The Man Club. It’s the electric place where gay gents pick up one-night stands, hot male dancers work for big tips, and fresh bachelorettes have their steamy, pre-marital parties. Running The Man Club is a crazy job for middle-aged Gyles Beare. Between hiring and firing dancers, keeping wait staff in line, and paying the bills, Gyles tries to have a love life, but it isn’t easy. Not at all. Enter Car Tate. Car lives with Gyles, and has been a solid tenant for the last few months. Handsome. Charming. A good head on his shoulders. Car sometimes works at the club to help Gyles out. He always has Gyles’s back. Lately, though, Car’s been over-the-top nice to Gyles. The sweet and romantic things Car’s been doing for Gyes are oddly pleasant. What’s going on? Is Car in love with Gyles? Is it time for Gyles to confront his hidden feelings and land the man of his dreams?

The Man Club

Downtrodden, he whispers, “Can we talk?”


I haven’t seen him for four weeks. Maybe I don’t want to see him for another four weeks. “Of course. Close the door behind you.” I apologize to him that there isn’t another seat in my office.


“No problem.” He brushes two fingertips along his shadowy beard. “You probably are surprised to see me.”


“I won’t lie. I am surprised. Our last encounter didn’t end positive. What brings you to The Man Club again?”


“I realize we’ve had a falling out, Gyles. It’s why I stopped by.”


I can’t think of anyone as acutely handsome as Coben, except for Car, of course. Coben’s good looks move men and women. They have an unspeakable power I can’t understand, but enjoy, probably like others do. I look at my cellphone and tell him, “Can we make this short? I have a meeting in a few minutes with Rocco and his boyfriend.”


“Short is best,” he says, semi-smiling, but still looking depleted.


Chapter 18