Chapter Twenty
Mikey
Aaron hadn’t said anything about the previous evening, despite how an outside observer would have found it strange that my roommate assessed my cock. I was relieved that he wasn’t behaving differently either, though. As soon as we were awake, he had begun joking and teasing as he always had.
I had hoped he would begin strutting around naked in our room as he had indicated he might, but he had still closed the bathroom door to shower and had emerged fully dressed. So, I did the same when it was my turn.
The fact that I had been wishing for a different level of intimacy troubled me.
Aaron was fine with the nudity because it didn’t mean anything to him.
My motives weren’t as innocent. Even though Aaron knew I found him attractive, and maybe even believed I would want to have sex with him, I felt guilty and embarrassed about it.
I would have thought that by now, I would have begun to view him more like a brother.
Maybe if he did start parading around naked, I’d become bored and be able to put him in the ‘friend with no sex appeal box’ once and for all.
And perhaps I’ll win a lottery jackpot even though I never buy a ticket.
The one thing that had helped me stop obsessing over Aaron was Cliff Walker.
From the first moment I had seen him, I thought he was one of the most incredible looking men alive.
The odd thing was, Cliff wouldn’t normally be my type.
I couldn’t recall ever having been attracted to a guy who had rippling muscles, a massive hairy chest, and a smoldering face that would probably scare me if he ever became angry with me.
But he was so handsome. Then learning how Cliff was kind and thoughtful made the whole package work for me.
I had fantasies about him pinning me down with his strong arms, mesmerizing me with his intense gaze as I submitted to him.
Perhaps Aaron had been right about me being a bottom, because every image I had of sex with Cliff was of him taking me with what appeared to be his massive cock.
Envisioning life with Cliff outside the bedroom raised doubts, though.
I couldn’t imagine his friends or his mother ever believing Cliff couldn’t have done better—someone better looking, more rugged, more sophisticated, more successful.
And I worried about his lifestyle. I couldn’t imagine being waited on all the time by his staff, right down to having my clothes handed to me each day.
Then there’d be life in his mansion. Despite all the toys, it felt remote and isolating.
Even if I wasn’t the most sociable person, I still enjoyed the energy of people around me and the ability to observe their actions.
Considering my job was not terribly exciting, I couldn’t imagine what I’d discuss with Cliff at the end of each day.
I wondered if he and I could ever have the kind of rapport I have with Aaron, where he’d make me laugh and wouldn’t be offended by my darker humor.
The good thing about having uncertainties was that I could lean into those if Cliff chose Brighton or someone else instead.
I’d be able to rationalize it was for the best. And the bonus would be there’d be no impact to my friendship with Aaron—at least until he met someone who would push me out of his life.
And that thought had me back to hoping I would be chosen by Cliff.
I didn’t want to end up alone. Despite concerns I had, I was sure Cliff would do everything he could to make the man he chose happy.
And I’d push past my own petty worries and try to do the same for him.
I became more determined to impress Cliff during the last challenge today.
“Gentlemen, it’s hard to believe we’re nearly through the week,” Cliff announced from the podium they had set up in front of a dilapidated house on Fern Street.
“Each of you has so much to offer, but tomorrow, I must choose the man I wish to date going forward. Which means this challenge is the last opportunity we have to learn more about each other.”
There was a crowd of White Pines citizens gathered around us, but the contestants, camera crew, and director were closest to Cliff. Aaron was to my left, and Dani was to my right.
“We could have learned more about each other by having an orgy back at his mansion,” Dani complained loud enough that only I caught what he said, apparently.
“Shh,” I warned him. I didn’t want to miss the instructions for the challenge.
“What? I didn’t say anything,” Aaron replied.
Even though I hadn’t heard everything Cliff said, I gathered he had brought us to this site to help with the renovations that the house was undergoing.
“The man I choose to be with needs to share my passion for helping those less fortunate,” Cliff continued. “For me, that’s more than donating money—though that’s part of it if we’re blessed with the ability to do so.”
“I guess Brighton had better get ready to whip out his…checkbook,” Aaron snickered. “If he gets chosen tomorrow, that is.”
“Quiet,” I whispered. “Most of us have the ability to donate our time and, in this case, our muscles,” Cliff added. “And no, this isn’t where I announce the men will be stripping for cash from the crowd.”
That elicited laughter from the audience.
“Damn. That would have been awesome,” Dani griped.
My reaction was to exhale with relief.
“If we slip twenties into the briefs, could we change your mind?” a woman from the crowd shouted, earning more chuckles.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Lake,” Cliff called out cheerily. “But by muscles, I meant I and the contestants will be helping our mayor, Adam Tilson, who happens to be a fine construction expert as well, spend a few hours renovating this building.”
“Cool,” Aaron said.
I saw looming disaster.
“We’ll work alongside the fine folks from Help with Homes who’ve already begun some of the interior demolition. We’ll be given assignments to assist in their progress to bring this house back to its former glory so it can be given to a local family in need,” Cliff explained.
The crowd applauded, then Mayor Tilson walked to the podium to join Cliff.
“Good morning, everyone,” Adam greeted. “Although each of the contestants is here to impress Cliff, I want to stress participation is voluntary. You may opt out, and I encourage you to do so if you have any health issues or fears of injury. There are other things you can do to be of assistance, like bringing the workers bottles of water, taking pictures for our community message board, or just cheering folks on. If you do decide to help in the renovation process, you must sign a consent form and put on the proper protective gear. Most importantly, follow instructions from me and our friends from Help with Homes to ensure your safety.”
“I call dibs on taking the pictures,” Dani said to me.
“Mikey, you should ask to hand out water to people,” Aaron advised. “Don’t feel pressured. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I scowled. “I’m not helpless.”
He appeared unconvinced. “Have you ever done any kind of construction work?”
“Yes,” I replied. Lego construction.
Aaron shrugged. “Fine. Stay close to me.”
“Why? Do you need my protection?” I teased.
He looked surprised, then he chuckled. “Fucker. And yeah, maybe. I haven’t done this kind of stuff since I was a teenager. You watch my back, and I’ll watch yours.”
“Thanks, but I kind of want to make sure Cliff is the one watching me work. This is the last chance I have to win him over,” I explained.
Aaron frowned, and I worried I might have implied I didn’t care about his safety.
“I’ll try to do both. Maybe we can find a spot where we’re close to what Cliff is doing? ”
Aaron still seemed put out by my remark. “Sure.”
After we had signed the paperwork, it was clear that Dani was the only one of the contestants who had opted not to work on construction. In fairness to him, he was a bit on the dainty side. I questioned whether he had the strength to lift anything heavy.
“Mr. Mayor, is there any reason the boys need to work with shirts on?” Marv asked. “It will drive up viewership if we can tease promos for the show with shots of naked chests and biceps flexing.”
“It’s dirty work,” Mayor Tilson replied.
Marv grinned. “All the better.”
The mayor looked around, seeming uncertain what to do. “I guess, if anyone wants to. But everyone must keep on a construction helmet, safety glasses, protective gloves, and the steel-toed boots we provided.”
Daryl was already stripping off his shirt.
Aaron saw that, then started lifting his, too. He glanced at me as if I had asked him what he was doing. “If Daryl is the only one shirtless, he gets an edge. I don’t want to see that douchebag win. Besides, this jersey is one of my prized possessions. I don’t want to ruin it.”
The T-shirt had a picture of a bulldog sitting on a toilet, smoking a cigar and reading a newspaper.
“Yeah. Now fashion designers will be able to watch the show without worry,” I quipped.
Aaron rolled the shirt up and placed it on the nearby table. Trying not to admire his body was fruitless. He was gorgeous. I removed my own shirt, figuring the viewers wouldn’t care, providing I didn’t block the view of the better-looking guys.
The two of us glanced Brighton’s way, just as he took off his shirt.
“Damn,” Aaron muttered. “The guy has it going on.”
“I told you,” I reminded him. “He looks thirty-four or so at most. And he’s probably considered one of the most handsome men in the world.”
Aaron sneered. “Don’t start falling for him now, too.”
I was surprised by the conclusion he reached. “I’m not. I’m just saying, you were so quick to dismiss the one who’s probably the strongest contender just because of his age. He’s showing you that forty can outperform twenty-seven.”
“Doubtful. Not in the bedroom, anyway. And likely not when it comes to the stamina needed for construction.” Aaron flexed his biceps with a grin.