CHAPTER 2
“Tell me how I let you talk me into this again?” Gordy asked as he tucked his maroon button-down shirt into his black jeans. Dang, the stupid things were so tight, Gordy was afraid if he didn’t pass out from anxiety because of a date with a man he didn’t even know, he would pass out from how tight these stupid pants were.
Gio shook his head and pulled the shirt out just a bit, “Because you’re lonely and need a life and this will at least help you break the ice so you can get back out there into the dating world once again.”
“I didn’t even have a dating world before I came to Drago, Gio. Men tend to not want someone like me. It’s not as if I have anything to offer anyone anyway.” Gordy softly argued.
“Nonsense. You are a cutie as well as a sweet man. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life.” Gio argued right back.
“Okay let the beautifying begin.” Jude said, walking in with a small case in his hand, followed by Bren with a comb, brush, hairspray, and bottle with gooey-looking stuff in it.
“What is all that?” Gordy asked wide-eyed. His unease came from a few factors. One, Gordy didn’t think anything could make him beautiful except a blow torch, and that would hurt. Two, Gordy wasn’t used to people, and as nice as Jude, Bren, Rylee, and Lexi had been to him, Gordy was still getting used to them, and besides, Jude seemed a bit… off. Third, Gordy didn’t like surprises, and whatever Jude was holding was going to be just that.
Jude shook his head, rolled his eyes, then ordered, “Sit on the toilet.”
“But I don’t have to go, and even if I did, I couldn’t do it in front of you guys.” Gordy replied quickly.
Jude laughed, “You’re too funny, and for the record, I wouldn’t want to see you piss either. The only dick I’m interested in is my mate’s. Now sit.”
Gordy looked at Gio for help, but his friend just smiled and gently pushed at Gordy to sit on the toilet.
Jude sat his box on the sink and opened it, humming thoughtfully, before asking, “With or without foundation?”
“I love the rosiness of his cheeks, so I say without.” Bren replied.
Nodding, Jude said more to himself than anyone in the room, “Agreed. Okay, color or black?”
Rylee stepped in, whispering, but not whispering, “They left for the meeting with Rusty.”
Smiling wide and ignoring Gordy’s question, Jude pulled out something that looked like a pencil. “Great. That was a brilliant idea you had, Ry. Having them in that meeting will make it so much easier for us to get Gordy out of here.” Leaning down with the brownish pencil, he said, “Close your eyes and relax.”
Gordy pulled back, keeping his eyes wide. “What are you doing? And get me where?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? Your date is at the Beer and Brat Bar and Grill. Now close your eyes. We don’t have much time before we have to get you out of here.” Gio said in a rush.
“Are you nuts? I can’t leave Drago, Gio. You know that. It’s too dangerous for me out there. What if… you know who… is out there, just waiting for me to step out of Drago territory?” Gordy argued.
Jude lightly smacked Gordy, “Close your damn eyes.”
Gordy quickly did as he was ordered, and Gio said, “Gordy, it’s highly doubtful that he is out there waiting for you. It’s been two years. Besides, it’s not like we are going to have you go alone. Jude, Bren and I are going with you. We won’t get in the way of you and your date, but we’ll be there to help keep an eye out, and we’ll even come up with a sign if you feel threatened or just want to get away.”
“But Pit will get pissed if I leave Drago. I don’t want him or any of the D.O.A. guys pissed at me, Gio.” Gordy said, pulling back a bit at the unusual feeling of the pencil lining his eyes. “Dang, Jude, don’t put my eye out.”
“Then stop your eyelids from fluttering or you’re going to look worse than Michael Keaton inBeetlejuice. Now, please relax and trust me. I know what I’m doing.” Jude muttered.
Sighing, Gordy did his best to do as Jude asked, muttering back, “I don’t even know what that means.”
“What? You’ve never seen Beetlejuice? What planet have you been living on?” Jude grumbled.
“Earth, and no I really haven’t watched any movies. When I’m not baking or cooking I’m usually reading.” Gordy replied, then pulled back and opened his eyes to look for his friend, “Gio, you know I can’t just go wandering outside Drago. It isn’t safe for me out there and if I get into trouble and one of the guys has to come and save my butt, Pit is going to get really pissed. He might even kick me out of here, or have one of the dragons just eat me so the problem is solved.”
“Don’t worry about Pit and the others. As far as Pit goes, I’ll take care of him, and the others will follow Pit’s lead so you’re all good. I promise no banishing from Drago or snacks for the maharishi. Now close your eyes so we can finish getting you ready. We’re running out of time.” Bren said, spritzing something into Gordy’s hair, the smell making Gordy sneeze.
Jude practically growled, “Thanks a lot, Bren. You damn near caused me to really take his eye out. Can you hold off on that shit until I’m finished here?”
“Look, guys, I really appreciate this, but I don’t think I’m gonna go. I mean, I didn’t know I’d have to leave Drago, and besides, it isn’t like anything can go very far with the guy, right? I mean, it’s not like I can invite him home.” Gordy said, trying to pull away from whatever the heck it was Jude was doing.
A soft gasp was heard, and then Rylee asked, “You’d stand the guy up? Gordy, I thought so much better of you than that.”
