Page 38 of From the Ashes
Seemingly appeased, the woman walked away with her book cradled in her arms, her cheeks tinged pink. Another woman quickly appeared to replace her, a book sliding across the table to me. I only had a moment to recover before I took the book and smiled up at her.
“And what’s your name?”
Three hours later Tony and I were back on the bus that was tumbling down the road. I was exhausted and slumped into the couch like I was completely made of jelly. Tony, however, seemed excited and enthusiastic. Growing up, I thought I was an extroverted person. But after I met Tony, I realized just how wrong I was. Being aroundanyonegave him energy. It was the weirdest thing. However, watching me slowly get worn down by ravenous fans who thought they actuallyknewme? Well, that gave him more energy than anything else.
“I think that went really well,” Tony said, chatting away happily as I pretended to listen from the couch. “You signed something like five hundred books while we were there, and the line was moving fast.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And nobody groped you or brought a gun, so that’s good.”
“Why would they bring a gun?”
“We’re in the deep south, Phie. Everyone has guns.”
“We’re in Savannah,” I corrected. “It’s like the gay capital of the south. If there was anyplace I’d be welcome, it would be here.” I cracked open an eye, glancing over at him. “Have you ever even been south of New Jersey?”
“No, thankfully.”
“It shows,” I nodded. “I did a bike trip through the south after college. I just got on and drove without a dollar in my pocket, relying on the kindness of others to get through and I had an amazing summer. People down here are sweet and neighborly. I’ve never met nicer people.”
“Uh-huh. And I’m sure you announced your sexuality to every single person you met along the way, huh?”
This time I gave him a sly grin. “Only to the guys who wanted me to.”
“So, you went on a dick tour of the south?”
“Let’s just say I rode my bike during the day and if I needed a bed, I was usually able to ride my way into one of those too.”
Tony just laughed. “You, Phoenix McKean, are a slut. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
“Had to be,” I replied, leaning my head back on the couch cushion. “Growing up in a small town doesn’t provide a lot of opportunities for exploration.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot you were a college virgin.”
Not on purpose. Actually, I’d fully intended on losing my virginity to Charlie before college. I’d already planned it all out and made sure I had the supplies on hand when he was finally ready. It felt like a guarantee. But then the accident happened and everything went to hell in a handbasket along with my plans to finally see my best friend naked.
I shook my head, forcing away the thoughts. I didn’t want to think about him. Not ever again. Of course, there wasn’t a day Ididn’tthink about him, but I was trying. It was a habit I needed to break so I could finally move on with my life.
“Well, I wasn’t a virgin after college. That’s for sure.”
“Considering your skills in bed, that doesn’t surprise me.”
“I had to do research,” I grinned. Of course, Tony didn’t need to know that it took me nearly until senior year to lose my virginity. Or that the first time I was with another guy I could barely get it up because it wasn’t Charlie. “There were parts of my book I wanted to write, but I didn’t have any experience. I had to start sucking dick before I could write believable sex scenes.”
“Do you need to do moreresearch?” he asked, a wide smile splitting his face.
I knew that glint in his eye and I waved him off. “I’m too tired right now. I just had to deal withpeoplefor like fourteen hours.”
“It was barely three and a half.”
“Fuckoff.”
Tony clicked his tongue, but he didn’t push it. “Well, you’ll have plenty of time to rest up. Our next signing isn’t for ten days. It’ll take us four or five to drive across the entire country because I’m not gonna sleep in this bus every fucking night.”
“Don’t like the company?” I teased.
He shook his head. “The company is excellent. The bathroom situation ishorrendous.”