Chapter 4
Harvey
I take in my reflection in the mirror for the millionth time. A red-and-black flannel, sleeves rolled up to my elbows, with a black T-shirt underneath, jeans, boots. Hair washed, pulled into a ponytail. Beard trimmed and oiled.
Simple. Clean. Fine.
So why are my palms sweating and my heart racing like I'm flipping a car at high speed before pulling myself free.
That used to be one of my signature moves back in my stunt double days.
That, and the multi-story precision fall.
If you needed someone to drop from a second or third story, hit an awning, then roll cleanly to their feet and continue the chase, I was the guy you'd call.
"This isn't even a date," I mutter to myself, feeling stupid for getting this worked up over a simple dinner with Zak and his…Jack.
That doesn't tell me what they are to each other, but it does safely rule out them being related by blood. Least I hope it does.
My cock stirs to life behind the zipper of my jeans as I imagine what they'd look like together. I frown and bite my lip. It's none of my business what the nature of their relationship is, and it's entirely inappropriate to be fantasizing about them in any capacity.
They're just being nice and saying thanks for helping them move their car this morning. That's it. One dinner, and then I'll probably never see them again.
I glance at my reflection again and suck in my gut. Then, because I’m annoyingly human and need to breathe, I exhale. The world might see me as a child-scaring brute, but inside, I'm filled with insecurity and self-doubt about my appearance.
I don't want to be gawked at or make people feel intimidated by my very presence. Just once in my life, I'd like to be seen for who I am, not the giant freak the world sees.
I shake my head and start toward the front door, grabbing the bottle of wine I had to go into town for since same-day delivery isn't a thing around here. One quick dinner, and then I'll retreat home and get back to feeling sorry for myself.
"That is fucking insane!" Zak exclaims, unable to conceal his excitement.
He cooked a delicious dinner—a slow-roasted chicken with crispy skin, lemon, and herbs, served with buttery potatoes and tender green beans—and when it was time for dessert—an assortment of cupcakes including, yes, mango cardamom—Jack suggested we sit out on the back porch since it's so nice out.
They asked me what I did for a living, so I've been telling them about my days as a Hollywood stunt double. Turns out, they're both huge action movie fans and are familiar with a lot of the movies I worked on.
"You had a wicked career, man."
"I did, yeah," I say, helping myself to another cupcake even though it's going to put even more of a strain on my already tight jeans waistband. "What about you guys? What do you do for work?"
Jack visibly stiffens, his eyes locking on Zak.
Zak clears his throat. "Guess."
"Hmm. Plumber?"
They both chuckle. "Why do we always get that?" Jack muses, like he's not expecting Zak to answer.
"We, uh, run a film production company, actually."
"What sort of films? Anything I might have heard of?"
They exchange another look, longer this time, silently communicating something I can’t begin to guess.
"Forget it. I'm sorry," I say. "I don't mean to pry."
One bad reaction could've been a coincidence, two isn't. I've overstepped somehow. Note to self: avoid this topic from now on.
"No, you're fine," Zak says slowly, his eyes on Jack, gauging his reaction I'd guess.
Jack sinks back into the chair and shakes his head. "It's fine. Tell him. I don't mind."
"You sure?" Zak checks, and when Jack nods, he turns to me. "We own an adult content film company. We make porn."
"While you're at it, tell him the rest," Jack says, a tone in his voice I can't place. It's slightly agitated but also…defeated? Which doesn't make much sense.
"We also performed," Zak adds. "We quit on-camera work about ten years ago, but with the internet, it's still out there."
Both of them are staring at me like hawks, almost as if they're watching for any sign of disdain or disapproval. Little do they know that as someone who gets gawked at every single time he steps outside his house, I'm the last person to judge anyone.
"That's cool. I have a few friends who worked for some of the big porn studios back in the day. Lighting and rigging mainly."
Zak brightens, clearly relieved, but Jack is still assessing me carefully, not ready to relinquish his suspicions. Sensing his sensitivity, I change the topic. "How long are you guys planning on staying for?"
"A few weeks," Zak replies and starts telling me about how they plan on doing as little as possible, that he wants closure on dealing with Esme's passing, and that Jack needs to unwind because he works too much.
I can already tell Zak is the more gregarious of the two. He's high energy, jumps from topic to topic in a completely nonlinear way, and laughs easily. And loudly.
Jack is much more guarded. Even before the work conversation came up, he hung back. He could be like me in that he needs to know someone better before he feels safe opening up to them.
Both are intriguing in their own ways, and both are severely testing my will to not let my fantasies get the better of me. Two hot former porn stars have moved in next door for a few weeks. Tell me that's not a plot lifted straight from a porno.
"Oh my god, that reminds me." Zak shoots to his feet. I don't know what 'that' he's referring to because he was just telling Jack about a lake they need to check out while they're here. He races into the house.
Jack leans over, a small smile on his lips. "I'd say sorry about him, but this is who he is."
"That's okay. I like him." Our eyes meet, and a jolt of heat flares in my chest. "I like you both. You're both very different."
"We sure are."
"Check these out!"
Zak dumps a bunch of board game boxes on the table between Jack and me.
"I used to stay up late and play games with Grandma every Friday night whenever I visited.
" His eyes fly to Jack, and they have some sort of silent communication, which ends with Jack giving a slight nod.
"What are you doing this Friday, Harvey? "