Ian feels he has not been blessed with good looks, and his treatment from others lends weight to these beliefs. From a child, where he is teased about his big nose, to his twenties, where his best friend, the handsome Zack, seems to get all the attention, Ian is made to feel inferior. The resulting insecurity means he won't look in a mirror unless absolutely essential.<br><br>Then one night at Zenith, the local gay club, he locks eyes with Brad. He likes what he sees, but so does Zack. As Zack approaches Brad, Ian's heart sinks. However, there is a small chance Brad will tell Zack to take a hike.<br><br>Is Ian's life about to change for the better? Will he finally get a chance at love? Or will his so-called best friend Zack ruin everything? Could Zack really be that cruel?

Ugly

Upstairs, the club was pumping. Yolanda Hoy, the six-foot drag queen, was performing one of her standard re-writes of a classic Motown song. The crowd was laughing and cheering as she worked the crowd, focusing her charms on the leather men.


“Your turn to buy,” said Zack, “since you skipped out of your round last time.”


Ian would have rolled his eyes had Zack not been looking directly at him for a reaction. Instead, he stepped up to the bar and tried to get Dominic’s attention due to the fact the hot Italian occasionally gave them a discount. But not that night. Ian was served by Steve, the friendly blond-haired barman, who poured two wines and gave him a knee-weakening smile, but no discount.


Due to Yolanda Hoy’s performance, finding a space to stand was not a problem.


Zack’s attention seemed taken by something behind Ian.


“What?” he asked, turning to see what his friend was looking at.


Chapter 4