Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Hey,” I find myself saying as Gary sits beside me, going through my laptop.
“Yeah?” he replies without looking at me.
“Are you sure you’re cool with me doing the show?”
Gary whips his head around so he’s facing me. Yeah, I get it. The question makes unease slither beneath my skin. It sounds an awful lot like something someone in a real relationship would say.
“I don’t have the right to say whether you can or can’t do something. Especially if I’m…wait. Are you saying you’re not comfortable with me doing it? You brought it up.”
“No…fuck no.” He winces and I groan. “Not like that. You’re sexy as fuck, Gary. Stop trying to hide it. Show the world how fucking hot you are. You deserve it. And I also want to see Peter lose his head.” I sit up straighter. “I just know things are a little different with you…because of what Peter did and I want to make sure my doing the show won’t make you feel like you look bad.” See? Look at me trying not to be a pushy bastard.
“Oh.” He cocks his head slightly. “That’s…that’s really nice of you, Travis.”
What the fuck? I grab a pillow and swat him with it. “You don’t have to sound so surprised. I am a nice guy, you know.”
“Do I sound surprised?” He laughs and I roll my eyes at him. I like it when Gary lets loose like this.
“Fucker,” I tell him. “If you’re good, I’ll be real nice to your ass a little later. Now, let’s pick some of these guys.”
First, we make a Facebook page for the event. Then we go through profiles of some of the men we both know. We make a list of people we think would want to participate in the fundraiser and send out a few messages, link them to the page and ask them to share it. When we’re finished, Gary closes the laptop but leaves it where it’s sitting. “What was wrong with you earlier? You didn’t sound right when we first spoke.”
Oh fuck. This is the last thing I want to do. I wink at him. “Oh, you think you know me so well now, huh? Just a minute on the phone with me and you know my mood? What about you? Are you sure you’re okay with doing the show? I know you’ll be great, but how do you feel about it?”
He huffs. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Always change the subject when I ask a serious question. It sounds like you’re deflecting.”
Jesus fucking Christ. “I don’t know, doctor. It must have something to do with my scarred childhood.” Turning, I go to get out of the bed, but Gary grabs ahold of my arm.
“I thought we had become friends.” There’s an innocence to his voice that does something to my insides—twists them up and pries my mouth open.
“We are.” I sigh and sit back against his headboard again. “It’s nothing. You’re making a big deal about nothing. I had lunch with my brothers. Martin is planning on proposing to his girlfriend at her birthday party. He wants me to go, which means I’ll be in the same room as my parents. It’s a shitty idea because to them I’m an abomination and an embarrassment, but Martin won’t take no for an answer. I was in a shitty mood and wanted to talk to you is all.”
I cross my arms and stare at him. A kaleidoscope of different emotions flashes around in his eyes.
“Oh, fuck. Don’t do that. Don’t start to feel sorry for me or romanticize me. I’m not some kicked puppy who is heartbroken due to family issues. If you’re going to feel anything about me right now, I’d rather it be desire. I don’t know…blow me or something.”
“Oh my God.” Gary rolls his eyes at me, but I can see the amusement on his face. “I’m not romanticizing you, and I sure as shit don’t see you as a puppy—though puppy play sounds fun. I’d be a real obedient puppy.”
I cock a brow at him. He never ceases to surprise me. “I’m sure you would be.”
“I was just thinking about how shitty life and family can be…and that you never really know what people are dealing with. You’re gorgeous and confident.”
“Keep going.” I smile, and it earns me one from him.
“Conceited, too. But I guess I never imagined you dealing with shit like that, which is stupid—I realize that—but it’s true. And I guess I’m surprised you called me when you felt that way.”
Yeah…yeah, I am too. “Well, you are my fake boyfriend. I should get some benefits out of that.”
He frowns. “What? My ass isn’t enough?”
“Superass is definitely enough.” We both laugh and Gary sets the laptop on the nightstand. He changes positions so his whole body is now facing me. It’s strange, sitting here with him like this. Talking with him like this. I sure as shit never saw this coming when I woke up in his bed—hell, not even when we started this stupid farce. “What’s your biggest sexual fantasy?” I ask him.