Krewe Daddy (16 page)

While making loud groans, he rubbed his cheeks rapidly. "Wake up, Rothem."

In his Redding, Nebraska hotel room, Drew slipped into his dinner jacket.

Blair walked up and straightened Drew's collar.

"You look good enough to be on the menu tonight." A lazy smile lifted his lips.

Drew couldn't help but smile back at him. Despite their awkward conversation yesterday about their future together, or lack thereof, he really liked Blair and hoped they could remain friends.

"You look like a hot entree yourself."

Blair chuckled. "You've been hanging around with Sapphire too long. But I'll give you a taste of what you're missing."

Before Drew could react, Blair planted a steamy kiss on him. Blair knew exactly how to turn Drew on, and within seconds, he was returning the kiss with the same vigor Blair delivered.

Drew's brain started chanting,
whoa, whoa, whoa
. His body countered with,
go, go,
go
.

Drew's ringing cell phone ended the silent argument. He released Blair and wiped his lower lip with the pad of his thumb.

"I have to get this. It might be Sapphire calling with some last-minute problem."

His voice and breathing sounded unsteady. Seeing caller ID did nothing to allay his nerves.

He gave Blair a look. "It's Luis."

"I'll give you some privacy."

When Blair turned, the bold evidence of his passion jutted from the front of his body.

Averting his gaze, Drew cleared his throat, and answered the call. "Hi, Luis."

"Hey, how are you?"

"I'm good. Are you home already?"

"Yes, I got in a few hours ago. I wasn't sure I'd catch you. What are you up to?"

"I'm getting dressed to go to the party. It starts in about an hour. Sapphire is making me crazy with all his demands, but I think we're going to have a spectacular evening if everything goes off the way we planned."

"What are you wearing?"

"Black tuxedo, but I refuse to tie the bowtie. I'm hosting this gig. It's a small concession."

Luis laughed. "I bet you look sexy."

Drew glanced at Blair, who was tying his shoes. "I guess. How did things go in Milwaukee?"

"Pretty well, I think. They liked the design revisions. We spent some time interviewing local contractors and artists to work on the floats and other display pieces.

I can't remember the last time I looked at so many buxom women with beer steins in their hands. I've gotten good at drawing boobs on this project, that's for sure."

Drew laughed with Luis. "Tempted by any of them?"

Luis snorted. "What's planned for tonight's party?"

"We're getting dressed and—"

"We? Who's with you?"

Drew's stomach felt like a slinky toy going down the stairs. He closed his eyes.

Son of a bitch.
"Blair is here."

"Why? I thought I told you to change the room assignments."

The dictatorial tone of Luis' voice changed Blair's attitude from amenable to hardass. "I tried, but the hotel is sold out. The best they could do was give me two doubles instead of a king."

Luis harrumphed, not making Drew any less angry.

Luis continued his tirade. "You mean to tell me that you're spending thousands of dollars there this weekend, and they can't give you a private room? That's a crock of shit if I ever heard one."

Drew stiffened at the implied insult. "I didn't want to put someone out. This accommodation works fine as far as I'm concerned, and it should work for you, too. It's a fair compromise, and you and I aren't exclusive."

"Yet."

"Okay, yet. I don't want to argue with you about this. The room situation is fine."

"Easy for you to say, you've got your spare lover right next to you."

The top blew off Drew's self-control. "Really. And how do I know you didn't christen the new floats in Milwaukee, Krewe Daddy?"

A soft
beep
sounded in Drew's ear. Luis had hung up on him.

Blair stated the obvious. "That didn't go well."

Puffing out his cheeks, Drew exhaled. "Nope."

"Are you going to call him back?"

He slipped his phone in his pants pocket. "Not now. After we both cool down, it'll be fine." He looked at Blair. "We still have issues to work out. We've both changed for the better, but that doesn't erase the past."

Understanding filled Blair's eyes. He put a hand on Drew's shoulder. "If it doesn't work out, my offer stands. I think we'd be great together."

Drew covered Blair's hand with his. "Thanks. In a lot of ways, I know you're right. I can't rush this thing with Luis, or you."

Blair nodded. "If you're ready, let's get going before Sapphire comes hunting for us."

* * * * *

Almost four hours later, dinner was over and most of the photos were taken for the bachelors' party. Drew looked around the crowded ballroom. Their guests seemed to be enjoying each other and an evening of great food and wine. The way the party came together warmed his heart.

Because of Kevin's celebrity, a select group of media was invited to cocktails and dinner. Now that part of the evening was over, and the media were ushered out.

Security guards, positioned at every entrance, ensured they stayed out, too.

While everyone enjoyed an after-dinner cocktail, the room was transformed into a more intimate scene. Couches and padded chairs replaced many of the tables and dining chairs.

The lights dimmed, giving Drew his cue. He accepted a microphone from Sapphire, whose eyes sparkled with nervous excitement. Dressed in a silver sequined gown and ash blonde wig, Sapphire had done his best to emulate Marilyn Monroe.

"Thank you, Sapphire." Drew kissed his cheek. "I couldn't have done this without you. Please give Sapphire a big round of applause. Kevin, you have a goldmine in this lady."

Sapphire did a little bow before taking a nearby seat.

"And now, for a moment I've been waiting for all evening. Kevin and Teak, would you please make yourselves comfortable on this couch?" Drew pointed to a cozy-looking loveseat near a large privacy screen.

On his way to the couch, Teak stopped. "You're not going to roast us, are you?"

Drew shrugged.

"The boss already said it wouldn't go well for you."

Drew broke into laughter. "That would be too bad. I'm the best man and what I say goes tonight." He looked at the other guests, encouraging their opinions.

The crowd of mostly men laughed and chanted their desire. "Roast them, roast them!"

Holding up his hand to silence the group, Drew turned to Kevin and Teak. "I've had such a great time tonight, and I hope you have, too. It's no secret that you are two of my favorite people. I'm happy I helped bring you together, even if it cost me a fortune in long underwear. Kevin, you're a very lucky man." Drew spoke out of the side of his mouth. "I ought to know."

The crowd broke into gales of laughter. His affair with Teak was no secret.

"So, without further ado, please accept this last gift with my greatest affection."

Drew pointed to the DJ.

The opening strains of
Leave Your Hat On
commenced. Two men dressed in tight, white T-shirts and black leather pants removed the privacy screen, revealing a third man.

He stood in front of a bed, with his back turned to the group. A black tuxedo and top hat added another dose of sexiness to the scene. He gyrated his hips in synch with the sassy brass melody. When Joe Cocker began singing, the man turned, revealing his identity. The guests hooted and applauded as one of their own, Parker, began a seductive striptease for Kevin and Teak.

Parker was a marine biologist, a classically trained dancer, and also modeled for Kevin. He moved with ease and professionalism through the song. He slid onto and off Kevin's and Teak's laps and in and out of his two assistants' embraces as though he still danced for a living.

Drew took it all in, laughing at Kevin's and Teak's reactions, and enjoying himself to the fullest.

The guests erupted in ribald catcalls when Parker stripped down to his black thong and slid onto the unmade bed, covered in gold, satin sheets. At the end of the song, Parker crooked his index finger at Drew, signaling him to come to the bed.

Teak's deep voice came from the couch. "Go for it, Drew."

"I believe paybacks are a bitch." Kevin polished off his smug remark with a throaty laugh.

Feeling every eye in the room on him, Drew capitulated.

Parker tossed the sheet over his bare buttocks. He patted the mattress. "Closer."

A mixture of naughty playfulness and drop-dead seriousness were written on his face, in his eyes.

The bed sagged as Drew knelt on one knee. He could have sworn the room was vacant. Nobody even coughed. He glanced over his shoulder to see if in fact the place was empty.
They're still here.
He gulped.

"Parker, you did a fabulous job. I loved your performance."

"That wasn't how I was expecting to be thanked." He got on his knees and planted a sizzling hot kiss on Drew.

For the second time today, Drew was thrown for a loop. He wasn't used to public displays of affection, and he and Parker had never kissed before. The longer the kiss lasted, the more Drew wondered where this new affection was coming from. He untangled his tongue from Parker's. Drew's heart pulsed a little faster, he breathed a little deeper.
Parker definitely scored.

Parker's eyes were black with passion. He spoke for Drew's ears alone. "Not only was the dance sexy as hell, I can't thank you enough for asking me to perform. I've missed dancing in public so much. It was such a thrill to do it here, in front of so many people I know and respect."

Drew cleared his throat. "I like the way you show your gratitude."

He gave Drew a second, quick kiss. "Thank you."

Parker's honesty touched Drew. "You're very welcome. You did a tremendous job, and I'm sure half the room is ready to find a partner to sleep with right now."

Parker arched a brow. "I'm available."

Drew's brain did its equivalent of a double take.
Have I been oblivious to these
emotions?
"I'm very flattered, but I'm working on a new relationship."

"With Blair? He's got it bad for you."

Drew glanced over at the aforementioned man. "I know, but it's with someone else. Anyway, thank you again, Parker. I'm sure you'll be in demand for every upcoming bachelor and bachelorette party this group is attends."

Drew's flight landed without incident at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

"This is our final destination. We'll arrive at the gate momentarily. You may now turn on your electronic devices." The airline attendant's voice sounded mechanical, as usual.

Drew reached for his cell phone and turned off
airplane mode
, along with probably the entire jam-packed plane. He texted Luis.

Wheels on the ground. I'm stopping at your place on my way home. We need to talk.

Drew put away his phone and reached for his belongings in the overhead bin.

On his way to baggage claim, he checked to see whether Luis had responded. Nothing.

Silence didn't bode well with Drew. They hadn't communicated since their ugly exchange before the party. He was determined not to let this situation mushroom into something worse than it already was. He'd had the entire flight to think about what he planned to say.
Both of us were knee-jerk reacting to things that happened in the past.
He vowed to change his behavior, and hoped Luis would see things the same way.

Suitcase in tow, Drew moved with everyone else, like a herd of cattle, to the parking ramp. He placed his bag in the back seat of his SUV, got in, and checked his phone again.

Luis still had not replied.

Drew took the airport service road north to Interstate 10. Noticing he was low on fuel, he kept his eyes open for a decent price on gas as he traveled eastward to New Orleans. He spotted a Food Mart station and signaled to leave the freeway.

Drew pulled into the station. When he got out of the truck, he had a feeling rain might be falling sooner than later. The idea of listening to a rainstorm in Luis' arms all night appealed to him.

The gas pump chugged along while Drew reviewed what he planned to say to Luis about the weekend and, of course, Blair.

With the tank topped off, Drew went inside to get a carton of chocolate milk and a snack. While standing in line waiting for his turn with the cashier, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
That's gotta be Luis.

Smiling, he balanced his goodies in his other arm and took out his phone.

Luis had texted.
Don't bother. Busy.

Drew's heart sunk.
No bloody way!

The cashier scanned Drew's milk and snacks. "Did you have fuel out there?"

"Pump four." Drew took care of his business as fast as possible, then went back to his vehicle. Seeing another car waiting for the pump, he pulled ahead, and then put his truck in park.

He dialed Luis' phone. The call went straight to voicemail. Frustrated, Drew redialed, but got the same result. This time he left a message.

"Luis, we need to talk. I'm still coming over. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

Drew hung up. His stomach churned. "Wait one fucking minute." He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. "I didn't do anything wrong. He jumped to the wrong conclusion, and now he's acting righteous. Bullshit."

Drew put his SUV in gear and drove back onto Highway 10. About a mile down the road, he noticed unevenness inside his truck, on the rear passenger side.

He patted the dashboard. "Come on, Lula, get me home. Only a few more miles to go."

Luck wasn't on his side. Soon, the telltale
fwop-fwop
of a very low tire echoed in the cab.

"Son of a freaking bitch." Clenching his jaw, Drew drove off the highway, onto a city street, then got out.

He walked around to the back of his truck. Sure enough, the rear tire was sagging like a postpartum belly. Preparing to change the tire, he crouched down.