“True. Is it crazy to think we might be Hollywood’s next power couple? Like Diego and Holly but super-duper gay?”
He pats my hand. “We’re certainly on our way. With your good looks and my lack of moral compass, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”
* * *
“I have a surprise for you,”Cassius says to me a few nights later while we’re dressing for dinner. I glance over to see the deviant look in his eyes, and I know it’s going to be an exciting night.
“Is it drugs?” I ask.
“No.”
“Orgy?”
“Nope.”
“Does it involve heels? Spankings? Processed foods?”
“None of those. I’ve arranged another screening party,” he says like a complete maniac.
“Not that sex tape again,” I groan.
“No, not that tawdry amateur act. Something else. Something classy. Finish up here. Our guests will be arriving soon.”
“Here?”
“Yes, here. The screening will be taking place in our home theater. Isn’t that exciting?”
Exciting and nerve-wracking, but like so many other things, I resolve to put my fate in Cassius’s hands. “Are we still going out to dinner?”
“No, dinner is coming to us.”
The caterers arrive soon after, laying out an impressive spread. A server and bartender stay behind to help with food and drinks. Our guests begin to arrive—Lucia, Elliot, the Brentwood Babes, and to my complete surprise, my brother.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say to Isaac after hugging him for the third time.
“Your boyfriend invited me. He even sent me a plane ticket, which I plan on paying him back for by the way, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to see my hot shot, movie star little bro. Mind if I come in?”
I notice the duffle bag he’s carrying, which means he’s here to stay for at least a few days. Awesome sauce. I invite him inside and introduce him to Cassius. They chat back and forth like old friends, like none of this is a surprise, even though it is to me. Cassius must have been planning this for a while.
“Let me show you where to put your things,” Cassius says to Isaac, forever the perfect host. As soon as he comes back, I give him a great big hug and smooch on the lips.
“I can’t believe you flew my brother out here.”
“I’d do anything for you, babe. You know that.”
Isaac and I spend some time catching up while he gorges himself on food—it was a long flight and he had only peanuts and pretzels to sustain him. Meanwhile, I try to eat only what’s necessary to keep myself from collapsing.
“Still watching your weight, I see,” Isaac says.
“I have to. I’m shooting for the next five months, mostly shirtless. Gotta keep it tight for the fans. I can’t wait for the show to air. You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will. I can’t believe you’re famous already.”
“Not yet, not really. Does Dad know about it?” I’ve tried calling him a few times, but he always makes up some excuse why he can’t talk. My texts don’t get much response either.
“I told him all about it.”
“Does he know I have a boyfriend?” My dad doesn’t follow me on social, but it’s a small town and everyone knows everyone’s business.
