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Friday 16 December 2022

Step into Christmas....

 

Get into the Christmas with my Last Christmas Series...


 I’d been so damned focused on my own truth-or-dare challenge, I hadn’t been paying proper attention. Now it occurred to me that the very beautiful and very sexy Kane had pulled a name from the hat... and that name was mine. Shit. He was far too good-looking for this...
He smiled at me. I smiled back. Why wouldn’t I? He was gorgeous...
My eyes flickered towards Elliot who was gazing at Cristian with a bit of a love-struck expression on his beautiful face. I sighed. There was no way he was ever going to be interested in me. If I was honest, I wasn’t really bothered; I was just suffering from a little hurt pride. I’d spent money on him last Christmas – the least he could have done was to give me the gift back and tell me he wasn’t interested.
Kane’s eyes followed mine to look at his friend. They narrowed slightly as he took in what I’d just seen. Elliot was clearly setting his sights on Cristian. Kane took me slightly by surprise when seconds later, he was grabbing hold of my waist and lunging at me... As his lips bumped a little clumsily against mine, I had my epiphany. I closed my eyes and parted my lips. I was instantly in heaven. It was almost as if I'd been put on this earth just to meet Kane. I honestly felt that I'd been waiting my whole life to kiss the perfect man and he'd just been delivered in the sexiest packaging imaginable. Oh, my God! Talk about your ultimate Christmas miracle!


Kurt had gone to bed by the time I got back so I couldn’t talk to him until the next morning.
With a flash of genius inspiration I started to cook bacon. No one could resist the smell of bacon... He appeared in about ten seconds.
“Bacon?” he asked, looking at me hopefully.
I raised my eyebrows at him. “You get yours when you tell me what happened to Jonny’s nose.”
He went red, “He was disrespecting you.” He said sullenly, “I didn’t like it.”
Well. I hadn’t expected that. I looked at him, “He was disrespecting me?” I asked, “How? What did he say?”
He went, if possible, even redder, “He said you were a good lay, that you were nothing but a quick roll in the sack and that he didn’t think you had any sort of future.”
I blinked. He might have put it crudely, which had clearly offended Kurt, but in all fairness, he’d got it bang on the money – because that was exactly the way I felt about him too... “Okay.”
Kurt frowned, “Okay?” he echoed, “What’s okay about that?”
I shrugged, “Well, it’s not like I’m in love with him or anything – we’ve just been messing around.”
Kurt scowled at me, “Well, I think you should choose better guys to mess around with – he’s a right wanker.”
Suppressing a smile, I nodded. "Okay," I agreed, "Good idea."



“Who’s the lucky guy?” Sebastian asked kindly. He was such a sweetheart and I could totally see how Kurt had fallen for his subtle charms.
I felt my face heating up. Shit. Was I that transparent? Sebastian had only met me a handful of times since he and Kurt got together last year – the last time being when they were home for the summer break. It had now rolled back around to the winter break and since Kurt had missed Christmas with his family last year, due to realising that he’d fallen headlong in love with his roommate, Sebastian, and had only been back for the New Year; they’d come over to us straight from university for Christmas this year, with plans to spend the first part of their Christmas break with us and to go back to Seb’s family for the New Year. “There’s no special guy.” I mumbled – lying through my teeth of course but there was no way I was about to tell them.
Kane raised an eyebrow, “Oh, yeah?” he asked, “So why are you blushing?”
“Get lost, will you?” I said defensively. Well, wasn’t that the wrong thing to say? All four of them turned to me with their mouths open and then...
“Oh, my God!” That was George.
“You really have met someone!” That was Kane, looking utterly delighted for me.
“What’s his name?” That was Sebastian.
“The boy’s finally been tamed. We have to meet this mystical creature.” And that was Kurt, grinning knowingly and looking like a Cheshire cat.
I smiled bashfully back at them all, my heart swelling with their combined enthusiasm, “I’d love you to meet him but he’s rarely around here – he’s a flight attendant...”
I didn’t actually expect any of them to know whom I was talking about, since he didn’t even live in France anymore. He was from across the border and his family lived in Turin, but he had his own apartment in Les Arcs and he spent most of his down time skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. He was totally into the same things that I was. He was amazing...
I was wrong about them being clueless though. Kurt was right on it. “Are you talking about Cristian Llardi by any chance?” 

Saturday 12 November 2022

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 I stared at Ellis, probably for longer than was strictly polite, “You’ve got a date?” I asked, sounding even to myself slightly accusingly. How? When did you meet this guy and finally, why when you’ve already got me?

Of course, I didn’t voice the last bit and thank God I hadn’t, since he clearly hadn’t been thinking about me when he’d decided to download the stupid app and accept a date with this stupidly handsome guy.

He nodded, smiling at me happily. In that moment, I could have been sick with jealousy. Why did I always miss my chance? And when I say that, I mean why the hell didn’t I kiss him on Valentine’s Day when he gave me my flowers? The chance had been right there for the taking. Cupid must have been punching the wall with frustration at my utter stupidity...

“Th-that’s great.” I forced a smile, “What’s his name?”

“Cooper.” He said, glowing with some sort of inner happiness I’d never seen in him before, “The only slight issue is that he’s a Capricorn.”

I frowned. Seriously? He’d met the perfect man but he’d been born in the wrong month? Was that really something to get his knickers in a knot about? “So what?” I asked, “Why is that important?”

Ellis blinked, “Compatibility, Heath.” He said as if I was completely stupid, “His star sign and mine are only mostly, compatible – and I want perfection.”

“So, what’s your star sign?” I asked, trying not to scoff at his wildly unrealistic expectations, “And how do you know what’s compatible and not.” What a load of rubbish he was talking.

“I’m Aquarius, so obviously my best match would be Aries but I guess Capricorn can work...” He bit his lip and I knew he didn’t believe it.

My heartbeat quickened. I was an Aries. Maybe there was something in what he was saying after all... “What’s so great about Aries and Aquarius together, then?” I asked.

He sighed, a dreamy look coming across his face that made me want to lean in and kiss him, “Both signs have an adventurous streak.” He said, his eyes actually glazing over and making parts of me respond somewhat embarrassingly to say I was at work.

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, the devil in me wanting to know where he’d take this rather interesting conversation next.

He nodded, “Yeah,” he said, totally warming to his subject, his eyes beginning to sparkle with something I would guess at being lust – and my God, I liked a lusty Ellis... “Like being up for absolutely anything – in and out of the bedroom.” He giggled, covering his mouth with his hand as he did so. He was adorably sexy. “And they work as a team – like you and me, I guess.”

Well, it’s taken you long enough to realise that, my friend. I’ve been right here, under your nose for more than half of the goddamn year! We need to get rid of this extra guy who isn’t even astrologically compatible with you... 

All of this was, thankfully, screamed inside the confines of my head instead of in his face. I wasn’t sure how that would have landed.

“The best thing about them,” he started up again, completely oblivious to my inner monologue, “Is that where other couples can get fed up with each other, these two always manage to stay strong and always enjoy being in each other’s company. But they also know the importance of hanging out with their own friends and having some alone time as well. They’re perfect together. Perfect.” He sighed happily as if he’d found his Mr right already and to be fair he had, it was me – but he was going out with the wrong guy!

“But this guy is Capricorn, you say?” I was poking the bear and I knew it but I was unable to stop myself from doing so. My jealousy of this interloper was running high. 

Ellis gave me one of his looks. It was quite amazing how many of them he had. I can honestly say that I loved each and every one of them. “I didn’t say that Cooper was going to end up the love of my life,” he replied a little snootily, “but I’m hopeful that we might mean something to each other.”

Ellis was pinning far too much hope on this guy for my liking. I on the other hand, was hoping against hope, selfishly, I’ll admit, that he was a total twat on the first date... But that was mean of me. I wanted Ellis to be happy and if it hadn’t occurred to him that he could be happy with me, then that was going to have to be okay with me because it wasn’t his fault if he wasn’t attracted to me in the same way as I was attracted to him. And he had to remain professional, too. I was kind of hoping he’d allow me to buy into his business as a partner one of these days, so it wouldn’t do for me to mess it up through being jealous of his boyfriend...

I was going to have to pack up my feelings that were frankly oozing out all over the place since I’d decided to confront them, and put them in a box and wait for my heart to forget all about being in love with him. And quite frankly, there was only one way to do that. I was going to have to take a leaf out of my boss’ book and do the same thing he had when he hadn’t been thinking romantic thoughts about me. I was going to have to find someone to love, if only for the night, through an app. How utterly un-romantic...

Pre-Order now... Release date 1st December 2022

Tuesday 25 October 2022

It's finally here! The Sequel to A Christmas Carlo...


Joey heaved a heavy sigh and rubbed his eyes. It wasn’t easy being the little brother in the Little household at the best of times. He’d had to put up with numerous ribbings over the years because of his surname, sometimes from his mates, sometimes from people he would never consider friends.
But that was nothing, nothing compared to the ribbings he’d suffered since his brother had started to ‘almost’ marry people... See, the bigger problem was this; Joey’s brother had become a serial wedding fleer.
It all started when he came back from uni and met back up with an old-flame. The preparations for the wedding were wonderful. The stag night had been awesome – well of course it was, since Joey had arranged the whole thing and everyone was delighted that Lucas and Kate were going from childhood sweethearts to man and wife...
But alas, the marriage wasn’t to be. Lucas actually ran out of his first wedding... This was repeated almost exactly a year later when he backed out of his second wedding at the eleventh hour and now he was getting cold feet over the third – to Declan. Probably the best of the three... Probably the best guy Joey had ever met and the person he was most looking forward to welcoming into the Little family...
The worst thing about the thing was that Declan was such a great guy. He was everything Joey never knew he needed in his life but he did need him in his life. He was such a sweet and loving guy and he adored his brother.
Well, Joey assumed he did, anyway. To be fair, he spent most of the time watching him and his brother laugh and chat and treat each other like bros. You’d never guess that they were supposed to be getting married next year...
If Joey were in Lucas’ shoes, he’d be showing Declan in every way possible how much he loved him, which made him wonder if this was yet another whim of Lucas’.
If Joey’s boyfriend had asked him to be his husband – he was certain that he’d have been showering him in affection every conceivable way possible to show him how much he loved and adored him. Lucas’ way of dealing with things was always to throw money at it – but that wasn’t love. It didn’t even begin to scratch the surface... Joey felt that his brother was floundering and decided to wade in and find out what was going on...
He had a horrible feeling that his brother was settling for less with Declan – but he knew that epic love existed – and that it shone as a beacon of hope for all hapless lovers who haven’t yet found it. Dylan and Nathan, Lucas’ wedding planner and his partner had shown them that. And that was what made Joey convinced that Lucas wasn’t Declan’s soulmate. It only dawned on him once their wedding fell through, instigated by Declan this time, rather than Lucas – that maybe Declan could be his soulmate, instead...
The most shocking thing of all for Joey was this. He’d always been entirely convinced – until he fell in love with his brothers’ fiancĂ© – that he was as straight as an arrow...

Sunday 29 May 2022

How about spending the summer at the Marina?

  


 I looked up, “Oh no.” I groaned. There was a tailback of traffic as far as the eye could see.

Dad patted my knee, “It’ll be fine, son. I know a short-cut.”

Well they were famous last words... Dad turned off and headed in the completely wrong direction. I looked around at the unfamiliar streets, “Where are we going, Dad?” I asked in mild panic.
“Your father knows these streets like the back of his hand…” Mum piped up proudly from the back seat.
I snorted as we passed a road sign, “Then why are we headed for Birmingham, right now?” I muttered. Seriously? Asking for help from Dad was sometimes a real challenge.
He grinned and patted my knee reassuringly, “I’ll loop back on the ring road, son. Don’t worry.”
I tried my best to relax. I still had twenty minutes, after all…
We pulled up at the traffic lights and somehow or other, Dad managed to stall the engine. I glared at him. “Are you freaking serious,right now?” I snapped, beginning to lose any remaining patience I was managing to hold on to...


Seth looked at me warily, “Hey, San Antonio.” He said, “How are you?”
I nodded, “I’m good…” I flashed a smile, “Freezing, but good.” It was December and the snow had come early, which was great for business because it turned the marina shopping precinct into a perfect winter-wonderland but having to work outdoors most of the day wasn’t really my idea of a fun time.
He nodded, “Well, this is awkward.” He said, huffing an embarrassed laugh. 
I chuckled along with him, all embarrassed, too. “Yeah.” I agreed, “Shall we uh, shall we go and get a drink or something? I could do with something to warm me up. I’m supposed to be cleaning the glass all around the cafĂ©.” I rolled my eyes, “But I’m likely to get stuck to it in these temperatures rather than get it clean.”
“Jeez,” Seth murmured, “Don’t you guys ever get a day off?”
I shook my head, “Nope.” I said with a laugh, “Even in sub-zero temperatures, we all have to do our chores.”
He fell into step beside me, “Have you thought any more about uh, summer camp?” he asked quietly.
My insides froze. I stopped, “Please.” I said, glancing around nervously, “Don’t. Not here.”
He stood in front of me, “Where, then?” he asked, “Because I’m going crazy here, thinking about it.”
“Treehouse?” I suggested, “It’s right up there in the tree, no one’s evergonna hear us talking up there.”
He looked at the treehouse, “Whose bedroom is that, right behind it?” he asked sceptically.
I snorted, “That’s El Paso’s room – he’s always got his head in a book. He never notices anything– and besides, it’s like, minus five degrees out here. He’ll never have his window open in this weather.”
Seth grinned, “Cool.” He said.

 After Tiffany left, I lay on my bed for a good couple of hours just thinking about she’d said. I didn’t much care what she told anyone about me and El Paso. It wasn’t true… or at least, even if it was true that I felt more for him than I’d ever felt for her, it didn’t have to mean in a romantic way. There was no way I felt like that about him – we were just really good friends. She was just sore that I spent a lot of time with him and enjoyed his company.
I was just about to get ready for bed when another text came through.
I scrambled to a sitting position and fumbled for my phone.
All the tension I’d been feeling seemed to just drain away as I read the message.
“Are you still awake?”
I grinned and typed out an immediate reply, “Of course I am.”
“Good. Listen, can I call you instead of texting? I’m not a fan of getting writers’ cramp. I’ve got a better use for my right hand.”He sent an emoji of an aubergine and two laughing faces.
I shook my head. Chuckling to myself I sent back a smiley face. Seconds later, my screen lit up with a picture of El Paso pulling a silly face. I had no idea when he’d added that to my phone but it made me laugh all the same. “Hey, El.” I said.
His breathy voice came through loud and clear, "Lyle!" He exclaimed in a hushed whisper, "There's been a development."


 “Fort Worth!”
My steps faltered in my stilettos as I heard my mother’s voice from one of the upstairs windows. Dammit. What now? If she saw the top I was wearing, I’d be dragged back by my multicoloured wig before I could even take my drag name in vain…
I turned, checking my phone as I did so. The girls were waiting for me…
Mum was stood on the balcony of her bedroom and I could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. I smiled, “Yes?” I asked as sweetly as I could.
“Get back here and put some clothes on!” she yelled, “You’re ten times worse than Georgia was at your age!” 
I rolled my eyes. “But Mum.” I whined, “Georgia’s a girl.”
She glowered, “And what the hell do you think you’re dressed as?” she snarled.
Damn it. The woman had a point. I did look a little like a hooker… “Right!” I retorted as dramatically as could pull off, “I’ll put the goddamn jeans and trainers on and totally ruin the lewk,” my voice had risen in frustration and I was now practically screaming at her, “but I’m taking them off and changing into my hot pants and these incredibly hot boots as soon as I get there, so what’s the point?”
The boots were fabulous. They were a shiny, silver thigh-high number with stiletto heels. They were a gift from my fairy drag mother, Honey-Rose Delmonte, who was a queen I followed avidly and had met on a few occasions, and I absolutely loved them – and I absolutely loved Honey-Rose, too; she was a total darling and had asked me to follow her, doing a bit of a vlog and I’d had the most amazing response. Within six weeks I’d attracted more than three hundred thousand followers on Instagram and this outfit had had more than a thousand likes in the first minute of me uploading it earlier.
Still, my followers had no idea that my mother could still ground me until I was about a hundred and fifty years old and so, I was now standing in front of the balcony, my hands on my hips and tapping the toe of my fabulous thigh-high, boots impatiently.

 “Go and get Dallas to put a new barrel on, will you?”
I blinked at Jon, the guy who owned the bar, “Huh?” I asked stupidly.
He raised an eyebrow, “You’re not gonna go all moony-eyed on me about the new guy, are you?” he asked.
I shook my head, “No, sir.” I said, feeling my face reddening. Jon knew I was gay and he didn’t half love to rib me about it. Not in an unkind way… Well, not really. “I’ll go and ask him.”
He chuckled, “Ask him to go surfing with you tomorrow.” He said, “He might surprise you and agree.”
Fat chance of that. I’d seen him pushing a buggy with a little boy in it that was the spitting image of him. He was definitely the baby’s dad. There was no way he’d be interested in me. I huffed a laugh, “Sure, sure.” I said, “Jog on.”
Jon raised an eyebrow, “He’s single.” He said, “He told me.”
I rolled my eyes, “he needs to be a bit more than single to want to date me.” I said, “I might be pretty but I’m a guy, or hadn’t you noticed?”
He rolled his eyes, “And he’s not into girls.” He replied in a voice that sounded as if he was talking to a stupid person, “so, just ask him.”
No way… It was too embarrassing. Jon had to have got it wrong. The guy was straight, he was sure of it…
The door to the cellar flew open a few minutes later and a slightly breathless and sweaty looking Dallas manoeuvred himself into the bar, carrying a crate of bottles to restock the fridges. “Slade,” Jon barked, “Give the boy a hand.”
Jeez. Did he have to make it so damned obvious that I was interested? Or maybe it wasn’t obvious to Dallas at all. Maybe it was all in my head and the guy hadn’t even allowed me to invade his thoughts at all.
I tilted my chin towards him in acknowledgement, “Want some help?” I muttered.
He shrugged, “I’ve got it if you’re busy.” He said, “But if I could leave an hour early…” he scratched his neck nervously, “My babysitter just called…”
“Sure.” I jumped in. Anything that gave him that haunted look was something I could definitely help with – not least to never see it again. He was too beautiful to look that stressed out, “I’ll take over your stint at the bar – it’s not busy on a Tuesday anyway.”
He shot me a grateful smile that shook me to my core and made me wonder what the hell it was about him that had me going all squiffy over him. Whatever it was it was like magic – and I wanted more of it… “Thanks, man.” He said, “You’re a lifesaver.”
I grinned at him, “You’ve got a kid, huh?” I asked, “How old?”
He beamed with pride as he started talking about his son, “He’s eight months and he’s just started to stand up and walk around the furniture – it won’t be long and he’ll be walking around. Then I’ll really have to watch him.” He chuckled.
It sounded as if he had sole responsibility of him the way he spoke about it. “So, have you uh, got a girlfriend? Wife?”
He coloured up and shook his head, “No,” he said, “It’s just me and Starr.”
“Star?” I asked. Whoa. That was far out…
He smiled and nodded, “I’m a massive Beatles fan.” He said, “And it just suited him.”
“So, was there a girlfriend?”
He shook his head, “there was a girl. She wasn’t really my girlfriend…. Well, she was but she wasn’t. It’s complicated. I’m not with her anymore. She didn’t want Starr or me – and so, she left.”
Well, that told me everything but nothing… Was he straight? 
“Anyone since?” I asked. Yes. I was aware that I was asking far too many questions to say we’d only just spoken to each other today but I was way beyond curious. I was on Interested Highway, heading straight for Besotted Boulevard...

Wednesday 28 July 2021

Studs & Steel - heavily discounted at Smashwords.com - last few days...

 My Studs & Steel Series (Including Novellas) is currently heavily discounted over at Smashwords.com as part of their summer sale.

Peyton Protected is absolutely free and the rest are only $0.99 until 31st July 2021

Head over now! https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/happyheatherafters








Saturday 17 July 2021

Spend your summer at the marina... but don't expect to cool off... #hotsummerromance

 


 I looked up, “Oh no.” I groaned. There was a tailback of traffic as far as the eye could see.

Dad patted my knee, “It’ll be fine, son. I know a short-cut.”

Well they were famous last words... Dad turned off and headed in the completely wrong direction. I looked around at the unfamiliar streets, “Where are we going, Dad?” I asked in mild panic.
“Your father knows these streets like the back of his hand…” Mum piped up proudly from the back seat.
I snorted as we passed a road sign, “Then why are we headed for Birmingham, right now?” I muttered. Seriously? Asking for help from Dad was sometimes a real challenge.
He grinned and patted my knee reassuringly, “I’ll loop back on the ring road, son. Don’t worry.”
I tried my best to relax. I still had twenty minutes, after all…
We pulled up at the traffic lights and somehow or other, Dad managed to stall the engine. I glared at him. “Are you freaking serious,right now?” I snapped, beginning to lose any remaining patience I was managing to hold on to...


Seth looked at me warily, “Hey, San Antonio.” He said, “How are you?”
I nodded, “I’m good…” I flashed a smile, “Freezing, but good.” It was December and the snow had come early, which was great for business because it turned the marina shopping precinct into a perfect winter-wonderland but having to work outdoors most of the day wasn’t really my idea of a fun time.
He nodded, “Well, this is awkward.” He said, huffing an embarrassed laugh. 
I chuckled along with him, all embarrassed, too. “Yeah.” I agreed, “Shall we uh, shall we go and get a drink or something? I could do with something to warm me up. I’m supposed to be cleaning the glass all around the cafĂ©.” I rolled my eyes, “But I’m likely to get stuck to it in these temperatures rather than get it clean.”
“Jeez,” Seth murmured, “Don’t you guys ever get a day off?”
I shook my head, “Nope.” I said with a laugh, “Even in sub-zero temperatures, we all have to do our chores.”
He fell into step beside me, “Have you thought any more about uh, summer camp?” he asked quietly.
My insides froze. I stopped, “Please.” I said, glancing around nervously, “Don’t. Not here.”
He stood in front of me, “Where, then?” he asked, “Because I’m going crazy here, thinking about it.”
“Treehouse?” I suggested, “It’s right up there in the tree, no one’s evergonna hear us talking up there.”
He looked at the treehouse, “Whose bedroom is that, right behind it?” he asked sceptically.
I snorted, “That’s El Paso’s room – he’s always got his head in a book. He never notices anything– and besides, it’s like, minus five degrees out here. He’ll never have his window open in this weather.”
Seth grinned, “Cool.” He said.

 After Tiffany left, I lay on my bed for a good couple of hours just thinking about she’d said. I didn’t much care what she told anyone about me and El Paso. It wasn’t true… or at least, even if it was true that I felt more for him than I’d ever felt for her, it didn’t have to mean in a romantic way. There was no way I felt like that about him – we were just really good friends. She was just sore that I spent a lot of time with him and enjoyed his company.
I was just about to get ready for bed when another text came through.
I scrambled to a sitting position and fumbled for my phone.
All the tension I’d been feeling seemed to just drain away as I read the message.
“Are you still awake?”
I grinned and typed out an immediate reply, “Of course I am.”
“Good. Listen, can I call you instead of texting? I’m not a fan of getting writers’ cramp. I’ve got a better use for my right hand.”He sent an emoji of an aubergine and two laughing faces.
I shook my head. Chuckling to myself I sent back a smiley face. Seconds later, my screen lit up with a picture of El Paso pulling a silly face. I had no idea when he’d added that to my phone but it made me laugh all the same. “Hey, El.” I said.
His breathy voice came through loud and clear, "Lyle!" He exclaimed in a hushed whisper, "There's been a development."


 “Fort Worth!”
My steps faltered in my stilettos as I heard my mother’s voice from one of the upstairs windows. Dammit. What now? If she saw the top I was wearing, I’d be dragged back by my multicoloured wig before I could even take my drag name in vain…
I turned, checking my phone as I did so. The girls were waiting for me…
Mum was stood on the balcony of her bedroom and I could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. I smiled, “Yes?” I asked as sweetly as I could.
“Get back here and put some clothes on!” she yelled, “You’re ten times worse than Georgia was at your age!” 
I rolled my eyes. “But Mum.” I whined, “Georgia’s a girl.”
She glowered, “And what the hell do you think you’re dressed as?” she snarled.
Damn it. The woman had a point. I did look a little like a hooker… “Right!” I retorted as dramatically as could pull off, “I’ll put the goddamn jeans and trainers on and totally ruin the lewk,” my voice had risen in frustration and I was now practically screaming at her, “but I’m taking them off and changing into my hot pants and these incredibly hot boots as soon as I get there, so what’s the point?”
The boots were fabulous. They were a shiny, silver thigh-high number with stiletto heels. They were a gift from my fairy drag mother, Honey-Rose Delmonte, who was a queen I followed avidly and had met on a few occasions, and I absolutely loved them – and I absolutely loved Honey-Rose, too; she was a total darling and had asked me to follow her, doing a bit of a vlog and I’d had the most amazing response. Within six weeks I’d attracted more than three hundred thousand followers on Instagram and this outfit had had more than a thousand likes in the first minute of me uploading it earlier.
Still, my followers had no idea that my mother could still ground me until I was about a hundred and fifty years old and so, I was now standing in front of the balcony, my hands on my hips and tapping the toe of my fabulous thigh-high, boots impatiently.

 “Go and get Dallas to put a new barrel on, will you?”
I blinked at Jon, the guy who owned the bar, “Huh?” I asked stupidly.
He raised an eyebrow, “You’re not gonna go all moony-eyed on me about the new guy, are you?” he asked.
I shook my head, “No, sir.” I said, feeling my face reddening. Jon knew I was gay and he didn’t half love to rib me about it. Not in an unkind way… Well, not really. “I’ll go and ask him.”
He chuckled, “Ask him to go surfing with you tomorrow.” He said, “He might surprise you and agree.”
Fat chance of that. I’d seen him pushing a buggy with a little boy in it that was the spitting image of him. He was definitely the baby’s dad. There was no way he’d be interested in me. I huffed a laugh, “Sure, sure.” I said, “Jog on.”
Jon raised an eyebrow, “He’s single.” He said, “He told me.”
I rolled my eyes, “he needs to be a bit more than single to want to date me.” I said, “I might be pretty but I’m a guy, or hadn’t you noticed?”
He rolled his eyes, “And he’s not into girls.” He replied in a voice that sounded as if he was talking to a stupid person, “so, just ask him.”
No way… It was too embarrassing. Jon had to have got it wrong. The guy was straight, he was sure of it…
The door to the cellar flew open a few minutes later and a slightly breathless and sweaty looking Dallas manoeuvred himself into the bar, carrying a crate of bottles to restock the fridges. “Slade,” Jon barked, “Give the boy a hand.”
Jeez. Did he have to make it so damned obvious that I was interested? Or maybe it wasn’t obvious to Dallas at all. Maybe it was all in my head and the guy hadn’t even allowed me to invade his thoughts at all.
I tilted my chin towards him in acknowledgement, “Want some help?” I muttered.
He shrugged, “I’ve got it if you’re busy.” He said, “But if I could leave an hour early…” he scratched his neck nervously, “My babysitter just called…”
“Sure.” I jumped in. Anything that gave him that haunted look was something I could definitely help with – not least to never see it again. He was too beautiful to look that stressed out, “I’ll take over your stint at the bar – it’s not busy on a Tuesday anyway.”
He shot me a grateful smile that shook me to my core and made me wonder what the hell it was about him that had me going all squiffy over him. Whatever it was it was like magic – and I wanted more of it… “Thanks, man.” He said, “You’re a lifesaver.”
I grinned at him, “You’ve got a kid, huh?” I asked, “How old?”
He beamed with pride as he started talking about his son, “He’s eight months and he’s just started to stand up and walk around the furniture – it won’t be long and he’ll be walking around. Then I’ll really have to watch him.” He chuckled.
It sounded as if he had sole responsibility of him the way he spoke about it. “So, have you uh, got a girlfriend? Wife?”
He coloured up and shook his head, “No,” he said, “It’s just me and Starr.”
“Star?” I asked. Whoa. That was far out…
He smiled and nodded, “I’m a massive Beatles fan.” He said, “And it just suited him.”
“So, was there a girlfriend?”
He shook his head, “there was a girl. She wasn’t really my girlfriend…. Well, she was but she wasn’t. It’s complicated. I’m not with her anymore. She didn’t want Starr or me – and so, she left.”
Well, that told me everything but nothing… Was he straight? 
“Anyone since?” I asked. Yes. I was aware that I was asking far too many questions to say we’d only just spoken to each other today but I was way beyond curious. I was on Interested Highway, heading straight for Besotted Boulevard...