Chapter 10 #2
My heart stutters at his admission. I wasn’t sure if he had felt the chemistry between us as strongly as I did on that shoot, and the confirmation settles something inside me that I hadn’t realized was displaced.
“It didn’t for me either, but that’s not always the case.
Even jobs you love begin to feel like work at times. ”
He sighs and picks at the last bit of his food, looking contemplative. "I guess I just got lucky for my first one then. I wish they could all be like that.”
“What if I go to the next one with you?” The idea is out of my mouth before I have time to think it through.
“I mean, like, film it. Not just stand around and watch. Although, I mean, I guess that’s fine too, if that’s what you’re into.
” Holy fuck, I can’t stop talking. “But maybe you’d feel a little more relaxed if you knew someone was there to direct you if needed.
I know Nathan didn’t direct us much, but maybe it helped just knowing he was there.
So, like…I could do that. If you want. Or not, it’s fine either way. ”
Riley immediately perks up at the suggestion. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Of course. If it would help. I mean, that’s what friends do.
” I’m trying for nonchalant, casually collecting our garbage and acting busy by cleaning up, so I don’t have to look at him.
The pounding of my heart in my ears is so loud that I worry he might hear it.
I think what’s going on between us is friendship, but since I have no experience in that department, I could be reading the situation all wrong.
Which, if that’s the case, I’ll immediately pretend I’m sick and kick him out and then throw my phone away and live as a shut-in for the rest of my life.
The embarrassment of his telling me I’ve got it all wrong might be the death of me.
“That would be amazing, actually,” he sighs in relief, dropping onto the barstool. “Are you sure you’re not sick of me yet?”
“I’m sure,” I laugh. “Now pull up your messages and let’s see who we have to pick from.”
As he scrolls through dozens of messages, my gut sours.
It feels weird to be looking at other potential partners for Riley.
Maybe I should have just suggested we collab together again instead.
But that wouldn’t get him any new exposure, and I’m probably just being ridiculous.
Maybe it was the sandwich. Maybe I need a drink.
“I’ve had three guys reach out to me, and one girl asking if I’m bi,” he announces, popping a potato chip into his mouth. “Sorry, girlie, poles and holes only here.”
I shake my head at him with a chuckle. “Who are the guys?”
“Umm…someone called TopKing, Kody with a K, and another guy named Santiago.”
Frowning, I mull the options over. TopKing is a no, he’s an arrogant asshole and not someone I’d ever work with or suggest Riley work with.
Kody might be alright, but he doesn’t have a very big reach.
He seems to mostly do videos for some extra cash on the side when he needs it, so I don’t think he’s a great option.
I haven’t heard of anyone named Santiago.
“I’m not sure about any of them for you,” I muse, pulling out my own phone and checking my contacts.
Maybe there’s someone I’ve worked with before that would be available and a better fit.
After a minute of scrolling, I run across the perfect match. “Got him,” I say, snapping my fingers and passing my phone over to show Riley the photo.
“Holy shiznit, that’s the prettiest man I’ve ever seen,” Riley gapes.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Shiznit? What the fuck is that?”
He laughs and flicks a potato chip in my direction, which bounces off the counter and is gobbled up by Aggie before it even hits the floor.
“Don’t make fun of me! We weren’t allowed to swear growing up so my sister and I came up with creative alternatives sometimes.
It’s hard to break the habit. I don’t really swear much. ”
I smirk. “Except when you’re getting railed on a massage table.”
One corner of his mouth curls up into a seductive little grin. “That’s right, babe.” He winks, and I think all of my insides just melted. “So who is this guy?”
“That’s Dante. He stays pretty busy because, well, he looks like that, but we go way back to my studio days.
” Riley isn’t wrong; Dante is probably one of the prettiest men alive, with his golden eyes, full lips, and long, silky black hair that always seems to be cascading around his shoulders in waves like he’s in a goddamn shampoo commercial.
His androgynous look and air of absolute confidence even has straight guys turning their heads.
“Thirty-five, bi, and a very considerate top. He’ll treat you really well.
He’s got about half a million followers by now, so working with him would cast a nice, wide net for you. ”
“Hey, if you’re vouching for him, that’s good enough for me. So how do I do this? Do I just message him and hope for the best?”
“Let me text him,” I say, already in the middle of typing it out. “We might have to wait a few weeks to get on his schedule, but we’ll see what he says.”
The message shows that it’s been read almost as soon as I hit send, and I only have to wait a minute more before he hits me back.
I pump my fist in the air when I read the reply.
“He says he’s in. He’s pretty booked, but he had something fall through, and he’s free three weeks from now. What do you say?”
Riley grins. “I say let’s do it.”