Authors: Lance Zarimba
I smiled. “I don't want anything. I don't care what you do..."
"Or who you did,” Sergio added.
I shook my head. “I'm not trying to extort money from you, if that's what you think. It doesn't matter to me."
"It matters to me,” Sergio whined.
I kicked him under the table again.
"Ouch.” He leaned forward and rubbed his shin. “Would you knock it off?"
Tom and I turned to stare at him.
His brows shot up. “Well, it matters to me. I may want to see one of your movies, you know, like in the future."
I smiled to myself. “I thought you said..."
"I've never seen one,” Sergio blurted out. “Honest.” His face glowed pink.
Tom rubbed his hands together. “I wouldn't say that I'm proud of what I've done, but I've made a lot of money making those movies. It was my job, but it isn't what I want to do now. I'm moving on, and the adult industry will have to get by without me. Someone new will come along and take my place."
"No way. They could never fill...” Sergio started. “Did I say that out loud?"
"Quit while you're ahead,” I said.
Tom shook his head. “Sean thinks he's going to lose a lot of money if I don't sign the new contract, but he'll find a new star. I'm sure if he stopped chasing me and looked around this resort, he would find my replacement.” He motioned around the room. “He could find several stars here and double his return, maybe more, if he worked at it, but he doesn't want to work that hard. He wants to stay with the same old thing, never try to improve his options."
"You can't improve upon perfection,” Sergio mumbled.
Tom laughed. “Porn stars are a dime a dozen. My departure won't even be noticed. I've saved my money and have invested it well, so I'm set for a while.” He smiled. “I'm happy with my choice. I can't wait for this trip to be over, so I can get home and start my new life with my wife."
"So, is that why you've been hanging around us?” I asked.
"In a way, but you guys were the only ones who actually talked to me,” Tom said.
"But I didn't know who you were,” I said.
"That's why I knew you were safe to hang around with. I needed to be seen with a good looking guy, and...” Tom said.
"Oh, please,” Sergio said.
"...someone that wouldn't be hitting on me...” Tom said.
"So you used me?” I said.
Tom's face flushed red. “I did at first, but I like you. You're a great guy.” He pointed toward Sergio. “I figured if you haven't killed him by now, you must be a saint."
"Hey!” Sergio sat up in his seat.
"I didn't mean to offend you, Sergio. I think you're fun too. Taylor maintains a level head. He thinks under pressure and doesn't panic when things get crazy. You should count yourself lucky to have a friend like that. I wish I did."
I felt my face burn and quickly took a drink from my beer.
Sergio did the same.
"Taylor,” Tom said. “If I didn't know you were straight, I'd swear you and Sergio were the perfect couple."
Sergio and I spat out the mouthfuls of beer that we had just started to swallow.
"What is this? Synchronized spitting?” Logan said, from behind me.
Wiping the beer from my mouth, I turned to see his smiling face.
"What do you mean a ‘perfect couple'?” Sergio stood up and demanded. “Do you think that I would go for him?” He pointed at me.
My eyes opened wide in surprise. “What's wrong with me?"
"You're not my type."
"What is your type?"
"Did I miss something here?” Logan asked. Confusion crossed his face as he looked around our little group. When he didn't get any response, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
I wasn't going to explain all that had happened to us since we last saw him. Sergio could. Instead I said, “We've been running interference for Tom. His agent Sean has been a royal pain."
Logan's face blanched.
"Is something wrong?” I asked.
Logan's eyes darted from me and remained on Tom. Finally, he asked, “Sean Harris is here?"
Now it was Tom's turn to look surprised. “You know Sean Harris?"
Logan nodded slightly, and he appeared to pale even further in spite of his weathered complexion.
Tom nodded along with him. “I see.” A wry smile played across his lips.
"Are we missing something here?” Sergio asked. “I think you both know something that you aren't sharing with us."
I had my suspicions, but I waited for Tom or Logan to confirm them. It didn't take long.
"I thought Sean only represented...” Tom left the sentence unfinished.
That prickling sensation in my neck returned, and I scanned the room.
"What kind of an agent is Sean?” Sergio still expected answers.
"I'll let Logan tell you. It's not my place to say.” Tom stopped.
Logan squirmed in his seat and swallowed hard. He cleared his throat and looked around the table. He leaned forward and began in a hushed tone. “Tom is being polite."
"Polite about what?” Sergio demanded.
Logan looked around the room and shrugged his shoulders. “If I can't say this here, I guess I'll never be able to say it.” He took a deep breath. “I'm not only doing research here, I'm actually on vacation."
"Yeah, so? We all are,” Sergio said, and then he scratched his chin. “Oh, ho. I see."
Logan nodded. “Yes, I am."
Sergio turned to Tom, confused. “You mean Sean only represents gay clients?"
"He does,” Tom said.
"But you just told us that you weren't...” Sergio scratched his head.
Logan pointed to Tom. “You're not?"
"No. He's my cover,” Tom explained. “Sean's representation only makes me legitimate, or as legit as you get in this business."
"I thought dealing with insurance companies was difficult, but the entertainment industry has more ins and outs than I can keep track of,” I said.
"Try swimming in this sea of sharks, where image is everything,” Logan said.
"And Sean is the worst,” Tom added.
"You said it. I'm so glad I haven't run into him. He didn't say he was going to be here. Not that I told him where I was going. Where has he been?” Logan asked.
Tom shrugged. “Taylor met him on the beach our first day here, but I haven't seen him since our argument."
"He said he's been looking for you,” I said to Tom.
"He obviously hasn't been looking very hard, now has he? I've been hanging around, right?” Tom asked.
"What were you two arguing about when I interrupted?” I asked.
"Sean wanted me to be a visible presence here at the resort."
"I thought you were on vacation,” Sergio said.
"I thought so too, but Sean didn't mention that when he booked me here. He said that since this was the last week of my contract, he was sending me on a trip to relax, after all the hard work I've done. Ha. He forgot to tell me that Club Fred is paying
him
for me to be here. I get a free trip, but
he
gets paid."
"What are you supposed to be doing?” I asked.
"Sean only told me that I needed to participate in most of the events here at the resort. Play volleyball, snorkel, swim, go horseback riding, whatever comes up at the resort. Be seen. I'm a celebrity, so the guests need to feel that Club Fred attracts stars, just as much as the general public."
"So they can go home and tell their friends that they vacationed with..."
Tom nodded.
"Molly was thrilled,” Sergio said. “She was wishing she could be here, but I think after the hurricane, she'd change her mind. When she found out we were hanging around with Tom and Logan, she was green with envy. Wait until she hears about Logan."
Logan's face took on a horrified expression.
"Sergio, I don't think Logan wants us to be talking about his little secret once we get back home. Do you?” I turned to Logan.
"My sales haven't been what they should be. Sean keeps telling me not to worry, but I've seen a lot of great mid-list authors get dropped by their publishers, and some of these are award-winning writers and have very successful and popular series, more so than mine."
"But...” Sergio whined.
"But nothing. We have to respect Logan's right to privacy. If he doesn't want us to talk about this, I think we should honor that. He can out himself, if he wants to,
when
he wants to. That isn't our decision to make.” I could still feel like someone lurked behind me. Maybe my damp clothes were irritating my nerves.
"But...” he tried again.
"No. You came out on your own terms. Logan should be able to do the same. Right?” My skin tingled like stinging ants crawling down my spine.
"I guess, but Molly would love to know,” he pleaded.
"Then Logan can tell her himself, when he's ready and not before.” I looked at Logan, whose expression had relaxed significantly.
Sergio turned to Tom. “Does Sean know about you?"
"He's never asked,” Tom said. “And I'm not going to tell."
Sergio smiled at him. “Can I at least tell Molly about you?"
"Sure, why not?” He waved his hand in the air. “I doubt that'll impact my career at this point."
"Thanks,” Sergio said. He turned to Logan and gave him the same look.
Logan smiled and shook his head.
With some secrets exposed, our table relaxed. We forgot about everything for a few minutes and enjoyed each other's company. No pretenses, no attitudes. Just four people, trying to be friends in a strange and hostile place. But was someone still watching?
The next morning dawned with...rain. So much for Mike's promise for the best weather and the bluest skies after a hurricane. This black cloud's silver lining was taking its time to shine. Or was it just hanging over the resort?
After finding John's body, Sergio and I decided to stick close to each other for the rest of our time at Club Fred. Our inability to trust anyone made us inseparable. The only chance we had for a few moments of privacy was in the bathroom, and even then, Sergio clung to the bathroom doorknob.
The morning's gloom cast shadows everywhere in the resort. Even the dining room was quiet for the first time. No animated conversations echoed throughout the room. Silverware clicked on plates. Glasses and cups clumped on the tables. The weather had ruined many vacationers’ plans, and I overheard many guests praying for a sunny day or a quick trip home.
After finishing breakfast, Sergio fidgeted across the table. He was working up to something, but I didn't want to know. I could feel that this was going to be a bad idea from all the nervous energy he emitted. My flesh started to crawl when he opened his mouth.
"Would you be willing to do me one favor?” Sergio began.
Oh God, here it comes
. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I really wasn't going to like this. I just knew it.
"Come on. It won't take hardly any time."
My eyes opened, and Sergio's smile tightened on his lips. There was no way this was going to happen to me. No way. I folded my arms across my chest.
"Just hear me out,” he said, and unfolded a sheet of paper and spread it out on the table. “I think we should do this."
I averted my eyes. “I'm not going on another jungle cruise or snorkeling trip. All I want is to go home."
He waved his hands to dissipate my anxiety. “It's not anything like that.” He narrowed his eyes and shook his head, pointing to the sheet. “I've always wanted to do something like this and I've never had the chance, so here it is.” He pushed the hot pink piece of paper closer to me.
"Club Fred presents: Talent Night!” screamed across the top half of the page.
"No way.” I pushed the sheet back to him.
"Just hear me out."
"There is no way in hell that I'm dressing in drag, so get that idea right out of your head.” I folded my arms across my chest and sat back in my chair.
Sergio's face fell. “There goes my chance to play Diana Ross."
I covered my ears with my hands.
He leaned across the table and pulled my hands down. “You could be a Supreme. Whichever one you wanted to be."
"What are my choices?"
"Like anyone knows who they were. Mary Wells, Florence Ballard, and Cindy Songbird."
I didn't respond. I turned my head to the side. I tried to avoid his gaze, but my parents’ brainwashing forced my eyes to meet his.
When I didn't respond, he changed tactics. “All right, you can be Diana if you really want to.” His voice matched the pout on his face.
"Listen to me. I don't want to be Diana..."
Sergio's face shone.
"...Or a Supreme. I won't dress up as a woman. Period. No way. No how."
"If I came up with something else...” A glint flashed in his eye, just for a second.
My mind raced through all the gay icons that I could come up with. Well, actually, only one came into mind, and I doubted just the two of us could pull it off. So I began slowly, so he couldn't misinterpret my words. “If you could come up with a male group..."
Sergio glowed. He clenched his fists to hold back his excitement.
"And...” I raised my index finger, “I don't have to wear a stupid costume. I would consider it. But just consider it."
Why did those words send shivers down my spine? As soon as they exited my mouth, a lump thumped in my stomach. What did he have in mind? There was no way that he could have tricked me. There was no way.
Right?
Geoff walked by with his camera. He scanned the dining room crowd and spotted us. I waved him over. He looked torn, as if he was searching for someone.
"I'm curious, are you a photographer?” I asked.
Geoff looked down at his camera. “No, mon, I be takin’ pictures for the new brochure."
"On such a rainy day?” Sergio asked.
"We need to show we have fun all the time, rain or shine.” His eyes widened and he grabbed his camera, ready for his next shot. “I gotta run, enjoy.” He hustled off after someone I didn't recognize.
"That was strange.” I watched as he wound his way through the tables.