Page 50 of Surrender

This could be more than a fantasy. I knew that. But it still came down to trust, and my willingness to make myself truly vulnerable.

Ever and I had come a long way in a very short time, but I wasn’t sure I should pull down the last wall between us. This thing we were doing had an expiration date. I already knew I was going to be crushed when it ended, and getting closer to him would make it hurt even more.

Maybe I was right to hold a part of myself back.

14

Ever

When Tracy told me we’d been invited to a New Year’s Eve party hosted by his friend Josh’s great-grandmother, a certain image formed in my mind. I pictured a sedate family gathering that would probably wrap up before ten p.m.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This was obvious the moment the Lyft pulled up in front of our destination. The huge Victorian was lit up in multi-colored floodlights and painted top to bottom in an iridescent rainbow. Techno music was pulsing through hidden speakers, and maybe a dozen go-go boys in sexy outfits waved Pride flags and gyrated on a tiered stage in the small front yard.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, the yard was framed by several chubby palm trees, whose trunks were wrapped in pink lights. Short strands of white lights fanned out on the leaves jutting upward from the trunk, so the trees looked exactly like big, fat, spurting cocks. Was that intentional?

Tracy and I stood on the sidewalk for a few moments, taking it all in. Finally, I asked, “Josh’sgreat-grandmotherlives here?”

He nodded. “I forgot you haven’t met Stana Dombruso yet. She’s a huge ally of the LGBTQ-plus community. She’s also acofounder of the shelter. She came by twice over the holidays with loads of gifts for the residents, but I guess you missed her.”

“I can’t believe she hired a bunch of go-go boys for the party.” I’d brought Mrs. Dombruso a nice bottle of wine as a hostess gift. Maybe I should have brought a keg instead.

“Actually, she keeps them employed year-round. She’s in an ongoing feud with the homophobic neighbor across the street, so none of this is unusual, including the décor.”

“I like her already.”

We wound our way through the party guests who were clustered outside and stepped into a huge foyer. I couldn’t see much of it, apart from a giant chandelier and elegant twin staircases, because it was wall-to-wall people. The music was even louder in here, and a naked blow-up doll that looked like Burt Reynolds was crowd-surfing.

I pulled Tracy close and yelled over the noise, “You’re going to hate this, aren’t you?”

“Don’t worry about me. This is a great opportunity for you to meet a lot of new people. I know that’s something you’ve been wanting to do.”

He was right, I did. I still only knew a handful of people in this city, and I hadn’t been putting myself out there much. But I knew Tracy hated big crowds, and the last thing I wanted was for him to be uncomfortable.

Instead of letting me argue, he took my hand and towed me into the crowd. He stayed by my side for maybe half an hour, introducing me to people and chatting until we ran into Josh and Darwin, who’d invited us to the party.

Darwin hugged both of us in turn and exclaimed, “You made it! That’s awesome. Come with us, and we’ll introduce you to some people.”

Tracy leaned in and told me, “Go have fun. I’m going to find a quiet corner.” He slipped away before I could protest, and Josh distracted me by introducing his dads.

I met a lot of people over the next hour or so, but the absolute highlight was meeting our hostess. Stana Dombruso was a tiny little old lady dressed in a red sequined gown and track shoes, who insisted I call her Nana. She thanked me for the wine, and after Josh and Darwin were whisked away by some friends, she exclaimed, “Let me get a good look at you!” She circled all the way around me before grabbing one of my biceps with both hands. “So tall and handsome, with such big muscles! Tell me about yourself, cutie.”

“Well, I’m new in town, and I’m opening a gym soon.”

“Wonderful! I want to join!”

“But you don’t know anything about it.”

“I know your ass looks like you’re smuggling two pumpkins in those slacks,” she said. “Me? I got no ass at all. See?” She spun around and slapped her backside with both hands before turning to face me again. “You obviously know what you’re doing, so I’m in! Maybe if I work out at your gym, I’ll get an ass like yours. But even if I don’t, I’ll be there for the eye candy.” She wiggled her brows, which made me chuckle.

“Well, you’re certainly welcome at my gym any time,” I told her.

“Excellent. Now let’s get to the important stuff,” she said. “Are you gay and single? If so, I know some boys you should meet!”

I started to say, “I am gay, but?—”

Before I could finish that sentence, she grabbed a gorgeous brunet out of the crowd and thrust him at me. “Bowen, this is Everett. Isn’t he a hottie? You two should chat, I’ll bet you have lots in common. Even if you don’t, so what? He looks like he can crack walnuts with his butt cheeks. What more do you need?”Then she shouted delightedly and hurried across the kitchen to greet a pair of drag queens who’d just arrived.

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