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Chapter Sixteen
Todd
Shannon and I checked into a hotel in Marina Del Rey. It’s very upmarket, but Kris said he’d pay for it, so Shannon picked this one. We have rooms next to each other. I’ve showered and am waiting for her downstairs at the bar.
“Todd, is that you?”
Looking over my shoulder, I see Claude. He’s kind of hard to miss—six feet, black with dreadlocks down to his ass. Claude throws his arms in the air and runs toward me.
“It’s you!”
I’m barely off the stool when he engulfs me with a hug, then he leans back and kisses me on the lips.
“Oh, my God! What are you doing here? I thought you would never leave that small town.” He waves a hand in my face and sits on the stool next to me. “Well, tell me everything!”
Claude came to Boothbay as part of Sophia Thorne’s entourage. He’s co-owner of a hair salon in LA called Style and Glamor.
“Ah, I came for Athena and Kris’ wedding, and I haven’t gone home yet.”
“Wait, wasn’t that like a month ago?”
“No, it was about three weeks ago.”
Claude is nodding and waving for the bartender. “I’ll have whatever he’s having. And yeah, like a month ago. Do you get that much vacation time?”
The bartender puts a drink in front of Claude. He takes a large sip, then spits it out. “What the fuck is this?”
“Soda water.”
“Who drinks soda water when they come to a bar? Honey, I thought you were drinking vodka or something but soda water?”
Claude’s eyes are bulging, and he looks completely disgusted.
“It’s good for you, and it doesn’t taste that bad.”
“Oh, honey, it does! Live a little.” He motions for the bartender to come back. “Sugar, we’d like two Prairie Cucumber Mojitos, please.”
“Ah, Claude, I’m happy with—”
“Oh, hush! Just have one.” Claude looks around me and then the room and asks, “So, are you alone?”
It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date. Hell, it’s been a while since I’ve had sex. There are days in Boothbay where I feel like I’m the only gay in the village. I know it’s not true, but some aren’t out to the community, or they want to keep the relationship secret. I’m proud of who I am, so that’s not something I’m interested in. But Claude is taller than me, bulkier than me, and more overtly gay than me.
I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see Shannon.
“Hey there, sailor, is this seat taken?” she asks, smiling.
Her bright red hair is perfectly styled, and she’s wearing another one of those fifties style dresses that is fitted to the waist and flairs out from there. She’s paired it with red fishnet stockings, black open-toed shoes, and a cute little black purse. For a larger woman, she looks amazing.
“No, sit, sit. Shannon, did you ever meet Claude? He was part of Sophia Thorne’s team when she was in Boothbay.”
Shannon’s lips turn down at the mention of Sophia. “I’m so sorry. Please tell me you don’t work for her anymore.”
Claude bursts out laughing. “Oh, honey,no oneworks for her anymore. It’s like Sophia, who?”
Shannon claps her hands together. “Yay! So, what are we drinking?”
The bartender comes back with our drinks, and I hand the one meant for me to Shannon. “Mojitos!”
