Chapter 11
Dean
Jordan: Dean, my best friend is a massive fan. He won’t shut the fuck up about meeting you. Would you mind if I brought him backstage so I can introduce you?
Dean: Hey J. Backstage at Bayside Grooves? Sure, that’s no problem. I’d be happy to meet him.
The event always featured a mix of local artists, up and coming new artists, and world-famous headliners.
A few months ago, the organizers of Bayside Grooves reached out to Dean, offering him a prime-time headline spot on a Saturday night at the end of their Summer Concert Series.
The event had always featured more traditional bands; rock and pop.
A DJ had never performed at Bayside Grooves, making the invite a huge fucking deal, and Dean was over the moon.
The moment everything was signed and official, Dean posted on his Instagram…
Hey Little Devils! Save the date…DJ DVLN performing at Bayside Grooves in San Fran. Come dance with me!
For weeks, Dean worked on a new set list for the show while Sven choreographed new moves and staging for the dancers. Everyone worked long and hard to prepare for this show.
Rehearsals were done, everyone was ready, and it was finally showtime.
Dean stepped out onto the massive stage of Bayside Grooves.
It was about the size of an NFL endzone and looked over Golden Gate Park with a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Off to stage left, raised to the same height as the stage itself, was the VIP section, with comfy chairs, a bar, and even a small area for dancing.
A small catwalk connected the main stage to the VIP area, where everyone invited by Dean and his team, would watch the show.
The concert area was a massive open grassy field —literally the size of an entire football field— with bars and restrooms in each corner and temporary fencing around the perimeter to separate the concert area from the rest of Golden Gate Park.
Dean prickled with excitement, still amazed by his good fortune. Soon, there would be a sea of people in this open field, but for the time being, he breathed deeply, enjoying the silence, the gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and the iconic bridge towering in the distance.
After a few calming breaths of fresh air, Dean stepped backstage, back into the chaos…
The production crew for the large video screens skittered around, checking connections and feeds, ensuring everything was ready and visually perfect.
Bayside Grooves didn’t normally use video screens for their concerts, but Dean used video screens in all his performances.
He requested them, and even offered to pay the extra expense himself, but the Bayside Grooves folks were completely amenable and accommodating, outfitting the stage with the screens Dean wanted.
The dancers were in the back corner, warming up and stretching, with their usual amount of catty, bitchy banter.
“OMG! I can’t be-lieve we are actually performing at Bayside Grooves!” Harry exclaimed, bouncing up and down, shaking his head, his blonde curls swaying as he began his warmup.
“Be-lieve it, baby! We have officially hit the big time.” Jax threw his foot onto a ballet barre and folded himself over his knee in a stretch.
“I hope I don’t piss my pants when we’re onstage,” Nelly joked as he lifted himself in and out of pointe, then dropped back into a turn-out.
“Oh shugah, do we need to get you some adult diapers?” Sean snipped, alternating hip circles and fan kicks. “I better not slip and fall in a puddle of your piss!”
“Bitch, no! You know they wouldn’t fit under these tight pants!” Nelly snapped the elastic waistband of his black pants, his jet-black bangs cascading over his forehead.
“Then you better keep your bladder under control, honey!” Harry snipped.
“For real! ‘Cause I’m dancing next to you every number.” Justin laughed as he practiced his turns.
“Ladies, relax. No piss on the stage…promise. Now, if someone wants me to piss on them after the show…I might be persuaded,” Nelly teased.
Everyone groaned in unison.
“Gross! You keep that shit away from me!” Sean made a disgusted stinky face.
“Alright, girls, can we move past the piss talk? If we’re gonna talk about cock, let’s at least keep it interesting.” Harry sat with his legs in a wide V and stretched his inner thighs.
Dean smiled and chuckled at his boys. Sean was his lead dancer, and Jax was the self-proclaimed mother of the group.
They all got along so well and he counted his blessings every day.
God, he loved them, no matter how bitchy they were, and he couldn’t wait to spring the big news on them.
Bayside Grooves was just a warm-up to what was coming. He knew they would freak the fuck out.
“This is gonna be fire! Did you see how big that stage is?” Jax asked as he finished his stretching.
David was quietly warming up and stretching near Jax, in the very back of the backstage area.
“Swishy, it’s your first show. Are you Okay? You’re really quiet…I mean, even quieter than usual,” Jax joked and elbowed him in his side.
“I’m fine. Just trying to get into my performance headspace.” David shot a quick look toward Jordan. Jax noticed the glance and raised an eyebrow.
“Well, you just let Miss Jax know if you need anything, alright sweetie?” Jax patted his shoulder with a little side hug.
David smiled sheepishly. “I will. Thanks Jax. I appreciate it more than you…”
“Sophieeeee!” Jax hollered as Sophie sauntered backstage with Colton.
“Miss Candy Samples!” Sophie squealed and ran to hug Jax. “Hi, ladies! You bitches ready for this?” Like chicks to a mother hen, the dancers flocked to her.
Jax pulled David forward. “Sophie, this is our newest dancer, David. David, this is Sophie Carroll.”
David’s eyes widened. “Holy shit! I know who you are!” His sudden enthusiasm shocked Jax and the other dancers. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to swear in front of you. It’s…it’s just a pleasure to meet you. I love your work!” he gushed.
Sophie grinned. “Well fuck, I don’t give a fucking shit if you swear in front of me.
” Sophie pulled David in for a hug. “I’m happy to meet you too.
I can’t wait to see you ladies on stage tonight.
You’re gonna kill it!” She paused. “Sorry David, I didn’t mean to assume you’re gay just because you dance with these girls. ”
David smiled. “No, it’s fine…”
“Oh, honey, she’s gayer than the rest of us combined!” Sean exclaimed off to the right, and everyone erupted in laughter, Sophie and the dancers with genuine, full belly laughs, while David let out a slight nervous chuckle.
The backstage area was a comfy setup, with several large, poofy chairs, tables, and a small bar area to the left side. Across the back wall, behind the seating area, was a row of make-up tables, a row of portable garment racks lined with costumes, and a few privacy screens for clothing changes.
Dean was leaning against the bar, looking off into the distance, deep in thought.
Colton strode over to Dean as Sophie continued her conversation with the dancers.
Dean was wearing a tight pair of black pants, not leggings or Yoga pants, but cut and tailored to perfectly mold to his muscular legs and butt. He wore a tight white t-shirt with the words “butt fucking is fun”, and two stick figures depicting the act printed across his chest.
Dean snapped out of his thoughts, a huge grin spreading across his face when he spotted Colton. He was wearing khaki walking shorts and a tight blue polo shirt, his muscled arms, shoulders, and chest on full display. Dean wanted to motorboat that chest so bad he could taste it!
As Colton approached, he reached out his hand for a handshake. “Hey, Dean. It’s great to see you again.”
“Fuck that handshake shit!” Dean grabbed his hand and pulled him in for a bear hug. “We’re huggers, dude. So glad you came. Wanna drink?”
Colton let out a little chuckle. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Hell yeah, I want a drink.”
***
Colton
Colton ordered his drink and perched his elbow against the bar next to Dean, studying him for a moment. His jaw was tight, his fists clenching and un-clenching, and he was biting his lip again…damn him.
“Dean, are you nervous?”
Dean gave Colton a sheepish grin. “I’m so fucking nervous!” He chuckled with a deep exhale. “Tonight has to go well. I’m working on a huge project for next year and tonight is kinda like a trial run, so it has to be flawless.”
Colton put his drink on the bar and squeezed Dean’s bicep. Have his biceps gotten bigger?
“Dean, you can do this in your sleep. You’re going to put on an amazing show. You always do.”
Dean stepped closer and hugged Colton again.
“Thanks, Colton. I’m so glad you’re here. It will be nice to be able to look over and see you in the VIP section. It will keep me grounded.”
Colton smiled. Those words did something to him. He never wanted this hug to end and he could feel himself leaning into the embrace, like a cat leaning into an ear scratch.
Dean stepped back, ending the hug, and Colton chuckled. “Geez Dean, what is with that t-shirt?”
Dean cracked a huge, toothy grin. “What?” he said with an innocent look. “It’s true…butt fucking is fun.”
“I’ll just take your word for it.” Colton smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Don’t give him any ideas, Dean.” Sophie strode up next to Colton. “I’m not down for that shit.”
Dean threw his head back with a laugh, then held up his hands in surrender. “Not giving him ideas, just speaking from personal experience.”
Sophie giggled and wrapped her arms around Dean’s neck. “Soooo good to see you again! I’m so excited for this show. And I just met your new dancer.”
Dean smiled as Sophie ordered her drink. “Yes. This is David’s first show, but he’s going to be fabulous.”
While Dean was talking, his eyes traveled to something behind Colton. Colton turned to find two men walking toward them.