Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

awhile.
    This went on and on and on until we started to see signs for Key West, and as weary as we all were, we perked up at the thought of actually being in gay nirvana, with lots of eye candy. Not to mention the gorgeous scenery, the good food, plenty to drink, and eight days to explore the area before we had to head back. We were going to do it all, and Kevin wouldn't be able to stop us from treating him to great meals. He still needed cheering up, after all.
    And I was the man to do it. I hoped.
    Traffic was bad on the long bridge through the Keys, and we crept toward our goal with tons of other people in cars and buses. It was fun to people-watch and check out all the bumper stickers. I was glad we had built in some extra time, though, because we didn't get to the hotel until past noon. We were exhausted and exhilarated and ready to party. Even Fluffernutter, who was bouncing around the lobby while Hairy checked us in, dragging me along to check everyone out. She is a cutie, so of course everyone had to pet her and tell her how adorable she was. Fluffy was in seventh heaven, and I wasn't feeling too bad either: lots of the people we met were gorgeous guys who were there getting ready to head down to the festivities, and I got some winks and a few pats on my butt while I chatted with various people. At some point, Kevin appeared at my side and stayed there, while I tried to figure out if he was being protective or if maybe he was a little jealous of the attention I was getting.
    I could only hope.
    Okay, I said a little prayer too.
    We got all our stuff up to our room and pretty much dropped it all over the beds and floor. Then we took turns taking quick showers to wash the road dust off of us. Fluffy was having an attack of "the funnies," as my dad always called it, racing around and yipping at nothing at all, jumping onto the beds and flinging herself off, and having a grand time while I tried to get her under control. And to not drool when Kevin came out in his tighty-whities.
    After about an hour, we were done, and starving. While waiting for the others, I had checked the map, and we decided to head down to Duval Street and the bazaar, finding somewhere we could eat, with my canine buddy, along the way. It was a gorgeous day, and I made sure I walked next to Kevin, accidently on purpose knocking into him or brushing his arm. I wanted to grab his hand and claim him to the world, but held back. Barely. With Harry hanging around us, I wasn't sure what was okay and what wasn't. Oh well, we were here, we were queer, and day-amn, there were some fine-looking men around: tanned, in fantastic shape, with as little on as possible. Kevin, Hairy and I kept pointing out a hot one, and nudging each other over the next one, and the next one…. I had never seen so many Friends of Dorothy in one place, and it was fabulous. I could feel my inner Marilyn coming out, and Hairy watched me ogle a guy's ass as mine started swinging a little looser and my hands started moving a lot more as I gushed over the guy.
    Harry suddenly boomed out, "Oh, yeah. The real Jerry has come to the par-tay. You go, girl!" I winked at him as we all burst out laughing, happy to be in Key West and immediately feeling right at home. I wasn't the only one of our group strutting, either, but I was a nice guy and didn't point that out. We devoured two pizzas at a funky little bistro with outside dog-friendly seating, then double-checked the map and started off.
    I caught Kevin watching me as I untangled myself from Fluffy's leash (again), and I couldn't decide if that happened because I was even more fey than usual, he was interested, or just amused at my efforts to free myself. So I hooked an arm through Kevin's, saying, "Help me or she'll drag me into the ocean." He laughed. I didn't dare look at Hairy, who was certainly looking at us. I did hear his chuckles, though.
    We found the heart of the festival and meandered around checking out the booths. At some point, Hairy had taken over Fluffernutter's leash, and now he was strolling ahead of us. I watched him checking out the biker dudes, all leather and long hair and tats, and I realized a lot of them were looking back with interest.
    I was delighted. If he teased me when we got back to our rooms, I could tease him right back. And things would stay OK.
    By three o'clock or so, I was starting to crumple, and Kevin had parked himself on a bench. "Let's head back and take a nap before the parade tonight,