AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The blood had to go somewhere.
The tiny Vamp’s nose bleed would go down in the annals of fashion history. The entire venue looked like a murder scene. The models, reality stars, B-listers and the single A-lister were covered in gore. My creations were ruined. My life was ruined.
But sometimes lemons turned into lemonade…
After the initial shock of being drenched in blood, the crowd positively lost their minds. Shouts of approval stopped me from tooting my brains out of my ass. The flashbulbs were blinding. The rabid screaming and the stampede onto the stage begging to be first in line to order a caftan were shocking.
“I’m so sorry,” Helen said, mortified.
I grinned. “Don’t be. We killed it.”
“Literally,” she said with a giggle, glancing around.
My vampy little buddy was correct. Life, bloodbaths and the future of caftans were terrific.
Chapter Three
Dear Diary,
I’m still floating on air. A fabu photo of me covered in blood and smiling like a fool is on the front page of every rag known to man. According to the write-up, the blood was fake. According to reality, it was not… Zorro stole the show, but Helen’s explosive nose bleed won the day. Never in the history of NY Fashion Week has there been such an appalling but overwhelmingly positive reaction.
If only I had a special someone to share my joy with. Too bad, so sad. For a nerdy gay wizard from Jersey, I’m doing pretty darn good. I have friends and a wildly successful career.
Can’t ask for more than that!
As always, thank you for lending an ear… or a page to be more accurate.
xoxo Johnson Jones
New York Fashion Week was over. Caftans by Johnson had been a monstrous success even with the spurting blood. My designs had made the cover of Vogue, Fashion Week and AARP. Sales were exploding.
I should’ve been over the moon, but something was missing. I just couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Whatever. I’d figure it out eventually. Right now, I was with my two best buds having breakfast at my favorite place in all of New Jersey—my kitchen. Blueberry pancakes from scratch and freshly squeezed orange juice for Zorro and me, and a very Bloody Mary for Dwayne.
My small and charming bungalow was my safe haven. Having my two BFFs as guests after the biggest event of my life was the cream cheese icing on a very tasty carrot cake.
“My God, Johnson,” Dwayne squealed. “You’re the talk of the town! Well done, my friend.”
I sighed with joy and a mouthful of pancakes.
Dwayne, as usual, was dressed to kill. His starched dusty rose sundress really was to die for—strapless with only a smattering of sequins. I made a mental note to work on a strapless caftan for next season. Caftans by Johnson needed to stay on top.
“And you!” Dwayne said, raising his flute of blood to Zorro. “You’re a star!”
Zorro giggled and blushed. The newly minted model sported lemon-yellow leather from head to toe. Normally, I’d run screaming from the room at such a fashion faux pas, but Zorro could wear a trash bag and make it work. He’d procured himself an agent immediately after he’d regained consciousness on the runway. I was beyond proud and excited for him. He already had an offer to star in the touring bus and trunk company of Oh! Calcutta! The fact that he’d gone commando and exposed his nuts had ended up being a real win for him.
“It’s wonderful,” Zorro said. “And I have you to thank, Johnson! My dreams are coming true.”
“How does Rupert feel about you going on the road?” Dwayne asked.
Zorro had been dating the delightful werewolf Rupert for the last year. The shifter was a total doll and thought Zorro had hung the moon. Seeing my friend happy and loved in the unfortunately named town of Assjacket, West Virginia, had been a balm to my soul. His life had been full of tragedy for decades and his happiness was my happiness.
“He’s all in,” Zorro said with another giggle. “Rupert’s already packing our bags! He’s never ridden on a bus before. Says he’ll come along as my dresser… not that I’ll be wearing all that much in Oh! Calcutta!”
“Love looks good on you, Zorro.” I fought a mild twinge of envy as I put more pancakes on his plate. I was super happy for my friends, both of them. He and Dwayne had both found their person. Even so, I couldn’t help but worry I would never find mine.
“Absolutely,” Dwayne said then turned his laser focus onto me. “And what about you, Johnson?”
“What about me?” I asked, knowing where the conversation was headed and wanting to steer it someplace else.
