“Yes.” He patted his thighs. “Right. I’m ready. Let’s hit the town while we still have some cash.”
I checked the online banking app on my phone. “I’m not sure I do have the cash now. I still need to buy a round-trip train ticket.”
“Save yourself some money and get a one-way ticket.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you won’t be coming home when you get signed.”
I nudged his shoulder with mine. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’d need to come home to get my stuff and say goodbye.”
“True. Worry about getting a ticket home when you need it.”
“I won’t be earning any money while I’m down there. Oh fuck, how am I going to afford to pay for food for an entire month? Staying with your brother is one thing, but I can’t expect him to feed me too.” I pressed my hands to my face—carefully so I wouldn’t smudge my meticulously applied make-up. “Maybe five open calls in one month isn’t a sign at all.”
“It is.” Dillon put his arm around my shoulders. “I’ll pay for tonight.”
“I can’t—”
He squeezed me into a hug. “You can. What are friends for?”
“Not sponging off of.”
Dillon laughed. “You’re not sponging off me. I’m treating my best friend to a night out. As for making some more money, the twenty-four-hour petrol station is always short-staffed. Offer to do a few night shifts there before you go.”
“You have an answer for everything.”
“I know. I’m a genius.” Dillon stood and held out his hand. “Now, come on. I want to get laid tonight, and that won’t happen if we hang out here all night.”
“I love you too.” I accepted his hand and let him pull me up.
“You know I love you. I don’t want to screw you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
“I know. Which is why we’re such good friends.”
CHAPTERTWO
XANDER
“Slowly stretch. You don’t want to pull a muscle.”
I didn’t think for a second that my True Fans viewers were exercising unless they were working on their wrist action. But I’d built a following by doing nude fitness videos, which meant I had to give at least some instruction. I ensured I was facing the camera so everything was on show as I gently stretched out my hamstrings. When I decided to touch my toes to stretch my lower back, I turned around so my fans got an excellent view of my arse.
“And we’re done. It was fun working out with you all today. Same time tomorrow?” I winked at the camera, did a swaggering walk towards it, waved, and then turned it off.
I’d worked up quite a sweat during my routine, so I drank some water and dabbed myself with the towel. I was about to take a shower when my phone rang. It was my kid brother, Dillon. At twenty-one, he wasn’t a kid anymore, but I’d never stop calling him that.
“Hi, Dill. What’s up?” It was probably weird talking to my brother on the phone while I was naked, but what he didn’t know wouldn’t offend him.
“Are you free to talk?” Dillon asked.
“Yes. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine, but I have a favour to ask.”
“Sure. What do you need?” I’d do anything for my brother. I left home because our parents refused to support my dream of becoming a YouTuber. Sometimes I felt like I’d walked out on Dillon too, but that had never been my intention.
