Chapter 2 #2
Laura nodded, taking a gulp of her coffee. Both men would be great additions. They’d each made their own success—one as a Michelin star chef, and the other as a property tycoon.
“Ryder gets involved with all those charities Sebastian supports.”
“Okay, you’ve made your point. I’ll reach out to his agent, but I am not saying what you suggested. I’ll just explain the project to his agent, and I’m sure he’ll want to get involved.”
“No, Felix. That’s your hook. Mention you’ve met before, or it might not even get past his agent.
In fact, tell his agent that Ryder said he’d like to discuss the project more and for you to arrange it through his agent.
Just think of the boost you’d get to your followers if people knew he was involved. ”
Felix eyed her skeptically. He would not do something so dishonest, but he could say they’d met when he was the photographer at a wedding Ryder had attended.
Laura was right in that respect. He needed something that made him stand out from the hundreds of requests he probably got every day.
Having Ryder Quinn involved in his project could give him the publicity it needed.
Ryder Quinn had declined Felix’s request to get involved in his project. His agent had come back to him within three hours of his initial contact. She’d been blunt and to the point.
“Mr. Quinn has no recollection of meeting you and this is not the sort of project that aligns with his brand.”
What did she mean by that? Ryder didn’t see himself as a role model, or that he wasn’t interested in doing something for pride month, or that Felix was the turnoff?
He’d have to think of someone else to kick off the campaign.
Felix had months to get it all ready. He could still reach out to Mason and Sebastian, but did he want to be rejected again?
Thanksgiving had just been Felix and Laura, the way it always was and had been for the last seven years.
Laura had cooked, as that was her specialty, and Felix had cleaned up.
They’d be the perfect couple if they weren’t both the wrong gender for each other.
Laura had gone into work on the Friday, as she had some big article due, which left Felix by himself.
Every year, he thought his family might reach out to him.
He knew he was better off without them, but he’d never been able to change his phone number as that would cut them off from him completely.
Laura had cut the cord, but Felix, for some bizarre reason, still couldn’t help but have a glimmer of hope that one day they would reach out and apologize.
His phone pinged, and he thought for a moment that he’d manifested them getting in touch.
Sam: Can we have a coffee? I need to talk to you xxx.
Sam was the last person he wanted to see. His bastard cheating ex-boyfriend. Things had not ended well between them, but Sam didn’t seem to think he’d done anything wrong, and Felix had done himself no favors by hooking up with Sam twice since they’d broken up in September.
Sam looked like Ryder Quinn a bit, but not as tall, muscled, or hot, and if the rumors were true, his dick was a lot smaller. Felix snorted, thinking of the look on Sam’s face if he said that out loud. If he didn’t meet him, Sam would not stop harassing him. It was just easier to agree.
Felix: Usual place?
Sam: Yes. Half an hour xxx.
That wasn’t even a question, more of a command, but that was Sam.
He was very demanding about what he wanted, which had been a turn on at first, but when Felix had discovered he was in a non-consensual open relationship, it stopped doing anything for him.
Felix had nothing against open relationships, if that was what people wanted, but it wasn’t for him.
Walking into the coffee shop and seeing Sam brought back lots of old feelings, but none of them were good. He looked hot, though, wearing a tight sweater that showed off his muscles. Those biceps had bent Felix’s body into many positions.
No! Don’t go there, Felix. He’s a lying, cheating asshole. Don’t fall for his bullshit.
Sam pulled Felix into a lingering hug, which felt awkward.
Felix wasn’t a fan of PDA on the best day, let alone with his ex.
When they pulled apart, Sam gripped Felix’s face and pulled him into a kiss.
Felix tried to jerk away, but Sam was strong and held him tight.
Perhaps sensing Felix’s body go rigid, Sam let him go with a smile.
“I’ve missed you so much, babe.”
“Please don’t call me that.”
“I got a chai latte for you.”
Felix was tempted to be a petty bitch and say he didn’t drink those anymore, but he wanted the drink, so he let it go. Felix just mumbled a thank you and took the seat opposite Sam. He wasted no time in scooting around and gripping Felix’s thigh, and Felix felt his face flush at the connection.
“I love it when you blush,” whispered Sam. “Especially when my cock is inside you.”
Felix pushed Sam’s hand off his thigh, moving his chair backwards.
“What do you want, Sam?”
“I want you, babe. I want us to get back together. Exclusive, just like you wanted.”
Felix was dumbstruck. He didn’t know what to say.
No. You say no! Tell him to get fucked.
“What do you think, babe?”
Felix was still at a loss for what to say.
All he could do was shake his head and bolt for the door.
He was panicking. Why couldn’t he just tell him to piss off?
He’d never been good with confrontation, ever since that final Thanksgiving dinner with his family when they’d told him exactly what they thought of him.
It was easier to run and not deal with it.
He didn’t get far down the street before he was gripped on the shoulder.
“Where are you going?” asked Sam.
“Home.”
“Why don’t you come back to mine? I can show you how much I’ve missed you.”
“I don’t . . . I don’t think so.”
“Come on, babe. You know I love you.”
“I told you not to call me that, and you don’t love me. You never did. If you had, you wouldn’t have cheated on me.”
“It’s not cheating when you’re open. I told you that. But I’m willing to put your needs above my own.”
“You gave me chlamydia.”
“Well, that was unfortunate.”
Felix yanked his arm out of Sam’s grip and walked off down the street.
Sam followed him, so he sped up. He didn’t want to run.
Felix was the least athletic person he knew, and Sam would easily catch up with him.
They were outside Epicure, which was the restaurant owned by Mason Reid, when Sam grabbed him again.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going, Felix? Stop being a cock tease.”
Felix tried to get out of Sam’s grip, but he held on tight and Felix panicked. He didn’t want to cause a scene, but the last thing he wanted to do was go with Sam.
“What’s going on here?” asked a familiar voice.
It was Ryder Quinn, Mason Reid, and some other guy who looked like a nerdier version of Clark Kent. They were all in suits, looking like a trio of handsome superheroes out of costume. This wasn’t at all embarrassing.
“None of your business,” said Sam. “I’m just talking to my boyfriend.”
“Well, he doesn’t look too happy about it. Oh, wow. It’s you. Hello again, cutie. This guy giving you trouble?”
“You . . . you remember me?”
“Of course I remember you. Not gonna forget a pretty face like yours, am I?”
Felix heard Mason snort a laugh. Ryder was smiling at him, but Sam looked furious.
“Have you been cheating on me with this fucking loser?” he snapped.
“Excuse me?” said Ryder, standing up straight, his full height towering over Sam.
“He’s my boyfriend. Not for you to stick your disease-ridden dick into. Keep your hands off.”
Felix snapped. “You’re the one with a disease-ridden dick, and that was how I found out I was in an open relationship and knew nothing about it.”
“Is that so?” said Ryder. “You cheated on this cutie? Well, more fool you. Now, do you want to let go of him, or would you like me to break your hand?”
There was something about his tone which sent a shiver through Felix’s body. Sam let go of Felix with a scowl and stepped back.
“We’re not done, Felix. I’m not letting your throw away what we’ve got,” said Sam, before walking off.
Felix jumped when Ryder put an arm round his shoulder, but then quickly relaxed.
“Shall we get this young man a drink?” asked Ryder.
Mason nodded, and they all walked towards the entrance of Epicure. Felix stopped.
“What’s wrong?” asked Ryder.
“I’m not really dressed to go in there,” said Felix, looking down at his scruffy jeans and sneakers.
“It’s alright,” said Mason. “I know the owner, and he doesn’t give a fuck.”
Felix couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on,” said Ryder. “Best to wait a while, so you know he’s gone.”
Felix shrugged, not sure what else to say.
Ryder smiled at him. God, how could someone be so fucking hot?
It wasn’t fair on the rest of the world, who could only consider themselves as secondary hotness at best. Once they were inside, they veered off from the main restaurant, which seemed to be packed out.
They walked down a corridor and re-entered the restaurant next to the bar, where Ryder guided Felix to a stool.
Mason and the other guy hadn’t followed them.
“What do you want to drink?”
He knew about this place but had never been in here before. It had a stylish yet contemporary vibe about it. The place was busy, but not with that loud chatter you got in a diner. Felix suspected dinner for two here would be more than a month’s rent. A drink would set him back as well.
“Just some water.”
“And if you don’t have to pay for the drink?”
“Vodka and tonic.”
Ryder smiled and ordered the drink, getting a dark rum and Coke for himself.
“So, you remember me, then?” asked Felix.
He wasn’t sure why he’d said that.
“Of course I remember you. Why do you ask?”
“Your agent said you didn’t remember me.”
“What? My agent? Did you call my agent?”
“Don’t worry. Nothing stalkerish. It was about my pride month role models exhibition.”
“I’m sorry . . . I don’t even know your name.”
“Felix.”
“Felix, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I spoke to your agent about this exhibition I’m doing for pride month about role models. A queer gallery is giving me an exhibition, and I’m going to take photos of thirty different LGBTQ+ role models and showcase them in June.”
“You think I’m a role model?”
“Well, yes. You don’t come from a privileged background. You’re a self-made success and you do something you’re passionate about. That’s inspiring to people.”
“So, what’s this about talking to my agent?”
“I asked her if you’d be interested in participating and mentioned we’d met at the wedding. Thought it might help.”
“What did she say?”
“She called me back a few hours later and said you didn’t remember meeting me and weren’t interested as the project didn’t align with your brand.”
Felix saw a flash of anger in Ryder’s eyes, then it was gone.
“I’ll do it.”
Felix’s jaw dropped.
“I have one condition.”
“Okay . . .”
“Relax, Felix,” he said, chuckling. “I just want to be the first of the month. Help you bring in the numbers. Oh, do you need any other role models?”
“Well, I need thirty in total.”
“How many have you got so far?”
“Well . . . just you, but I need to convince my friend Laura to do it. She’s a journalist, but she’s like me and was disowned by her family when she came out. She’s my role model anyway.”
Ryder beamed at him, gripped his shoulder, and stroked his arm. It felt like his entire body was on fire.
“She’d be perfect. What will convince her to do it?”
“You, probably. She said you’re the only guy she’d turn for.”
Ryder laughed out loud and touched Felix again. He needed to stop doing that, or he’d get hard and embarrass himself. He wasn’t sure why, but he couldn’t help but word vomit around Ryder. Normally, he would keep himself quiet, but he’d tell this man his darkest secrets if he asked.
“I might know a few others who’d like to get involved. Mason for one, although he’s a grump at this time of year, so that’ll be one to tackle in January.”
Felix smiled.
“Sebastian Steele, you heard of him?”
Felix nodded, keeping his runaway mouth closed.
“A few others as well who are self-made and have far better backstories than mine. My parents had little, but there were no issues when I came out. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
Ryder squeezed his shoulder again. This time Felix felt himself getting emotional, so he took a swig of his drink that had appeared, but he almost choked.
“How strong is this?”
“It’s a Ryder special.”
“What’s that? Get them so wasted they give in to your charms?”
“I don’t think I’ll need to get you wasted for you to give in to my charms,” said Ryder in his ear.
Felix’s entire body shuddered, causing Ryder to smile at him.
A year ago, he’d have pounced on Ryder and taken a long ride, but after Sam, he wanted romance, not a quick fuck.
Besides, the exhibition was more important than Felix getting dicked down.
He was going to have to be careful about keeping Ryder Quinn at arm’s length.