Nachos & Hash

 

Darwin Michaels is living his dreams in the Mile High City. While Denver offers the perfect job, scrumptious dining, and whirlwind dating options, Darwin is losing hope he’ll find love—until he sets eyes on Cody Russell.

Cody has just accomplished his life’s goal—get the hell out of Kansas. In one fell swoop, he lands a job at Hamburger Mary’s and gets a newfound family. All that’s missing is someone special. But when Darwin shows his interest, Cody is sure it’s too good to be true. After all, what can Darwin possibly see in the high school dropout serving him nachos?

As Darwin falls in love, Cody struggles to realize his worth. When his past threatens the fragile life he is building, Cody spirals into a moment of dark desperation. But Darwin is determined to show Cody that love and family and home are there for him… if Cody can accept what is offered.

Buy Link: Amazon

 

 

Cody Russell

 

“Whoa. It’s even busier than usual.” Cody squeezed through the doorway, then behind the line of people at Mary’s hostess stand, and motioned for Darwin to follow. “Drag Queen Bingo is starting to get as popular as Family Feud.”

Pat’s smile brightened as she saw them. “Hold on. While I love seeing you, Steven gave you the night off, the second in two weeks, and you come back to work? What the hell is wrong with you?” Her hazel eyes narrowed, and she motioned to Darwin. “Cody, take that boy home and get his clothes off. Don’t waste your time here.”

“ManDonna texted earlier. Apparently, there’s a new girl doing drag for the first time tonight. She wanted to make sure there were enough people here to be supportive.”

“Oh, right. Zachary. He’s a sweet thing, bit nervous, but sweet. As you can see, there’s more than enough people here to make his debut a success. You git and have fun.”

Part of him did feel ridiculous for dragging Darwin back to Mary’s, though he didn’t seem to mind. Cody couldn’t turn ManDonna down. She was part of his family. “We won’t stay long.” When Pat seemed like she was going to argue, Cody pointed to her hair. “I love the blonde.”

She brightened instantly and patted her short brown hair, then swiped at her bangs. “I just got the highlights today. You think they work?” She lowered her voice, nearly making herself impossible to hear over the music videos and the buzz of the people. “You don’t think it’s a bit much for a woman my age? I don’t want to be that fifty-year-old who’s trying to look sixteen.”

Darwin leaned closer, his chest touching the back of Cody’s shoulder. Cody instinctively pressed against him. “You’re flawless, Pat. And I love the smoky eye.”

She grinned and turned back to Cody. “You’re keeping this one. And if you don’t, I’m taking him.” She turned back to the growing line.

Cody headed toward the bar. “You complimented her makeup. She’ll love you forever.”

Darwin drew in close to him once more as Cody grabbed a newly vacated stool. “She does have a really good idea.”

“Highlights? I don’t think your hair could be any more blond.”

He chuckled. “No, not highlights. The getting naked part.”

Cody flinched. “Oh.”

Darwin leaned down and gave him a quick kiss, then moved his lips to Cody’s ear, his breath warm. “I know I’ve been saying we should wait a bit since we’re not just hooking up, but I’m not sure I can wait too much longer.”

Holy fucking hallelujah. Cody hadn’t been expecting that.

“That okay?”

“Oh hell yeah.” Cody peered under the hanging glasses on the far side of the bar at the stage in the other room. “They’re almost done setting up for ManDonna. We could still get out of here before she sees us.”

Darwin spoke by Cody’s ear once more. “Let’s stay. But be thinking about what you want. How do you want our first time? Me inside you, or would you like to make me yours?”

Cody pulled back, shocked, and looked in Darwin’s eyes. Was he serious?

Confusion crossed Darwin’s features. “We don’t have—”

“Get a room, you two! Fuck.” Vahin smacked the bar top. “Actually. Scrap that. Go ahead and mount each other, but do it up here. That’ll double my tips.”

Darwin kept his gaze locked on Cody’s for a second longer, then leered at Vahin. “From what I’ve heard about ManDonna, she’d cut me for interrupting her show.”

Vahin laughed. “Oh, you don’t know her. She’d just sit on your back while you’re fucking and call out numbers.”

Cody checked out of their conversation, knowing their back and forth would last for a bit. Darwin really seemed to have become genuine friends with most of the staff.

He seemed to fit naturally in every aspect of Cody’s world. Not that his life was all that complex, he knew, but still. The past couple of weeks had shown him an existence he’d never actually dared to hope for. Darwin was kind and patient. Almost too patient. Cody hadn’t wanted to wait on sex—that had been all Darwin. Cody figured they’d already been in bed together, swallowed each other’s loads, what difference could it make? However, he had to admit there’d been a sweet, agonizing ecstasy to their wait. And he’d learned a whole new appreciation for making out in the car. Two nights in a row, as Darwin had dropped Cody off in front of his apartment, which Cody still wasn’t ready for Darwin to see, they’d spent an hour making out in the front seat, Darwin rolling the driver’s seat all the way back and Cody straddling his lap. They might have kept their jeans on, but Cody had no doubts about Darwin’s ability to keep a pleasurable thrusting motion for as long as was needed.

He wasn’t sure what the change was, why Darwin had decided that tonight could be the night, but Cody was ready. More ready than he’d been for anything before. Though he wasn’t sure how it would go, what Darwin really wanted. Cody had never been the top. He was the little guy. Men always assumed the dominant role over him. He’d never even thought about switching roles, with Darwin or anyone else. Though the idea was….

“Holy bejesus, we’ve got a hot crowd in here tonight!” ManDonna’s voice cut through Cody’s thoughts, as well as everything else in the space. “Y’all are gonna be glad you showed. Not only do we have our normal Mary’s Merch prizes, but we’ve got….” She lifted her vibrant pink-tipped fingers to shield her eyes as she searched the crowd. “Where are you, Hershel?”

A tall older African-American man stood up from one of the tables in the far corner.

Cody leaned back toward Darwin, “That’s ManDonna’s husband.”

He started to explain more, but ManDonna’s volume increased when she found Hershel in the crowd. “Well, bring our main prize up here, baby.”

Hershel made his way through the crowd, looking rather uncomfortable. He handed something large and purple to ManDonna. She grabbed his shoulder before he could leave the stage and held up the prize.

Cody heard Darwin suck in a breath, then felt its warmth at his ear. “If you decide to take the top role tonight, we are not using that thing.”

ManDonna shook the gigantic dildo at the crowd. “That’s right, ladies. Win my game and you’ll feel accomplished deep inside.” She smacked her husband on his ass. “Now get off my stage, baby. You’re stealing the spotlight.” ManDonna refocused on the crowd. “Unfortunately I couldn’t find one as… girthy… as my man’s, but this old thing will have to do.”

The crowd let out a volley of cheers and catcalls.

ManDonna started to speak but then looked down at one of the close tables, distracted by one of the diners. The batting of her ridiculously long false eyelashes was visible from where Cody and Darwin sat at the bar. “Did you just call me loose?”

There was a reply from the table that Cody couldn’t hear.

“Well, honey, I might be loose, but from the things I’ve heard about what you’re packing, you couldn’t even satisfy the needs of a thimble.” She turned abruptly and flicked the long sequined train of her black dress and smacked the guy across the face.

The crowd went wild.

From where he stood behind Cody, Darwin wrapped his arms around Cody’s shoulders and chest and pulled him closer. The rumble of Darwin’s laughter vibrated through Cody’s body.

Cody’s own laughter died away, and he let out a sigh of contentment. Yep. Better than he’d ever dared to hope for. Even if this was all he got.

Amid newly found family.

Laughter and light surrounding him.

Wrapped in the arms of a man he loved.

He’d realized it when he was on the phone with Darwin’s mom. He was in love with Darwin. He had no plans to tell Darwin anytime soon. And Cody had enough life experience to know that they might not last long enough for him even to get the chance, and that was okay. It might kill him, but it was okay. He hadn’t expected more than alleyways and bathroom stalls. He hadn’t allowed himself to dream about a man, especially a man like Darwin, caring for him at all. It didn’t matter if Darwin felt the same about him. Cody loved him, and he knew he would for the rest of his life, even if it all came crumbling down.

“Before we get started, I want to introduce Ariel Mermen, making her drag debut in front of your sorry asses.” ManDonna motioned toward the back of the room. “Come out here, darlin’. Make Momma proud.”

Cody struggled to pay any attention to Ariel Merman. He honestly wouldn’t have been able to tell if she showed any promise as a drag queen or not. The only thing he noticed the rest of the evening was the strength of Darwin’s arms around him, the hardness of his body pressed against Cody’s back and hip, and the feeling of happiness he’d never thought he’d have. A feeling that only increased as they left Mary’s and Darwin held his hand as they drove home.

 

Candles flickered, their soft light illuminating the planes of hard muscle under Darwin’s pale skin.

“You’re so beautiful.” Cody hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

Darwin’s smile made him glad he did. “That would be you, Cody.” He reached out and smoothed his palm over Cody’s bare chest.

Cody closed his eyes and let out a sigh—another thing he hadn’t intended. Darwin’s touch woke every nerve in Cody’s body. He arched into the contact, marveling at the sensation. Even better than their first night together. Better than the nights making out in the front seat of Darwin’s car. He let out another sigh as Darwin traced the line down the center of his stomach and paused as his wrist bumped against Cody’s erection. “Please take me.”

 

Review posted in 2017 on Love Bytes

Brandon Witt received his roots in the Ozark, grew wings in Denver, and is learning to fly in New Orleans. When not snuggled on the couch with his two dogs and his partner, Stephen, he is more than likely in front of his computer, nose inches from the screen, fingers pounding the keys.

 

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