Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
His words fit perfectly inside my chest.
“How did I get such a good puppy?” I ask but don’t give him time to answer before lifting his face and pressing my lips to his. “My pup.”
25
Evan
Flirt is packed.
This is one of the busiest Friday nights I’ve seen in a while.
A cluster of us hang by the door—me, Travis, Cody, Hayden, Donovan, and Frankie.
Travis seems to be doing his best to enjoy himself, but considering Gary had to head out of town for a work trip today, it’s clear that he’d rather be here with his fiancé.
The music’s blasting, and the shots are being passed around.
Jackson joins us soon enough, sliding between Donovan and Frankie, drink in hand.
“What’s gotten into your man tonight?” Frankie asks him. “He seems really stressed out.”
“Up to no good, as usual,” Jackson replies, but I’m not sure what he could mean.
When our group starts to disperse, catching up with people outside our little circle, I use the opportunity to ask Frankie, “You don’t think Derek’s doing something behind Jackson’s back, do you?”
“I doubt that,” Frankie says. “I’m pretty confident the only issue their love life has is refractory periods.”
I burst out laughing. “No, no. You’re right.”
I’m being silly. There are plenty of other reasons why Derek could be bouncing around the way he is tonight.
“It’s Derek,” Frankie reminds me. “He’s probably trying to fix some drama he started with some other power bottom.”
He winks, clearly teasing.
“Hey, be nice. He’s been very good to this power bottom.”
“Yes, he has,” Frankie says. “But I haven’t been so bad to this power bottom, either.”
He rubs my head, and I can’t stifle my grin.
I glance around at the rest of the guys, who are chatting away, none of them seeming to notice our playfulness is different than it used to be. Yeah, we’ve always been like this a little, but since we started the puppy play and fucking around, it’s become so much more. Every caress, every playful look means more than it once did, in a way that makes it so special.
And it’s kind of fun having our little secret.
Not that I wouldn’t want anyone to know. Hell, Frankie has more to lose by being associated with me in this town than the other way around. It’s just that there’s something nice about it just being ours. Not up for anyone’s judgment or scrutiny.
As the night wears on, Frankie and I work the room, catching up with different people. We dance with our crew for a bit before we get some more drinks.
“I think I’m gonna head out soon,” Travis says.
“Oh no, you don’t,” Cody tells him. “You’re having at least one more drink with us. Not a huge difference between staying here and being all sad and pathetic that you aren’t with your man tonight or back at your condo.”
Travis glares at Cody, a smirk on his face, as though he’s annoyed at Cody for calling him out but also like he enjoys knowing his friend gets him.
The drag show starts up, and after a few numbers, the host, Miss Laurie Firebomb, takes to the stage, snatching the mic from a Gaga impersonator. “Okay, okay. All my Flirters, we have a special event taking place tonight, so I need everyone’s attention.” She talks a little about the evening and all the money the drag show has raised for the Midtown LGBTQIA center before she announces, “Now, here to present you with a special treat is none other than Midtown’s most notorious twink, the one and only Bottom Boy, Derek!”
The room fills with applause, and I imagine it’s coming from many of Derek’s most satisfied customers.
Derek takes the stage, caressing his hand through his blond bangs, looking fab in a tight navy polo that’s obviously designed to show off his twinky figure. He takes the mic from Miss Laurie Firebomb, and she exits the stage.
“Wonder what Derek’s up to,” Frankie says. “Although I guess this explains why he made such a big deal about us coming out here tonight.”
“For sure.”
“Okay, okay, guys,” Derek says. “Settle down. Settle down. Please put your phones away. The boys that you’re trying to hook up with on Grindr and Scruff will still be there in ten minutes.”
Some more laughter from the crowd. Derek sure has a way of working an audience. His people skills are something I’ve always admired about him.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, but mostly gentlemen,” Derek continues. “I don’t know how many of you know my buddy, Travis Waller…”
He indicates Travis, who’s standing near Cody and Hayden at the front of the stage. Travis gets his own fan base shouting out at the sound of his name, and he offers a polite smile and wave.
“This guy’s getting married in a couple of months, to my best friend ever, who unfortunately, couldn’t make it tonight.”