AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think he feels judged by me, even though I’ve tried hard not to make him feel that way.” Daniel’s brows were drawn low.
“How could he think you judge him?”
“Because I’ve said too much in the past about condoms and AIDS and being safe.”
“What happened to him was an accident.”
“Probably. But if this guy can help him, then that’s all I want.”
“Yeah.” I pondered what “helping” might mean in that context. “Do you think he whips him?”
“With Minty’s HIV status, he needs to avoid injuries that could get infected. I don’t know what that means for what they do together. But if he’s not being beaten and taken roughly by that asshole anymore, I guess I can’t be too picky about what and how they do what they do. Not if he’s doing better.”
The music drifting in from the other room, some Motown song from the ’60s, switched to a familiar beat and rhythm. Daniel’s grin was immediate and infectious. “Hey, Peter,” he said, turning to me. “Do you want to dance?”
“Danny, are you okay?” I replied, giggling, and we moved back out to the living room to dance together to “Smooth Criminal.”
The song had just come to an end when Renée stood on the coffee table in her gold, strappy heels and shouted, “Babies! I have an announcement!” The room hushed, and she plowed on, “Drag Dollswas accepted! Atlanta Film Festival here we come!”
Claps and whistles erupted around the room. Daniel and I cheered and hugged. I’d had a hand in the making of the documentary, helping with edits and feedback, and this success felt like mine, too.
Barry cued up Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration,” and Renée popped the cork on some cheap champagne, having made sure to shake it first so it fizzed everywhere. Daniel and I didn’t partake, but we laughed as others made a beeline to kneel by the coffee table and try to catch the falling foam in their mouths.
Later that night, Minty showed up on the arm of a tall, handsome blond guy who wore a fuzzy Santa hat and big black boots. This was, apparently, Luke. Minty was dressed in a gauzy red and white dress, with red glitter on his skin, and a carefree lipsticked smile that I hadn’t seen on him in a long time.
Windy arrived with someone as well, surprising everyone but Luke and Minty, it seemed. This guy was also a bit older and seemed to be friends with Luke, but the dynamic between Windy and this new friend was the exact opposite of Luke and Minty’s. When Windy said jump, the guy jumped, and when Windy said higher, the guy jumped higher.
As for Minty, he seemed to be in hog heaven. Luke treated him like a pampered princess, bringing him anything he wanted, whenever he wanted it, and dancing with him like they were the only two people in the room.
“Wow,” Daniel said, holding me closer as the room swayed to “Endless Love.” Renée had turned out the lights and shone a big flashlight at the disco ball she’d hung from the ceiling. A broomstick had gotten it spinning, and now the whole room sparkled, between the glittering lights and the sequins and baubles of the very queer crowd. “I don’t know what I’m seeing, but I like it.”
“They seem happy,” I said, watching out of the corner of my eye as Windy told his date something, and the guy dropped to his knees and kissed Windy’s fingertips. “I don’t know whatthat’sabout either, but I guess they’re having fun?”
“When I danced with Minty earlier, he told me Windy asked Luke to teach him about being a Dom. Who knew that was even a thing he wanted to try? But supposedly, he’s gung ho about it.”
“What’s the guy’s name?” I asked. “I missed it when I was in the bathroom.”
“Ryan,” Daniel said. “Barry said he’s Luke’s friend from, get this, the local dungeon.”
I scoffed. “Knoxville doesnothave a local dungeon.”
“You’ll have to be wrong then, because it does.”
I laughed and rubbed my face against his dumb candy-cane shirt. “Oh God, this year has been…” I shook my head. “This year has been the craziest ride. When I came here for last year’s party, I never could have guessed what was ahead.”
Daniel lifted my chin, and I peered up into his warm brown eyes. “Happy with how it ended up?”
“Yeah.”
We kissed, and Daniel wrapped his arms around me, swaying faster as the music changed from the slow romance of “Endless Love” to the fast, joyful keyboard of “Take On Me.”
The year wasn’t through with me yet, though, I could feel it. There was something about the way Daniel held me, the way he kept whispering in my ear, and the heat of his breath when he said, “I need you closer, I want you as close as I can have you,” that told me there was even more excitement to come.
I pressed against him, chest to chest. Breathing in sync, feeling his heartbeat.
“Closer,” he whispered. “Closer.”
I held him tighter.
