Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Dueling Divas
    Dueling Divas
    Dueling Divas
    Ebook304 pages3 hours

    Dueling Divas

    By Gerald Lopez

    5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Mayhem, music, and murder what more can one ask for? Maybe a wee bit of nastiness. Perhaps a dash or more of unexpected romance amongst two handsome hunks. The Next Big Club Superstar Contest provides it all: talent, beauty, and competition. Two divas—struggling gay singer Nash and straight housewife Stacey duel it out onstage. But what happens when romance rears its head from an unlikely place. And who will survive to win the contest when the contestants are being killed?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGerald Lopez
    Release dateNov 8, 2016
    ISBN9781370778485
    Dueling Divas
    Author

    Gerald Lopez

    Gerald was called to write at various times in his life. When he was young, the writing consisted of plays and short stories. Then he explored the fine arts and literature, earning a bachelor’s degree in the latter while minoring in art history. In his studies he was fascinated by and enjoyed analyzing characters, their personalities and motivations. To him it’s always been the characters who make a story special. Once again writing has taken hold of him. In the past it was just an amusement, but now—for Gerald—writing is a passion to live, eat, and breathe.

    Read more from Gerald Lopez

    Related to Dueling Divas

    Related ebooks

    Gay Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      With Open Arms

      Aug 12, 2021

      With Open Arms
      7 min read

    • Article

      The People’s Chris

      Jun 30, 2022

      The People’s Chris
      14 min read

    • Article

      Dustin Lance Black.

      Jun 4, 2019

      Dustin Lance Black.
      8 min read

    • Article

      Getting Out of Prison Meant Leaving Dear Friends Behind

      Jun 1, 2018

      I have spent countless nights like this, lying awake, anticipating life, trying to escape imprisonment through my mind’s eye. I imagine the things I will do once I’m free. Flashes of me laughing with family and friends at a cookout or enjoying the co

      5 min read

    • Article

      DVD & STREAMING

      May 20, 2021

      Starring Thiaggo Cazado and Paulo Sous Directed by Maura Carvalho, Thiago Cazado As you might suspect, LGBTQ-cinema thrives on forbidden, cautious love, and this bold love story fits snugly into that category. An inhibited youngster must share his ro

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Novel I Buried Three Times

      Feb 14, 2018

      The Novel I Buried Three Times
      17 min read

    • Article

      Books Are a Place to Put Your Feelings: The Millions Interviews Jami Attenberg

      Jan 2, 2020

      This book was about understanding what men like that leave behind, and how it impacts families and communities. The post Books Are a Place to Put Your Feelings: The Millions Interviews Jami Attenberg appeared first on The Millions.

      8 min read

    • Article

      La Bohème

      Mar 1, 2022

      ON A SATURDAY or Sunday afternoon in the cold early months of 1988, I sat alone at a table for two in a Greenwich Village diner, twenty-four years old, hopelessly young, my notebook open in front of me. At the table next to mine were three people, al

      13 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Carvell Wallace

      Dec 2, 2020

      No wonder literary critics of the time panned the book. It did not pretend. A perfect thing for a book to avoid doing in a year in which for the very briefest of moments, and in the very slightest of ways, we could all see that the veil had been lift

      9 min read

    • Article

      Harvey Fierstein

      Mar 4, 2022

      Harvey Fierstein
      2 min read

    • Article

      Harvey Fierstein

      Mar 5, 2022

      Harvey Fierstein
      2 min read

    • Article

      Beverly JENKINS

      Aug 31, 2020

      Beverly JENKINS
      12 min read

    • Article

      Inside A Bromance Book Club

      Jun 25, 2020

      Inside A Bromance Book Club
      12 min read

    • Article

      Jean Kyoung Frazier

      Jun 10, 2020

      Jean Kyoung Frazier
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Mateo Askaripour

      Dec 14, 2021

      Looking back on it now, 2021 was a year that I learned what it meant to not just be a reader, or a writer, but also a literary citizen. The post A Year in Reading: Mateo Askaripour appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Dueling Divas

    5/5

    1 rating0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Dueling Divas - Gerald Lopez

      Copyright © 2015, 2016 by Gerald Lopez

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

      This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      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.

      Cover Art Copyright © 2016 by Gerald Lopez

      Acknowledgments

      I WANT to thank J. C. for being my best friend and source for much if not all my inspiration. Special thanks to Camiele White, my final editor who helped me make sure Dueling Divas was at its best before submission. She went above and beyond, and is knowledgeable, detail oriented, and truly understood my work. Her insights were of tremendous help to me.

      To those who worked tirelessly to help me edit and clean up the first drafts of my work—thank you John, Rock Hunter, and Christine.

      I’m grateful to friends Jakki, Andy, and Bill whose presence enriches my life and encourages me.

      Lastly I want to acknowledge Etienne for not only allowing me to add my tale to his wonderful Avondale stories but also for the loan of some of his police officer characters.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Chapter 19

      Chapter 20

      Chapter 21

      Chapter 22

      Chapter 23

      Chapter 24

      Chapter 25

      Chapter 26

      Chapter 27

      Chapter 28

      Chapter 29

      Chapter 30

      Chapter 31

      Contact the author

      About the author

      Other books by Gerald Lopez

      Dueling Divas

      Gerald Lopez

      Previously published

      under the pseudonym Antonio.

      Chapter 1

      Here Kitty, Kitty

      A GRAY AND WHITE cat dashed past Nash Argento as he walked into a thrift store in Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood. Nash looked around for his friend who was meeting him when he stopped to look at himself in a full-length mirror hanging on the wall. He stood an impressive six foot two, had a Mediterranean complexion with unruly, black curls that stopped right at his shoulders, and large brown eyes. His features came from having an Italian father except for his physique, which was his own doing. Hours at the gym left him with well-built shoulders, a solid, ripped chest that tapered to a narrow waist, and had firmed up his long legs.

      "I didn’t know you were going to come dressed in your best ‘Come fuck me’ outfit this morning," Layne said.

      "You women have your ‘Come me fuck me pumps’, but I need a whole outfit in order to sell the goods," Nash said, smiling at his best friend Layne Preston, the person he was meeting at the thrift store. What a funny pair we make, he thought as he looked at their reflections in the mirror. Layne was his opposite at five foot five, petite, and fair skinned. Unlike him, the poor thing couldn’t tan if she tried. Short, cropped, auburn hair accentuated her big green eyes, making them pop out nicely. Nash laughed and responded to Layne’s earlier comment. I am dressed like a little tramp in the city, aren’t I? He’d woken up that morning feeling horny and had dressed in a red, skin-tight tank—to show off his shoulders—snug denim shorts, and flip-flops. His ‘come fuck me best’.

      Layne handed Nash the clothes she’d picked out for him and pushed him into one of the thrift store’s changing rooms. A short time later she pulled him out of the room and onto the main floor so he could look at himself in a full-length mirror—there was no mirror in the small changing room.

      No freakin way! Nash said, trying to balance in black stiletto heels while wearing a long black slip dress. He noticed a couple of older women looking his way pointing, so he just smiled, waved and said, Enjoy the show ladies, and remember you knew me when.

      The two women turned and walked quickly out the door without responding. Nash looked at Layne and laughed.

      Layne laughed with him, then said, They’re just jealous.

      Yeah, you got that right. They’re just jealous. Nash laughed again and twirled before tripping over his feet in the heels.

      Or, Layne said, maybe they just liked the package.

      Nash followed her gaze down and then quickly placed his hands over his more than prominent bulge.

      "I did tell you to remember to tuck the goods, Layne said. Who knows, maybe you know what you’re doing. If nothing else, the judges will certainly notice you when you’re on stage."

      RIVERSIDE WAS A residential neighborhood built in the twenties near downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It was a mixture of large middle-class homes, as well as small bungalows. There were several neighborhood parks in the area and in the center of one of them was a library.

      Bobby Carter, the twenty-five-year-old librarian, concentrated on work in order to keep his mind occupied. He’d been feeling horny and become quickly distracted by the guy who’d just walked in. While looking out the window earlier, Bobby had seen the man jogging in the park surrounding the library. He was perfect, with nicely toned arms and a muscular chest that looked ready to burst out of his tight, sweaty tank top. His legs were slender but pure muscle, and his jogging shorts showed off a fit ass. Bobby looked at the man’s silvery-gray hair, which was damp and glistening under the library lights.

      That’s when he saw the man smile broadly at him and wink with one of his cool, pale blue eyes. Then he walked up to Bobby and spoke with a voice as deep and manly as his physique, Hi, my name’s Trent.

      Bobby gave Trent’s hand a firm shake and said, Bobby Carter, I’m the librarian. What can I do for you, Trent?

      Now that’s a loaded question if ever I heard one, Bobby. Since you asked though, you can tell me when you get off work, then you can point me to the restroom.

      I get off at five and the restroom is that way.

      Thanks, I’ll definitely be back at five. Trent smiled, then walked to the restroom.

      Bobby could feel his face get hot, but waited until Trent exited the building before heading to the restroom himself. Damn! He thought, looking in the mirror and noticing that his red cheeks were still visible despite his lightly tanned skin. His short, blond hair was parted on the side, his blue eyes were a deeper color than Trent’s and they sparkled more. Trent had looked about the same height as him, which was six feet. Having played football in high school, Bobby had managed to develop and maintain a buff chest and arms, but his legs, while strong, weren’t as big as he wished. I look like a nerd, he thought while looking at his blue and green plaid shirt and solid green tie, paired with khakis and work shoes.

      Five o’clock arrived and Bobby exited the library, almost tripping over a gray and white cat before seeing a waiting Trent waving him over. He removed his tie while checking out his date, who wore snug jeans and a tight polo shirt. That’s when he saw the skinny twink with platinum hair and brown eyes standing next to Trent.

      Hi, Bobby, this is my boyfriend Link, Trent said. I didn’t think you’d mind a party of three.

      I don’t think so, Trent, Bobby said. There’s one too many at this party. Once again he’d been disappointed by a man, but he wouldn’t let it show. He tried to look unfazed as he turned and walked calmly to his car, a black Neon, in the parking lot.

      Your loss! the twink yelled to Bobby’s back.

      MISS PEARL HAD just started arranging the papers on her desk, in the back office of Club LaRouge, when there was a knock on the door.

      Well. What is it? Come on in.

      Miss Pearl’s assistant walked in. He was a tall, lean man with ebony skin, dressed in a white cotton short-sleeved shirt, black pants, and shiny black dress shoes. Leron spoke with a thick African accent that Miss Pearl just loved.

      Miss Pearl, there’s a young man here to speak to you. May I show him in?

      Why the hell not? Maybe it’ll be a welcome distraction from all this paperwork. Give me a minute to check my face, then let him in.

      Miss Pearl took out a faux pearl accented compact from the desk drawer and checked in the mirror… no stubble or shadow was showing yet. She fluffed up her pearl-gray bouffant wig and sat in the chair behind the desk to await her visitor. This club was hers. She’d earned it through years of blood, sweat, and tears. No longer a beauty at sixty, she was still drag royalty and had earned people’s respect.

      After a few minutes, a young skinny boy with stringy—almost moppy—brown, shoulder-length hair entered. He was wearing baggy shorts that reached to his calves and an oversize, long-sleeved, striped, black and tan shirt. His head was held low and when he lifted it up his big hazel eyes looked at Miss Pearl from behind thick, black-rimmed glasses.

      Miss pearl guessed the boy to be about nineteen. "We’re not casting for Les Miserables right now," Miss Pearl said, proud of her clever comment, but it was lost on the man-child.

      Hi, Sir, I mean, Ma’am, I mean… , he said nervously, before Miss Pearl interrupted him.

      Ma’am will do when I’m in drag. Now, what’s your business here, young man? I don’t do twinks, Miss Pearl said, laughing again.

      Well, Ma’am, he said, stopping to move a strand of long hair from his face. My name’s Jake Mills and I hear you’re having a singing contest here this Friday night.

      "Yes. That would be The Next Big Club Superstar singing contest. The first night of the contest will be here in my venue Club LaRouge before moving on to the other gay clubs. Are you interested in signing up? There’s still time."

      Not me, Ma’am. My boyfriend Henry Clayton wants to enter, he’s a really good singer. We just can’t afford the entry fee. We tried, but our rent’s due and our parents don’t help us at all. He was nervous and began rambling. They claimed to love us, but I’m not sure you could call that love. They’ve ignored us since they threw us out. Henry’s parents threw him out of his home like mine did me.

      Miss Pearl could feel a headache coming on but decided to be nice to the young man. I feel for you honey, I really do. But if you’re asking me to waive the entry fee, I really can’t. It’s not my contest. The clubs are doing the contest together. It’s just not in my power to bend the rules for anyone. Maybe you can get some help from your friends.

      We don’t have any friends. I’d be willing to clean dishes, mop floors, anything to cover the entry fee.

      Sorry, I already have people to do all that. You’ll have to find some other way to come up with the money.

      I’ll do anything, the young man said as he started to take off his shirt.

      Leron! Leron, come here! Miss Pearl said. In mere seconds Leron appeared in the doorway. I told you when you came in, Mr. Mills, that I don’t do twinks. I truly am sorry, but if this is something you and your boyfriend really want then you’ll find a way to do it. Everyone who has a dream in life has to find their own way to achieve their goals. I wish you the best of luck, young man. Leron, please see him out.

      Thanks for nothing, you old, white ghost! Jake said.

      Leron promptly removed the boy from the premises.

      Alone in her office, Miss Pearl got her compact and checked her face again, paying more attention this time. How do you like that? she thought. The young man was right, her foundation was a bit pale and heavy this morning. Having naturally white skin with light gray eyes did make her look a bit ghostly. Miss Pearl looked up again as Leron entered her office. Poor boy. What else could I do, Leron? He acted as if people had just handed me everything I have in life. The struggle is what makes us who we are; survivors and more. That young man and his boyfriend will have to learn that those struggles and the way we deal with them is what life is all about.

      Great philosophy from a great woman, but I have some bad news. Miss Kitty is missing.

      BOBBY ARRIVED BACK home at the garage apartment behind his sister and brother-in-law’s home. Their place was a fixer-upper located in the more upscale section next to Riverside called Avondale. The twenty-five hundred square foot home had four bedrooms and three baths with a two story detached garage in the backyard next to an in-ground pool. The lower part of the garage and the pool couldn’t be seen from the front because of a large wooden privacy fence surrounding the backyard.

      Bobby had given his twenty-seven-year-old sister and her husband money for use of the garage apartment. Even though he had access to inherited money at twenty-one, he hadn’t touched it until a year and a half ago. His brother-in-law Jeffrey was a successful architect and was able to convert the detached garage, with Bobby’s help, into comfortable living quarters. It was now a two-bedroom one-bath apartment with a full kitchen and large living room. The downstairs area was partitioned off into an office where Bobby worked on his writing, and a workout room. Since the workout area was used by the entire family, a shower and bathroom were added that could also be easily accessed by anyone using the pool.

      Bobby didn’t bother going upstairs, but went straight to the workout room where he always kept clean exercise clothes. He changed into sneakers, a tank top, and shorts, and was doing bench presses when Jeffrey entered similarly dressed. His brother-in-law, who was twenty-nine years old, matched him in height but had a more compact build. He had chestnut brown hair, kept short, and brown eyes. Bobby thought his brother-in-law had one of those faces that just radiated warmth and friendly goodwill.

      I heard you furiously working out and thought you might need a spotter, Jeffrey said.

      After a few reps, Bobby stopped and let out a deep sigh.

      Hard day? Jeffrey said, patting his brother-in-law on the back.

      Frustrating is more like it, Jeffrey. You’re lucky to be settled down with someone who loves you and whom you love in return. It’s frustrating as hell for us single guys.

      Oh, girl trouble. Damn! If you’re having trouble getting girls with your good looks, then I’m glad to be settled down, too. I always thought you could have your pick of the women.

      Yeah, I have my pick alright. I had my pick of two prospects tonight, only I didn’t have to pick just one. It was a package deal.

      Oh! Jeffrey said. Then it clicked in his head and he realized what Bobby had just told him. Holy shit, Bobby, that’s every red-blooded male’s dream come true. Two chicks at one time. And you call me lucky.

      Bobby laughed sarcastically and said, Why don’t I feel lucky then? And I don’t think they use the term chicks anymore.

      Okay, so I’m a little behind the times. We’re talking about you though. You’re up for the task, aren’t you, bro? You can talk to me if you have any kind of problems.

      I know. Physically, I’m more than up to the task, as Rosie and her five friends will find out later. He said making an up and down gesture with his fist.

      TMI, Bobby, too much information, Jeffrey said laughing.

      Later that night in bed, Bobby got busy with Rosie and her friends (his hand and fingers) until he reached orgasm.

      IN ANOTHER AREA of Avondale, Nash Argento had the same problem of extreme loneliness combined with horniness. He decided to get creative and use his left hand instead of his usual right one.

      LERON PLACED A bowl of milk outside the back door of the LaRouge nightclub, looked around and started calling out, Here, kitty, kitty!

      THE NEXT MORNING, Bobby was having breakfast with his sister Stacey and her three kids in the large kitchen of the main house. He was feeding Patrick, who was named after his and Stacey’s father. Stacey was chasing Jeff Jr. The two-year-old was running around with just a T-shirt on and holding, rather than wearing his diaper.

      Jeff Jr., come back here! Stacey said. She caught her son, laid him down on the floor to put his diaper on, then shouted toward the upstairs. Meggy, hurry up and come downstairs! We’re gonna be late for school! Bobby, thank you so much for feeding the baby. You’d better go ahead. I don’t want you to be late for work on account of us.

      Okay, if you say so, sis.

      Thumping sounds were heard coming down the stairs and a petite five-year-old girl entered, dragging her backpack behind her. Uncle Bobby! Meggy yelled as she ran and practically jumped into her uncle’s arms. She giggled when Bobby picked her up and swung her in the air, and yelled, More! More!

      No, no more, Bobby said. Your daddy’s already at work and I need to get to my job. And you, little lady, have got kindergarten.

      Awwwww, Meggy said.

      Bobby went around kissing his nephews, niece, and sister before heading out the door. He thought it was good that his sister worked hard to stay in shape, otherwise the kids would run her ragged. As he backed his car out of the driveway and looked at the blonde haired mother and kids getting into the family van, he honked and waved bye.

      Stacey managed to put the three children into their car seats and was getting into her own seat when she looked in the mirror and thought, What a sight! She grabbed her long blonde hair, which looked like a rat’s nest right now and pulled it back into a ponytail, securing it with a pink scrunchie. Not very fashion forward, but it did the job. While starting the van, she quickly put on some lipstick then her driving glasses. They were now on their merry way. The school was close, but the kids were already crying or screaming for Mommy’s attention… and they got it. She turned around for a mere second as she slowed the van down in front of a stop sign.

      You kids need to—

      Mommy, look out! Meggy yelled.

      The van was still rolling slowly forward when there was a thud, the sound of something being hit, and Meggy screaming hysterically, You hit him, Mommy! You hit him!

      Stacey looked behind her to make sure there were no cars, then stopped completely, put on her emergency brake, and turned off the engine. Her heart beat rapidly as she wondered who or what she’d hit. After opening the door and walking to the side of the van, Stacey spotted her victim; a gray and white cat twitching in the street. She could hear Meggy crying hysterically inside the vehicle. The cat was still alive, so Stacey opened the back of the van and grabbed a baby blanket to use to pick up the poor animal. Noticing it was weak and couldn’t struggle, she quickly but carefully wrapped the cat in the blanket and placed it gently in the back of the van. Meggy was given a stern warning not to touch the cat in case it tried to hurt her.

      They finally made it to the school where Meggy made her mother promise to take care of the poor kitty. Stacey promised, then drove to a vet whose office was about a block from the school. She got a call from Jeffrey while struggling with her two small children and the cat. The baby was in his carrier, which she held in one hand, the two-year-old’s hand was in her jean’s pocket so he wouldn’t run off, and the cat was held in her free arm. Thankfully someone coming out of the vet’s office held the door open for her. Once the cat was inside being looked after, the toddler was occupied with children’s toys in the waiting room, and the baby busy playing with his own small toes Stacey had a chance to call her husband back.

      You wouldn’t believe the day I’m having, Jeffrey. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to fix lunch. Would you mind picking us up something? And get something for Arlena too, I forgot she that she’s coming by to show us the results. She heard Jeffrey agree, then blew him a kiss goodbye over the phone.

      The vet came out to talk to Stacey and told her the cat was fine except for some bruising, a strained leg, which they’d bandaged, and a little shock.

      Stacey promised to get the cat to its proper owner and paid the bill. She drove straight home and put Jeff Jr. and Patrick in their beds. They were so tired from the events of the morning that they went straight to sleep. Walking downstairs to the dining room, she saw Bobby and Jeffrey setting out a lunch of chicken sandwiches and French fries from Wendy’s. Not the healthiest meal but very welcoming.

      "So what brings you here for lunch?" Stacey said.

      I decided to take a long lunch so I could come by and admire Arlena’s results, Bobby said. What’s the story with the cat?

      Oh, you heard about that already, huh, Stacey said to her brother before turning

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1