Page 53 of Role Play (Off the Books #1)

Forrest

Home sweet former home.

When Taio finally opens up, he’s wearing nothing but basketball shorts and a confused expression. He leans against the doorframe, crosses his arms, and gives me a once-over.

“You’re lost, bro. You no longer live here,” he says, barely suppressing a grin. “Go back to your princess castle.”

I hold up the remaining beers, the cardboard handle of the carrier lazily looped around my fingers. “I need to talk.”

“Must be serious if you’re sharing the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean this bargain-basement piss you call beer.”

“Shut up. My pockets are a little light these days.” Truth is, I haven’t been working. Because I’m scared of what that’ll do to me and Sora.

Taio steps aside to let me in. The apartment looks exactly the same, except for the new addition of about seventeen sneaker boxes stacked precariously in one corner.

Taio’s latest obsession—limited-edition Jordans he’ll probably never wear.

Meanwhile, I’m not working, but clearly Taio’s hustling hard.

“Make yourself at home,” he says, grabbing one of the beers. “Oh wait, this actually was your home before you abandoned me for a mansion.”

“It’s a brownstone, not a mansion,” I correct him, falling into our familiar routine. “And the bathroom no longer smells like your rancid protein drinks, so I consider that an upgrade.”

“My protein drinks smell like success, asshole.” He flops onto the couch, propping his feet on the coffee table. “So what brings you back to the peasant quarters? Dakota still with her Stepford family?”

“She’s with Hannah’s parents for the whole weekend.” I settle in next to him, the familiar grooves of our secondhand couch enveloping me like an old friend. “They wanted some grandparent time.”

Taio takes a long pull from his beer. “How was dinner? Why are you here? I thought you and Sora would be pounding energy drinks, getting ready for round eighteen.”

“We went to dinner, and accidentally ran into her parents.”

Taio’s eyes bulge. “As in you met J.P. Cooper?”

“In the flesh.”

“ Damn. What’s your new pops like?”

I roll my eyes. “My pops lives in Wyoming. And J.P. Cooper is a massive dick…especially to his daughter.”

“That bad?”

“Worse.” I pop open my beer and catch up with him.

“Right in front of me and her mom, the man basically told Sora she’s a failure because her daddy still pays her bills.

Said she should’ve gone into finance like her mom.

Real heartwarming stuff. She bolted from the dinner table, crying.

God, I wanted to clock him right then and there. ”

“You should’ve. What an asshole.” Taio takes another long swig, then swivels the remnants in the bottle, making a whirlpool.

“Worst part? He’s probably right.”

Taio whistles low. “Damn, Hawk. Did not see that coming. Since when are you on Team Dream Crusher?”

“I’m not,” I snap. “Nobody wants this for Sora more than me. Except maybe Daphne. But look, Sora’s talented. Really talented. But the odds of making it as an author? I’m learning it’s like winning the lottery.”

“So? People win the lottery every day.”

“And millions don’t,” I add.

“You know what surprises me most about this conversation?” Taio asks, reaching for beer number two.

“What?”

“That you keep saying she’s amazing and talented, but you haven’t read her books.”

I shrug, suddenly self-conscious. “Your point?”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know,” I mumble before polishing off the bottle.

“I know why,” he says.

“Do I want to hear your reasoning?” I gaze at the wall, acting aloof, but knowing we’re on the cusp of a difficult conversation. I toss the empty bottle and grab another.

“Probably not, but I’m going to drop a truth bomb on you anyway.”

I let out a low grumble of annoyance mixed with curiosity. “Fine. Lay it on me.”

“You’re afraid she isn’t a good writer. Or maybe she’s a good writer, but doesn’t have good story ideas.

You’re probably thinking that if you dig too deep into the truth, you might be peddling the same bullshit her dad is.

” He curls up on the couch in a defensive position, arms blocking his head.

“Go ahead and hit me. I’ll let you have one good lick, just not in my money maker. ”

“I don’t want to hit you,” I murmur, staring at the peeling label on my beer, buying time. “You’re right. I don’t know. I just…I don’t want to see her hurt. But all she does is cry.”

“That’s not true,” Taio says, relaxing again, stretching out his legs once more.

“She had a blast at paintball today. She had fun and let loose . It’s obvious she doesn’t do that often.

She was laughing and joking with a smug little smile, all proud of her badass antics.

It was cute. You did that for her, man.”

“Did I?” I muse quietly.

For a moment, it’s just the sound of us slurping down our beers, allowing the calm silence to settle between us.

“I read her book,” Taio finally says.

“Which one?” I sit up straight, intrigue piqued. “How was it?”

“Binged a few, actually. Just wrapped up Lovely when I got home. Dominated at paintball. Got tipsy at the pub. Came home, read, shed a few tears. Perfect day, my guy.”

“Focus. How was the book, Ty?” I rush out.

“Really good. The way she writes about people feeling like they’re unlovable—it’s like she gets it, you know? Like she understands what it’s like to always be on the outside looking in. But I think that’s her big problem.”

“What is?”

Taio eyes me over his beer. “Sora writes for a certain type of reader. Someone with depth who wants to learn a little emotional intelligence.” He spans his pitcher’s mitt of a hand over his chest. “Obviously, as a refined man, I get it. But other readers? As far as escapism goes, I think most want pure entertainment. Not a lesson in love.”

“I’m not surprised she has trouble connecting with the masses, because she’s so unique, you know?

” I tell him. “Like she’s sassy, but also sweet.

Hilariously snarky, but so polite and tender too.

A total amateur at some things, but a professor at others.

She’s the kind of girl that gives you whiplash in the best way. ”

Taio stares at me like he’s disgusted. “Damn, you’re already in deep.”

I exhale slowly. “Fine. I think I’m in over my head. And I have no damn clue what to do about it.”

“What’s to do? You like her, she likes you. Seems pretty straightforward.”

I sigh. “Yeah, there’s just the small matter of me needing to fuck other women for a paycheck. I’ve been dodging Rina’s calls best I can, but she’s getting pissy. I haven’t seen a client since the first night I stayed with Sora. She’s been giving away all my jobs.”

Taio slams his beer down on the coffee table. “So you’re the reason I’m working every other night, and my dick is cooked like an overdone bratwurst.” He adjusts himself for emphasis. “I had to use cream for the chafing , man.”

I laugh, choking on my beer. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. Money’s good.” He leans forward, suddenly serious. “But what’s your endgame here, Hawk? You can’t avoid Rina forever.”

“I know,” I groan, rubbing my face. “But working suddenly feels like betraying Sora. I’m not saying I’m the best at relationships, but I’m pretty sure cheating on her wouldn’t bode well.”

“Cheating? That’s bold. She knows what you do for a living. It’s not emotional, just a job. Even porn stars get into relationships. They figure it out without the jealousy.”

I cut him a sideways glance. “You can split hairs all you want. But if it feels like cheating, it’s cheating .”

“Fine. So what’s your endgame, then?”

“I’ve got no endgame here,” I confess, slumping back into the couch. “I’m just…winging it.”

Taio snorts. “That’s a first. Mr. Plan-Everything-to-Death has no strategy.”

“Look where all my careful planning got me.” I gesture vaguely around us. “Debt up to my eyeballs. Dakota’s pretty much estranged from her grandpa, all because I’m ashamed to face my dad while I’m selling my body to pay the bills.”

“Silver lining—you’re living in a multimillion-dollar brownstone with a hot author who looks at you like you hung the moon,” Taio adds dryly. “Real tragedy.”

I laugh despite myself. “Temporarily.”

Taio shifts, turning to face me fully. “You know what’s ironic? You’re telling Sora to get out of her head. To live a little. To stop overthinking everything and just enjoy the ride.”

“So?”

“So maybe you should take your own advice, genius.” He tips his beer in my direction. “Sometimes you have to stop planning and lean into the mess. That’s life, man.”

I comb a hand through my hair, tugging slightly at the roots. “It’s not that simple.”

“It never is. But all those choices you’re beating yourself up about? They brought you to where you are now. To her.”

“Real astute, Ty,” I bellyache.

He drains his beer, then sets the empty bottle on the coffee table with a definitive thud. “Why haven’t you two sealed the deal yet?”

I stare at him. “What makes you think that?”

“Please. If you’d gone all the way, you wouldn’t be sitting on my couch right now pouting like someone smacked your puppy. Koda’s away tonight, right?”

“Two more nights. Mrs. Novak is dropping her off at school on Monday, then I’ll pick her up at three like usual.”

“Great. So go home. You should be back at that brownstone, making memories with Sora’s thighs clamped around your face.”

“You’re a perv.”

“As advertised,” he sasses with a knowing smirk.

I sigh heavily. “Fine. You’re right. We haven’t. We’ve done other things. But not that.”

“Why not? You’re obviously both into each other. Living in the same house. What’s the holdup?”

I stare at the label on my beer bottle, picking at the edge until it peels some more. “Because I know what happens if we cross that line.”

Taio nods with sincerity. “I completely get it.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, you’re so pent up you’re afraid when you finally cross that line, you’re going to erupt like a geyser in Yellowstone minuteman-style. It’s a legitimate concern.”

This fucking guy. “Would it kill you to be serious for once?”

“It might.”

“That’s it.” I stand up. “I’m going to Saylor’s.” It’s an empty threat. We both know that’s a demotion in conversation. Unless his mom’s awake, and then maybe I could get some sound advice.

“All right, all right. Want my advice for real?”

“Two beers ago,” I snark.

“Have sex with her,” he says simply, like he’s suggesting I try a new brand of protein powder. “But without all the pressure.”

“What pressure?”

“The pressure you’re putting on it. Stop building it up like it’s going to be this life-altering, cosmic event. Don’t make it epically romantic or some shit. Keep it hot and to the point.”

I laugh incredulously. “That’s your great advice? ‘Hey, Sora, let’s bone, but don’t worry, it won’t be special’?”

“I’m saying, you guys are overthinking it. Just get it out of the way so you can get to the good stuff.”

“Poetic,” I deadpan.

“My guy, you’re trying to make sex some big declaration of your love. Yet, you’re not ready to declare shit. So stop focusing on what sex promises, and start focusing on the point—you’re just connecting. The rest will unfold as it should in time.” Taio pats my shoulder.

“Um…”

“What?” he asks, looking puzzled.

“Sorry, that threw me off because it was actually helpful. Wasn’t expecting that from you.”

He scowls. “I hope my future roommate is nicer to me.”

I chuckle. “Me too.”

Taio holds up a finger. “Since we’re on the subject, I’ve got something for you.” He pushes himself off the couch and disappears down the hallway to his bedroom.

When he returns, he’s holding a dog-eared paperback. The cover shows a shirtless man with a mask, his muscular arm wrapped possessively around a woman in a red dress. The title reads, Midnight Captor .

“What the hell is this?” I ask as he tosses it onto my lap.

“Research,” Taio says smugly. “Dark romance. It’s what all the cool kids are reading these days.”

I flip through the pages, noticing colored tabs sticking out from various sections. “You color-coded it?”

“For your convenience,” he says with exaggerated formality. “Red tabs—don’t even think about it unless you want to do hard time in prison. Orange tabs—proceed with extreme caution, and get her consent in writing first. Yellow tabs—go forth and conquer, my friend.”

“Christ.” I skim one of the yellow-tabbed pages and feel my eyes widen. “Women read this?”

“No, they inhale it,” Taio confirms, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “With dark romance, it’s all about the pulse. Keeping her adrenaline flowing.”

“By scaring the shit out of her?”

“By keeping her on edge. A little scared, a lot turned on. Make her feel like if she submits to your power, you’ll protect her always. It’s primal, man.”

Despite myself, I keep reading, oddly captivated. “This is…not what I expected. All the sex scenes are this intense?”

“Yeah, so the general gist is you can do whatever you want to her as long as she orgasms first.” Taio pops his brows high. “ In fiction only. I’m serious, brochacho, do not attempt those red tabs. You’re too pretty for prison.”

“Noted,” I grumble distractedly. The dirty scene on the page is stuck to my eyeballs like bubblegum.

“You know what would be perfect?” Taio says suddenly. “There’s this year-round haunted house upstate. Hellfire or Hell’s Manor or some shit. Apparently, it’s legitimately terrifying.”

The gears in my head start turning. “A haunted house?”

“Think about it,” Taio continues, warming to his theme. “Dark, creepy setting. Adrenaline pumping. Her clinging to you for protection. Then you whisk her away to some cabin in the woods afterward…”

“Where nobody can hear her scream?” I joke, but I’m actually considering it. The masked man trope. The danger, the rescue, the release of tension. I toss the book back to him. “Why are you so invested in helping me and Sora anyway? Trying to get in on the ground floor with a future famous author?”

He catches the book, laughing. “Yeah, that’s it. I’m playing the long game. Gonna ask her to name me in her acknowledgments when she hits the bestseller list.”

“Seriously, though.”

Taio’s smile fades, replaced by something more genuine. “Honestly? I haven’t seen you like this, maybe ever.”

“Like what?”

He looks right at me, no trace of his usual smartassery. “Falling in love, man.”

The word feels weighty and undeniable. I open my mouth to argue, to downplay it, to make some joke about how I’m just horny or bored or lonely. But nothing comes out.

Because he’s right.

I’m falling hard for Sora Cho, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it except lean into the mess.