Chapter Twelve
Mikey
The contestants were supposed to reconvene in the dining room to be filmed having a group dinner. I opted to head back to my room. I couldn’t bear the thought of another embarrassing scene.
I had made it as far as the bottom of the staircase when Aaron came jogging after me.
“I don’t want anything to eat,” I called out to him before he could try to coax me back.
He closed the distance between us. “Mikey, don’t let that moron win by shutting you out of the communal activities.”
I shook my head. “I don’t care about winning anymore, Aaron. I just want to go home.”
Aaron grabbed the back of my neck and drew me to him before wrapping his arms around me.
Though he and I had cuddled many times, and he’d often put an arm over my shoulder, it was the first time he’d hugged me.
I figured it might make him uncomfortable and that he was doing it only out of sympathy, so I began to pull back. He embraced me harder.
“I’m sorry, Mikey. I shouldn’t have pushed so hard for you to be on this show. I just knew you really liked this Cliff guy, and I believed—and still do—that he might select you. I didn’t want you to be miserable in the process.”
I relaxed into his arms, relieved that at least he wasn’t ashamed to be seen with me. “Thank you for defending me in the kitchen,” I whispered. “I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had laughed, too. I’m such an idiot.”
“No, you’re not,” Aaron refuted. “You panicked because of what that asshole did. And hey, at least if you don’t ever sleep with Cliff Walker, you can tell everyone you creamed all over him.”
Now I did step back so I could place a hand over my face. “God, why was I still squeezing the bag at that point?”
“Or placing it in front of your crotch like a second dick,” Aaron added with a chuckle.
Despite my misery, I joined in his laughter. “I didn’t think I could outdo the drunk scene. I’ll need to move out of the country.”
“Nah.” He rested a hand on my shoulder. “People will love you. You’ll be all over social media. Maybe you’ll even become the viewer favorite now.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Because I make them laugh by doing stupid stuff?”
“Sure,” he agreed.
“Great,” I mumbled.
“Mikey, everyone can relate to doing dumb things when they’re stressed or nervous, and when they want something so bad. You’ll also get the sympathy votes because Daryl messed with your tool…”
“Huh?”
“The bag,” Aaron clarified. “Well, in your case, your tool’s double.”
“Please. I wish I was that big, or could shoot that much,” I complained.
Aaron laughed. “I don’t think you’d look good with a giant, veiny cock. It wouldn’t suit you.”
I jerked my head back. “Who said it had to be veiny? And stop picturing my junk.”
“You’re the one who brought it up…figuratively, I mean,” he pointed out.
“I wonder if I could get out of the contract somehow.”
Aaron grabbed my upper arms and pressed his forehead to mine.
“Don’t leave, Mikey. I’m only here because of you.
And how would I play out my excuse of falling for you if you’re not here for it to happen?
I’d have to pretend the whole time that I’m into Cliff, then be humiliated when he chooses one of the losers over me. ”
I thought about that and realized Aaron was right. “Yeah, that would mess things up. But the others aren’t losers. They’re all better looking than I am.”
“To hell they are. Now you’re being stupid,” he chastised. “If you stick around and everyone sees me falling for you, think of how high your stock will rise.”
I snickered. “Conceited much?”
“Hey, gentlemen, the crew is waiting for you,” James announced, suddenly a few feet away from us with the cameraman filming from behind him.
Aaron and I stepped away from each other quickly, realizing our semi-embrace was being captured for viewers to see.
“Okay, thanks. We’ll be right there,” I called out. I turned to Aaron. “That nosey camera guy caught us doing something that can be twisted…”
“Let people make something more of it,” Aaron suggested.
“Maybe it’s not too early to sow the seeds that I’m falling for you.
Think about it. People will have seen my outrage at how my roommate was treated.
Then, it’s natural that I would have come to check on you.
In a vulnerable moment, we became more intimate.
Suddenly, my brain realizes I want some Mikey butt. It all plays into our plan.”
I scowled. “Mikey butt?”
He shrugged. “Well yeah, I’m not going to pretend I’m the bottom.”
“I thought you said there’s nothing shameful about that,” I reminded him.
He laughed. “There isn’t. It just makes sense that if I suddenly felt a gay urge, I’d be more interested in pounding your little tushy than begging for your fuck meat.”
“Man, you always go to the gutter. And you don’t need to talk about either. Just focus on the romance part,” I snapped.
“Fine. But if I start shooting heart memes your way, try not to get swept up in the fantasy,” he teased.
“Please. If viewers think I’m falling for you, too, they’ll conclude I’m nuts after all,” Ireplied.
Aaron reached back for my shoulder, but this time, it was to squeeze it, making me squirm away with a grimace.
“Come on. Let’s go to the dining room before Cliff’s obvious annoyance with Daryl gets redirected at us,” he suggested, pulling me toward his side before we made our way down the hall.
* * * *
Other than Daryl, the contestants behaved like nothing crazy had happened during the cake-decorating challenge.
In fact, when Aaron and I entered the dining room, most of the men were chatting amongst themselves and either ignored us or simply nodded a greeting.
Daryl glared at Aaron, though he seemed too ashamed by what he’d done to make eye contact with me.
Cliff, however, smiled and pointed to two chairs they had left vacant for me and Aaron.
“We’re going to begin filming, gentlemen,” Marv announced. “As the camera crew makes their rounds during your dinner, please try to make interesting television. No small talk about the weather or the quality of the food.”
“What are we supposed to discuss?” Ted asked. “How about sports?”
Marv turned up a lip. “I don’t think viewers of His Choice will be waiting with bated breath to hear your views on the Red Sox’s chances of making it to the World Series this year.
I believe something more along the lines of how fantastic Cliff looks, things you’d like to do with him romantically or sexually… ”
“Seriously?” Cliff asked, alarmed.
“Yes, seriously,” Marv replied. “You do remember the point of the show, right?”
Cliff frowned but refrained from arguing the point.
Brighton seemed to notice and empathize with Cliff’s discomfort. “Perhaps we could discuss the challenge we just completed.”
I didn’t love that idea, considering it would refocus everyone’s attention on my disaster.
“So you can all criticize me some more?” Daryl questioned uncomfortably.
Marv held up a hand before anyone could respond.
“If any of you wish to trash mouth other contestants, go for it. You’re all being too polite, with the exception of Daryl, and that’s making for dull viewing.
Also, if there’s another contestant that floats your boat, feel free to have a fling that only the viewers and camera crew know about. We need more drama, boys.”
“Mikey’s good at creating that,” Dani pointed out. I shrunk in my chair. That said a lot coming from someone so theatrical.
“Until Daryl’s antics, his mess-ups have been the only thing that’s made this show worth watching,” Marv replied. “Okay, start eating and conversing, and make sure you don’t hold up your hands or tilt your heads in ways that block the camera view of others. Ready? Quiet on the set! Action!”
Marv could ream me later, but I was not going to say a word. I started to eat my salad, hoping the others would be happy to steal some of the attention for a change.
“Cliff, who would you say won the challenge?” Emilio asked from the corner of the room.
I had forgotten that Cliff was supposed to declare a victor after each challenge, and that individual would get to spend one-on-one time with the bachelor himself.
I put my money on Brighton, based on Cliff’s reaction.
Though he had been impressed by Aaron’s project, I couldn’t see our host wasting time with the man he already knew was straight.
As for myself, I was just glad there wasn’t a punishment for who came in last. I would probably have had to clean all the dishes.
Cliff looked around the table, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Well, this is tougher than I imagined it would be. I was quite impressed overall.”
“Yeah, Ted’s ode to a slab of mold and Mikey’s orgasmic frosting fiasco had me enthralled,” Daryl commented with his usual smirk.
I flushed. Ted didn’t seem fazed, though.
Cliff held up a hand. “I feel effort and intent matter as much as execution.” The room went silent. “I’ve already shared my views with each of you. While I was grateful for your kind and flattering sentiments, there were two or three that really had an emotional impact on me.”
Daryl pointed at Alex to get his attention. “I guess that rules you out, Martha Stewart.”
“Why is he referring to Alex as George Washington’s wife?” Dani wondered aloud.
Cliff cleared his throat. “As I was saying, I’ll recognize those that resonated the most.” He turned toward my roommate.
“Aaron, your beautifully built home was magnificent. I can’t believe you constructed it in twenty minutes.
You’re obviously very intelligent and have an eye for detail.
The message you communicated was just what I hope you all are feeling…
that this could be a chance to build a home with someone. ”
Aaron smiled, and for once, I thought he appeared more shy than cocky.
“So, is Aaron your winner?” Emilio asked.