Happy Wednesday! It’s been a busy week. My publisher released another anthology on Friday, and my wonderful colleagues and I have stories in it. Not only that, the talented Adrian J. Smith also released a new book, Memoir in the Making, which I will be showcasing on Friday—be sure to check back in for that.
Meanwhile, I’ve started the first of several Top Secret projects. I’m itching to share, but I can’t because of spoilers for things other people haven’t read. It’s exciting, though. I’ve never written anything as quickly as this one, and it looks like my first draft will be done by the end of the month. It would be sooner, but I have another deadline to meet and have to put it on hold for a bit.
On to this week’s WIPpet. Last week, a somewhat sloshed Nate and Trevor were getting cozy on New Year’s. But what pair of single (or sort-of-single) guys are going to sit home alone in Boston on New Year’s Eve? There’s too much fun to be had. Nate’s convinced Trevor to go see their roommates play at a gay bar on Boylston St. For some background for those who haven’t been in Boston: First Night (New Year’s Eve) is HUGE; Boylston is home to a lot of gay night life; and riding public transportation during busy times is hell on earth. I had to research the exact route these guys would have taken. Anyway, here’s where the first domino falls in Trevor’s series of misfortunes.
WIPmath: 6 paragraphs for 5/6.
They rode the packed T, squashed between the other revelers on their way into the heart of the city for First Night, then the even more packed Red Line to Boylston. The club was several blocks from the station, tucked between a couple of other buildings, with a line out the door. Trevor had only been to a club once before, the last time Nate dragged him out. He’d been as uncomfortable then as he was now. Reminding himself that at least Mack and Jamie were there somewhere, he wrapped his arms around himself and stomped his feet to keep warm.
Eventually they were inside, and Trevor was hit by how crowded it was, even so early. It was more like a bar than one of the newer clubs, and Trevor heard the thrum of the music over the buzz of talking and laughter. First Night celebrations were in full swing, and the whole inside was decked out for the occasion. He was surprised to see such a mix of people and range of ages. The Creepy Crullers were already playing; the better-known bands weren’t scheduled until after midnight. Nate and Trevor wriggled through the throng to the bar.
It only took three minutes for someone to make a move on Nate. Trevor wasn’t surprised; Nate’s height was intimidating, but he was good-looking and outgoing. He turned to Trevor to ask permission with his eyes, and Trevor nodded. He turned back to the bar and picked up his soda, hoping he could just blend into the scenery until Nate got back or it was time to leave. After being jostled from behind one too many times, he faced out into the crowd and took to watching people come in.
Trevor remembered what Nate had said, and he considered whether there was anyone who interested him, at least for a dance or two. It couldn’t hurt to relax, and Nate was right that he wasn’t expected to do anything he didn’t want to—or at least, anyone who treated him that way probably wasn’t worth his time. After a while, Trevor gave up. He simply wasn’t cut out for making connections with strangers, and he felt out of place. Just as he was about to find some corner to hide in, two men walked in, and his attention was immediately on them. It might have been because their interaction resembled his and Nate’s so strongly that they caught his eye.
The taller one, who had hair and skin almost the same shade of light brown, was shoving on the other one, who looked as though he wanted to be just about anywhere else at that moment. Trevor choked back a laugh. The shorter man, dark-skinned and slender with wire-framed glasses, allowed himself to be propelled toward the bar. Trevor averted his gaze just as they maneuvered up next to him. He heard the taller one order a couple of drinks, and he kept an eye on them in his peripheral vision. They were both Trevor’s idea of attractive, especially the smaller one.
His night might not turn out so bad after all.
Like what you read? Try out the other WIPpets here, and add your own if you’re inclined. Post a bit of your current work, connect it to the date, and share with us. Thanks to K. L. Schwengel for setting us up. Happy reading and writing!
“He simply wasn’t cut out for making connections with strangers” – I can so relate to this. Also, love the last line. 🙂
Same. If I know at least one person, and that person knows others, I’m usually okay. But otherwise? Nope.
I can so relate to his trepidation and discomfort. Going to a bar or club is something that’s never appealed to me, because of the crowds, loud music, and all the strangers.
Yes, exactly. I went to a bar with my sister and a couple friends once, and it was so awkward. I feel like such an old fart, but the music was far too loud and there were too many handsy drunk men. Yuck.
Heh. Poor Trevor. He needs someone to show him how to find the little breather spots in crowded places. They’re always there. Little spaces that for some reason people don’t enter although there’s nothing actually wrong with them.
Ha! I’ll have to try that next time I’m invited out.
O fun, a Boston setting!
That was my old stomping grounds and where my Kennedy books are set. You have no idea how much time I’ve spent on the MBTA website trying to remember which T line goes where. I eventually bit the bullet and bought myself a map. 🙂
You do a good job showing him slowly becoming more comfortable in that setting.
I love Boston. It’s the one big city I think I could live in. My husband grew up in one of the suburbs, so we visit a couple times a year. Even so, I had to figure out exactly which MBTA lines they would use to go where. At one point or another, I’ve been on all of them, and I have a vague sense of routes, but I still had to check.
I wish the best for the anthology and for your secret WIP! 🙂
I think you built that scene up nicely. You set the tone for less than thrilled among thrilling well. And I like the mirroring touch you did there.
Thanks! 🙂 That’s definitely what attracts this pair to each other–their lives are different, but the mirror each other in important ways.
I am so with Trevor in this scene. Actually, it was starting to make me twitchy just imagining it. I don’t do well in crowds. I would be in a corner, with a very large drink, trying to make myself teleport elsewhere. 🙂 But, it does look like maybe Trevor’s night is going to pick up.
Yes, me too. I hate crowds and noise. I’m not even much of a drinker, so that wouldn’t make it worth my while. Yes, Trevor’s night is about to get very interesting.
I’m great at making connections in places like grocery stores, restaurants, the Y, and post offices – you know, places that usually don’t have ulterior motives, and connections that are contained within that locale and time frame…
Bars? Uh uh. It’s been years since I went out like that, and, honestly, I don’t miss it. I’m not a fan of crowds, and I’m a poster child for fidelity – there’s simply no one I want, other than my Accomplice…
I’m very curious about Trevor’s upcoming string of misfortunes…and I think I like him and Nate together…
I don’t care for bars at all. I went with my sister to see a friend’s band perform live, and there was almost nothing I enjoyed. It was too loud to talk to my sister, and there was a drunk guy who grabbed my butt. I have zero interest in that atmosphere.
I think Nate feels as you do—that he and Trevor are good together. Trevor is not on board with that plan, and I’m not sure Nate’s taking it well.
I’d find the quickest path to the “out” door… Most bars I go to, I find an excuse to go outside. And I’ve had to single at a few….
So this is the first domino…. hmm, so attractive isn’t necessarily a good thing?
Funny how many of us don’t like bars all that much. I wonder if it’s an introvert thing?
Attractive is definitely good; but Trevor is about to find out how much trouble attractive can cause.
Oh, fun, Boston! My sister lived there for several years, and I really liked it.
I’m not a big bar person, but I actually do well in crowds — at least with at least one or two people I know. Completely alone is a different matter entirely. I wouldn’t have let Nathan go. 🙂
I’m usually okay with visiting bars with friends, but I don’t like alone. It’s like the rules of society change in a bar setting, and I don’t know what the new rules are. O.o I think you did a good job of showing trepidation without going all the way into anxiety. Good balance. I like your characters, too.
Congrats on the anthology! Looks like Trevor’s night may be taking a turn for the better! I’m with him though – hate the crowds and would rather be almost anywhere else than there.