Page 65 of The Jock
“All good things,” Starla assured him before turning to Taylor. “And he’s also told me about you, sweet thing.”
Starla grabbed Taylor by the hand and tugged him down into the seat next to her. “You’re even more adorable in person. You have good-looking kids,” she said to their dad.
“You know,” Colby said, taking a seat. “I think this is the first time we’ve gone out with our old man. When Jonah gets here, we need to toast the occasion.”
Jonah arrived with Spencer soon after, followed by Nash and Damon, who had not-so-subtly arrived at the same time. Starla was an eager host and she flagged down a server. She gave everyone the rundown of the performers before they were introduced. Milo’s performance was scheduled for somewhere in the middle of the acts.
“Did Milo tell any of you his drag name?” Taylor asked. “Because he wouldn’t tell me.”
Even Colby had no idea.
“That’s because he changed it. He wanted a fresh start.” Starla didn’t elaborate.
By the time it was Milo’s turn on stage, Colby was a nervous wreck. He knew this was an important night for Milo. He’d barely seen his boyfriend in the past week because when Milo wasn’t working, he was rehearsing.
They talked on the phone when they could and had filled the gaps with text messages ranging from sweet to filthy. It was the longest week of Colby’s life. Their texts, plus Milo’s absence, had kept his lust on a low simmer all week. The minute they were alone, Colby was going to show him how much he was missed.
Starla nudged Colby and motioned to the stage, batting her long eyelashes. The lights on the stage went out and suddenly hecouldn’t see anything. A hush fell over the room, like everyone held their breath in unison.
“Friends and lovers, it is my immense pleasure to introduce…” The emcee paused for dramatic effect. “The lovely, the luscious, Miss Sue Preem!”
A spotlight lit up a glamorous woman in the center of the stage. Her dress glittered like a disco ball. The top was cobalt blue and sparkly, but the skirt was a massive tulle number. She had black fingerless gloves on that were decorated with rhinestones and they glimmered as she reached for the mic.
But her eyes were all Milo and they gazed right at Colby. The music started and it took Colby a minute to place the song. Some time ago, after Milo had been horrified that Colby hadn’t known who Cyndi Lauper was, he’d made sure to bring him up to speed.
It was how he recognized her song “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” From the first note, Colby was mesmerized. He couldn't look away. Sue Preem was every bit the 80s icon. All flash and sass and a magnetic stage presence that had the crowd cheering and begging for an encore.
The rest of the drag queens stood off to the side of the stage and it was that group who cheered the loudest when the song ended. Sue Preem didn’t make a move to leave the stage and instead returned to the center, sliding the mic back into the stand.
The crowd didn’t stop making noise until the next song began. Colby couldn’t look away when Milo sang “Time After Time,” while holding Colby’s gaze. No one else existed. It was just the music and Milo and the way the light loved him. The way he looked soft and kissable and so fucking gorgeous, so confident and radiant that Colby could hardly breathe.
Then the song was ending and Colby found himself moving through the crowd to the stage. He watched Milo disappearbackstage, but Starla was suddenly there, grabbing Colby by the wrist.
“I can only give you fifteen minutes before the dressing room will be needed,” Starla said as she led Colby down a hallway and yanked a door open. She shoved him through with a final warning about the time and then pulled it shut.
Milo was there with glassy eyes and a smile so bright it could be seen from space.
“You were sensational,” Colby said, approaching his boyfriend, feeling lightheaded. “Do I call you Sue, or Milo?”
Milo shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“It matters to me.”
It took a minute to get a response. “Sue is fine.”
“Okay then. You were spectacular, Sue.” He closed the distance between them and cupped her cheeks. “You’re so fucking beautiful I can’t even function properly. It all feels like a really sexy dream.”
Suddenly remembering the carefully wrapped gift in his hand, Colby handed the box over to Sue. “I wanted to get you something, seeing as how it’s a special occasion and all.”
Sue unwrapped the perfume and carefully lifted it out of the box. A smile lit her painted face, her bold red lips curved into a smile. “This is my favorite. Thank you. It’s perfect.”
Sue set the perfume down out of harm’s way then looped her arms around Colby’s neck. “I can’t believe I did it.”
“I can. You can do anything.”
“Anything except stay in these shoes another minute.” Sue kicked her heels off and suddenly she was shorter than Colby again, gazing up at him.
“Have I told you how proud of you I am?” Colby brushed his lips over Sue’s.
