Nate's Last Tango by Kevin Klehr

Author:Kevin Klehr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, gay, lgbt, contemporary, vacation, ghost, established couple
Publisher: NineStar Press

Chapter Nine

“I didn’t expect this,” said Rowena.

“Expect what?” I asked.

“Diplomatic tensions between Australia and the US.”

She did have an air of grace as she said this, her hand wafting over her forehead as if she was going to salute me. Lucy laughed.

Rowena wore a summer dress, light and cheery, although pink was definitely not her color, even with her blonde beehive wig. Lucy, however, did suit pink in a dress just as cheery. This was their Fair Day wear, and around us this Mardi Gras tradition was in full swing.

Muscle men sweated it out in a tug of war with large crowds snapping photos for prosperity. Lesbians marched their canine buddies down a catwalk for the judges at the dog show. Food stalls sold any international cuisine you could imagine. And several dozen drag queens strutted past, making me notice Rowena’s silent envy at their glamour.

It was early afternoon, and I just arrived after a morning of coffee making in Lucy’s café.

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“Ben and Fox are here, somewhere,” Lucy replied.

“They’re probably watching the Muscle Marys tug their rope,” Rowena added.

“Are they walking hand in hand?” I asked.

“Practically.”

“And Cameron and Beverley were here,” Lucy informed me. “But they’ve gone to see some art exhibit.”

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but my friend’s sympathetic smiles let me know I failed.

“Do they sell drinks here?” I asked. “You know, the ones with vodka?”

Lucy pointed to a small marquee with garden tables and chairs and a group of swaying people who either looked like they should go home or hadn’t been home since last night.

“We can sit in there and chat,” said Lucy.

“No,” I replied. “We’re here at Fair Day. There’re guys to perv at.”

Rowena offered to buy our beverages, but Lucy insisted we wait as she got in line. So my cross-dressing buddy and I studied the multicolored masses before she spoke quietly in Roger’s voice.

“Nate, I’ve wanted to say this to you for a long time, and somehow, now that I’m in your country, it’s easier for me to say.”

“What is it?”

“You don’t treat me like a butler, and I appreciate that.”

“Cameron doesn’t either.”

“Hmm.”

“What? You think he does?”

“He’s more of a friend to Rowena than Roger. That’s why I dress up a lot.”

I was speechless.

“You agree, don’t you? Now that you’re thinking about it. It’s okay, Nate. We both know Cameron is spoiled. But you’ve been good for him. He just needs to know it.”

“It’s not his fault. He’s right. I’m still stuck on Elliot.”

“No, you’re not. If you were, you would never have moved in with us.”

“Perhaps I was running away.”

“No, you weren’t. Trust me. I know you better than you think.”

Lucy returned, balancing three drinks between her fingers. Touches of crimson nail polish shot up between the plastic cups.

“Thank you, my dear,” said Rowena, amplifying her feminine tones.

“Were you discussing Cameron while I was in line?”

“Not really. I was saying what a breath of fresh air Nathan is to New York.”

“I am?” I stood up straight with comic pride, then took my drink from Lucy.

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