Sequel to Aidan's Journey
Shy guy Jed Carter has always felt invisible next to his charismatic older brother Kent. After trying to fit in with Kent and his fraternity friends his first year at UVA, Jed braves coming out as a sophomore. He’s hopeful when he starts seeing Pete, an attractive junior. But Pete is only interested in using him for sex and videogames. Jed wants more, in life and in love, and first on the list is getting to know Charlie, the handsome guy working at the local videogame arcade.
Charlie Ambrose has always felt like an oddball, and not just for his tendency to stutter. Being gay sets him apart from his African-American community, and as a “townie,” he isn’t part of the college crowd. Charlie’s inspiration is his transgender cousin Morocco, who doesn’t give a fig about being different. Art is Charlie’s passion, and when a local videogame designer discovers him, Charlie’s living a dream. The only thing he’s missing is love. But the last person Charlie expects to find it with is a cute, white UVA rugby player named Jed.
“And Brandy’s getting the queens together and a bunch of them are coming. And I think you need to help us out with the drag show. You could do makeup!”
“Ha, that’s a laugh.” Charlie kept his eye on the high school kids loitering by Lucky’s game display as he listened to Morocco. In the month since she’d come to the meeting at Higher Grounds, she’d jumped in to planning for the rally with her old enthusiasm. He didn’t mind her bossing him around about what he should be doing for the event; it was another sign of Morocco returning to her real self.
Right now, though, Charlie wasn’t paying her much attention and he’d stopped watching the kids, who’d moved on to the pinball machines. His mind had wandered to his zine. Carey and Alain had written a cool Archibald Arrow story, and Charlie drew for it every chance he got. Looking down at his current panel, which lay on the countertop, he leaned over to pencil in an idea before he forgot.
He heard a pause in Morocco’s words. “That sounds good, Ro,” he said, continuing to concentrate on his drawing.
“Um, hello.” The unfamiliar voice interrupted his Archibald time. He raised his eyes and broke into a smile. Standing at the counter was that nice UVA guy -- yes! He’d been kicking himself for walking away from him at Higher Grounds last month. And now here he was, smiling at Charlie like ... Say something, stupid! “H-hi.” Charlie’s shyness stopped any further banter.
“Hello there.” Morocco, suffering no such shyness, was practically batting her eyelashes at him. “I’m Morocco and this is Charlie. And who might you be?”
The guy seemed immune to her charms, although he gave her a quick smile. He kept his eyes on Charlie. “I’m Jed.”
Morocco seemed to get that she was being a third wheel. “Well, Chas, I’m going to try this game you told me about. See you later, Jed.” She walked away after giving Charlie a significant glance.
“H-how can I help you?” Jed’s bright smile dimmed, probably at the rote question, and Charlie wanted to kick himself for not finding something better to say.
“I don’t know. I got tired of my own games and was looking for something new to play.”
“Okay. L-let’s see.” Charlie walked around the end of the counter, and Jed followed him to the game display. “D-did you l-like the D-D- ...” He stopped and took a breath. At least Jed wasn’t jumping in to supply the word. “Dragon Age! Um, g-game?”
The puzzled expression left Jed’s face. “Wow, that’s right! But that was like a year ago. I’m amazed you remember.”
“Yeah. I remember you from th-then.”
The color rose in Jed’s cheeks and he seemed to be struggling with his own shyness. “Cool. Um, yeah, I liked that game. Is there a new version?”
“Um-hmm.” As Charlie reached for the display shelf, someone said, “Hey! Can we get some service over here?” Charlie shot Jed an apologetic glance. “S-sorry.” He returned to the counter to check out a ton of games to some of the high school kids, resenting every minute it kept him from Jed. When he was able to get away again, he saw Morocco had appropriated Jed and drawn him over to one of the sofas in the gaming area. She perched on the arm, talking animatedly, while Jed laughed.
An unfamiliar burning lodged in Charlie’s gut and his throat tightened. As he turned away, he heard Morocco call to him. “Charles! Get your derriere over here! We’re waiting for you.” Charlie just knew if he tried to talk to Jed, he’d end up stuttering so bad Jed’s eyes would glaze over. Forget it. Two more customers approached the counter, and he pointed to them, which caused Morocco to toss her head with impatience.
