Cubby
One year later…
“Good morning, cubs!”I say, addressing my fans through a livestream. I adjust my angle, making sure to catch the right shot with my phone as I walk across the deck in my silk robe. “And happy summer!”
I plop down on the stairs leading to the lake, then turn, catching the water in the background. “Since I didn’t have any new vlogs for you this week, I thought I’d take a minute to give you an informal update and share this gorgeous sunrise.” I lean back, catching the light on my face. “Meg’s still out of town, touring her documentary—link in the comments—which means me and my boyfriend have been busy fucking each other in every room of the lake house while we have the chance.” I pretend I’m turning the phone to face Chase, who stands off to the side, pointing a light at me. “Say hi, honey!” But at the last minute I pull the camera back to face me instead.
“Just kidding. Although I see your constant comments, my extremely offline boyfriend is going to remain a mystery.” I smile and stand, extending my arm out for a wider shot. “But I do have a little something from my happily ever after to share with my cubs. You all remember that my man has gotten into buying me underwear?” I pull the robe open, revealing the red bikini briefs Chase picked out for me on our trip to Manhattan last month.
“What do you think?” I ask the live feed, breathy, and see hearts and likes flooding the screen.
“No,” I say with a laugh, reading one of the comments. “As you well know, my ass is his favorite feature.” I wink. “I promised him I wouldn’t show you how the thin red fabric cups my cheeks until he’s rimmed me in the briefs a few times.”
I hear Chase gulp, which makes me giggle to myself.
Teasing him is always fun, but doing it while on the livestream is next level.
“No worries, though!” I say brightly. “I’ll be back next week with a special guest star. Lady Della will be joining me at the lake to talk about her favorite sex toys and what it’s been like for her, as a trans woman, to launch her own lube business.” I lean forward, closer to the phone. “Plus, I’m going to teach her how to swim!”
With the guidance of my agent, I’ve quickly figured out my vlog. I do a lot of my own content, covering all the topics I planned to when I originally came up with this harebrained idea. But I’ve also been hosting content creators and media stars out at my home, sharing some more of the mountain life with them, and showing how fun self-empowerment can be.
I’m busy as hell and finding more success every day. It would almost be too much, except as soon as I’m off the clock, I have the most idyllic, peaceful life waiting for me, and the perfect man to share it with.
I flutter my eyelashes. “Just because I don’t have new videos for you this week, don’t think I’ve been relaxing. A new episode of myAsk Cubbypodcast launches tomorrow, filled with spicy questions from fans, and I’ll be hopping on this livestream at seven o’clock on Friday night for an early dance party.” I bump my fists in the air, giving my fans what is possibly the dorkiest dance yet. “Because no matter who you are, you’re always invited to my party.”
I give them a few more updates, answer a couple of questions from the comments, and then call it a wrap.
“Great work,” Chase says, setting the light down.
I look up with a smile. “Thanks for filling in while Meg’s gone.”
He shrugs. “Just holding the light. I almost forgot how fun it is to see you live.”
I hurry over to him. My guy is still in his pajamas, a cutoff pair of sweatpants with no shirt. I’ve finally convinced him to let his beard grow out longer, and I stroke it while we kiss.
We’ve fallen into a natural routine together. He watches all my videos, but most days, he’s busy around town while I’m tied up at the house, shooting new content and developing ideas. And now that Meg’s getting more serious with her girlfriend, I spend just about every night over at the cabin with Chase.
Mostly, though, life is just like this, a perfect balance. Hard work and hard play, cut with plenty of relaxation. Sweet and filthy at the same time. Gorgeous as the lake and just as quiet, but with all the thrills of my rapidly growing career.
“You’re doing so much more than just holding a light,” I tell Chase and kiss him.
He tangles his fingers in my hair. “Love you, Cubby.”
I slide my hand down and take his as we walk inside. “Do you still want to go to Albany this Saturday?”
“Mom wants to wait until next weekend, if that works for you.”
“It’s better, actually. I should be caught up on my podcast stuff by then.”
I look around the lake house. It’s filled with my bright furniture and random, tacky decorations, as well as Meg’s science equipment and a healthy scattering of stuff left over from Chase’s family, who still stop by plenty, mainly because Meg and I keep inviting them over.
“What’s your plan today?” I ask. “Want breakfast before you head to the store?”
“Uncle Ray is going to cover my shift.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
Chase scratches his furry chest and gets a funny smile on his face. “Well, I thought I might surprise you.”
