Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
My heart gallops a million miles a second. I guess he’s not expecting an answer to that because he goes back to our table where Blake has returned with the actor beside him.
When we take our seats, Blake cuts off his conversation with him and looks at us. “You two go to the bathroom together now?”
“Safety in numbers?” I croak.
With anyone else, we’d be able to do the whole, oh we were doing coke, but not with Blake. Blake knows I don’t go near drugs. Ironically, because I didn’t want to develop an addiction. Now I’m sitting here wishing I could reach for Mason’s glass of scotch and down it.
I won’t, but I want to.
“Exactly. What if there was some fan lurking in the bathrooms ready to attack us?” Mason asks.
The actor laughs. “I’m Jordan.” He holds out his hand for me to shake and then Mason.
“Jordan Brooks. We know,” Mason says.
He’s midthirties, has brown hair with golden highlights, and his smile screams Hollywood actor. Blake has a similar one. Acting lessons 101: teaching good-looking guys how to smile properly.
“Man, that never gets old,” he says.
“What doesn’t?” Mason asks.
“When people know who I am. When celebrities know who I am.”
I remember what that’s like. That first year of hitting big is crazy. Jordan has been in a lot of small roles over the years—namely, he played the gay brother of a main character in some TV show I can’t remember the name of now—but he recently hit it big with a lead role in a rom-com.
“I’ve been in this town for fifteen years,” Jordan says. “Finally, I’m getting my big break. You guys need to convince Blake to do my movie. He’s reluctant because he’d have to kiss me, and apparently I’m not selling it when I tell him I’m a really good kisser.” He grins.
Blake rolls his eyes. “That’s not why I’m reluctant.”
“What’s the movie?” Mason asks.
“It’s a gay rom-com slash family drama,” Jordan says. “Think Brokeback Mountain but less depressing and more snarky. It’s going to be a mainstream, big-budget thing.”
I look at Blake, who downs what’s left of his drink. “Well, it will definitely be different to Coby Godspeed,” I point out.
“It might be too different,” Blake says. “Plus, a straight guy playing a gay dude? People are going to hate it. Why don’t they ask Matt Bomer?”
Jordan smirks. “Went with the only other gay actor you could think of, huh? Two gay leads would be ideal, I agree, but there’s no way Ben will allow it.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“He’d prefer it if I couldn’t fall for my co-star.”
Is he implying they’re … together?
“He never learned to share his toys.” He turns to Blake. “Just think about it. Ben’s gonna call your agent either way, and I know from experience that if you get in with Ben and make a good impression, he’ll look at you for casting in any of his other movies. I had a small role on Mercenary of Honor, and since then, my career has exploded. I’m getting offers across all genres.”
Blake’s lips purse in contemplation. “I’ll talk to my agent, but I think this could create more backlash than promote my career. I think it should go to a gay actor. Or bi. Or, just, someone who’s not another cis, straight white guy.”
Jordan seems unfazed by that. “It wouldn’t be completely horrible to show that straight guys can be comfortable in their sexuality. Think of what it could do for your bandmates who are totally hooking up but are still in the closet.”
Mason drops his drink, and it spills all over the table, but the glass doesn’t break.
“W-what?” He glares at Jordan.
“Ryley4Ever? Harley and Ryder are a thing?”
I let out a loud breath of relief. “Total fabrication.”
“No way? Really? I thought for sure those rumors were true. I have a weird six degrees of separation from Harley’s ex, Jay. So I thought …”
Wow, okay, so he really is in the Hollywood loop if he knows about Harley and Jay.
“Harley and Ryder were never a thing,” I say.
“Ah.” Jordan nods. “That rumor isn’t true, but the others about their sexuality are. Got it.”
“Did I say that?”
“Not in so many words.” Jordan stands. “Anyway, this was fun, but I should go. Nice to meet you two.” He turns to Blake. “Your people will hear from my people.”
He exits, and Blake watches him as he leaves.
“Maybe you should do the film,” I say to him.
“We’ll see what my agent says.”
I take out my phone to check the time and find a message from Harley. “Okay, I think we can call it a night.”
I turn the phone around so they can see:
You win this round, but this is far from over.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mason
I pull down my cap and adjust my sunglasses as I slink my way inside the restaurant and head for Cameron’s usual table.