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.His friend’s precarious health troubled Grant, casting a cloud over an otherwise perfect summer.On the positive side, Scotty had recently met a Century City oncologist at a Peter, Paul & Mary concert The two had been dating ever since, and Grant sensed a future for the couple.Dr.Timothy Bogue wasn’t frightened by his boyfriend’s illness; he had been helping others combat similar ailments for the past twelve years.Today’s party had originated with a suggestion from Kevin, back in May.Back then, it had been a suggestion that Grant and Cam rejected.Two months ago, Kevin had suggested that The Boys of Dorrington, as their co-workers had come to call them, host the Annual Hottie International Fourth of July Barbeque and Pool Party.In past years, Barbara and Hank had hosted this event.This year, the Kleins were in Italy, enjoying a food tour of the country, complete with hands-on cooking classes.“Someone has to take the reins of this year’s celebration, Kevin had told them, “And who better than us?”Cam and Grant had resisted.They needed to keep their relationship a secret from everyone at Hottie International.Hosting the corporation’s Fourth of July party was a monumentally bad idea.It had been a bad idea in May, but two weeks ago, something happened that changed the secret lovers’ minds.That something came in the form of identical twin telephone calls from Barbara Klein, to Cam and then to Grant.Spraying his tanned chest with coconut-scented suntan oil, Grant remembered that telephone conversation:“Hello, Hottie, it’s Barb.”“What’s up?”“Good news,” she had cooed into the receiver.Jailhouse Cock is now the best-selling DVD in Hottie International history.”“That’s great!” Grant had exclaimed.He couldn’t have been happier.Every Hottie International’s success was a score for him, too – especially when it involved a movie in which he had appeared.Continuing, Barbara had announced: “That’s why I’ve commissioned a sequel: Jailhouse Cock 2: The Prisoners are Revolting – But Hotter Than Ever! You and Cam are in, of course, and we’re doubling your salaries.”“Thanks, Barb!” On his end of the line, Grant tingled excitedly.His association with Hottie International continued to bring all things good his way.Becoming a Hottie Boy had been the best decision of his life.The very thought of a sequel with Cam made him feel goose-pimply all over.A second on-screen pairing with CC.He couldn’t help but ask himself, Is this how Liz and Dick felt when asked to do their sophomore co-starring stint in The V.I.P.s?That evening, after Grant and Cam had compared notes from their identical phone conversations, they decided that if their initial movie pairing resulted in record-setting sales for the company, then perhaps, their real-life coupling was good news for Hottie International too.And while they wouldn’t reveal their relationship, they wouldn’t fear its discovery, either.That’s when they told Kevin that they should host the party.Their change of heart had sent Kevin to Cloud Nine.“After all,” he had said, “We’re living in a party house.Let’s make the most of it.And it won’t hurt our careers to take on the party responsibilities for the Kleins.”And now the Fourth of July was here.Before turning over onto his stomach, Grant took the picture postcard off of the small wrought iron table beside his chaise.It had arrived yesterday.Also yesterday, he had received a note from a very happy Greg Rockvam.He and Linda were together again.They were planning a wedding for June 2004.But the postcard in Grant’s hand, the one from Mama and Papa, depicted the synagogue at Capernaum.On the flip side, Papa had written, “Our Lord was confronted by a demoniac here.Amazing! See you soon.Love, Mama and Papa.”Yes, Papa was undoubtedly back to being his old self, and Grant was happy—even though, for him, Papa’s old self was a double edged sword.He smiled and replaced the card on the table.For Grant’s parents, the trip was a dream come true.And he was happy for them.Growing up, he had often heard them express their desire to visit the Holy Land.And now, that’s what they were doing.Grant smiled again, then closed his eyes.Over the last ten months, many of his own dreams had also come true.For one thing, he was living in one of the major artistic and cultural centers of the Western World.For anyone interested in a television career, Los Angeles was literally the center of the universe.And he was working in motion pictures.Of course, they were gay adult films – but still.And he was leasing this West Hollywood showplace.It was a beautiful property, and Beverly Hills, with all of the affluence, elegance and success that it implied, was less than two blocks away.Then there was CC.Initially, Grant had not wanted to be partnered, period.A committed relationship had not been among his dreams – at least, it had not been since the Michael Quintana debacle.But over and over again, Cameron Cody had erased Grant’s doubts and misgivings.In words and deeds, CC had made it abundantly clear that, while he could have virtually any gay man that he desired, he only had eyes for Grant.Grant beamed happily.Cam never got used to, nor did he become lazy about, the things he loved about Grant.In short, CC never took him for granted.Suddenly, the drone of a bee buzzing around Grant’s head, interrupted his reverie, and the peaceful sunbath.Yet another sound brought him firmly back to the here and now: It was the familiar sound of the front door lock clicking open.Kevin must be home, Grant decided.Cam had not been gone long enough to be returned from his shopping expedition.With Kevin home and the bee occupied elsewhere, Grant allowed his thoughts to drift back to that fateful April evening when he and CC had finally revealed their relationship to their roommate.Monday, April 7, 20037:23 p.m.“Wassup?” Kevin had asked.In an après margarita haze, he weaved unsteadily over to one of their living room’s two cushy leather love seats, and plopped down.Having loaded the dinner dishes into the dishwasher, Cam had settled onto one of the room’s cream-colored, leather chairs.Grant had made himself comfortable on the other one.“I’m alphabetizing the CDs in my tower, tonight,” he had said, answering Kevin’s question.“Grant’s catching an encore of Queer as Folk.”“After two frozen ‘ritas, I’m not sure I can concentrate on anything, not even TV,” Grant had added.Kevin had offered, “I’ve got a client in Studio City, at nine; a publicist for Columbia.”It took little to put Kevin onto a floating alcoholic cloud, and tonight, with dinner, he had drained three large frozen margaritas.Silently Grant had lamented that their roomie must drive anywhere, this evening—much less, to the valley.Then again, the stuffed filet mignon hamburgers that Cam had prepared, along with the frozen cocktails, were calculated.Tonight, their first Monday evening as housemates, was the time that Grant and Cam had chosen to reveal their relationship to Kevin.They had even rehearsed the revelation.Grant had also enjoyed the frozen drinks, but he held his liquor much better than Kevin.Now he nodded in Cam’s direction, signaling for him to begin.Cam had cleared his throat before launching his recitation.“Kevin, there’s something we need to tell you – a secret [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]