Gabriel would be his company in bed tonight.

  “All right, son. And I will say, I am happy to see your face free of makeup. Did you finally figure out that rouge and eyeliner aren’t for boys?” Ulysses teased Frederick.

  Frederick narrowed his eyes at his father.

  “They are for anyone who feels comfortable in wearing it. I didn’t wear the makeup for my date. That was only tonight. When I see him again, I hope he would’ve grown accustomed to it.”

  After he’d listened to his father go on and on about how he should give speed dating a chance or even sign up for a dating app, Frederick faked being sleepy and called it a night. Truthfully, he was mentally exhausted from the evening and needed sleep.

  Once Frederick made it to the top of the staircase, he turned right and headed into his bedroom. After closing the door, he removed Vaughan’s jacket and held it close to his body. He inhaled the strong smell in deeply and wished Vaughan was near him. He certainly hoped Vaughan wouldn’t forget about Frederick and meet someone else, but he wasn’t silly enough to think he’d be completely alone.

  Still holding the jacket close, Frederick sat on the bed. He put it down a moment, then opened his violin case. As per usual, Gabriel was right where he left him. Frederick pulled out the instrument and bow.

  “Ah, my good friend, I’ve missed you. I know I’ve neglected you the past couple of days, and believe me, I won’t leave you behind again. Even if Vaughan does accept me back into his life, you’re coming with.”

  Frederick raised the violin and placed it on his left shoulder. He plucked the strings a couple of times before placing his chin on the rest. Then he laid the bow on the violin and weaved it back and forth. He started playing parts of one of his favorite Mozart concertos. Though it sounded better with a band in support, Frederick knew playing would lift his spirits.