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HotnReddy: It is.

The public chat throws another wave at me.

BigDog469 tips again.

BigDog469: u look mad. take it out on us

I look toward the plug on the desk. Usually, the sight of it clicks something into place. Like—fine, you want more? Pay more, then pretend you made me do it.

Tonight, it looks like one more thing somebody wants from me.

Bentley84: Is this about the man you mentioned before? The one on the other side of all this?

My fingers hover.

I swallow.

HotnReddy: Yeah. Everything goes through lawyers. He won’t talk to me.

Dots, then nothing. Dots again.

Bentley84: Maybe he’s afraid to.

I stare at that.

HotnReddy: Rich guys afraid to talk. Must be tough.

Bentley takes longer this time.

On-screen, I force myself back to the room.

“Okay,” I say. “Since apparently everybody forgot how patience works.”

I hook my thumbs in the waistband of my sweats and push them down. My cock is soft, but sometimes they like that. I run my palm down the length, let it stretch. My body responds because it knows the script, even if my head is elsewhere.

The private message finally appears.

Bentley84: I didn’t mean to defend him.

I read it twice. The anger loosens a little.

Bentley84: I meant that sometimes people hide because they don’t know how to face something straight on.

My throat tightens before I can stop it.

HotnReddy: You not even gonna ask about the damn olives?

Bentley84: Tell me about the olives.

HotnReddy: Tonight’s pie was 100% olives. Actually not bad!

The answer comes fast.

Bentley84: Anyone brave enough to buy?

I laugh. The sound breaks out of me before I can dress it up for the camera.

The public room reacts immediately.