“You should establish a safe word, right now. We’re two hours into this showing, and queens are getting slouched. The daddies are always the first in line to be targeted, like Val Kilmer in jean shorts.”
John let out a yelp of laughter and Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Fine, our safe word is…”
“Cardialgia?” John suggested.
Wyatt hummed, nodding. “Excellent suggestion, Dr. Donnelly. We can also consider proctalgia.”
“Good physicians always have multiple strategies or possibilities…”
“Stop speaking in tongues!” Jin snapped. “I can only hold them at bay for so long.”
“What about the after party?” Wyatt asked teasingly of his bestie.
“You’re not serious,” Jin shot back.
“Almost always, babe, you know that,” Wyatt replied.
Jin’s after-party last year had been legendary, mostly due to Wyatt’s contribution.
Jin pushed his fingers into his forehead, shaking his head. “I cannot guarantee your safety.”
“What’s happening?” John asked, eyes bouncing between them.
Wyatt paused, frowning, “Mysafety?”
“I was going to surprise you,” Jin sighed. “I booked the Bull Horn.”
Fuck yes!
“What’s the Bull Horn?” John asked.
Wyatt grinned, raking his fingers through his hair, wishing he had brought his hat.
Jin noted the gesture and crossed his arms over his waist. “Your hat is in my office. And a change of clothes.”
He nearly danced in delight and grabbed Jin, bear-hugging him. “Youdolove me.”
“I so do. It’s awful. Let go,” Jin muttered.
“Still don’t know what’s happening,” John commented.
Jin smirked, “You’re in for a treat, Dr. Donnelly. Show starts at 10pm, cowboy. Don’t be late.”
Chapter 15
John
The Bull Horn was a country dive bar with a mechanical bull smack dab in the middle of it, surrounded by a leather-cushioned fence and thick padding beneath. The bar was reserved for the rest of the evening for Jin’s art gallery after-party. It was packed to the brim with sparkles, glitter, sequins, wigs, heels, and fans that snapped and flayed to life with wrist flicks and hair sweeps. John was mesmerized by the color and vibrancy of the people crowding around the bar and the bull as he managed to shoulder his way through to the bar.
He hailed the bartender and signaled for two beers.
Wyatt and John had entered the bar together, but once Wyatt was spotted, he was immediately pulled away by a mob of drag queens. Wyatt jumped up above the wave of fans and wigs, yelling out that he’d be right back.
John found an empty barstool and took a seat, turning it to enjoy the view of the crowd that had already begun gathering excitedly around the bull, which was worn and beaten-up. Its horns were worn down, capped, and flat, ensuring no one got stabbed if they went flying off the front end. The bull's hide was real, black, and freshly brushed. The brown leather saddle was strapped securely over its flank.
The colorful strobe lights danced all over the arena, illuminating it as country music roared from the stage speakers, which were decorated with cowboy hats, rope, spurs, and even a couple of pairs of leather chaps.
John arched his eyebrows, knowing Steph and Samuels would love this place. Maybe when Wyatt finally got his doctor’s badge and residency finished, he could tell his friends about them and they could all come back here as a group. He smiled at himself, enjoying the idea of eventually telling his friends, even his family, about Wyatt.
