Operation Makeover

by D. J. Jamison

  They’d done a nice job with decorations. Rainbow twinkly lights, a nod to the LGBTQ community, and colorful paper butterflies and flowers hung from the ceiling. Since it was summer, they’d gone with a seasonal theme to match, with little umbrellas in the drinks being served, and beach umbrellas towering over a few of the tables. It was simple but colorful and playful.

  A group of boys stood near the refreshment table. A couple of girls were dancing, but the majority was scattered around the room at tables, eyeing the empty dance floor with trepidation. It was like his seventh-grade dance. Everyone was reluctant to get out there and be the center of attention.

  Ridley could relate, but he was prepared to make a spectacle of himself for Cole. He just had to find him first. Turning, he surveyed the entire room.

  No Cole.

  But he did catch sight of Ronnie, who waved him over.

  “Well?” she asked as he arrived in the corner near the DJ, where Ronnie was hanging out. Judging by the interested gaze from the guy loading up music, she had an admirer.

  “Cole canceled on me via text. Is he here?”

  Her face fell. “No. He never showed here either.”

  That was worrying. Cole would never let the kids down by skipping the dance. He’d told Ridley how excited they were for the prom. The LGBTQ teens were used to playing things close to the vest, he’d said, but they’d been unable to hide their enthusiasm for a dance where they could openly be themselves without worry.

  “I hope he didn’t run into trouble,” he said with a frown.

  “He was still at the salon, last I heard. With Anita. Do you have her number?”

  Ridley reached into a pocket and pulled out his phone. He already knew he didn’t, but he was hoping there would be some old message he’d forgotten about. “No. Damn.”

  A message arrived from Cole just then. Ronnie, leaning in, read the screen with him.

  Cole: So sorry I didn’t make it over there. Maybe we can still talk later?

  Ridley: Are you okay? Ronnie says you never made it to the dance.

  Cole: I was delayed, but I’ll be there soon. Gotta go so I can drive.

  “Well, at least he’s okay,” Ridley said, a little of the worried tension in his body relaxing, only to be replaced with the thrum of anticipation.

  “What now?” Ronnie asked.

  A calm sense of determination came over him. “Now, I get my man.”

  She laughed. “Hel—heck yeah. What can I do to help?”

  “Get some better music playing. Looks like the DJ wants to be your friend,” he said with a grin. “I’m planning to dance if this goes right.”

  Ronnie glanced over at the DJ, giving him a once-over. He was cute in a scruffy way, with shoulder-length hair and a short beard. He wore a bunch of bracelets on his wrist, some rubber, some metal, and a few made of hemp, as well as a Frank Zappa band shirt. He couldn’t be any worse than that asshole Mason, Ridley hoped.

  Ronnie smiled at him. “Maybe we’ll both get lucky tonight.”

  Cole arrived at the dance without any of the enthusiasm he’d felt earlier that day. He walked the halls of the Sunflower Suites on autopilot, fixing a smile on his face as he greeted Miles at the ticket table.

  When he stepped inside, the room melted away. He didn’t admire the colorful lanterns he’d patiently helped the kids make or check to see if all the hairstyles he’d crafted that day were holding up under pressure.

  All he could see was Ridley, standing smack-dab in the middle of the dance floor, with soft, colored lights playing over his face and shoulders. He looked just as fine in his suit as he had the day he’d first tried it on.

  Cole stopped short and glanced around for Jace. It hadn’t occurred to him Ridley would bring his date here, but it made sense. Ridley had promised to be here, so he was.

  “Jace isn’t here,” Ridley said, and Cole’s eyes snapped back to him. “I’m here alone.”

  Cole took a few steps closer, conscious of all the teens watching. “What happened?”

  “Nothing happened. There was no date.”

  “Wha ...”

  “I wasn’t trying to deceive you. Well, maybe a little. But for a good cause.”

  “I’m lost.”

  Ridley stepped forward and took both of Cole’s hands in his. “Jace asked me out, but I said no. I asked you to help me get ready so I could see you and talk to you face-to-face since you wouldn’t talk on the phone. That plan backfired, but I really hope this one won’t.”

  “What’s this plan?”

  Music swelled, and Ridley pulled Cole into his arms. “Dance with me.”

  “Ridley...” Cole had so many things he wanted to say, but they were locked behind the lump in his throat.

  “Don’t say anything yet,” Ridley said. “Just dance with me.”

  Cole nodded, eyes locked on Ridley’s face. He wanted to memorize the warm look to his brown eyes, the stubble dusting his jaw, and the full pink lips.

  Lips that quirked with amusement. “I’m going to talk now. We need to set some things straight, and if I don’t talk, I’ll give in to the urge to kiss you silly right here.”

  Cole’s gaze jerked back to Ridley’s. “You want to kiss me?”

  “So much.”

  Cole licked his lips, thrilling at the quiet groan it drew from Ridley. “I’ve missed you,” Cole admitted.

  Ridley’s arms tightened around him. “Thank God. I’ve been dying without you.”

  “But what about Jace?”

  “He’s my friend, and that’s all he’ll ever be,” Ridley said firmly.

  “But the makeover—”

  “I thought I was doing it for Jace. I thought I wanted him to see me. But I couldn’t even see myself through all the insecurity I felt. Not until you showed me how. So, I know you think the makeover was for Jace. But, really, it was for me.”

  Cole smiled at him, so damn proud he could burst. He’d always hoped Ridley would find more confidence, and he had. That Cole helped him find it was beside the point. Ridley deserved to believe in himself.

  “But now it’s my turn to show you,” Ridley added.

  Cole’s brow wrinkled. “Show me what?”

  “That you’re just as worthy of love as Jace. I tried to tell you my feelings were shifting, but you didn’t make it easy. I thought maybe you really didn’t want to be with me.”

  Cole blinked. “I’m so sorry. I never thought you’d take it like that.”

  Ridley turned them as they moved across the dance floor. “No. You had yourself convinced I was meant for Jace. I get it.”

  “I didn’t want you to have any regrets.”

  “My only regret would be losing you,” Ridley said, his voice growing thick. “I didn’t go out with Jace. I couldn’t. Because I’m in love with you.”

  Cole suddenly didn’t care that there were two dozen teenagers in the room. He cupped Ridley’s jaw and drew him into a kiss.

  Their lips brushed gently, then clung as they swayed in each other’s arms, kissing while Cole’s eyes grew wet and he thought his heart would explode from happiness.

  They kissed until he became aware of applause and cheering and whistling.

  He pulled back, laughing, and turned toward the hooting kids.

  “Is this a dance or what? Get your butts on the floor!”

  A few of the braver kids were quick to join them, and soon enough more followed until the dance floor was full of teens. A fast song came on, and Cole dragged Ridley away from the fray.

  “How much longer does this thing last?” Ridley asked.

  “Another two hours,” Cole said.

  Ridley groaned. “Torture.”

  Cole winked. “But the best kind.”

  He poured them each a glass of punch, then handed one to Ridley. “There’s something I need to say now.”

  “Okay.”

  “First off, I’m so sorry I left you hanging tonight.”

  “It’s okay.”

  Cole sho
ok his head. “I hate that you might have thought I didn’t care. I went to your house, you know. I was running late from doing the kids up, and then Travis showed up.”

  Ridley’s lips turned down.

  “It’s okay,” Cole rushed on. “He didn’t hurt me. He broke up with his wife, and he wanted me back.”

  “You’re kidding! That asshole—”

  Cole shushed him. “Language, sir.”

  “That jerk.”

  Cole nodded. “I told him no because I knew I deserved better. And then I realized, there’d never be anyone better than you. I was so afraid that you’d be sorry one day if you gave up on your dream of being with Jace. But I hadn’t considered how sorry I’d be if I never told you how I felt.”

  Cole attempted a shaky smile. “Ridley Massey, I went to your house and I banged on the door because I wanted to say, ‘I love you. Please choose me.’ ”

  “I already chose you,” Ridley said. “My heart chose you weeks ago.”

  31

  What felt like a lifetime later, Cole and Ridley made it back to Cole’s little apartment. It had been a cold, empty space without Ridley’s presence filling it up night after night. When they stepped inside, it was as if life had been breathed into the space again.

  Cole wasn’t sure when Ridley had come to represent his home more than the roof over his head, but it was undeniably true.

  They turned to each other just inside the door, hesitant in a way they hadn’t been since their first time together.

  “How do you want me?” Cole attempted to purr, though his words were a little stilted, his coy smile a little strained as his heart raced. He didn’t understand why he was so nervous and off-balance. They’d already traded love confessions; wasn’t that enough of an emotional roller coaster for one night?

  Apparently not because his eyes began to fill with tears.

  Ridley took one look at him and made a pained sound. He yanked Cole into his arms and buried his face in the space between Cole’s neck and shoulder. “I love you.”

  Cole attempted to breathe through the overwhelming urge to cry. It was as if his body had been working so hard to hold him together when he thought all was lost that now that Ridley was in his arms, the dam was too weakened to hold any longer.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Ridley added, squeezing him tighter.

  Cole gave a watery laugh. “I didn’t let you, did I? I ran away.”

  “You were afraid.”

  “I’m not much of a hero, I guess. You sure you want to give up on Jace?”

  Ridley withdrew from his embrace, his eyes drilling into Cole. “I’m sure I don’t want Jace.”

  Cole nodded. “Okay.”

  “And I hope that’s the last time you’ll ask,” he said. “If you doubt me, this won’t work. And I want it to work because I love you, Cole.”

  Cole nodded. “Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Just believe in me. In yourself. In us.”

  “I will. I mean, I do. I love you.”

  Ridley kissed him gently. “What was that hero crack about?”

  Cole shook his head. “I was being silly.”

  “Tell me anyway.”

  Cole felt his cheeks burn as he glanced at Ridley. They should be in bed making love, and instead, he was trotting out his insecurities.

  “Ronnie told me how Jace swooped in and protected you from the bullies in high school.”

  “I wouldn’t say swooped, but yeah, he helped.”

  “And, um, she said how Jace was your hero. And all I could think was that I’d never be that for you. You had to come to my rescue when Travis was here hassling me.”

  Ridley drew Cole to the sofa, where they sat down, angled toward each other. “Cole, you’re wrong. You are my hero. You showed me how to break out of my holding pattern and really live. You helped me see myself in a new light. I’ve hero-worshipped you since the day we met. You were so self-assured and confident. So beautiful.”

  Cole winced, and Ridley noticed. He brushed a hand over Cole’s hair. “You probably hear that a lot, right? But for me, you’re so much more than your appearance. You’re so kind and generous with your time, and you brighten every room you walk into. But I’m glad I was here when Travis showed up. Because I want to be your hero too. I want us to be that for each other. Equal partners in life. I’m serious about us. I want everything with you.”

  Ridley’s answer spoke to a doubt that had been lurking inside Cole that he hadn’t been aware of until that moment. He’d needed Ridley’s love to run deeper than attraction. He’d needed respect, something he’d never really gotten from a boyfriend before.

  The tension eased out of him, and he smiled. “That sounds perfect. I want that too.”

  “Good,” Ridley said. “Now can we go to bed?”

  “Fuck, yes,” Cole said. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Ridley laid Cole down, kissing each inch of skin bared as he slowly undressed him. Much like Cole had worshipped Ridley’s body the first time they were in this bed, Ridley intended to do the same for him. Cole had always had a way of taking charge in the bedroom, which was fine by Ridley. But tonight, he was vulnerable, and Ridley wanted to take care of him.

  He kissed down Cole’s chest, pausing to circle Cole’s right nipple, teasing until it stood up in a hard peak, then he bit down and relished the moan he drew from Cole. He switched to the left nipple and repeated his actions, licking and nibbling until Cole was arching his back and rubbing his cock against Ridley’s hip.

  “Please,” he gasped.

  “What do you want tonight? We’ll do whatever you want.”

  “Fuck me,” he said instantly. “God, I missed feeling you in me.”

  Ridley’s dick throbbed eagerly at the thought of Cole’s tight heat around him.

  He unfastened Cole’s suit pants and pulled them down, then pulled down the black briefs. Cole’s cock popped free, hard and already beading with moisture. Ridley bent down, unable to resist a quick taste of the pretty, rose head before he stood to quickly divest himself of the rest of his suit.

  When he got down to his underwear, Cole burst out laughing. “Oh my God. You’re the best!”

  It was so damn good to hear Cole laugh again that Ridley almost broke down again. But they’d done enough of that. It was time for the good stuff.

  He turned in profile, his hard cock stretching the fabric of his mesh boxer briefs. “You like?”

  It was worth the slight discomfort of wearing them all evening to see the wide grin creasing Cole’s face. “Yes. Now take them off and fuck my brains out.”

  Ridley jerked off the material so fast he nearly injured himself.

  Their eyes met, and the intensity between them was enough to make Cole shake as Ridley positioned his bare cock at Cole’s hastily lubed hole. They’d both been tested early in the relationship, but they’d never gone without condoms before.

  Ridley gripped Cole’s thighs, lifting and spreading him, as he surged forward. His cockhead breached Cole, causing his rim to burn with the stretch that he hadn’t felt in nearly two weeks. Cole bore down, eager to get Ridley inside, and Ridley pushed past the resisting muscle. They both gasped as Ridley slid deep.

  “Fuck,” Ridley said. “You’re so hot inside.”

  Cole could only moan as Ridley filled him, filled the void that had threatened to swallow him when he tried to give up on them. Warmth spread through him. The heat of Ridley’s body over his drew sweat to the surface of his skin. They grew slippery as Ridley rocked into his body, taking him slowly.

  “Missed this,” Cole said, opening his eyes.

  “Me too.”

  Ridley stared down at him, his gaze full of so much love Cole couldn’t believe he’d missed it before. He felt as if Ridley weren’t just looking at him, but right into the heart of him to every doubt and fear, but also every bright, shining accomplishment.

  As intense as it was, Cole held eye contact
because he wanted Ridley to feel just as seen, as acknowledged with love as he did.

  The physical and emotional sensations collided, and Cole felt his climax hovering just out of reach. He angled his hips up, rubbing his cock between their stomachs and ensuring Ridley hit his prostate. Pleasure shot through him, intensifying with each of Ridley’s thrusts.

  “Come inside me, okay?” Cole gasped as he neared the point of no return. “I wanna feel it.”

  “Yeah,” Ridley growled, his hips stuttering when he began to come, coating Cole’s insides. “God, I love…”

  Ridley trailed off on a long groan. Cole didn’t know if he was going to say he loved Cole or he loved fucking him, but for the first time, he knew that both were true. He’d been little more than a plaything for a lot of men, but not Ridley.

  He loved Cole inside and out.

  Ridley led a nervous Cole into The Early Bird for brunch Sunday morning. They’d spent Friday night and nearly all of Saturday in bed, talking and having sex, and talking some more. Cole had reluctantly agreed to inquire about a restraining order, even though he didn’t believe Travis would be back, which had eased Ridley’s mind. And Ridley had promised to finally help set up that career day for the LGBT Center and be one of the speakers. But practical matters aside, they also talked about their hopes and dreams, what they wanted together in the future. A relationship, a home together, a family someday.

  But today, they finally ventured out into the world to meet his friends for his traditional Sunday brunch. It was a little scary taking their relationship out of the bubble of intimacy in Cole’s bedroom, but it was time to be together openly.

  He knew Cole was uneasy about being around Jace, and that was his fault. If he and Cole had met under different circumstances, Cole wouldn’t have to feel threatened by his best friend. Now, it was up to Ridley to correct the situation, so that his boyfriend and his best friend could co-exist peacefully and without doubting Ridley’s feelings for each.

  Two long tables were pushed together in the back as usual. Mandy was in her usual seat in the middle of the table. Pete sat next to her, chattering happily about his boat. Lena sat next to him, and she was looking skeptically up at Jace, who was standing with one arm braced on the table as he talked with her.