“Yes,” Felton says while I say, “No.”
Felton looks at me, blinks a few times. “Have you been there?”
“I have, and I haven’t partied at all.”
“Okay, then let me clarify. There are definitely parties like spring break,” Felton says. “Lots to choose from. Many, many hot men in skimpy… pieces of fabric under hot sun and cool water. There are also women, though there are less of them.”
“I thought it is a gay resort,” Marion says.
“It is. Women can be gay too,” I say, amused.
Marion opens his mouth and tilts his head. “Oh. You mean lesbians.”
Laugher surrounds us as I nod. “Right. I mean lesbians. And pansexual women. And bisexual women. And many others who don’t necessarily identify as women or men. It’s aqueerresort.Not a gay resort. Just because it’s overrun with men doesn’t mean that it’sonlymen.”
“Note had,” Marion says. “Continue with Tove’s question now.”
Felton gives me an amused look before he turns back to Tove. “Yes, there are parties. But there are a lot of excursions as well. Take all the best parts from resorts, vacations, and summer sun, add a rainbow flag, remove all technology, and make everyone sign iron-clad NDAs before stepping on the island, and that’s the Isle of Kala.”
“No technology?” Tove asks, frowning.
“Trust me when I tell you, you won’t miss it,” Felton says. I nod in agreement. “The point is anonymity. It’s a true safe space foreveryone. There’s no chance of leaked pictures or videos or shit.”
“It’s safe,” I add.
“Huh,” Tove says. “What happens if there’s a family emergency?”
“The island has technology, but it’s restricted. No guests have access to it. There’s a number to call, and then the staff will relay the message,” Felton says.
“This is wild,” Marion notes. “I want to visit.”
“It’ll be fun,” Felton says, grinning. “You should totally visit. Even if you decide not to hook up, there’s so much freedom in just being there. Lots of fun. People. Peace, if you choose it.”
“Look at website,” Marion says. “Looks very fun, Tove. We can go together.”
Tove’s cheeks flush. “Uh… thanks.”
Marion plays oblivious to Tove’s blush, and I chuckle as I turn back in my seat and listen to them talk about the Isle of Kala for a while longer.
I love hockey. Truly. But this is probably one of the first times in my life that I’ve wished it wasn’t so damn consuming. What Iwouldn’t give for more of that private, uninterrupted alone time with Shively. I’ve never made such great memories as those of us on the island together.
That’s where we’re heading this summer. Decision made. All summer, maybe. To hell with other responsibilities.
“I think we should have a queer resort on the mainland,” Felton says, breaking into my thoughts.
“You have all that space behind your house,” Willits says, standing over the back of my seat. “I think that’s big enough for a resort.”
“You want me to quit hockey to build a queer resort behind my house?” I ask.
“Isak Lokken quit to film porn,” Zenia says. “This is probably more wholesome.”
Denny snorts.
“I thought it was place to bury bodies,” Marion says.
“Bury bodies in the foundation,” Willits suggests.
“You could rent the land to a farm, and their big tractors with those claws that go into the ground will turn their bodies into mush and fertilize the soil,” Nason pipes in.
