Club Zombie 1-4

by Z. Allora

  “Kai. I’m Ulrich’s cousin. Thank you so much for letting my cousin share your apartment.” Kai grasped his hand.

  Alex nodded and snagged the elastic out of his hair, allowing his waves to cascade over his shoulders. He finger-combed a tangle or two out, but his gaze remained on Ulrich. “Kitchenette has a washer and dryer hidden next to the pantry. Living and dining room are combined, but—”

  “Less to clean.” Ulrich bounced up and down next to Alex. “So where’s my stuff?”

  Alex studied him for a moment, then with a dreamy smile said, “There’s a second bedroom across the hall from my room. I put the suitcases in there. I’ll show you.”

  “Cool.” Ulrich followed Alex and disappeared into one of the bedrooms.

  Interesting. Alex’s appearance didn’t have the usual mesmerizing effect. Ulrich appeared immune and didn’t ogle him with lust. Maybe Beau was right; this would be a good friendship.

  Alex reappeared with a red face and lowered the thermostat in the already chilly apartment. “Ulrich’s going to a… um… shower. Can I get you something to drink?” He turned into his kitchenette and stuck his head in the freezer.

  Kai scrunched his face, shook his head, and mouthed, “What’s with him?”

  Ulrich peeked into the hallway shirtless, and asked, “Alex, is there a towel I can use?”

  Alex covered his eyes, stepped away from the freezer, and gestured toward the bathroom without looking. “There are clean towels under the sink.” The bathroom door clicked shut. Alex peered through his fingers at the empty hallway, then dropped his hands.

  Three seconds after Alex released a loud breath, Ulrich popped out into the corridor and asked, “Which color? The purple or the blue?”

  Alex closed and covered his eyes. “Um, doesn’t matter. Whichever you prefer.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Ulrich strolled back into the bathroom.

  Alex rushed to the freezer, took a gallon of ice cream, and held it against his chest.

  Kai cleared his throat. “If you want, I can speak to him about not walking around half-naked.”

  “No! No, that’s okay. I’m just not… you know, used to someone so….” Alex glanced at Jasper.

  “Comfortable?” Jasper hoped that was the right word.

  Alex put the ice cream away. “Yeah. It’s good. This is his home now.”

  After a few minutes of awkward bursts and stalls of conversation, Ulrich paraded into his room with a towel wrapped around his waist. He came out a few minutes later with jeans on, pulling on a T-shirt. “Alex, why aren’t you dressed for The Rocky Horror Picture Show?”

  Alex checked his sweats and T-shirt and shrugged. “Oh, I’m not going.”

  “You have to! Please. Don’t make me go alone,” Ulrich pleaded.

  Kai glared at his cousin and reminded him, “I’ll be there.” But the stricken expression Ulrich gave him seemed to compel him to say, “But we really want you to be there, Alex. Jasper’s going to be Rocky.”

  “He’ll be much better than I’d have been.” Alex shrank into his chair.

  “Doubtful,” Jasper corrected. “Please, I’d love if you were there. You won’t have to step foot in the club.”

  Ulrich grabbed Alex’s hand and yanked him down the hall. “Come on. I’ll pick out your clothes.”

  Kai turned toward Jasper and whispered, “Alex seems sweet.”

  “They’ll be good together.” Ulrich might drag Alex out of hiding, and Alex would be a supportive friend for Ulrich.

  Kai didn’t seem convinced, but he pressed his lips together as if he were stopping all the questions he had. “You should go get ready for the show.”

  “I asked Beau to save you seats in the front. I’ll tell him to add one more.” Jasper wished they had more time.

  Nodding, Kai took Jasper’s hand and squeezed it. “Hals- und Beinbruch!”

  Jasper loved hearing Kai speak German to him. “I might break more than my leg.”

  “See you after the show.” Kai released his hand.

  He pressed his lips to Kai’s cheek and whispered, “After the show.”

  Taylor ushered Kai, Alex, and Ulrich into their prime seats just in time. “Here, you might want these.”

  “Thanks, Taylor!” Ulrich grabbed the bag of odd items. “These must be the props for audience participation.”

  The lights went out, the curtains whooshed open, and a pair of lips started singing on the screen.

  Ulrich grabbed Alex’s hand and held it. Anticipation flashed in Ulrich’s eyes, but something Kai cared not to name washed over Alex’s expression. Was the gorgeous creature smitten with Ulrich?

  Kai had been to enough practices to know what to expect on stage, but he didn’t anticipate being pelted with rice. Ulrich took a handful from the bag and tossed it over his head. Soon a newspaper was thrust at him.

  Kai whispered, “What do—”

  The entire audience made a tent over their heads like the female character they referred to as “slut” anytime her name was mentioned. Corey, who played her onstage, wiggled and shimmied, wearing the nickname with pride.

  Ulrich jumped out of his seat to do “The Time Warp.” He glanced over at Kai, who was standing and ready to dance, and asked, “Wait! You know ‘The Time Warp’?”

  Kai enjoyed the kid’s surprise and jumped to the left. “Of course.”

  Instead of stepping to the right, Ulrich dragged a very reluctant Alex out of his seat and onto his feet.

  Jasper peeked out from behind the curtain during the pelvic thrust and gave Kai a wave.

  Feeling like a flirt, Kai added more feeling to the dance as he circled his hips.

  Jaz widened his eyes and then he grinned.

  Poor Alex stood statue-still with his hands on his hips, while Ulrich thrust at him, chortling with wild abandon. As soon as the song ended, Alex helped Ulrich off the floor and sat.

  The pulley system rigged for Frank’s dramatic appearance in the elevator banged hard on the stage. But Cassidy, who played the crossdressing mad scientist, took the mishap in stride and made it appear that the noise was from his tapping heel.

  He strutted across the stage, owning it and enthralling the audience. When Cassidy tossed off the robe to reveal his corset and heels, the crowd went wild.

  Alex covered his face.

  Ulrich cheered and pulled Alex’s hands away from his eyes.

  On stage Corey and Jackson, playing Janet and Brad, were stripped. Once they were on the elevator descending to the lab, the curtain closed. The set changed into the laboratory as the curtains opened.

  Kai tried not to fidget, but Jasper’s first scene was next.

  Jasper, as Rocky, sat upright in the tank and glanced out at the audience. The roar became deafening. Jasper did everything he was supposed to, and then Dr. Mayer unwrapped him, leaving him in gold lamé shorts.

  Kai moaned.

  He’d touched Jasper’s muscular body just hours earlier, but he hadn’t had time to study him. Damn, almost every glorious centimeter was on display. He filled out those shorts in the back perfectly and the front….

  Cassidy, as the mad scientist, was too handsy for Kai’s taste. Maybe he should have tried out for a part. Watching Jasper being led off by Cassidy to a bridal suite during practice never felt particularly good, but now Kai failed to restrain the growl.

  Ulrich stared at him. “You okay, Kai?”

  “What? Yeah.” The movie screen didn’t stand a chance at holding his attention. His gaze drifted to Jasper as he exited the stage.

  Corey and Cassidy, as Janet and Frank, scorched the crowd with the next scene. Ulrich fanned himself and whispered to Alex.

  Frank seduced Brad, and dread welled up in Kai. He didn’t want to think about Jasper and Corey’s upcoming scene.

  The setting flipped to show the temptress Janet sneak into the lab. It might have been easier if he hadn’t heard Corey go on and on with his lover about wishing Jasper was theirs. Corey begged to be touched and pul
led Jasper’s—Rocky’s hands to Janet’s bra.

  Kai dug his nails into the armrests and forced himself to stay seated. He’d not dash onto the stage and rescue Jasper from a… play.

  He’d have to do whatever it took to make sure Jasper understand he belonged to Kai.

  Ulrich turned and asked, “So, are you gay yet?”

  The question failed to bring up the many negative feelings his uncle forced him to ingest.

  Spending time with people at the estate and experiencing Club Zombie had helped him redefine what gay meant. He’d no longer deny the truth. Kai turned toward his cousin. “Yes, and Jasper’s mine.”

  A soft whoop and punching his hand up was Ulrich’s seal of approval, but he added, “He’s hot in those shorts!”

  Kai scowled at the giggling kid.

  Jasper was his. It was that simple. His!

  After the play, everyone gathered for an after-party in the back of the theater.

  Beau called out, “Jasper, could I chat with you a bit?”

  “Um….” Jasper tried to get a read on Kai.

  Kai waved him off. “Go ahead. I’ll get Ulrich back to his new place.”

  Alex tugged Ulrich toward the exit. Everyone seemed to stare at him.

  “Okay, Beau, what did you need me for?” Jasper didn’t want to be rude, but he needed to be with Kai. He followed Beau to a quiet part of the theater backstage.

  “So, you’re Kai’s mate.” Beau wasn’t asking a question but making a statement.

  Jasper tilted his head. “I was hoping not to have this conversation yet.”

  “Your bond with Kai isn’t fully formed, but every zombie can sense it if they’re close enough to you.”

  “That can’t be helped.” Jasper didn’t bother to point out they’d been a little busy getting Ulrich from the airport, but he’d bet no other zombie would have left their blanket without doing the exchange.

  “When are you going to complete the exchange?” Beau asked, as if that wasn’t a question plaguing him.

  “I don’t know.” Jasper wasn’t even sure if Kai wanted to be mated to him.

  “I can talk to him if you want and—”

  “Beau, you’re one of my best friends and you have the best of intentions, but I won’t have Kai pushed into a destiny he doesn’t want. I can’t have that.” He stomped down the hallway.

  Jasper’s heart would shatter if Kai rejected him, but he’d not force Kai to be something he wasn’t happy with, regardless of the consequences.

  16

  Initiations

  A quiet knock woke Kai from a sound sleep.

  He sat up and smiled at the open door. “I was waiting for you to get back. Sorry, I must have fallen asleep.”

  Jasper stood there with a big grin on his handsome face. “Yesterday was eventful. You needed the rest. I hate to do this to you, but—”

  “What? Where are we…?”

  Before Kai could agree, Jasper pulled him out of the room and threw a hoodie at him. “Come on.”

  He followed and slipped on the warm, zip-up jacket.

  “Where are we going?” Kai asked, running his fingers through his hair. Damn. He must look a wreck, and he didn’t want Jasper to see him like that.

  Jasper chuckled. “Ulrich’s initiation.”

  “Huh? What initiation?” Kai followed Jasper, trying not to look at his perfect ass, which seemed to sway under the old sweatpants. Did Jasper still have on the gold lamé shorts?

  Jasper turned with a grin that would do a naughty eleven-year-old proud and held up a bag. The contents softly clanged.

  Kai hoped Jasper hadn’t caught him ogling his ass. He guiltily pretended to focus on the rattling cans, and through the plastic read, “Whipped Cream.” What in heaven’s name did a dessert topping have to do with his cousin?

  “Shhh,” Jasper said as they got close to the dorm of the zombies who had yet to finish the transition. “Alex called and said he won’t be much help defending Ulrich.”

  “Defending him from what?” Now Kai was worried. “What do cans of whipped cream have to do with an initiation?”

  Jasper grinned. “You’ll see. Just remember to shake well, otherwise you’ll just be wasting your gas.” He put a finger to his lips and tiptoed into the building.

  Ulrich’s new best friend opened the door in obvious relief. “Oh, thank the gods you came, Jaz. There’s no way I could have….” If there were such a thing as woodland fairies, Kai was convinced this kid would be their king. He could easily see Alex skipping in an open field of wildflowers, making daisy halos.

  Jasper put his hand on the nervous, waiflike boy’s shoulder. “I was sure they’d wait until tomorrow. I’m glad Taylor gave us the heads-up.”

  The soft-spoken kid glanced at Kai and fluttered his eyelashes. “Hey, thanks.”

  Kai was more lost than ever. He opened his mouth to ask, but twenty zombies came zooming into the room armed with cans of whipped cream. A few of the zombies even had tool belts or knapsacks loaded with cans of spray cream.

  Alex and Jasper ran to stand in front of Ulrich’s bedroom door. They shook their cans and aimed them. They were ready to defend his cousin’s bedroom with a can of whipped cream in hand.

  Several zombie boys ganged up on Alex and doused him in cream. The poor guy sputtered, but licked his lips with a smile before returning fire.

  The spray cream spurted everywhere.

  When Jasper and Alex had to get new cans, the invaders made their move and burst in on his cousin.

  Kai peered into the room.

  Ulrich sat in the middle of his bed with a plastic raincoat on and a big smile on his face.

  Kai zigzagged through the chaos of yelling, giggling zombies and the flying cream to stand in front of his very amused cousin.

  “Here.” Jasper handed Kai a can of cream.

  Jasper launched a spray attack on the guys who’d invaded the bedroom, playing backup to Alex.

  Alex squealed, “We’re running low on cream!”

  “With a room full of zombies… that’s doubtful,” someone Kai didn’t recognize said.

  Everyone was covered in white except his giggling cousin, who just sat there happily watching the mayhem.

  Kai pivoted and sprayed Ulrich right in the face.

  Several guys howled with laughter.

  His cousin shrugged, opened his mouth, and shifted his head around to direct the whipped cream into his mouth.

  Laughing hard, Kai aimed the can at his greedy cousin’s mouth so he could eat the topping, licking his lips between squirts.

  “Hey, we’ve got the new flavored ones.” A cute guy with red hair stepped forward.

  When Kai’s can had run dry, Ulrich swallowed and turned to the guy. “Oh really?” He opened his mouth.

  “Here’s french vanilla.” After one squirt of flavored cream and a moan from his cousin, the fight evolved into a taste test.

  Cassidy hustled over and invited, “Give the chocolate a try, Ulrich. It’s my favorite. I’m Cassidy, by the way.”

  “Hey, Cassidy.” Ulrich held his mouth open for a spurt. “Mmmmm, Alex. Come here and try this.”

  Alex’s cheeks flushed, but he shuffled through the crowd surrounding Ulrich.

  Ulrich grabbed Alex’s hand and tugged him closer. “Try some!”

  Cassidy demanded, “Open up, Alex.”

  Alex’s blond hair slipped over his shoulders as he parted his lips and Cassidy gave him a healthy mouthful. Giggling, Alex attempted to swallow, but the whipped cream spilled out between his lips. He struggled to close his mouth. He swiped his tongue out to get the rest.

  Everyone froze and stared as if a spell of enchantment was cast. Kai realized it was due to Alex licking cream from his lips.

  Ulrich asked, “Good, huh?” He was the only one except Kai and Jasper who appeared immune to whatever mojo Alex projected.

  Alex smiled and let Ulrich pull him to sit on the bed. Alex nodded, his pretty eyes sparkling. “More please
.”

  The crowd of transitioning, unmated zombies inhaled as a group and watched Alex open his mouth for more cream. Several of the guys groaned and started touching whoever happened to be in groping distance.

  Cassidy grinned over at Jasper and shouted, “Okay, kiddies, time for bed.” He gave Alex another mouthful and handed him the can. “Enjoy.” Waving to Ulrich, he spoke over the chaos, “Call me when you two get up. We can hang out.”

  The remaining guys had started to pair up and lick the whipped cream off of each other.

  Jasper clapped his hands. “Out, while this is still PG. Take it out of Ulrich’s room.”

  “Hey, no. They don’t have to go,” Ulrich was quick to say. He turned to his dorm mate. “Right, Alex? They can stay here and, you know….” He gazed at a frisky zombie toying with another’s zipper.

  Alex blushed bright red and shielded his eyes.

  Jasper gestured toward the door. “Move it, guys. Unless you want Lafayette pissed at you, seek the privacy of your own rooms.” Jasper winked at Kai. When the threat of Lafayette didn’t hurry them fast enough, he added, “Remember, Ulrich is a couple of years from his transition, therefore underage.”

  Relief washed over Kai as the live soft-core porn vanished from his cousin’s room immediately.

  “Always wrecking my fun,” Ulrich grumbled with a grin. “You could’ve at least let me watch a while longer.”

  Jasper smiled and ruffled the imp’s hair.

  “What? They were smoking hot,” the kid pointed out. “Did you see them kissing?”

  “Hard to miss.” Kai rolled his eyes.

  Alex nabbed another can of whipped cream and shook it. He slipped on the way back to the bed but managed to make it there without hitting the floor, and sat with his prize clutched in his hands. “I got a few action movies you’ll like, and an almost full can of cream.”

  The stragglers filed out. Kai stuck his head out into the hallway to see kissing pairs and threesomes pawing at each other before they fell into rooms. Whew! Thank God for Jasper being there to stop an orgy from breaking out.

  Damn, the hormones coming off the zombies were palpable. He stumbled back into the bedroom.