Page 14 of Something to Prove

The first time I’d been overcome by that fantasy, my orgasm had hit me so hard that I might have blacked out for a few seconds. I’d woken at some point with dried cum on my T-shirt and lower abs. I hadn’t bothered cleaning up, which was so not me.

But wow, I’d felt like a new man in the morning light—rejuvenated and clear minded…until I remembered my predicament and my stomach clenched unhappily.

I’d been a jittery mess throughout our meeting, but it had gone pretty darn well, if I did say so myself. My idea to help him reset his social media output was genius. It was the perfect trade.

Even Robin agreed.

“Good one! Let me know when you’re doing the interview, and I’ll carve time out of my very busy schedule for photography and videography duties.”

“Thank you, but I’m still awaiting Ty’s final go-ahead.”

Robin narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “How long have you been waiting?”

“A week.”

Yep, a whole week of constantly checking my cell and randomly replaying our meeting in my head. I’d made good points, and he’d seemed interested. I’d tactfully dropped the inquiry about his partner-slash-possible-secret-boyfriend, even though the curiosity and certainty that I knew him was driving me mad. So why hadn’t Ty responded to my messages?

“Oh.”

I winced. “I know. My last text went unanswered.”

Along with the previous three.

“Oh,” Robin repeated. “Maybe call him?”

I sighed, wrinkling my nose. “I will. In the meantime, we’re discussing beehives and honey harvesting with the Clancys on Friday. Beeeee ready for some sticky good fun.”

“Bad pun alert.” Robin adjusted his glasses as he pushed away from the monitor and the newest episode ofWhat’s New, Smithton?we’d been editing. “I’m off. Don’t let anxiety get the better of you, my friend. Ty Czerniak’s cooperation isn’t a reflection of you.”

Actually, it was, but Robin was gone before I could argue the point. I worried my bottom lip between my teeth and scrolled through the barrage of friendly text messages I’d sent over the past week.

Hello, this is Walker. It was great to meet with you yesterday. Lmk your availability. I’d love to set up a time to chat about your social media options. Have a great day!

Hi there. Checking in. Are you free tomorrow, by chance?

Walker again. Hope all is well. I know you’re busy, but I’d still love to sit down with you. Call or text at your earliest convenience.

Yuck. I sounded desperate. Not a good look. I shot another text message off to Ty just as my phone buzzed with an incoming call.

I smiled in spite of my blue mood. “Hi, Aunt Kay. How are you?”

“Darling, I’m living the dream! The sun is shining, birds are chirping at my kitchen window, and the trees are positively laden with apples. Big, fat, wondrously luscious honeycrisp lovelies ripe for the pickin’…or they will be at the end of the month. Tell me you’re coming home. Cider never tastes the same without you, sweetheart.”

“Will there be apple fritters?”

She gasped theatrically. “What sort of dog-and-pony operation do you think we’re running in the wilds of Ontario? Of course we’ll have fritters.”

I chuckled as I wandered into the living room and settled in for a chin-wag with my fabulous auntie who had a knack for popping up when I needed her most. Not that I was in dire straits, but I was…unsteady somehow. Not quite myself.

This kerfuffle with Ty had morphed into a two-fold opportunistic campaign to secure a timely interview for my channel while righting a past wrong. It seemed selfish, as if I were using him for my own gain. And maybe I was. Maybe I’d accidentally sold my soul to a virtual world that valued my online content and subscribership over personal substance.

Trading my social media expertise for Ty’s trouble wasn’t a fair exchange. Yes, I could certainly help him. But it would be nicer if the gesture wasn’t tainted with desperation.

And greed.

Please let me fix what I’ve done wrong…while I take advantage of your rising star and hopefully net a few hundred thousand more followers.

Had I lost my way? Perhaps, but unless I took Robin’s suggestion and used my parentage to seek favor with the jock, social media was my currency.