Thirst Trap

By Zachary Ryan

Tragedy comes in all forms, and you never know how you’ll deal with it. Four friends have all dealt with their fair share of struggles. Dillion, an aspiring writer with writers block because of his brothers sudden death, Jesse the emotional stunted drink thanks to his boyfriend’s suicide, Ivan the abused victim just looking for a pla

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingston Publishing Company
• Release date: Nov 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645332190

Book preview

Copyright

Thirst Trap is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

THIRST TRAP: A NOVEL

Copyright © 2019 by Zachary Ryan

All rights reserved.

Formatting & Editing by KP Editing

Cover Design by KP Designs

Published by Kingston Publishing Company

The uploading, scanning, and distribution of this book in any form or by any means—including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions of this work, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Table of Contents

Copyright

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-One

Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Three

Chapter Fifty-Four

Chapter Fifty-Five

Chapter Fifty-Six

Extras

About the Author

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Dillon

I hadn’t expected to be here so shortly between my visits, but when you feel a burn downstairs, you need to make sure you didn’t catch anything. I looked over at the stupid sign promoting safe sex, and rolled my eyes. I knew damn well the gay scene in Chicago didn’t believe in condoms. I wanted to blame barebacking porn, but I knew it was just because I was too lazy and impatient for the guy to wrap it up.

A guy came and sat next to me. He looked nervous, and I could tell that he was having a mini panic attack. His left leg was vibrating, and he was constantly checking his phone. The guy kept turning toward me. He had dirty blonde hair, a little bit on the heavier side, and had nice blue eyes. He would be more Leo’s speed than mine. I could tell the guy kept checking me out.

I was used to people checking me out. I knew that sounded cocky, but I made my money dancing on top of bars in nothing but a thong. I had to make sure I had my body in shape, my brown hair perfectly styled, and my hazel eyes needed to scream that I was going to rip your asshole apart later that night.

I smiled at him. First time? I asked.

He glared at me. I’m just here for a checkup.

I leaned back and put my hands behind my back. Don’t worry. You will quickly be able to push aside the internal shame of getting tested, after your fourth or fifth time.

He didn’t say anything else. He just got up and walked across the room. I rolled my eyes. I knew he couldn’t take a joke. Maybe that was why I wasn’t a stand-up comedian. I felt my phone vibrate. I pulled it out to see it was a text from Jesse, asking if I was still coming in for a drink. He had texted the group, which consisted of my other two best friends; Ivan and Leo.

Mr. Nelson? The nurse came out with a clipboard.

I raised my hand. That’s me.

The nurse looked me up and down. I knew they weren’t supposed to judge you, but I could tell that she remembered me from a couple of months back. I got up to follow her, turned to the guy that hated me. Don’t worry, they’ll get to know your name soon enough, too, I winked, and laughed when his hookup app notification went off.

I followed her into a room, and she asked me the same questions that I’m always forced to answer. She wrote down my answers and tried her hardest to keep her mouth shut, when I told her that I hadn’t used condoms my last couple of times. She drew some blood, and told me that they would have the results in a couple of days.

I walked out of the building to the brisk chill of a fall day. I had the night off, and I was planning to forget about this whole day and hopefully, end up in bed with a stranger for the night. I felt my phone go off, and it was my mother.

I forgot that it was our weekly phone call. Hey mom, this isn’t a good time, I said.

Really? she asked. You continue to tell me that every time I call you. I know you don’t have class right now. You’ve sent me your schedule, and I don’t see anything at this time.

If she only knew that I dropped out of college two years ago. I just wanted to get this new short story done for my fiction class.

I’m happy to hear you’re focusing on writing instead of drinking, she said.

I had always wanted to be a writer, but life had caused me to go in a different direction. You’re right, mom. I spend all my nights at home being a loser, I said.

I can hear the sarcasm in your voice. I’m glad you only have two more semesters until you graduate college. My baby boy graduating from college.

I could make things better and tell her that I technically have a degree in twerking and making my ass cheeks clapping together, but I knew that wouldn’t go down well with her. You need to stop bragging about me. I think the other housewives might get pissed at you.

She sighed. It’s refreshing knowing that you’re doing better after everything that happened with Wade, she said.

I knew she always wanted to bring him up, but I didn’t feel the desire to get into it. Mom, I have to go. I’m sorry that I have to cut this short, but I see my professor coming, I said.

Always focusing on your academics, she said. I love you. Talk to you soon, she paused. You also need to give your dad a call.

Can’t you relay I’m doing well? I asked.

Hi mom and dad, I know you’re cool with me being gay, but I dropped out of college to be a homosexual thirst trap. You still love me, right?

I rolled my eyes at the thought. I will. Love you. I hung up before she could say anything else.

You had better be on your way to the bar. There’s a couple of cute boys here, and I know damn well you have nothing else going on, Jesse had said in a text.

I responded that I would be there in a couple of minutes. I needed a good drink, and an even better lay. I didn’t want to think about the clinic, my parents, or even worse, Wade.

Chapter Two

Jesse

You would think the gay community would have learned to stop being so basic by now. I tried to stop rolling my eyes when another twink came up to the bar, asking for a Long Island as they screamed to their female best friend that they loved the song. I smiled as I took their shitty tip and prayed they passed out behind a dumpster.

I turned to look at myself in the mirror. I was in my early twenties. I kept my brown hair short, had a little bit of a gut, and people always complimented me on my emerald eyes. I saw guys giving Diego better tips than me, but he had his shirt off. It was the reality of Boystown. If you didn’t have abs, then you were practically invisible.

You need to stop checking yourself out. No one wants to fuck your tired-up asshole, Diego said, coming up to me.

I turned to look at my co-worker and roommate. He was a short Hispanic guy. He was medium built, dark features. He decided he wanted to try a beard and glasses this week. I would never tell him that he looked good with the new appearance.

I smiled. Don’t you have a wall to climb over? I asked.

Diego ignored the comment. Dillion’s in the corner waiting for you. I gave him a drink on you, he said.

Why don’t you tell him it’s from you? I know you’re trying to suck his dick.

Diego shrugged. He’s best friends with you. That means he’s a whole lot of crazy, he said. He walked away before I could respond. He went to serve a sugar daddy and his sugar baby. 

I walked over to Dillon, who was checking out some of the guys. I noticed he was chugging his drink quickly. Do you want me to make it a double? I asked.

Dillon looked over at me and nodded. It’s been a rough day.

I leaned over and squeezed his hand. Did you get rejected behind a dumpster again? I asked.

Dillon glared at me. I haven’t given a blow job behind a dumpster in a long time.

I laughed and handed him a drink. What’s going on? I asked. I knew something was pissing him off. He usually didn’t get this drunk this quickly.

He looked at me, and I could tell that he wanted to say something. Death Card, he responded.

Got it, I said. Only Dillon and I could use the death card to escape our feelings. We weren’t in the mood to deal with any of our friends prying on our feelings. We could use it to get out of continuing to talk about what’s going on. I knew Leo hated it, but he wanted us to have an Oprah moment every minute.

Dillon turned to look at me. I want to find a couple of guys, get really drunk, and regret having sex with them in the morning. You down? he asked.

Don’t you have training with Ivan in the morning? I asked.

He shrugged. Doesn’t mean I can’t be hungover for it, he said. Besides, you’re off now.

He did have a good point. I told Diego to put my tips in the register, and I would pick them up tomorrow morning. He poured us some shots, and we saw a couple of guys looking at us. I was used to guys looking at Dillon and myself. He was a go-go dancer, and I was one of the main bartenders of The Thirst Trap. People knew us, and people wanted to use us to get free drinks. Dillon and I knew the game, and we played it oh so perfectly in our favors.

Dillon and I went over to talk to the guys, and they were cute. Dillon went off with the darker skin one, and I talked to his friend. We had fun and ended up on the dance floor. He took control, and I enjoyed that about him. He whispered into my ear.

He turned me around, and the way the light hit him, he looked like Ian. I closed my eyes, and took in a shaky breath. I felt like the walls were caving in, and I needed some air. I gave the guy a gentle smile, and walked away from him.

I turned and Dillon made eye contact with me. I walked outside, and I let the cold air take over. I pulled out a cigarette and I lit it. I heard the door open, and I turned to see Diego standing there. Is everything all right? he asked.

I smiled at Diego. Yes, I just felt his dick, and I wasn’t impressed, so I came out here for a cigarette, I said, with a smile. I knew that Diego wouldn’t pry, nor did he know I was falling apart.

Diego looked me up and down. I could tell he wasn’t so sure. Are you sure he didn’t push you away for your body odor?

Least I get men, you celibate bitch, I said, throwing an empty pack of cigarettes at the door.

Diego laughed. You sure you’re okay? he asked.

Yeah, I guess it’s been a long night, I said.

Diego nodded and walked back inside. I pulled out my phone, and opened my voicemails to the one that had never been heard. It was from Ian, and how do I tell Diego or any of my friends the truth? Dillon knew some of what was going on, but we made a deal. I didn’t want to talk about Ian, but I was worried that I would need to soon, or I was going to fall apart.

I wiped the tears that were about to form, and I put on a fake smile. It was what we were all good at. My friends were the best at bullshitting their way through life. It was why we had stayed so close this long without getting to really know each other.

Chapter Three

Ivan

I looked at my phone, and I shouldn’t have been surprised that Dillon was cancelling on our work out session. He didn’t usually make our early morning routines when he was knee deep in drinks and dick with Jesse.

I looked at myself in the mirror as I was doing squats. I had recently been bulking up, and I wanted to think that I actually could hit my bench-pressing goal soon enough. I was happy it was early enough in the day that no one was in the gym. I snuck out when Jay was sleeping. He had been drinking a lot lately, and I knew that he wouldn’t be his nicest when he woke up.

I placed the bar on the ground to give myself a minute to rest. I turned to see a guy talking to his phone, and I wanted to laugh a little bit. I thought it was strange when guys were Instagram fitness trainers. I didn’t see anything wrong with being a trainer, but I felt like being on Instagram, you were just trying to get the likes and the thirsty DM’s. I never thought I would get them myself. I thought being Hispanic, with a crooked jaw and an awkward personality, would make people think twice about you.

Dillon told me to fix my hair, I had been working on my body, and I guess crooked jaws were in. I didn’t think anyone saw my face as they were looking at my torso in a speedo, honestly. I had posted a gym selfie today, and I had received a lot of likes that I wouldn’t deny it made me feel better about my confidence.

I saw my phone go off, and it was a text from Jay. I felt my heart sink. I opened the text from him.

Jay: Really? Another gym selfie?

Me: Do you want me to take it off?

I knew he would ask me to. I hated this about myself. He had always gotten notifications any time that I posted on my social media.

Jay: I just think it’s disrespectful to our relationship. Aren’t you happy with me?

If I wasn’t happy with him, then why would I be with him? Sometimes I didn’t get Jay’s logic, but I knew that he had been hurt in the past, so I gave him a pass about a lot of things. He also was terrified of dating someone in their early twenties, while he was in his early thirties.

Me: Yes, I’m happy with you.