Page 6 of MOM

My throat itches, so I let out a gravelly grunt. "And how do we do that?"

"You could try…talking to each other," Decker replies, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Maybe it is to him, and maybe he thinks it is to me, too, because I'm big on social media, but there's a high probability I'm nowhere near as savvy as he might be assuming I am. I fell into influencing by accident. It's a backup for when my bodybuilding days are over. Beckett from BBA is the mastermind behind everything I do, not me.

"I'm a huge fan of yours," Zane tells me with an eager smile.

"Oh. Thanks."

"I follow all the BBA on TikTok."

"That's great."

"You're my favorite. Well, you arenow. First Silas was. Then it was Tanner. Then I switched to Kynan, but that's because I'm a sucker for a single dad. But he's off the market. So now you."

Oh dear god.

I force a grin. "Cool."

"This isn't working." Decker intervenes, striding over to us. "You know what, you don't need to talk. We won't let the cameras get close enough for that. You just need tolooklike a couple. So…" He walks over to the far side of the room, and my eyes follow his butt cheeks as they bounce with every step beneath the denim he's wearing. "Come over here to me. Together."

Zane glances at me, I give a small nod, and we barely take two steps before Decker slaps the side of his pretty face. "No, no, no. Guys,come on. You're meant to be a couple, remember?"

"What are we giving at the moment?" Zane asks.

"Two frat bros on their way to get pizza and wings," Decker replies, his hand glued to the side of his face. "Hold hands, and every once in a while, look at each other with some, you know, affection."

We step back to our starting mark. Zane sticks his hand out. I take it. It's weird to be holding a virtual stranger's hand, but Decker is right, we do have to make it seem real.

"From the top," Decker calls out.

We start walking again. Decker eyes us eagerly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Zane peering up at me.

I turn to him.

He smiles.

I smile back.

There. It's not so bad.

"Oh my god. You guys stink," Decker says, letting out a painful groan. "I'd rather be held captive and made to watch a Ben Affleck movie than watch this sad display. I thought you'd been taking acting lessons, Zane."

"I have," he huffs defensively.

"I can see why," Decker mutters to himself. "And you." He points at me.

I swallow. "Yeah?"

"Can you relax a little, please? You're giving being led to the electric chair."

"Oh. Sorry."

I don't know what else to say.

"Here. Let me show you what I'm looking for. Excuse me, Zane."

Zane steps aside, and Decker takes his place beside me. "We've just had a great meal," he begins, looking straight ahead but talking to me. "It was unlimited chicken and rice night at Sandy's Surf Shack. You were in muscle bro heaven."