The Queens of San Diego (18+)

Chapter 24

Desmond

It's been one hell of a day. Pride always takes it out of me, but it's the good kind of exhaustion, the kind that leaves me feeling fulfilled. This year's San Diego Pride Parade was everything—colorful, loud, filled with love—and there I was, front and center, decked out in full drag. The crowd was electric, waving rainbow flags and cheering as I walked down the street, feeling like the queen I am. But the parade was just the beginning.

After the parade, I had gigs lined up, hopping from one event to the next. Each performance brought a new wave of excitement. By the time I wrapped up hosting the annual Ms. San Diego Pride drag pageant, I was running on pure adrenaline. Watching all those fierce queens battling it out on stage reminded me of why I fell in love with drag in the first place. It's the power, the beauty, the ability to transform and show the world who you are. Even though the day has been long, I wouldn't trade this for anything.

But now that the sun's finally set, it's time for a different kind of fun. The Pride Festival at Balboa Park is calling, and I'm ready to let loose with my friends. No more work, no more hosting—just dancing, laughing, and celebrating who we are. And speaking of celebrating, there's one person I'm especially excited to see tonight: Willow. We've been spending a lot of time together lately. It's been mostly platonic, but I can feel the energy between us shifting. It's that spark, the kind that makes you wonder if something more is about to happen. I'm not sure where it'll lead, but tonight feels like the perfect night to find out.

With that thought, I start getting ready for the evening. No more drag for me tonight—I've earned the right to be comfortable. I swap out the heels and wigs for a crop top, some short shorts, and flat shoes. Trust me, after hours of performing in full drag, my feet are screaming for mercy. My makeup's still bold, though. I'm not about to blend into the background, even out of drag. This is Pride, after all.

As I head out to meet the crew, I can't help but smile. This day has been a whirlwind, but it's not over yet. The night is young, and I've got a feeling it's going to be one to remember.

Balboa Park is absolutely alive. The sun's long gone, but the energy is sky-high, and the festival grounds are packed with people. It's one giant, colorful sea of bodies dancing under the night sky. The DJ's blasting music, and you can feel the beat vibrating through the ground. All around me, there are people—LGBTQIA+ folks and allies—dressed in their brightest, boldest outfits, letting loose, celebrating who we are. I take a deep breath and soak it all in. This is what Pride is all about—freedom, joy, and being unapologetically yourself.

I spot the crew before they spot me. You can't miss them. Martina and Izzy, as always, are turning heads. Both of them are decked out in nothing but sparkly panties and pasties, with makeup that's as bold as their personalities. Their rainbow-themed eyeshadow shimmers in the night, catching the light from the festival stage. These two are always down for a bold look, and tonight, they've outdone themselves. It's like they're daring everyone around them to look away—and no one is.

Then there's JJ and Lukas. I have to admit, they make one hot couple. Both of them are shirtless, their toned bodies on full display. JJ's thong strings are peeking out from his low-waisted shorts, and Lukas, well, he can't seem to keep his hands off him. They've got that new couple glow, that mix of lust and excitement that's hard to ignore. I feel a little twinge of envy—not because I want what they have, but because I want that kind of connection for myself.

As if on cue, I see Willow walking toward us. My heart does that little skip thing it's been doing lately whenever they're around. Willow is as vibrant as I am tonight, rocking an outfit that's just as loud and proud—bright colors, bold patterns, and enough flair to make sure they stand out. We exchange a cute hug, and I can't help but smile. Everyone in the crew loves Willow, and why wouldn't they? Willow's got this easygoing vibe that fits right in with our group, and tonight, they're looking absolutely radiant.