My first surprise of the night was when Gram and Lennie showed up. It wasn’t an age thing with them, but their costumes. Gram was dressed like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and Lennie was dressed up like a 1930’s mobster. They both looked amazing.
I had only met Gram on a few occasions, but I liked her instantly. She reminded me so much of my granddad with her direct way of speaking what was on her mind. Of course, granddad wasn’t quite as colorful as Gram.
“Oh my God,” she said, fanning herself when she locked eyes on my costume. Liam talked me into wearing a pirate costume – well, at least part of one. I refused to wear those skintight pants that hugged my skin like spandex. I saw the lustful look on Liam’s face when he checked out my bulge and agreed to break the pants out for our private party after the celebration. Publicly I wore a billowy, long-sleeved white shirt that was open almost to my navel. I was feeling too exposed and Gram’s reaction did nothing to make me feel better. “Liam talked you into that getup didn’t he?” She giggled and covered her mouth.
“There’s no way on the planet I would have worn this voluntarily.” I looked down at the fake sword sticking out of the scabbard at my hip. The black jeans were still tighter than I wanted to wear, but a compromise was a compromise after all. I put my foot down over the knee boots, though. I refused to even wear those shiny fuckers privately for Liam, but I did agree to wear the fake earring and bandana around my head.
“Have a chat with me for a few minutes before the excitement starts,” Gram said. I walked with her to a table while Lennie went to the bar to place an order for their drinks. Gram patted the chair next to hers so I took a seat. I had the feeling that no one told her no. Ever. “You look a lot happier since the last time I saw you at the softball tournament. You’ve had some pretty big changes in your life, huh?”
I wasn’t exactly sure where Gram was going with this, but I decided to humor her a little. “You could say that.”
“But, would you say that?” She countered with a wink.
“Yes, I would definitely say that I’ve had some big changes in my life.”
“I used to watch you watch Liam and I would think how sad it was that you wouldn’t let yourself have what you so badly wanted. Your need for him was so tangible I could see it in the air, cut it with a knife even. I don’t know what made you change your mind, but I’m glad you did. Will you indulge a foolish old woman and allow her to give you some advice?”
In all honesty, I knew I was going to hear what she had to say whether I wanted to or not, so I might as well agree to it and make it easier on the both of us. I was apprehensive, because I didn’t know her that well and I wasn’t sure how much Liam told Chase about us and what either one of them might have passed along to Gram. “You’re not old or foolish, but I’ll indulge you anyway.”
“I think I understand why you were hesitant to get into a relationship with Liam, and not because of anything he or Chase said to me. They’d never betray your confidence in such a fashion. I’m saying this to you from my own observations of your body language and demeanor. Okay?” I nodded for her to continue. “The measure of a man is not the size of his dick or where he wants to put it. A man can’t be measured by the size of his wallet, his home, or how many fancy cars he owns. The real measure of a man is his ability to love and be loved. Society doesn’t have the right to tell you who you should love or be loved by and that is what I felt was holding you back. Am I right?” Gram reached over and placed her small hand over mine where it rested on the table.
“Mostly.”
“Well then, knock it off.” I sat up straighter as her gentle tone turned more militant. “Don’t let other people dictate your happiness or define you, Jack. You are a man, because you love with all your heart and you eagerly accept Liam’s love in return. It is a gift. Do not waste it.”
“Yes ma’am.” My granddad would have loved her. I had to wonder how different my life would have been had I had someone like Gram in my life who would’ve called me on my bullshit years ago. Then again, I might not have met Liam and maybe I could’ve been happy with another man in another time, but I knew unequivocally that no one would ever touch my heart like Liam did. No one.
“Here we go, love,” Lennie said, approaching the table with their drinks. “I really love the feel of your establishment, Jack. It doesn’t feel like a bar, more like a gathering place for friends.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m very proud of it.” I rose from my chair, eager to get this costume karaoke over with so I could change into normal clothes. “I hope you enjoy the show, although I have no idea what I’ve let Chase and Liam talk me into with this competition.”
“It will be awesome,” Gram assured me. I dropped a kiss on her cheek and patted Lennie on the back before I made my rounds to say hello to the gang. I found Bevan and Ellie off to the side. Ellie looked very pregnant and adorable in her pumpkin costume and Bevan looked ridiculous dressed as Charlie Brown. I went over and said hello to them both.
“Do we look as ridiculous as we feel?” Ellie asked with a grimace. “What the hell was I thinking to dress as the Great Pumpkin?”
“You look cute as hell,” Bevan assured her. “I, on the other hand, look like a fucking dork.” I shook my head no, but I couldn’t keep the mirth off my face. “Wise ass,” Bevan said, scowling.
“Enjoy your night,” I said with a smile, before I walked over to the next table. Miller and Gray sat at the table laughing and joking. I knew exactly where Chase was, which explained why Gray was without his other half. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw Miller without JJ, but he was nowhere to be found when I looked around the room. “Stagging it?” I asked Miller. He looked at me with a frown, but didn’t reply. Why he and JJ tried to pretend that nothing was going on between them was beyond me, but also none of my business.
“They aren’t a couple,” Gray said in a mock whisper, “they just hook up at people’s houses and spunk up their bathrooms.”
“It was one time.” Miller’s annoyed voice indicated that this discussion was one the two friends had several times. “Just let it drop.” I recognized that gleam in Gray’s eyes and he wasn’t about to let it drop anytime soon. I took pity on Miller, who was looking kind of miserable that evening.
“Where the hell are your costumes?” I motioned to my outfit and then to their office attire. I knew what Gray did for a living, but didn’t have a clue about Miller’s profession.
“Just came from the office,” was Gray’s response.
“It isn’t dignified,” Miller said, with a smirk at my costume. He made me sorry that I stepped in to help him, until I saw the teasing glint in his blue eyes. “What’s your reward going to be for wearing that, anyway?”
“I’m not telling.” I punched him playfully on the arm before leaving to help out behind the bar.
It wasn’t much longer before the costume karaoke competition started and I had to admit that Chase and Liam came up with a great idea. These competitors were serious. They had outfits, dance moves, and the whole works. I enjoyed every one of them, but I was eager to see what the four Stooges had up their sleeves.
Liam and Chase were up first. My boyfriend, who I loved beyond all others, stood on the stage dressed like Katy Perry while Chase dressed like the rapper, Juicy J. Together they performed Katy’s song “Dark Horse” with Chase doing the rapping. My guy had serious skills as he danced and sang seductively. I found myself smiling while they performed, and cheering very loudly when they were done.
The final performance and the hands down best was Xavier and Ben who performed “You’re The One That I Want” from Grease. Xavier was dressed as Danny and Ben, dressed as Sandy, somehow managed to stuff himself into the tightest leather pants I’d ever seen and wore a black off the shoulder halter top and blonde wig. I checked his feet to see if he was wearing high-heels, but he was wearing a red pair of Chucks instead. It seemed like he had limits too. Regardless, they gave a flawless performance and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind who won the competition when it was over.
“No fair,” I heard Liam say as he walked up beside me. “They have an unfair advantage with all of Xavier’s experience in the business.” I looked over at him, but it was hard to take him seriously with him wearing that costume.
