James agreed and slowly rolled onto his side, Daniel meeting his gaze with those intense eyes that James could so easily get lost in if he allowed himself to. “What’s your family like? You’ve met mine and seen the levels of craziness.”
“There isn’t much to tell. I was a late-in-life baby. Mom and Dad had given up on having children. Mom was apparently told that she wasn’t able to have children, and then in her forties, she thought she was going through the change of life...instead—surprise!” He smiled, showing perfect white teeth, small lines reaching to bright eyes. James basked in the warmth of that gaze, forgetting about his earlier reservations, at least for now.
“That must have been a shock,” James whispered.
“To say the least. Mom was thrilled, and I can honestly say that no child was loved more. I sang, danced, and Fosse’d—” he made jazz hands above them “—my way into their hearts. Mom took me to acting and dance classes, vocal lessons, you name it. She came to every school performance or recital, sitting in the front row.”
“Did they know about you being gay and the drag?” He was curious how Daniel’s family took it. He could already imagine the uproar in his own family, the yelling, the ridiculousness, and the threats that would follow because he didn’t measure up to what his mother thought he should be.
“They knew I was gay.” Slowly Daniel turned toward him. “Lala has always been part of my life, but I didn’t acknowledge that part of me until five years ago. Before that, I modeled as a way to try to break into the theater. As a guy, I don’t think I was special enough. I didn’t have something that really set me apart.” He shrugged, and James felt himself being pulled closer, like some invisible cord tugging him.
“I think they were crazy,” James whispered, holding Daniel’s gaze until he blinked and turned away. He instantly missed being the subject of such intensity. “I believe you said your mom has passed?”
Daniel hesitated. “Mom contracted cancer while I was in college. She fought it with everything she had, but it was too much. Dad nursed her though the entire ordeal and followed her a year later.” Daniel stared at the ceiling, and James slid his hand along the bedding until their fingers met. “I don’t think he could bear to be without her.”
“So, your grandmother, the one you care for...” he prompted.
“You remembered.” Daniel forced a smile. “She’s the only family I have left, and she isn’t able to care for herself and needs medical attention. The social worker wanted to put her in one of those homes most likely to appear on the national news, so I pay what her benefits won’t for her to be in a place where I can see her regularly and where she gets treated better.” Daniel’s eyes darkened. “Yes, she knows about the drag, and Lala has taken her show to the care facility more than once.”
“What about Candy and Creamy...all the other people in the show?”
“They’re my drag family; that’s very different. We look after one another and have each other’s backs, but as much as we use the word family, in the end it’s really a job and we all have to work together. Sometimes there are especially close relationships, just like with anything else. Creamy Sugar is my drag daughter, I helped her learn the ropes and helped hone her raw talent into the performer she is today, just like my drag mother, Tulane Highway, did for me.” James couldn’t help chuckling at the name. “She’s in New York now and has been doing amazing things.” The pride in Daniel’s voice was unmistakable, and he lightly squeezed James’s fingers.
James rolled onto his side, propping his hand under his head. “I have to ask, and it will probably sound stupid.” He shrugged. “But why drag? You’re really talented and have a real gift. Your voice is amazing, and I’m sure you could do whatever you wanted.”
Daniel’s expression hardened. “I am doing what I want.” He sat up, turning toward him, tugging his hand away. “This is part of who I am.” His jaw set and his eyes grew stony. “I don’t play at my craft. I work hard, and I’m damned good.” Daniel stood and went to the closet, moving clothes aside, the hangers scraping on the rod. “Look, I get it. You’re a cop. Your work is gritty and you live a hard life that could get you injured or killed every time you make a mistake. You have to be tough.” He whirled around like a damned ballerina.
“Lower your voice,” James interjected.
“Yeah...” he whispered. “You may not see me the same way you do the guys you work with, or the men you fuck, but I’m true to myself and I don’t play a bunch of games. I’m not the one who hired a drag queen to play my girlfriend at my sister’s wedding. I know the person that I am on the inside, and believe it or not, I like myself.” He turned away and began tossing clothes onto the bed. “I need to get ready for this party, and so do you. I suggest you use the bathroom to clean up and dress, because I need some time to let this urge to rip your nuts off pass. Otherwise it’s going to be one hell of a party tonight, and me having a screaming hissy fit will end up as the damned entertainment.”
“I didn’t mean...” he began and clamped his mouth shut at the way Daniel bared his teeth.
“You did. You’re a dragophobe. What you really meant was that I’m talented, so why don’t I go out and get a real job?” He heaved for breath, eyes blazing with fire, and James alternated between fear and all-out desire. Damn, that energy was smoking hot. Daniel’s lips, slightly pursed, both drew and pushed his away. James got his clothes for the evening and found himself on the other side of the bedroom door with it closed and locked behind him.
Margot peered out of her room, rolled her eyes. “What did you do?”
James shrugged, and Margot disappeared back into her room. He hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door and setting his clothes on the counter.
* * *
“Are you ready?” James asked from outside the bedroom door a while later. He waited and hoped he wasn’t going to have to go to the party alone. The door clicked open, and Daniel emerged. James still wasn’t sure whether his balls were safe.
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you at the car.”
The glare he received would freeze water on the equator. Those delicate hands went to lush hips as Daniel glared at him. He paused and rethought his plan. James had figured he should keep his distance, but it seemed that was the wrong course of action. Instead, he offered his elbow, and he smiled and took it. “You’re learning,” Daniel whispered. “Let’s go.”
The shower was being held at the home of Kiersten, Holly’s matron of honor, and the party had already started by the time they arrived ten minutes later. The street near the house was parked up, so James found a spot on the next block, and they walked in the breezy evening air.