The Queens of San Diego (18+)

Chapter 11

Desmond

The dressing room is buzzing with energy, the usual pre-show chaos that I've grown to love. The smell of setting spray and the hum of wigs being teased into perfection fill the air as I sit at the mirror, carefully applying the final strokes of eyeliner. Tonight, I'm not Desmond. I'm Kate Chocolate Mousse, and she's about to steal the show.

JJ is somewhere up in the clouds, flying back from London, and I can't wait to hear all about his little European getaway. I've missed him, but right now, my mind is focused on the performance. The club's going to be packed tonight, and I've got a killer routine ready to go.

Across the room, Violeta Divine is a force of nature in a curve-hugging catsuit that shows off every inch of her voluptuous figure. She's practically vibrating with excitement, running her fingers through her voluminous wig and swaying her hips like she's already on stage.

"Girl, you should've seen that tall drink of water at the bar earlier," Violeta says, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Looked like a damn Greek god. I swear he gave me the 'I wanna take you home' eyes."

I snort, finishing off my eyeliner with a sharp flick. "Violeta, you think everyone gives you those eyes."

"That's because they do," she shoots back with a wink, adjusting the zipper of her catsuit to show just a little more cleavage. "Can you blame them?"

Project X, sitting off to the side in their punk-glam ensemble, raises an eyebrow, their lips twitching in amusement. "Just make sure they can handle all of you, Violeta. Not every man is ready for the Divine experience."

"Please, they'd be lucky," Violeta purrs, striking a pose that could stop traffic.

Project X is more reserved, their style leaning heavily into androgyny, with sharp, punk-inspired lines and a sense of danger in their makeup that gives them an edge. They've got this effortless cool about them that I've always admired. Where Violeta is loud and proud, Project X is quiet, but they always land a punch with their witty comebacks.

"Kate, darling, what about you?" Violeta continues, eyeing me through the mirror. "Spotted any hotties to snatch up tonight? You can't keep that stunning mug of yours locked away behind all those wigs forever."

I laugh, adjusting the straps of my bodysuit. "Girl, tonight's all about the performance. I'm not on the lookout for any distractions."

Project X hums in agreement. "Kate's here for the spotlight, Violeta. Leave her alone."

Violeta waves them off, her hips swaying as she moves to the door. "Alright, alright. But I'm telling you, the minute that spotlight hits, you'll have the whole club eating out of your hand."

I smirk, knowing she's probably right. There's something about the way the energy shifts when you're in full drag, the way the crowd reacts when you walk on stage and command their attention. And tonight, I've got just the routine to blow them all away.

"Martina's swinging by, by the way," I mention casually, shifting the conversation. "She said she wanted to see me before I hit the stage."

Violeta perks up, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, honey, we love a bit of Martina. That woman is stunning. You sure she's not a drag queen herself?"

"She's too good at being a woman to need it," Project X quips dryly, drawing a laugh from both Violeta and me.

"She'll probably roll in here looking like she just stepped off a runway," I say with a smile, already imagining Martina's impeccable style. "She's been on some wild dates lately, so I'm sure she'll have stories."