Face Off For Love Box Set by Jen FitzGerald

Author:Jen FitzGerald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knotted Hearts Publishing
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

It seemed like the hockey gods were smiling on Elijah. They had a game the day after they arrived home, which was a Thursday; he had practice Friday morning and conditioning Friday afternoon, but Friday evening was his. Some of the guys were getting together at Odie’s place to play video games. Usually Elijah was up for team gatherings, but tonight he was on a mission.

The Constellation Club was in a part of town Elijah didn’t frequent often despite his sexuality; he was just too busy. Maybe this summer…

The interior was dim and Elijah was eyeballed as the interloper he appeared to be. He smiled and nodded though and people returned the greeting. The place looked like it had been transported straight out of the fifties with its plush carpet and chandeliers. He easily found an empty table and a server came by almost immediately. She raised both eyebrows when he ordered a club soda with a twist of lemon.

He shrugged and quirked a grin at her. “I have diabetes. Alcohol and I don’t get along well.”

“Gotcha.” She cocked her head. “Hey, you look familiar.”

Elijah shook off the worry. “I’ve never been here before.”

“Hmm.”

He handed her a ten. “Keep the change.”

The eyebrows went up again, but she smiled. “Thanks. Be right back with that club soda.”

Leaving Hemingway at home had been the right choice. It seemed like everyone in Portland knew of the hockey player with diabetes and the dog. He’d tested his blood in the parking lot and would be fine for a few hours as long as he stuck to club soda.

The first act was a drag comedian. Elijah hadn’t laughed that much in a while and it felt really good. The second act sang covers of eighties and nineties pop tunes and power ballads. She wasn’t bad, but that genre and the era was before Elijah’s time. His focus was hockey, and music was more background noise to working out and in the dressing room after wins than a real interest.

Two big guys who appeared even more out of place than Elijah arrived during the short intermission after the second act. Their demeanor screamed uncomfortable. The server dropped off another club soda to Elijah and glanced at the two guys. Handing her another ten, he said, “Those two give anyone any trouble, let me know.”

“Thanks. Will do.” She pasted on a smile and headed toward them. She delivered a couple of long neck bottles to them a short time later. They sat, chatting quietly, but still gazing around, taking in the microcosm of the LGBTQ community in one room. To their credit, they didn’t make any ugly faces or rude gestures, so Elijah left them to it. There were bouncers in the club of course, and he was sure they were already on alert.

The MC came on stage. “Okay ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for The Constellation Club’s own, Lady Jazz.”

The place erupted with cheers and whistles. The two guys clapped as well, albeit reluctantly.

The

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.