Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Mike switched off the car engine and grabbed his bag from the passenger seat. Instead of getting out of the car, he sat there for a moment, staring up at ManFactory’s exterior. He was still fuming over that little shit’s review of his last scene.
Not many sites reviewed porn, but there were a few.
Most of them just published the stills and the abstract, but a few sites—one in particular—went further.
It didn’t matter that most of the industry hated the PornWatch blog.
That didn’t stop its one—and only—reviewer from coming out with the most incendiary reviews out there.
Oh, they brought in the readers, and they certainly helped bring up his ratings, but the whole blog was kind of the supermarket checkout line tabloid of the gay porn world.
That last review had been almost rabid. He’d sounded off about how poor the acting was.
The most entertaining thing about it all had been the comments.
One guy had actually written, “Er, excuse me? We are talking about porn, right? I don’t know about most of you guys out there, but I’m not watching it for the quality of the acting, and the performers certainly aren’t aiming for Academy awards. ”
Sitting there fuming about it wasn’t going to improve his mood.
Mike got out of the car, locked it, shouldered his bag, and walked across the parking lot to the main door. It was midday. He’d been ready to leave the house at eight thirty, and Paul’s phone call had caught him halfway out the door. Apparently there’d been a delay and they wanted him later.
What now? Something else to piss him off, no doubt.
He pushed open the glass door and walked up to the main desk. Paul glanced up and gave him a nervous smile, blinking rapidly. “Hey, Scott.” He handed over the clipboard. “Tony’s waiting for you in the prep room.”
That stopped him in his tracks. Tony normally gave him a while to get the paperwork done and talk through the scene before wanting to see him.
“Is Troy there too?” Mike knew Troy Rosen of old.
Working with him was always a lot of fun, and Mike had been pleased when ManFactory had sent him the e-mail a couple of weeks ago, informing him of their scene together.
Troy was a real power bottom and something of a rarity in the industry—his husband was also a porn actor.
The couple were often interviewed about their life in the spotlight.
Lately they’d been the focus of an online hate campaign, conducted in the full glare of social media.
Troy’s husband, Carl, had reached out to their thousands of fans, and they’d received an overwhelming amount of support.
They were quickly becoming the most well-known gay couple on the Internet.
Mike often wondered what their secret was. Both of them working in the industry might’ve had something to do with it, he supposed, but they’d clearly found a way that worked for them. Whatever it was, Mike sure envied them. You only had to look at photos of the couple to see they were in love.
What I’d give to find someone who looks at me the way they look at each other.
Paul rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, Scott, there’s been a change. It’s all on the documentation.” The phone rang, cutting short the conversation. Paul took the call, giving Mike an apologetic glance.
A change? Mike walked through the main area of the studio, skirting the sets where scenes were already being filmed, and into the prep room.
Tony was nowhere to be seen. Mike shrugged off his jacket and sat down at the table to read through his notes.
One look at the name on the sheet was enough to make him groan out loud.
“Aww, crap.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat behind him made him straighten and turn around. Tony Ford stood in the doorway.
“I take it you’ve read the notes.” His expression was decidedly unhappy. “Look, I know this is short notice, but—”
Mike didn’t bother trying to hide his disappointment.
“Chad Bone? Really?” It was bad enough that in the—almost—four months since he’d arrived at ManFactory, Chad had managed to prove all Mike’s predictions true.
Despite his relatively short time at the studio, he’d quickly become one of their most popular actors.
It seemed like he was performing in two out of every five scenes that ManFactory put out.
No, what made matters worse was the reputation Chad was already gaining in the community.
He’d bottomed—twice—and made such a song and dance about it that the company now paid him twice the going rate every time he did it.
There was no denying the boy was the proverbial goose, but Mike was certain one of these days it was gonna backfire on ManFactory, and that egg sure wouldn’t be made of gold.
That one was gonna stink to high heaven.
Quickly, Mike scanned the scene notes. “Shit.” Chad was topping.
“I know you’re not happy about working with Chad,” Tony began, “but—”
“Not happy?” Mike growled. “I hear the stories, okay? You think you’re doing a good job of keeping a lid on it, Tony, but word gets around. The kid’s a homophobic little asshole and a nightmare to work with.” He fixed Tony with a steely gaze. “Go on, tell me I’m wrong.”
Tony came into the room and pushed the door shut behind him. “I’m sorry, okay? This wasn’t my decision.” He pulled out a chair and sat down, head in his hands.
“Huh? But you’re the director.”
Tony let out a sigh that was so heavy, Mike almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
“Well, that’s as may be, but it seems the management wants to give Chad a lot of exposure. They’ve been giving him scenes with all the more experienced guys.” He shrugged. “It’s their company. What am I supposed to say?”
Mike knew he had a point. He dropped the clipboard onto the table and shook his head. “Is he here yet?”
Tony nodded. “He’s in the shower. Make sure you’re good ’n’ prepared, Scott. Kid’s got a helluva dick on him. We’re talking nine inches. And thick.”
Mike snorted. “Yeah, I read that in his profile. Wasn’t sure if I believed it or not, but….” He gave a halfhearted smile. “After all, they got me down as six feet tall.”
Tony barked out a laugh. “Oh, they got it right. Chad’s equipment is very… impressive.” He got up from the table. “I’ll let you get ready, okay? And Scott… play nice, all right?”
Mike opened his eyes wide. “Why, whatever can you mean?” He attempted a look of pure innocence.
Tony bit his lip. “Yeah, that’s funny. No, I mean it. You’ve got a reputation around here too, y’know. You’re a shoot-from-the-hip kinda guy. It wouldn’t do to ruffle anyone’s feathers, if you catch my drift.” He went to the door and paused. “You hearing me?”
Mike nodded. “I hear ya.” He picked up the clipboard. “Just give me a few minutes to read this thoroughly, and then I’ll be in the shower too.” He arched his eyebrows. “Mustn’t keep His Highness waiting.”
Tony shook his head. “You’re playing with fire, Scott. Just be careful you don’t get burned.” He exited the room, leaving Mike staring at the door.
This was not going to be fun.
“Okay, let’s take a break before the penetration scene,” Tony called out.
Chad was off the bed and onto his iPhone in seconds. Mike watched him walk aimlessly around the studio, eyes down, focused on the screen, thumbs flying as he messaged… whoever. His cock pointed the way, bobbing gently. Not that anyone could miss it.
Damn, he’s big. Tony hadn’t been kidding. Mike had bitten back a smirk when he’d laid eyes for the first time on a naked Chad. That skinny butt was furless after all, as was the rest of him.
“I think that’s our next evolutionary step,” Seb, the cameraman, said with a grin.
“Huh?” Mike got up from the bed and walked to the small couch, where he’d left his bag containing the dildo.
A last minute bit of stretching wouldn’t go amiss.
Mike lubed up the dildo, the biggest one he had with him, and then lay on his back, knees to his chest, and slid it home.
He breathed out, letting his muscles relax.
It didn’t help that he’d been tense throughout the scene so far.
Okay, so his initial mood had been lousy, but Chad had certainly played his part too.
Mike closed his eyes, trying to inject a calm he didn’t feel.
“I said, I think that’s our next evolutionary step,” Seb repeated, crouching next to him. “We’re all gonna have this bend in our necks, just for looking at our phones.” He chuckled. “I think Chad is surgically attached to his.”
Mike fought hard not to growl at the mention of his name. “Can we talk about something else?” he said through gritted teeth.
Seb peered at him. “Yeah, I can understand why you’re pissed.
I would be too, if I had someone speak to me the way he did to you.
” He shook his head. “But it’s not you, you know that, right?
He’s like that with everyone he does a scene with.
” Seb scowled. “Little bastard’s just plain rude, if you ask me. ”
Mike groaned. “Seb, I’m trying to get into the right mind-set for this, and sorry, dude, but you’re not helping.”
Seb flushed. “Aw, sorry, Scott. I’ll leave you alone, okay? See you in a few.” He rose to his feet quickly and left Mike on the couch. Mike closed his eyes.
Just think of something else. Anything.