See Me: Lightning Tales, #3

By K.C. Wells

Adrian DeSoto spent most of his time in high school being bullied and beaten up, simply because he was perceived as gay. Always slight, effeminate, he was the perfect victim for guys like Martin Cavanaugh, one of the high school jocks. When it all got too much, Adrian was faced with two options, one more devastating than the other. Eleventh grade saw a new Adrian, one who hid his fears and pain behind a mask in a bid to survive.

That mask had a name – Adrienne.

 

Eleven years later, Adrienne is one of the top drag acts in Orlando. She's fierce, funny and exuberant. A face from the past gives her a shock, and after that there's only one thing on her mind—revenge.

 

Marty Cavanaugh has a particular kink. He loves it when a drag queen goes down on him. But that's as far as it goes. He won't admit to himself what's under that tight fitting dress. And then he meets Adrienne and his whole world goes into a tailspin. But when he finally gets to meet her, and realizes who is hiding beneath the perfect make-up, suddenly it feels as if his life is going down the toilet. The last thing Marty wants is to be reminded of high school. Bound up in those memories were feelings and events he'd rather forget. Years of frustration, disappointment, fear and unease, his emotions hidden from the world as he strove to achieve what his dad had been unable to—success. And his dad still has a hold on him.

His dad won't have a gay son. His dad would never accept a gay son. But if Marty wants to change the way his life is going, he needs to admit the truth – with a little help from his friends.

 

Warning – Contains men in drag, honey! You Have Been Warned

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.C. Wells
• Release date: Aug 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781915861641

K.C. Wells

K.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing. The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come. If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places: Email: [e-mail] Facebook: www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld KC’s men In Love (my readers group): http://bit.ly/2hXL6wJ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/K-C-Wells/e/B00AECQ1LQ Twitter: @K_C_Wells Website: www.kcwellswrites.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-wells

Book preview

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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See Me (Lightning Tales #3)

Copyright © 2016 by K.C. Wells

Cover Art by Meredith Russell

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Cover content is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

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The trademarked products mentioned in this book are the property of their respective owners, and are recognized as such.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.

Adrian DeSoto spent most of his time in high school being bullied and beaten up, simply because he was perceived as gay. Always slight, effeminate, he was the perfect victim for guys like Martin Cavanaugh, one of the high school jocks. When it all got too much, Adrian was faced with two options, one more devastating than the other. Eleventh grade saw a new Adrian, one who hid his fears and pain behind a mask in a bid to survive.

That mask had a name – Adrienne.

Eleven years later, Adrienne is one of the top drag acts in Orlando. She’s fierce, funny and exuberant. A face from the past gives her a shock, and after that there’s only one thing on her mind—revenge.

Marty Cavanaugh has a particular kink. He loves it when a drag queen goes down on him. But that’s as far as it goes. He won’t admit to himself what’s under that tight fitting dress. And then he meets Adrienne and his whole world goes into a tailspin. But when he finally gets to meet her, and realizes who is hiding beneath the perfect make-up, suddenly it feels as if his life is going down the toilet. The last thing Marty wants is to be reminded of high school. Bound up in those memories were feelings and events he’d rather forget. Years of frustration, disappointment, fear and unease, his emotions hidden from the world as he strove to achieve what his dad had been unable to—success. And his dad still has a hold on him.

His dad won’t have a gay son. His dad would never accept a gay son. But if Marty wants to change the way his life is going, he needs to admit the truth – with a little help from his friends.

––––––––

Warning – Contains men in drag, honey! You Have Been Warned

Contents

Catalyst

The star of the show

The reveal

A face from the past

Marty in a Mess

Taking Control

A dish best served cold

Toward Zero

Truth time

Let’s go on with the show

Happy Birthday

Revelations and Realizations

Epilogue

Love Me

About the author

Also from K.C. Wells

Dedication

For Jason Mitchell.

This one certainly gave us a lot to discuss.

And as always, you were wonderful.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my wonderful team of betas:

Bev, Debra, Jason, Helena, Michelle and Mardee.

This book is dedicated to the memory of a very special friend -  

Jim Armstrong, aka Elektra Belle

Without whom I couldn’t have written everything that happened in Lips, Orlando.

Catalyst

May 2004

Ric Costanza wheeled the cart through the library, inserting books back into their original places. The chatter and noise from outside had long since dimmed: Friday afternoons were always quiet. He enjoyed this time of day: no students; a legitimate excuse not to go straight home, thus avoiding most of his sisters who’d be primping themselves for a night out—what more could a fifteen-year-old boy ask for? Especially one who got to spend time in his favorite place.

The library had always been Ric’s sanctuary, the place he sought when he had to escape from the clamoring world. Lately, he seemed to have been spending more time in there, not just because Mrs. Dawson, the head librarian, had given him the job of her assistant: the solitude gave him time and space to think. And in the last months that had meant only one thing—Connor.

God, I’m such a mess.

Ric was finding it more and more difficult to be around his best friend. It was nothing that Connor had done: no, this was all Ric’s doing. Every time they sat together in class, had lunch together, whatever, Ric’s head was one swirling mass of conflicting emotions, and what made it worse? There was no one he could share this with. As if the disturbing thoughts weren’t enough to cope with, Ric had to deal with physical reactions, too. With the summer vacation fast approaching, the prospect of spending yet more time with his friend was sheer torture.

Maybe his dad will want Connor to work with him. That’ll mean less time for us to be together.

Ric hated himself for feeling like this, but he couldn’t cope with the way Connor made him feel. Ric was going to be a priest, for God’s sake. Priests did not fall in love with their best friends.

A muted sob forced its way into his consciousness, pushing aside his pity party.

Ric glanced around with a frown. Clearly he wasn’t alone in there. He left the cart beside a table and walked quietly past the rows of bookshelves.

Another sob. Someone was crying.

That helped Ric put things into perspective. No matter how bad he thought his situation, it hadn’t reduced him to tears.

He peered along the shelves, searching for the source.

A smothered sob, this time from higher up. Ric gazed at the staircase that led up to the upper gallery of the library. After checking the rest of the library was definitely empty, Ric climbed the stairs, keeping as silent as possible: he didn’t want to spook whoever was up there. When he reached the top, he scanned the racks. At the farthest end of the gallery, poking out from behind a bookcase, was a pair of sneakers. With a body attached to them.

Hi there, Ric said softly.

Whoever was crying hastily pulled their feet out of sight with a gasp.

Ric walked slowly along to the end of the shelves and peered around the corner. He groaned inwardly at the sight of Adrian DeSoto, a fellow tenth grade student, huddled up in the corner, arms wrapped his knees, hugging them, his face streaked with tears.

Hey. Ric approached him slowly, hands outstretched. He crouched in front of Adrian, wishing he had that packet of paper tissues his mom always insisted he carry around in his backpack.

Go away, please, Adrian croaked and turned his face to the wall, his body tense.

Like Ric was going to do that.

Adrian? You know me, right? Ric Costanza. We’re in the same English class with Mr. Tremantle.

Adrian sniffed and peered at him, frowning for a moment, then his brow cleared. Oh yeah, right. He wiped his eyes and cheeks with the back of his hand. Look, it’s okay, you can go. You don’t have to talk to me, all right?

Ric’s heart went out to him. This was a troubled boy. And what if I want to talk to you? he said softly.

Adrian hiccupped. Why... why would you? You don’t know me.

That much was true, and the thought made Ric’s face heat in shame. How could they have spent nearly a year in the same class and not have had a single conversation? Then it occurred to him that this was a two-way street, after all. Adrian had always been a bit of a loner, keeping to himself. The only time he’d ever seemed to come out of his shell had been during productions by the school’s theater group. Ric recalled Adrian having a good singing voice.

Ric sat on the floor in front of Adrian and drew his knees to his chest, unconsciously mimicking Adrian’s posture. Okay, so we’re not friends. But it seems to me that right now you need a friend, so I’m offering. I’m a good listener.

Adrian regarded him, his cheeks still damp. I remember you now. You’re the one who wants to be a priest.

Ric stared. Wow. I didn’t know that was common knowledge.

Adrian snorted. "This is high school. Word gets around. It only takes one person to open their mouth and bam, everyone knows. He sniffed and wiped his cheeks. I guess you must be a good listener if you’re going to be a priest. He regarded Ric intently for a moment. I’d also guess you must be a pretty good person, because let’s face it, who’d become a priest unless they wanted to help people?"

Ric stayed silent. His reasons for choosing his vocation were all bound up in his childhood. And Adrian didn’t need to know that Ric was feeling distinctly unpriestly right then.

Adrian’s thin chest heaved. I’ve been having some... issues with the jocks. He snorted. Well, it’d be nearer the truth to say they have some issues with me.

Like what?

His breathing hitched. Seems I’m not... masculine enough for some of them. I can’t seem to walk down the hall without a group of them catcalling me, saying I’m a girl, or calling me a... faggot because I joined the theater group and the glee club.

Has it just been name calling? Ric wanted to know. He had a terrible feeling he already knew the answer to that one. He could see why those jerks would go after Adrian. His slight figure was almost girlish, his voice not one that could be described as terribly masculine. It had a musical quality to it that made you want to listen when he spoke.

Adrian shook his head. "That was ninth grade. This year they progressed from voices to fists and feet. It’s amazing how b-brave they can be when there’s seven or eight of them g-ganging up on one boy."

Ric stared at him in horror. That... That sounds pretty bad.

Adrian closed his eyes. You have no idea. Lunch break, after school, walking down the hallways... I tried hiding in the bathroom but they always seem to find me. Lately it seems there’s nowhere for me to run to. He shivered. Not sure how much more of this I can take, he whispered.

Cold spread out from Ric’s core. Have you told anyone?

Adrian laughed bitterly. Yeah, for all the good it did. This is when you find out what a school values most—the safety of its students, or its reputation as the high school whose football team is the best in the State. He locked gazes with Ric. "Three guesses which our school values more highly?"

Ric felt sick to his stomach. He could still hear Adrian’s whisper, and it still made him shiver. Maybe... maybe it won’t be always be like this?

Adrian stared at him liked he’d suddenly grown another head. What—you think it’ll get better? Especially when they find out that I’m.... His Adam’s apple bobbed.

What? Except in that instant Ric didn’t want to hear, fear pulsing through him in goddamn waves, because he knew, God help him, he knew what Adrian was going to say.

That... I’m... gay. Adrian stared at him, pale blue eyes so huge, set in that delicate face, almost a pretty face...

Are you sure? How do you know?

Adrian sighed. I just know.

It wasn’t enough, especially when the parallels between his and Adrian’s life were getting too close for comfort. Well, there must be something that makes you feel that way.

I’m not remotely interested in girls, I—

Well, neither am I, Ric countered, although it felt like stepping onto dangerous ground that might disappear from under him at any second.

Yeah, but I bet you don’t find yourself staring at another guy, wondering what it would be like if he... He swallowed. If he kissed you. Held you.

The ground beneath Ric began to tremble and shake. Can’t go there. He had to turn the conversation around.

Okay, he admitted. So what if you’re gay? Who says they have to find out?

Oh. Adrian straightened. So you think I should stay in the closet, hide it?

Why not? Ric didn’t think it sounded such a bad way to live.

Adrian took a deep breath. Because I’d be living a lie. And I’m not sure I can do that.

Then you’re going to need to develop a thicker skin, Ric told him bluntly.

Adrian laughed, the sound harsh and loud, nothing like his usual melodic tone. "Look at me, Ric. Look at me. Unless I suddenly gain about one hundred pounds, a whole lotta muscles and a girlfriend, they are always going to be picking on me, hounding me... it’s never gonna change. He heaved a heartfelt sigh. This year was worse than ninth grade. At this rate, eleventh grade is looking like it’s gonna be hell on Earth."

You... you can’t think like that, Ric blurted out. Those icy fingers were skating up and down his spine, just thinking about what Adrian was contemplating.

Adrian simply looked at him, eyes wide.

Ric’s mind was in a whirl, trying to clutch at solutions, because there had to be something he could do to help. "How