Blood Lure Read Free Page A

wasn’t practical.
    He’d only met Carlos twice—the man was always so darned busy—and on both occasions Joey had been totally charmed by the handsome Spaniard with the mesmerising golden brown eyes.
    Joey had never seen eyes like that on any other man, had never seen another man’s eyes glow like Carlos’—nor had he known any other man to look at him the way Carlos looked at Chris. They were so in love, and Joey was happy for his friend. He’d be even happier if he could meet someone as great as Carlos. But then, he would have to give up his vow of celibacy…
    His cell jangled in his pocket as he exited the movie complex. After glancing at the ID
    screen he answered, “Hey, Jack, what’s up?”
    “Me’n’ Lorenzo are over at the Blue Moon. Wanna join us for quick drink? Only we can’t stay late, Lorenzo has an early morning business meeting.”
    “Sure, sounds good. I’ll see you there.” Joey was glad of the invitation, hoping it would dispel the depression that had so quickly settled on him. One of the reasons he’d gone to see BLOOD LURE
    J.P. Bowie
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    the vampire flick was in the hope it would help put him in a better frame of mind. Too bad it hadn’t worked!
     
    The Blue Moon, situated on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, was the bar that generations of gay men had regarded as a home from home. Even in these days of internet dating, it still remained a popular spot, considered a safe meeting place for guys hooking up on the ‘net’. It also boasted some of the hottest men in town among its clientele.
    Chris had told Joey he’d met Carlos in the Blue Moon. Good enough reason to keep going there. Not that he was going to have his head turned by any of the eye candy on parade.
    After all, he could still go to a gay bar and not be tempted—couldn’t he?
    Jack and Lorenzo were friends Joey had made during their first year in LA. They’d all been on a business management training course together, had hit it off immediately, and Joey had introduced them to Chris. The four of them had been tight—actually, Jack and Lorenzo had become very tight, now celebrating their third year together as lovers. And now Chris was gone so much, Joey had been glad of the couple’s company on more than one occasion.
    He gave the handsome pair a wave as he entered the bar. They had secured a table, and a tall vodka martini, Joey’s favourite drink, was waiting for him when he sat down.
    “Hey, guys. Thanks for asking me to join you.”
    “How’s your dad?” Jack asked.
    “Pretty much the same. I’m going up to visit my folks at the weekend.”
    “Well, give him and your mom our love, won’t you?”
    “Sure will.”
    “Where were you when we called?” Lorenzo asked. “At home?”
    “No, I went to see that new vampire movie, The Darkness, at the multi-plex. I was really looking forward to it, but it was kinda bad.”
    “You and your horror flicks,” Jack said, chuckling. “You must miss Chris’s company when you go to those things. Can’t stand ‘em myself.”
    “Some are really good.” Joey could hear himself sounding slightly defensive. “But I can’t deny this one was pretty terrible.”
    Lorenzo shook his head sadly. “You need a boyfriend.”
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    J.P. Bowie
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    Joey took a long sip of his martini, then paused to appreciate the flavour of the good vodka. “I’ve kinda sworn off boyfriends and dating for a while. Don’t faint, but I’m gonna go for celibate.”
    Jack almost choked on his beer, and Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
    “Because…” Joey grinned at his friends’ shocked expressions. “As my dear buddy Chris loved to point out, I was a bit of a slut for a few years. Only, I wasn’t—well, not really.
    I just couldn’t find the right guy.” He paused with a rueful sigh. “Even though I must have interviewed more than a hundred of them over the years.”
    “ Interviewed .” Jack laughed out loud. “ That’s a new word for