Page 25 of Best Supporting Actor

He realised, suddenly, that he didn’t know what he was going to do, or say, when he left the bathroom. What would he normally do with a hook-up? Probably make a cheeky joke. Put his clothes on, give the guy a quick kiss—sometimes his number, if he liked him a lot and thought he wouldn’t be too clingy—and head on out. But something in Tag didn’t like that idea. Not at all.

Oh God.

In the mirror, Tag’s eyes widened, and he felt his heart start to pound in a panicky way. What was he even thinking? Jay clearly regretted what they’d done, and if Tag had half a brain, he’d feel the same. Hedidfeel the same, didn’t he? Tag kept himself footloose and fancy free for a reason, and right now, he had other priorities. Christ, the opportunity of a lifetime had just landed in his lap—he couldnotafford to be distracted.

The best thing he could do right now was make a swift exit with as little drama as possible. Even so, his stomach twisted when he cracked open the bathroom door and slipped back into the bedroom.

His vague hope that Jay might be the sort to come, roll over, and fall asleep was immediately dashed. Jay was perched on the edge of the bed watching the bathroom door intently. His expression was difficult to read. It had something of his usual aloofness, although his flushed cheeks and ruffled hair hinted at the vulnerability Tag had witnessed earlier. The knots in his stomach tightened.

Jay had donned his briefs and a t-shirt, and that left Tag feeling exposed, standing there in just his boxers.

“Well,” Tag said brightly. “That was fun.”

Jay blinked and after a moment said, “I, er, don’t normally do this, but if—”

“You’re kidding,” Tag cut him off before he could say more, adopting a deliberately teasing tone. “Well, that was pretty good for your first time.”

Jay looked unsettled. “Um. Obviously, I’ve had sex before…”

“Yeah, I know. I was just fucking with you.” Giving a brittle laugh, Tag snatched up a knot of clothing that included his trousers, shirt, and socks and began untangling them hurriedly, adrenaline making his fingers clumsy.

After another pause, Jay said, “You’re leaving.”

Tag wasn’t sure whether that was an observation or an order. Stomach churning, he gave Jay a stagey wink as he started dressing, saying, “Always leave them wanting more, right?”

After a pause, Jay said flatly, “Right.”

The silence that followed was intensely awkward.

Tag didn’t look at Jay as he dressed, but he could feel Jay’s gaze on him as he slipped back into his rented tux. He stuffed the bow-tie into his trouser pocket and started pulling on his socks. He really wished Jay would stop looking at him. “Feel free to jump in the shower while I get dressed,” he said breezily. “I can let myself out.”

After another painful pause, Jay said in a chilly tone, “I assume we’ll be keeping this between ourselves, then?”

Well,thatsounded more like the man Tag knew, cool and condescending. It was a relief to Tag, even as it needled him. Maybebecauseit needled him. “Really?” he said, aping surprise. “I was going to put it on my Insta.”

Jay visibly paled. “You wouldn’t—”

It had been a joke, but Jay’s obvious horror still stung.

“Calm your tits. I’m joking,” Tag said. “What do you think I am? No, don’t answer that.” He was fully dressed now, except for his tux jacket, which he swung over one shoulder, holding it there with a finger crooked through the loop. “Look, I don’t really do secrets,” he said, “but I’m not about to go to the press, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’m more worried about work stuff,” Jay said stiffly. “I’d rather this wasn’t the subject of RPP gossip.”

Even though Tag had been trying to make a quick escape not two minutes earlier, he felt his hackles rise at those words. “Oh? And why’s that?” he said. “Don’t want people to know you like a bit of rough?”

Jay’s expression grew flinty. “For God’s sake, don’t be so childish.”

The flare of irritation Tag felt at that was almost a comfort, and he embraced it, letting it wash away his more confusing feelings.Thiswas the real Jay, after all. “Oh, I’m childish now, am I?”

Closing his eyes, Jay took a deep breath. “This was a mistake.”

Tag felt like he’d been punched. “You’re telling me,” he shot back hotly. “I’ve never had to work so bloody hard at a blowjob in my life.”

He regretted the jibe the moment it left his mouth. It was cruel and untrue, but the damage was already done. Jay stiffened, and just for an instant—no more—Tag saw that he was genuinely hurt, his eyes widening and his lips pressing together. And then, in the blink of an eye, he changed. His expression hardened, and all that hurt melted away. When he finally spoke, he sounded amused, in a biting sort of way. “Well, in that case,” he said in crystal tones, “I hope you don’t charge by the hour.”

“Charge…?” Tag spluttered, unable to even attempt a witty retort. “Fuck off!”

Jay swept his arm towards the door. “Don’t let me stop you...”