Page 97 of Sass in the Grass

The two men gasped together, and Kathy laughed at them. “I take it you know the name?”

“Are you kidding? That man is fire,” Alan said. “I’ve heard he lives in Denver now and he’s got something like ten guys he lives with.”

Jovian knew the story, at least some of it. “Well, the Waltons told me they were friends, good friends, and one of Dirty Duke’s guys actually used to run Chaps. And they don’t have ten boyfriends, they have five, seven, including them. And most of them are current actors in the…genre.”

Jovian looked up the pictures, and though it took a while, due to the spotty reception, it did finally come in and he showed his friends. “There.”

“Holy shit, I’ve seen these guys. They usually perform together. And yeah, yeah, the production company there, Blew Boys, that is the one that has Mack Iron’s name in the credits.”

Jovian let the phone screen go black before he snatched it from their sight. “You, Alan, are a pervert, watching all those films. What would your husband say?”

“Who do you think watches with me?”

His gasp was loud enough that a bunch of people across the room stared over at them.

“Mind your own business, thank you,” Jovian called to them. “Rude.”

“Jovian, if they’re performing, you’re definitely going to pack in a crowd,” Mike said while swiping his phone. “They’re hugely popular, and being local boys, they always get enormous crowds when they do an event in one of the clubs up there.”

“Really? Wonderful,” he said, taking Mike’s phone. “Look, aren’t they handsome? I’m doubly glad Cherokee won’t be there.”

“I think he would probably just take you into one of the private rooms and show you a good time,” Alan said.

“No use taking chances.”

It was taking shape. Jovian scrolled through his notes, seeing everything that was falling into place, knowing that at the very least, they’d have a chance of saving the camp, even without Travis Walton putting a ton of money in for himself.

He didn’t want the Waltons to come in and save the day. Jovian didn’t want there to be one big savior. The community should save itself. Sure, he’s a member, but more trouble came from a rich person swooping in, claiming to want to help than the community coming together and helping themselves.

He’d known that a long time, but…wouldn’t admit it to himself. Not until he came to the camp and didn’t find a rich daddy to take away all the bad parts of his life. Instead, he’d found friends and a good man that had done it. As a group. As a community, making him believe in that kind of power, far more than the power of money.

“We have the venue, the entertainment…what am I missing?”

“Food?” Kathy mentioned.

“I thought about a caterer, but that’s more expense and people aren’t going there to eat. At least,” he started to giggle as he finished, “food.”

“Sick,” Kathy said, laughing. “I guess you’re right. What about your friends, are they getting the word out?”

“I haven’t heard back from Ci, but the others, yes, they’re excited to see the inside of Chaps. It’s members only usually, and they’ve never passed the tests to get a membership.”

“Well, that’s amazing!”

“Ci was supposed to be back by now. I don’t know what is going on with her.”

He caught the three exchanging looks with each other.

“Okay, what?”

Alan was straight forward. “Ciana sounds like a bitch. She also sounds like you were her accessory, her pretty gay friend.”

Mike shook his head and tried to shut Alan up, but Kathy agreed. “She’s not a friend, Jovian.”

Jovian stopped Mike. “They’re right. She’s…always been that way. She was just, well, all I had. The friends that are spreading the word for me? It’s not for me. It’s to see Chaps.”

Kathy hugged him again. “You don’t need her.”

“I know. I have all of you. At least I hope so.”

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