Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
He shrugged. “I like to do nice things for you, which you know. So stop looking at me all weird. Do you have gas?”
That made a laugh jump out of my mouth. Only Josh would interrupt my thoughts about maybe loving him to ask if I had gas. “Dick.”
“We’re back there again, huh?”
“You were an asshole before. Now you’re a dick.”
“Who likes to do nice things for you.”
I smiled. “Who makes me happy.”
Josh cocked his head slightly, confusion in his stare, as if he hadn’t expected that. He answered not with words, but with his mouth on mine. The kiss felt like, You make me happy too.
It really was a nice hotel, boutique style, with this 1920s vibe. Josh had reserved a suite, and after checking in, we grabbed lunch down the block. Apparently, we were close to the bar we’d be going to tonight—which wasn’t the same one we’d gone to the only other night I’d come to Richmond. Josh told me this area was called The Fan, and that it wasn’t too far from Virginia Commonwealth University.
After lunch we went back to our suite and ended up taking a nap. Josh was out in no time flat. I had a feeling he woke up earlier than he usually did on his days off because I got up early. It felt like something Josh would do.
I lay on my back, with his head on my chest and his hair in my face, rubbing my hand up and down his arm, and it was so simple, yet so perfect that it nearly stole my breath. I had never had moments like this, the kind you experienced with someone you could talk to but be silent with as well. I wanted to collect them all and lock them away so I’d always have them.
After his nap, we sat out on the balcony a while and watched the people walk by. There were little shops and cafés all around us.
Evening came, and we got ready. Josh seemed quieter, more subdued than usual, but even though I wondered, I didn’t ask him why. Somehow I knew he needed to sit with it, to work through whatever it was that had him so contemplative. Or maybe I was afraid of what he would say.
We went to a steakhouse for dinner, then back to the room until it was time to go out.
Josh wore a long-sleeved, button-up black shirt that was tight across his chest, his nipple piercings gently poking against the fabric.
“The drag show is at the same bar we’re going to. The shows are upstairs. Figured that makes everything easier.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. Whatever works.”
It didn’t take long to get to Barbelle, and I grinned at the name. There was a line, which we waited in. This would only be my second time in a gay bar, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was slightly nervous. This was different from the last time, because it was just us and we were together—which maybe wasn’t the right word, but we were something.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Nothing.” Though that wasn’t really true. “Just thinking about the turn of events in my life.”
“Second thoughts?”
“Not one.” I cupped his right cheek, leaned in, and kissed him.
“Oh my God. You guys are so sweet!” a guy said behind us. “Well, and hot, but sweet too. You’re looking at each other with the eyes.”
“The eyes?” I asked.
“Yeah, you know, when you’re falling for someone but haven’t really admitted it to yourself, much less each other. Believe me, I know. I’ve had the eyes a few too many times, only it’s usually just me, so you guys are lucky. It’s pretty shitty to have the eyes all by yourself.”
Josh chuckled but didn’t discount what the guy said. “I suppose it is. Maybe the right guy is in here tonight.”
“A boy can dream.” He fluttered his eyes dramatically. “Or at least for head in a bathroom stall.”
We all laughed.
Then it was our turn in line, so we paid the cover to get in. The place was packed with gyrating bodies, locked lips, and touching hands. I tensed up briefly out of surprise when Josh threaded his fingers through mine. He led me toward the back and the stairs to the second floor, where it was slightly quieter. Two drag performers were onstage, and one jumped in the air and landed in a split. “Holy fuck.”
“They’re amazing, aren’t they?” Josh said.
“Yeah, I had no idea.”
They finished their singing and dancing number, while Josh and I, luckily enough, found a small table to sit at.
Then the next performers launched into their routine. I had no idea that so much of drag was teasing and interacting with the audience. We ordered a drink, and by the end of the show, my stomach muscles hurt from laughing so much.