Sky’s the Limit
Book Two

Chapter Eleven

Thanks to Rec for editing!!

Sky sat up quickly when he finally realized where he was, but the nausea and his spinning head evoked a loud moan, waking Jo-Jo. 

“Sky, are you going to be sick again?” 

“Probably…. Again?” 

“Yeah, you got sick while I was helping you undress.  I managed to get you to the bathroom, but not before you threw up all over your clothes.  I tossed them all in the washer. It’s on the back porch.  I’ll put them in the dryer in a few minutes.” 

“Why am I in bed with you?” 

“Well, you wandered in here and passed out while I was putting your clothes in the machine.  I was too tired and too wasted to try and carry you. I was also too tired to put sheets on the other bed just for me, so… here we are.” 

“Umm… nothing else happened?” Sky asked. 

“If you mean, did I take advantage of a hot, nude, boy unconscious in my bed and fuck your ass, the answer is no.  That ain’t my gig.” 

“Well as big as that thing of yours is, I think I would still be feeling it anyway, so I guess I believe ya,”  Sky replied.  “I think I need to lie back down.” 

Sky’s head was still spinning, or was it the room?  He couldn’t really tell.  His head hurt like hell, too.  “Jo-Jo, do you have some aspirin or something?” 

Jo-Jo chuckled a bit.  “You’re going to need more than aspirin. I’ll get busy on the hangover cures.  Just lay here for a while.” 

Jo-Jo got up, reached in a dresser and pulled out some shorts, slipped them on, and left the room.  In a few minutes, he returned carrying a tray with three glasses.  Two of them appeared to contain water, the third a reddish-brown liquid.  “Sit up, Sky.  First, you need to take these ibuprofen and drink these two large glasses of water.  Then, drink this hangover cure.” 

“What’s in it?” 

“Tomato juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire Sauce, an egg, and a shot of vodka.” 

“Eeeewwww.” 

“Just drink it.  You need some of the water first; alcohol dehydrates you. Then drink the concoction.” 

Sky took the two pills and drank half of one of the glasses of water.  He paused before trying the concoction, but closed his eyes, winced and drank it in four or five large gulps. “Eeewww, that was nasty.” 

“Just lay back down for a few while I put your clothes in the dryer. Try to finish the water. If you think you’re going to throw up again, there’s a waste basket next to the bed, and the bathroom’s right across the hallway.” 

“Thanks.” 

In a few minutes, Jo-Jo returned, reached in a drawer, pulled out some shorts and a t-shirt, and tossed them to Sky. “It’s going to be a while before your stuff is dry; you can wear these in the meantime.” 

“Thanks,” Sky replied as he slowly sat up and grabbed the clothing and put it on.  “I still feel like crap, but I don’t feel like I’m going to puke anymore.” 

“Good.” 

“Do I remember you asking me to move in here with you last night?” Sky asked. 

“Yep. The offer’s still open, too.  The other bedroom is across the hall next to the bathroom if you want to check it out.  Oh, and the back porch where your clothes are drying is out the door at the end of the hall.  This is an old shotgun house.” 

“I would like to have my own room, but I don’t think I can afford it.  At Danny’s the rent is split, like, six or seven ways. I think Eddie is paying my share, too, outta what they take out. At least that’s what Danny told me.” 

“Yeah, that’s probably right, but this wouldn’t cost you much more. Besides, this house belongs to Phil; he’s the landlord.  I could square it with him and fix it so you’d pay probably just forty or so more a month and have your own room.” 

“That would be cool if it’s okay with Danny, Phil and everyone, but Jo-Jo, I’m not looking for a boyfriend or a relationship, if that’s why you’re doing this.” 

Jo-Jo chuckled. “You are cute, Sky. I’m not going to lie and say I don’t find you very attractive, but no, I’m not doing this to get you to be my boyfriend.  I’m doing it because you appear to be a nice kid I could trust not to steal my stuff and who needs someone to show him the ropes.” 

 “Okay, you square it with Danny and Phil and everyone, and I’ll do it.  Having my own room and only sharing a bathroom with one guy will be much better and worth the extra dollars, if you think I’ll be able to afford it.” 

“Babe, as popular as you were last night, you’re going to be making enough to cover it.” 

“Heh, thanks, I think.  Did I really do okay?” Sky asked. 

“Okay!? You were all everyone was talking about.  Eddie says Phil thought you were the hottest rookie he had seen in long while.  I’m starting to worry they’ll give you my spot.” 

“Hardly. I don’t have all your, ummm, assets,” Sky replied chuckling. 

After Sky was feeling somewhat better and had his own clothes clean and dry, Jo-Jo took him over to Danny’s to chat.  Danny was supportive of the idea of Sky moving in with Jo-Jo, and even offered to help Sky move his stuff in his car.  Sky and Jo-Jo then went and grabbed some lunch and went over to the bar to talk to Phil.  Sky waited outside Phil’s office while Jo-Jo and Phil talked.  In a few minutes, Jo-Jo came out and gave Sky a thumbs up, and they were off to Danny’s to start packing up Sky’s few belongings. 

It wasn’t long before Sky was settled into the other bedroom at Jo-Jo’s house.  The house was half of an old wood-frame duplex. It was a lot smaller than Danny’s, having only two relatively small bedrooms, the single bath, a small living and dining area and a very tiny kitchen.  There was a back porch where the washer and dryer were parked; they were shared with the tenants on the other side of the duplex—an older gay couple in their fifties, who seemed nice enough.  The backyard was fixed up very nicely in a courtyard-type setting that even had a small fountain and fish pond, with a nice barbeque off to one side. 

Sky had just finished unpacking when Jo-Jo came back to his room to remind him they had to be at the club around six to get ready for the first show.  They decided to go grab some decent food before they had to be back at the club. 

When they finally arrived at the club, they went straight to the dressing room and started putting on their costumes—after a shot and a bong, of course.  Sky was determined not to drink so much this night, though, as he was still feeling the effects from the night before. The first couple of shows were uneventful, but Sky was a bit more relaxed and got even more tips and lap-dance requests than the night before.  It was just before the start of the last show when Phil made one of his very rare appearances in the dressing room. 

“Sky, my office…. NOW!” Phil bellowed. 

“Uh-oh.  I musta done something wrong.  Jo-Jo, come with me?” 

“Sure, Sky, if it’s okay with Phil.” 

They went to Phil’s office. He was leaning on his desk talking into his cell phone.  He hung up when Sky and Jo-Jo came in. 

“Is it okay for Jo-Jo to be here?”   

“I don’t give a shit.  Sky, a very special customer of mine wants to pay $150 to give you a blowjob.  You’re going to do it.” 

“I told you I don’t do sex for money.” 

“I’m not putting you in the stables,” Phil answered dryly.  “You’re going to let this guy suck your dick, though, or you don’t work here.  This guy is a high roller and well-connected; he does us a lot of favors to keep the cops outta here.  He knows you ain’t 18 and could cause you and me a lot of problems. Now get outta here and find Eddie, and he’ll take you to the guy.  Don’t worry about your last show, I’ll get one of the other boys to dance a double and give you credit for some of the tips. 

Sky was visibly upset when he walked out of the office with Jo-Jo. “Jo-Jo, I can’t do this…. I just can’t.” 

“Yes, you can, Sky.  It’s a dirty little secret Eddie or I shoulda told you about sooner.  There’s a few of these guys that get ‘special’ treatment.  They might be high-ranking cops or city officials or people well-connected to city officials, judges, lawyers; you get the idea.  They come in the back door and have special tables in the VIP room, which is behind that big mirror off to the left side of the stage.  From time to time, they see a boy they like, and Phil sets things like this up.  You’re lucky, all the guy wants is to give you a blowjob.  That’s nothing. Just give him the regular lap dance, take off the thong and stick it in his mouth, but don’t cum in his mouth without asking first.  Ask him if he wants your load.” 

“I still don’t know, Jo-Jo. This ain’t right.” 

“It’s something we have to do from time to time. I’ve had a number of them.  Look, if the guy’s fat, ugly, old, whatever, just close your eyes and imagine your boyfriend or even me, if you want.  Besides, I’m gonna fix you up with a hit and a shot as soon as we get to the dressing the room.” 

As soon as they entered the dressing room, they noticed Eddie.  “Jo-Jo, you’re due on stage in five minutes.  Sky, you’re supposed to come with me.” 

“Wait a minute, Eddie,” Jo-Jo said.  “He needs a bracer.  Give us just a few.” 

“Alright, I’ll be outside.  Five minutes, Sky.” 

Jo-Jo poured something in a glass and handed it to Sky. “It’s just a little vodka.” 

Sky took the drink and gulped it down. Jo-Jo was lighting up a huge bong and handed it to Sky. “Here, take a couple of big hits of this.  It’ll calm you and mellow you out. It’s all we have time for.” 

Sky took the bong and took three deep drags and handed it back to Jo-Jo, who did likewise. “Sky, it’s time to go.  You can do this. It’ll be okay.”  They walked out of the dressing room together.  Jo-Jo headed for the stage; Sky followed Eddie down the backstage hallway till they got to the other side of the stage. They stopped, and Eddie turned to Sky. “I assume Phil filled you in what you’re supposed to do. The guy’s already paid up front, but if he gives you a tip, put it in the box or give it to me. Either way, let me know how much.”  Eddie then turned and pushed on a panel on the wall, and a door Sky never knew about opened up.  They went up a couple of steps into a very dimly lit room.  To the right was a large window looking directly onto the stage where Jo-Jo was just starting his routine.  Inside the room was a leather sofa and a couple of small tables with two chairs at each.  Seated at one of the tables was a middle-aged man who was quite large.  Sky figured he was somewhere between 250 and 300 pounds.  As they entered the room, the man turned as Eddie greeted him. 

“Hank, this is the young man you wanted to meet.  His name is Sky, short for Skyler. Sky, when you want your music to start, signal the DJ with this button,” Eddie stated as he pointed to a button on the wall next to the window. “I’ll leave you two alone.” Eddie then turned and left. 

“Well, Sky, you’re new here. Where’d you come from?” The man named Hank asked. 

“I’m from Mississippi.  Just been in town a week or so.” 

“How old are you, really.  Don’t worry.  I ain’t telling nobody; hell, I’d be in some shit, too.” 

“Seventeen.” 

“Wheweee, hot damn. I knew it. I really like the way you dance, boy. Why don’t you show me your lap-dance skills? Then you can let me sample that meat between your legs.” 

Sky went over and pushed the button on the wall.  In just a minute or two, the monitor speaker playing Jo-Jo’s stage music went silent, and Sky’s music started playing.  Sky started his lap dance, as he desperately wished he was anywhere else right then. 

* * * 

Meanwhile, back in Memphis . . . 

The morning after his first “date” with Reese, Jonah was awakened by Billy knocking on his door telling him breakfast would be ready in ten minutes. 

Jonah pulled on some sweats, brushed out his hair and hobbled into the kitchen.  Chip was sitting at the breakfast bar sipping some coffee, and Billy was busy over at the stove cooking.  “Good morning,” Chip said looking up from his paper. 

“Morning, where’s Sarah?” 

“She’s down in the gym.  Wants us to go ahead and eat if she’s not back,” Billy replied as he brought Jonah a glass of juice. 

“Thanks, umm, what time does she have to be at the airport?” 

“Around one, I think,” Chip answered. “How’s the leg, Jonah? You were up a lot yesterday.” 

“Yeah, it seems okay. No more pain than usual.” 

“Tom tells me you’re healing well. A little more therapy and you shouldn’t need the crutches at all.” 

“Man, that would be great.  I can’t wait to get rid of these damn things.”  

“I bet.” 

“Jonah,” Billy interrupted, “I was going to wait till Sarah got back, but we were talking some last night.  Seems like she’s going to take some time off this summer.  She said you’ve been wanting to visit her for some time. Would you still like to go? 

“Oh, man, you know it!  I’ve never been to New York.” 

About that time Sarah walked in and said, “What about New York?” 

“Sis, Billy said you were going to take some time off this summer.” 

“Yeah, and I want you to come visit, but you have to be able to walk.  There’s a lot to see and do, but a cast on your leg would sure be a handicap.  Besides, my new apartment in the Village is two flights up.” 

“I’ll be fine by then, Sis.  We talkin’ like July?” 

“Probably.” 

“That’s almost two months.  I’ll be walking fine by then.” 

“I’m sure you will, Jonah.  I’ve asked Billy and Chip to come, too.  My roommate’s going to be gone on a shoot in Europe almost all summer, and she won’t mind someone using her room.”

I looked over at Chip, “Y’all going to come, too?” 

“Sorry, Jonah, but we can’t.  We’re starting a major renovation project next month on one of these downtown buildings we just acquired.  The contractor is good, but I’d still better be around.  Every time we gut one of these buildings, we find something we didn’t expect, and it’s never something minor.” 

“Speak for yourself, Chip.  I may just go,” Billy interjected. 

“What?” all three exclaimed together. 

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it.  I haven’t taken time off in two or three years.  I’ve finally got a management crew at the club and restaurant that I can depend on, and you don’t need me for a gutting project.”   

“Damn, Billy, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to speak for you.  I’ve been trying to get you to take time off for months. I wish you would go,” Chip said. 

“I know. I’ve been putting it off.  I wouldn’t be gone all month, though—just a week or two.  Besides, it’ll be great chance for me to spend some time with Jonah and Sarah.” 

“Hmmm, sure that’s the only reason you want to go to New York?” Chip asked with a big grin. 

“Hush-up, you,” he snapped back. Jonah looked over at Sarah with a questioning glance, and she was smiling, but just as quickly, Billy was coming over towards them with plates. “Now, who’s ready for French Toast, eggs, and sausage?” 

They finished off another one of Billy’s big breakfasts, and by the time they had all showered and changed, it was about time to take Sarah to the airport.  While Sarah and Jonah were waiting for Chip and Billy to fetch the car, he asked her, “What’s the deal with Billy and New York? I feel left out of the loop again.”

“Baby bro, it’s not my place to answer that question.  You’ll have to ask him.  But he did study there for several months, you know. He does still have friends there.” 

“As in boyfriends?” Jonah asked grinning. 

“Jonah Tucker Knight! Will you stop being so nosey?  If you want to know about Billy, ask Billy.”

About that time Chip and Billy pulled up in front of the building, and they loaded Sarah’s bags. It was hard for Jonah to say goodbye to her again, but the excitement about getting to go and see her in New York in just a few weeks was still fresh in his mind, so that made it a little easier.