Page 19 of Angel

The dots bounce at the bottom of the screen and I hold my breath, waiting to see what Rhys has to say next.

Rhys

My friends saw the picture you sent me, btw. I tried to stop them, but they stole my phone.

They think you’re cute! *grinning emoji*

Rhys’s friends think I’m cute. The same friends he does gay porn with. What does that mean? Did he actually tell them about me? About our conversation at his dad’s birthday party? My stomach twists around itself and my palms get all clammy.

Rhys

Sorry. I hope that’s okay. *sad emoji*

Oh, no! I don’t want Rhys to feel bad. He hasn’t done anything wrong. My thumbs feel too big and clumsy as I hurry to type out a response.

Angel

Yeah, it’s okay. I don’t mind. Tell them I said thank you.

Rhys

*grinning emoji* So polite.

These are the friends you work with?

I cringe the second I hit send. Why did I ask that? What does it matter? Will he even know what I mean by “work”? I’m trying to delete the message when Rhys’s reply comes through.

Rhys

Yeah, the guys I do porn with. *winky face emoji*

My ears burn and I bury my face into the pillow. Why am I having this conversation? I should tell Rhys that I’m going to bed because I have to get up early for work tomorrow. I should stay far away from any talk about porn, especially gay porn.

I lift my face from the pillow, just enough for me to see the screen.

Angel

I recognize them.

Shit. Shit. Crap. Dang it. Why am I doing this?

Rhys

You do?? *eyes emoji*

Dare I ask from where?

Angel

From the videos…

*shocked emoji* Do you mean The Camboy Network videos??

Maybe…

I smother myself with the pillow again. I can’t believe I’m admitting this to anyone. Although, I guess if I had to, Rhys would be the only person I could tell. Even then. Why?!

My phone buzzes. Three times, four times, five times, in quick succession.

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