"No, you're fine," Zak says slowly, his eyes on Jack, gauging his reaction I'd guess.
Jack sinks back into the chair and shakes his head. "It's fine. Tell him. I don't mind."
"You sure?" Zak checks, and when Jack nods, he turns to me. "We own an adult content film company. We make porn."
"While you're at it, tell him the rest," Jack says, a tone in his voice I can't place. It's slightly agitated but also…defeated? Which doesn't make much sense.
"We also performed," Zak adds. "We quit on-camera work about ten years ago, but with the internet, it's still out there."
Both of them are staring at me like hawks, almost as if they're watching for any sign of disdain or disapproval. Little do they know that as someone who gets gawked at every single time he steps outside his house, I'm the last person to judge anyone.
"That's cool. I have a few friends who worked for some of the big porn studios back in the day. Lighting and rigging mainly."
Zak brightens, clearly relieved, but Jack is still assessing me carefully, not ready to relinquish his suspicions. Sensing his sensitivity, I change the topic. "How long are you guys planning on staying for?"
"A few weeks," Zak replies and starts telling me about how they plan on doing as little as possible, that he wants closure on dealing with Esme's passing, and that Jack needs to unwind because he works too much.
I can already tell Zak is the more gregarious of the two. He's high energy, jumps from topic to topic in a completely nonlinear way, and laughs easily. And loudly.
Jack is much more guarded. Even before the work conversation came up, he hung back. He could be like me in that he needs to know someone better before he feels safe opening up to them.
Both are intriguing in their own ways, and both are severely testing my will to not let my fantasies get the better of me. Two hot former porn stars have moved in next door for a few weeks. Tell me that's not a plot lifted straight from a porno.
"Oh my god, that reminds me." Zak shoots to his feet. I don't know what 'that' he's referring to because he was just telling Jack about a lake they need to check out while they're here. He races into the house.
Jack leans over, a small smile on his lips. "I'd say sorry about him, but this is who he is."
"That's okay. I like him." Our eyes meet, and a jolt of heat flares in my chest. "I like you both. You're both very different."
"We sure are."
"Check these out!"
Zak dumps a bunch of board game boxes on the table between Jack and me. "I used to stay up late and play games with Grandma every Friday night whenever I visited." His eyes fly to Jack, and they have some sort of silent communication, which ends with Jack giving a slight nod. "What are you doing this Friday, Harvey?"
5
Jack
"This lake is really beautiful," I say the next morning as Zak takes me on a post-breakfast hike around a lake not too far from the house, the shoreline lined with tall pines and thick summer grass.
The whole place is so beautiful. And surprisingly serene given it is peak tourist season. When I said that on the short drive over, Zak mentioned the only reason this town isn't overflowing with tourists is because of its name. We both had a chuckle at that.
Unsurprisingly, he loves the name. I do, too…but as always when it comes to porn, I'm…conflicted. I wonder if Harvey picked up on that last night.
"It sure is," Zak says, taking in the majestic view. "I used to be so scared of getting into the water. Grandma taught me how to swim. She was so patient and kind. I've never felt more safe in my life than with her."
I clear my throat.
Zak laughs. "Okay, she's one oftwopeople I've never felt more safe with."
"That's better." I take a sip of the coffee we picked up on our way over.
"Thoughts on dinner last night?" Zak asks, opening the lid of his drink and licking the foam milk and cocoa powder off it before tossing his cup and lid in the trash.
"The food was delicious."
He tilts his head, clearly not buying it. "You know that's not what, or should I saywho, I was referring to."
