PART ONE
1
BENJI
OCTOBER 2026
Nothing is more exhilarating than a good hike. Even the hour-long drive out of Atlanta doesn’t faze me. Fresh air in my face, compacted dirt beneath my feet, yeah, this is heaven. The burn of my muscles is a pleasant bonus when I finally reach the scenic overview.
Taking a deep breath, I let the serenity of nature instill me with peace—calm, quiet, and the absolute placidity of being one with nature.
Until my phone fucking buzzes in my pocket.
Jesus Christ.
Taking another deep, relaxing breath, I pull my phone out of my pocket. The damn thing slips in my sweaty palm for a second, almost falling over the cliff, but I grip tightly as I swipe at the screen. All that for an email from Davis. Wait.
My heart pounds as I open the email.
Benji,
Claire is asking if you can take over the Nolan contract for Trevor due to a last-minute emergency on his behalf. She asks that you do not reach out to Trevor at this time. Please let usknow if you’re available for this weekend in Chicago. Standard rate, standard session, with a flight paid for by Nolan.
Please reply if you’re available.
Davis
First off,what the fuck is wrong with Trevor? Second… The options must be down to zero if they’re askingmeto spend a night with Nolan, the rockstar who likes to bite. I mean, we all talk, none of us are very secretive about the johns we end up with. Well, except for Trevor. That man would rather drown than admit anything remotely personal about his life.
There promptly goes the blessed high of a good hike. Might as well turn around and head back down. With my headphones snug in my ears, I dial Eli’s number and slip my phone back into my pocket as I carefully pick my way back down the trail.
“Benji!” Eli says enthusiastically.
“Why are they contracting me to Nolan?” I ask, cutting through the pleasantries.
“What?” Eli whispers, voice going scarily low in disbelief.
“I just got an email from Davis that they’re contracting me with Nolan because Trevor’s had a last-minute thing come up.”
“That’s odd.”
Sweat prickles at my hairline as I hurry down the trail. Nervously wiping at my wet forehead, I clear my throat to ask the question I really want to ask. Eli knows everything about all of us, the sensitive ear when we all need someone to talk it out with.
“Do you think I can do it? Trevor’s always said… well. I’m not much into pain play. Receiving it at least.”
Eli sighs thoughtfully. A car horn beeps through his end of the phone and Eli swears softly. I bite my lip to contain my sarcastic quip about Eli’s very bad driving. The fact he still hasa license is astounding. He’s got to be one ticket away from attending driving school at this point.
“I think you can do it,” Eli says confidently, although his tone is anything but confident. “If you’re comfortable with it. I’d take him if I could but… he’s a bottom…”
“Right,” I say quickly.
“Also, Trevor told me that he likes it wicked rough. Like to the point that sometimes Trevor gets a little scared by it, but he’s a really nice guy. Just the only way he can get off, I guess. Plus you know… closeted rockstar and all that.”
I listen to Eli ramble as he drives. His points aren’t helping my racing mind at all. Being a fake boyfriend is chill for me. I like to fuck and I like getting paid for it, what’s not to enjoy? But I usually cater to the older guys that want someone sweet, just a boy for the weekend or on their arm. The gentle older guys are my specialty, not the borderline violent rockstars. Those are definitely Trevor’s territory.
But I can take one for the team like anyone else.
“Yeah, I’ll do it. Can’t guarantee how it’ll go if he bites me, though. My little cousin bit me when she was three and I still have war flashbacks.”
