On Monday, we ran an interview with Nick Gruber, Calvin Klein’s ex-boy toy. He discussed his impending Fashion Week sashay down the runway and his plans to get his extreme sports business off the ground. Nick also served us some whoppers, like the fact that he’s straight, but believes in love; he never planned on writing a tell-all book about the designer; and despite his recent fights and tantrums, he’s “a great, loving, caring person.” Well, the phone just rang, and it happened to be John Luciano, the 49-year-old man whom Nick had told us he never dated. John had some lovely things to say about that—and everything else, too.

Hello, John.

Whatever crap Nick was smoking when he gave you that interview, I had to laugh. I had to set a couple things straight. We dated for nine months and we’re still friends. I was having lunch with him in Beverly Hills the day the article came out. Number two, despite his denying it in your interview, he was completely doing a book. I see humor in everything because he’s such an idiot.

And you’re friends with an idiot?

I’m friends with everyone. I’m not sure what he’s trying to do—modeling, whatever, that’s great. But why lie? You told everyone and their sister you were doing a book. And everyone knew we were dating. Page Six came out to my family’s house and did a whole spread on it. Can I tell you the riddle about Nick? He’s straight. He had a very fucked up, abusive childhood— horrific, practically worse than a cattle dog—and most women are not going to take care of him, so he turns to the company of gay men for support, paternal love, mentoring, and all those things. At the end of the day, if he can choose between sleeping with Zac Efron and Betty White, he’s going to choose Betty White, because that’s the way he is. When he went back with Calvin, Calvin should have just let him sleep with women, and he would have been fine. He’s gay for pay, and that’s what it is.

How did you meet Nick?

Once in a while, I’ll step in an AA meeting, and that’s where we met. Once a year I’ll get the urge to have an 8 ball and have a little fun. Then I’ll go to a meeting. He was there for a court-appointed thing.

When he dated you, was it gay for pay?

Are you smoking crack? Of course! No, I‘m so special! Of course it was. I’m not gonna fool myself. The only person you should never lie to is yourself.

That photo of you kissing while he’s holding bags…

I bought him Ralph Lauren and Barneys. And Calvin was very generous with him. The problem is Calvin is very possessive. Nick was in love with the lifestyle, the Bentley, and the private jet, and I understand that, but if Calvin had loosened the leash, they would have still been together.

But Nick says it was true love.

There are enough lies! Come on now! Yeah, it was true love. Calvin was in love with his body and Nick was in love with the wallet. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I date younger guys, and as long as it’s legal, it’s OK, but I don’t fool myself.

What is your profession?

I’m certainly not a Hollywood animator. I don’t know where that came from. I’m animated. I used to freelance for all the magazines for years. My family is in real estate.

And though you’re related to Lucky Luciano, I know you’re not mob-related.

I’m as far from any Mafia as you can get. You can’t help who you’re related to. I’m not ashamed of that, but I’m certainly not proud of that. I was born in ‘64, and he died in ‘62. Aside from having a cousin on Mob Wives, that’s about it. She’s the one who lived with Nick for a while. He said she tried to kill him with a screwdriver. He made that up to get her to leave.

Did he cheat on you?

It wasn’t that type of relationship. I fixed him up with girls. I didn’t care who he slept with. The kid’s straight, and I know that sounds crazy, but he’s straight. He’d choose any female over the hottest male.

I know, like Betty White. Does he have any idea what he’s doing when he’s in bed with a guy?

The worst lover I’ve ever had! I like Nick and am friends with him and still try to help him, and I’m the one who encouraged him to get back with Calvin, but our relationship was very open. Have you ever slept with a woman?

I tried.

I never have. It’s just not in me. I couldn’t imagine if I had to do that to survive, what that would be like. Someone like Nick, he has to sleep with the men to survive, and that has to do some sort of damage. Most of our relationship had nothing to do with sex. He provided constant hours of entertainment. You can only imagine.

What do you think of his proposed extreme sports business?

You’re gonna jump out of a plane with him??? You’d have to be nuts!!! Crazy!!!

[Image via Getty.]