In Between Jokes and Love Notes

Chapter 2: Whispers of Passion

And just like young lovers without responsibilities and life to worry about, we headed on an adventure with his new RV. The tour was a week away but we decided to go and be reckless as Rhys would always tell me.

“Now is just the perfect time to be reckless and enjoy life” Rhys would always tell me.

So here we are with a few clothes and our new found feelings with each other on an adventure. Here we are, parked close to the Hood River, prepping our bags as we hike to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

We did not talked about last night. Everything that happened after the kiss, the thing in his bed and more than that somehow felt natural. It felt that it was meant to be, it was bound to happen.

Rhys woke me up with a kiss that morning telling me that the RV is ready. That he asked his manager for a 5 days off to go to Portland with me. We will meet his crew in Washington two days before his tour them.

“We have the time to enjoy before I go on tour.” He assured me.

We asked a stranger to take our pictures while we stood at the famous pedestrian bridge that stands above the gigantic Multnomah Falls. I was surprised that the person we asked to take the picture did not knew who Rhys was. He was wearing a black cap like mine and dark shades. I guess he can still enjoy the anonymity for now. America will definitely remember his face once he starts with his tour.

“This is definitely worth the long drive right?” He said.

Rhys looked tired but he was smiling. That genuine smile that I love seeing.

“I told you I can drive.” I said, squiting at him a bit as the sun was shining on my direction.

“As if you would miss those work calls and emails you had to go through instead of enjoying our way here.” He smirked at me.

“I had to make sure that everything is in place before I jump into the digital nomad life.” I hated the term but it sounded so cool when Rhys says its.

“And did you get everything covered?”

“Yes, of course.” I answered, smiling.

After a few hours of enjoying the view and people watching, we headed back to the Rv for our lunch. My body was sore from all the love making we did when we left our place in the Upper Side but my heart was full. I was happy, Rhys seems happy too.

He offered to cook while I checked on my computer to check on some emails. I made sure to spend just 5 minutes on the computer so I won’t end up spoiling our adventure.

Rhys was cooking BBQ outside the RV. The salesman who sold them the vehicle was not lying. It really didn’t disappoint their expectations.

“So the RV is really a thing, huh.” I said as I grabbed a soda and sat on one of the portable chairs that came with the vehicle.

“It was worth every penny.” He said as he flipped the hotdogs on the grill.

We haven’t talked about what happened to us at the apartment but it did not feel awkward between the two of us.

“So where do we park later?”

“I already reserved a sweet spot close to Forest Park.” He said as he transferred the hotdogs onto a paper late.

“Sounds just right for me”

Although they shared a bed inside the RV as they drove from New York to Portland, what happened at the apartment did not happened inside the RV. Although I was not hoping for it, deep inside I knew I was longing for it. But knowing how tiring it was for Rhys to drive the whole day, I really did not expect that much, or maybe a bit, but did not make a big deal about it.

But now that they are going to settle in a place that night with just the two of us, I could not help but feel excited, a bit tensed and anxious too.

“Hey, about what I said the night before we left from New York, I really hope you can consider it, I really hope you can come with me. I really want to tour the Us with you. I can’t imagine ending the day without you.” He sounded serious. He was serious.

I knew he was waiting for my answer as I intentionally chewed my food as slowly as possible. I already had an answer in my mind but I wanted him to think that somehow I took the time to think it over.

“I guess I could try it out for a few weeks? See how it goes?” I casually replied.

His eyes brighten up like how a child would look like after seeing his candy basket filled with chocolates during Hallloween Night.

“I promise, you wouldn’t regret it. And you will get to see me perform everynight.”

“And you are guaranteed that someone in the crowd would definitely cheer for you.” I said, laughing.

“Yeah, that and more. I would really appreciate to see a familiar face amongst the crowds.” He was serious. I thought he was just joking earlier.

“You are actually nervous are you?”

“Of course, no, actually I this is nerve-wrecking and I am not lying when I say that I need you to be there for me. I really do.”

I knew that Rhys meant that, but somehow I was waiting for a different reason why he wanted me to be with him as he steps into this new chapter in his career.

“Come on, haven’t you seen the comments on your socials? Aren’t your DMs filled with messages from fans all over the world.” I stood up and walked towards him. I felt the need to embrace him, and I did, wrapping my arms around his waist as I stood behind him.

“You are famous now, people loves you, they love your jokes. Tickets for your shows are being sold out. The people love you.”

“You really think so?” He asked, his voice needed confirmation.

“I know so,” I answered as I pulleed his arm so he would face me. “You are great and your show will definitely be a success,” I told him as I held his face with both hands. I really can’t believe why someone as perfect as he is think less of himself?

Maybe I shouldn’t have held him like that or maybe I was glad I did but after I gave him taht assurance, he pulled me close for a kiss.

How I longed to be kissed by Rhys again. Everything felt perfect. Everything felt as this was how it was supposed to be.

It was a long and lingering kiss before I started to smell the burning meat. I didn’t want too but had to pull away.

“It’s burning.” I stupidly said.

“Oh,” he scrambled to flip the meat in an attempt to salvage it.

His phone rang after, as if on cue to break the anxiety in the air.

“This is so great, thanks for letting me know.” He said to the person on the other line as he concluded the short call.”

“Nevada and Idaho shows are already sold out.” He informed me, smiling in disbelief as if this was really a surprise for him.

“Why are you so surprised? Give me your phone.” I told him as I reached out for his phone that he handed willingly.

I swiped his password on the screen and went inside his i********: DMs. He wouldn’t mind. He goes through my DMs too.

“Hey Rhys, I really think you are one of the best comedians out there, see you in Idaho.” I started reading his DMs.

“Your so cute, no your so hot, I can’t wait to get inside your pants. Eiiw, this one was too much even for me.” I winked at him.

“Are you single? Want to hook up on Cali?”

“Oh this one sent nudies.” I handed him his phone back beacuse the last image was too much for me.

“You know I don’t care about these girls.”

“You should, they are a demographic on your fan base.” I told him as I try to get my mind of the picture I saw.

“Don’t go marketing mode on me.” He said as if I was patronizing him.

“You know I am not. But its a fact. You fan base is a mix of people who really enjoys your humor of varying genders and boys and girls who wants to get into your pants.” I was grabbing a hotdog from the grill when I told him that.

“And you are not jealous about it?” I was caught offguard. I did not knew how to answer that. But my mouth somehow responded in a way that it shouldn’t be.

“Do I have to? Should I be jealous?” I somehow regretted saying that out loud but needed to.

He walked towards me and pulled me close.

“No, never. It has always been you.” He said.

“So stop worrying and enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity that came for you. You deserve it and you worked hard for it.” I had to side track on our conversation as a lot of people started to descend from the falls and was passing by close to the RV, obviously throwing glances on us.

“Let’s talk about that later, for now, let’s just have lunch.” Somehow I felt that I should not be seen with him. As I said, part of his crowd were girls that liked him for his looks and not his talent. I can be a complication. How could I have failed to see that?

I insisted that Rhys took a nap after we settled at Forest Park. He needed to rest if he did not want me to cut this trip short. I told him I’ll be preparing for our dinner as I go through my emails.

He seemd tired and did not bother to argue.

I threw in a simple casserole meal as I go over the reports and emails that I received that day. I was already reading a book by the window, the sun was starting to bid goodbye when Rhys woke up.