Page 20 of Angel

Rhys

Angel! Oh my!

Maybe you’re not quite as angelic as I thought!

Which ones did you watch?

Did you watch any of mine?

What did you think?

Despite myself, despite the mortifying embarrassment, a smile curls my lips. He doesn’t think I’m a bad person for watching those videos. He isn’t angry or offended. In fact, he sounds almost… excited? Like he’s happy that I watched them?

Rhys

Come on! Don’t leave me hanging! *praying hands emoji*

I stifle a giggle that wants to bubble up from my chest. I’m a grown man—I don’t giggle.

Angel

I’ve seen a few. I like the one where you’re dancing the best.

Rhys

The pole dancing one? I’m wearing a thong and then Hayden fucks me on stage while he’s fully dressed?

Jeez, how can he say those things out loud like that? Or type them. Whatever. Just put those words out there like… like… like it’s normal?

Angel

Yeah, that one.

Rhys

*smirk emoji* *kissy face emoji*

I like that one too.

The dots go bouncing again, stopping for a moment before starting back up. Every time there’s a pause, I rack my brain, trying to think of something else to say, something witty or smart or charming. But I keep coming up blank. Then the dots pop up again. What is Rhys typing? It must be something big. Why else would it take him so long?

I bite the pillow and force myself to breathe so I don’t pass out. My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat. It takes forever before Rhys’s message comes through.

Rhys: So… Sebastian is one of the guys from brunch today. You might’ve seen him on The Camboy Network too. He’s the guy I was telling you about. The one you can talk to if you’re curious about the gay-for-pay stuff.

My lungs stop working as I read and reread the message half a dozen times.

Sebastian is the guy with the brown hair and the friendly smile. He does a lot of videos with an older man who has both arms covered in tattoos. Yeah, I recognize him. I definitely recognize him.

Rhys

Not that you have to! *squinty eyes, tongue out emoji*

Just pointing him out to you, you know, just in case.

I swallow, but my heart still feels like it’s wedged in my throat.

Just in case, Rhys said.

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