It's Sky Morgan's 22nd birthday. He's unemployed and just had an awkward dinner with his dad. There wasn't even any cake, and Sky loves cake. Angry and morose, he decides to go out for a drink and randomly chooses the Grotto, a nearby gay bar.<br><br>The Grotto's clientele is different from the rest of society in more ways than one. However, they are very kind to Sky. He has a most comforting chat with Everest, an old drag queen, who is the first person ever to understand how awkward family can be. And then she introduces Sky to Slade, a mysterious and attractive young man. The chemistry between them is instant.<br><br>But is Slade a young man? He's more different than just being gay. Just how different, Sky finds out during daylight hours far below ground. As Sky's feelings towards his new friend mount, he learns they have more in common than he could possibly imagine.

Blue Sky

“Tons of it. It—got out of hand. And it was all my fault,” Slade said, gulping beer.


Sky drew back so abruptly that he knocked his head on the wall behind him.


“Don’t be afraid, I didn’t mean I did it. I couldn’t even watch this time. I had my eyes closed tight.”


“This time?” Sky hissed, not soothed at all.


Slade drew a deep breath. Sky could see he was distraught. He ran his hands through his hair. Sky thought it was adorable.


Slade said, “No, no, see they do this all the time. Did Charlie or Everest tell you about the gay agenda thing? It’s not about toaster ovens and recruiting, you know.”


Sky did not know. Sky had no clue. But he did think Slade looked hot when he was agitated, and he leaned forward across the table, saying, “Tell me more. About this recruiting thing, I mean, the whole agenda thing.” He reached out across the table, his fingers playing lightly along the back of Slade’s hand.


Chapter 5