Page 58 of Dragged Home for Christmas

Sam placed his phone on the edge of the stage, then connected it to the portable speaker via Bluetooth. He scrolled through his music list, searching for something appropriate. Then he went over to the panel behind the velvet curtains, and flicked on the spots.

“Want to tell me what we’re doing in here?” Mike walked onto the stage. “Your message made it sound urgent.”

“I didn’t know where you were.”

“I’ve just got back.” Mike laughed. “And you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Oh, that sounds intriguing.”

Mike gazed up at the colored lights focused on the wooden stage. “Remember I told you I’d had an email from someone called Arden More?”

Sam snickered. “Yeah. I recall mentioning he could have a great career in porn with a name like that.”

To his surprise, Mike burst into laughter.

Sam blinked. “It wasn’tthatfunny.”

“But it is. We just met for coffee at Wired Puppy. Apparently, Arden was an old friend of Nick’s, and nine years ago, Nick loaned him three thousand dollars.” Mike’s eyes gleamed. “To help Arden set up his own porn studio.”

“No freakingway.”

Mike nodded. “Arden has done very well for himself, it seems. He was going to get in touch with Nick to set about paying him back, but then he saw the Facebook post about Nick’s death and the crowd-funding. So he looked me up.” He shook his head. “We talked about Nick for more than an hour. That man changed a lot of people’s lives.”

“So we’ve just added three grand to the bank balance? Fantastic.”

Another shake of his head. “Uh-uh. Three grand—plus interest.”

Sam stared at him. “How much are we talking?”

“Nick never said a word about interest, but Arden decided to pay it retroactively, so to speak. So he came up with a figure of eight percent, payable for every year of theloan. Which means we’ve received just over five grand.”

Sam beamed. “I think Arden gets free tickets to any show he wants to see, don’t you?”

Mike smiled. “And a free stay at the hotel when it opens. Which reminds me…” He peered at his phone. “Ashley and Patrick should be on their way back from Maine by now. In fact, they could be here in less than an hour.”

“How did he get roped into collecting the bathroom supplies?”

“He borrowed his uncle’s truck for the trip, and insisted he went along too.” Sam started humming the wedding march, and Mike laughed. “Yeah, I know. Elliott and Anthony are placing bets that he’ll be down on one knee by Christmas Day.” He put his phone away and folded his arms. “So… why did you message me?”

Sam walked over the curtain and reached behind it with both hands. He held up two pairs of high-heeled shoes. “Practice time.”

Mike groaned. “Now?”

Sam speared him with a look. “Have you even tried them on? Hmm?”

“No, but—”

“But nothing. We’ve got less than two weeks until Christmas Eve.Youknow, the night you make your debut? And speaking of which, have you come up with a name yet?” Except he already knew the answer.

“No. I’ve been a little busy, remember?”

Sam grinned. “Then isn’t it a good thing you’ve got me around? Because I’ve come up with the perfect persona.”

Mike narrowed his gaze. “Do I even want to hear this?” When Sam didn’t bite, he rolled his eyes. “Okay, hit me with it.”

Sam schooled his features. “Cheap Trix. That’s T-R-I-X, by the way.”

Mike gaped at him. “Really?”

---