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After his number, the curtain closed, and I couldn’t speak. All eyes at our table, and a couple of others, were on me. I turned toward Marcus, eyes still wet with tears, and he pulled me into his arms. It was a supportive hug from a friend I’d known for years. His husband, Tony, reached around him to give my shoulder a squeeze.

I composed myself as the lights came up. The DJ began playing a mix of dance music, while nightclub employees started clearing tables. Many in the audience were heading out the door, it being late on a Sunday night, and for most, tomorrow was a workday. The guys stuck with me, and I knew they were waiting for Jonesy to congratulate him. Tony asked me what Jonesy normally drank before he headed to the bar.

Within fifteen minutes, Jonesy walked out wearing jeans and a white V-neck tee that fit his muscular form. His body always took my breath away. It amazed me how quickly he could clean off his makeup and change into regular clothes. We all stood, coming around the table as he walked toward us. I held back as the guys converged on him, making me smile.

After hugs were exchanged, Tony passed Jonesy a bourbon on the rocks, which made him light up. “You deserve that, Detective,” Tony said with a light punch to his shoulder and clinking his glass to his.

Jonesy’s eyes met mine, and we took each other in. He beckoned me over with a hooked finger, and I lowered my head, then walked up to him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close, and that simple gesture made my throat tighten. I knew it wasn’t the place or time to discuss his last song, but adoration filled my chest as I leaned against his solid frame, my hand resting on his chest. He kissed my temple, then continued chatting with our friends. I knew he felt more comfortable in a gay club showing his affection for me, and that was okay.

He’d sung to me only once before, when we were celebrating Wynn’s forty-eighth birthday at a karaoke bar. We’d only just started getting serious about dating back then, but something sticks with you when someone belts out a love song while looking into your eyes. Tonight felt deeper, though. I knew the man behind the makeup and glitz, and I could mentally erase the drag mask everybody else saw onstage.

My thoughts cleared as I heard Javier ask, “Why don’t you perform more, Chico?”

“Because working for the police takes most of my time, and I only do drag as a sideline,” Jonesy replied.

“But you’re so talented because you actually sing your songs,” Javier said, pushing the issue.

Jonesy motioned for us all to sit down before he answered. “All the queens are talented, just in their own way.” He set his drink down. “Lip-syncing takes a lot of work to perfect. Most of these ladies work in professional positions in addition to doing drag, unless they want to pursue it full-time. Veronica, for example, who performed as Cher tonight, is a drag professional. She creates costumes and has also worked as a professional makeup artist. She told me she’s working with a company to develop a new makeup line as well.”

“Wow. So, how did you learn to do the makeup and outfits?” Jason asked.

I snickered. “Ah…here we go,” I interjected, making everyone glance at me. Jonesy smiled, knowing I’d heard his story numerous times.

“Kinda started when I was a little boy and my sisters entertained themselves by dressing me up and applying makeup. I think that little fetish, if you’d call it that, stuck with me. I knew I was gay at a young age, and I think our mother knew as well. Dad did his best to toughen me up by getting me into football, which I loved, by the way, and still do. The dress-up part never went away.”

“So your family is good with it?” Marcus asked.

“Oh, yeah. They’ve all seen me perform as Onyx. Plus, I grew up in church, singing in the choir.” Jonesy snickered. “I even got the role of Mary in the church’s Christmas musical one year when I was eleven. I had the best voice compared to the girls in the youth choir. I hadn’t hit puberty yet.”

“You can go high in your vocal range. I guess that makes it easier to sing in drag, too,” Jason said.

I sat there with my head in my hands, listening to Jonesy educate our crew.

“There are some female vocals I can’t do, but I’ve always known what was safe and easier to sing. If I can’t get too high, I drop an octave.”

“Do you sing out of drag?” Javier asked.

“I do, and have. I’ve sung at weddings, mainly for guys in the precinct. I’ve also sung the national anthem. One year, I was asked to sing it at Levy Stadium for a football game. That is a tough song to sing, especially a cappella.”

The questions continued for a few more minutes until I interrupted and told the guys it was late and Jonesy and I had to work the next day. The guys finished their drinks and said their goodnights as we hung back until they left.

“I just need to head backstage and grab my bag,” Jonesy said before bending down to kiss me.

“I’ll be right here,” I replied, basking in his affection.

Jonesy headed backstage, and as I stood to leave, Gavin walked up and said, “You have one incredibly talented man. The youth center director told me they made over twenty-one thousand dollars tonight before they left, and thanks to Onyx, more donations came in while he sang to you.”

I felt my face heat at his comment. I guess it was pretty obvious my boyfriend had been singing to me. I deflected. “That’s great. It’s an important cause. We have a lot of homeless gay youth in this city. I hope the money raised makes a dent and helps the organization.”

Jonesy walked up, his duffel slung over his shoulder, and placed his arm around my waist to let me know he was ready. Gavin smiled and thanked him for his participation and a wonderful performance as we made our way to my car.

“Thank you, babe,” I said as we got into the car.

“For?” he replied, buckling his seatbelt.

“For that song, of course.” I looked at him, and he winked. He waited a beat, then leaned in and put his hand behind my neck, pulling me into a passionate kiss.

“I meant every word,” he said as he let me go. His gaze dropped to his still-painted fingernails. I waited, knowing he was finding words. “You know how difficult it can be for me to show my affection and love for you outside our intimate moments. I felt what I did in my last number might make up for it a little, even though it was under the guise of Onyx. I guess I felt safe doing it at the club.”