Page 5 of Double Obsession

“Stone, get that fine ass in here,” Bianca hollered.

“Good luck,” Jake mouthed to him.

****

Hunter sat forward and placed his palms on Bianca’s desk to steady himself.

His parents had barely been able to pay the bills, but they’d ensured he had ballet, acting, guitar, and voice lessons. Not to mention, he’d been a decent high school quarterback and a successful endurance athlete. He’d been groomed for stardom.

“How about I share my workouts, hikes, and stuff like that?” he asked.

Bianca scoffed. “You’re already doing that. How about you get naked?”

He ran his fingers through his hair.

“I know you’re straight. Get over your hang-ups. You’ll be fine. Jerald caters to both men and women.”

“No. That’s not it.” Hunter didn’t give two shits about a person’s sexual preference. “It’s the naked thing.”

“You’re almost naked already. All you have to do is lose the underwear.”

“But I’m an underwear model.”

“You’re an underwear model sharing the spotlight with a guy who is willing to flash a little cock to his fans.”

Hunter moaned.

“Just tease them. I’m telling you, all of the top male models are doing it.” She flicked a wrist, indicating it was nothing. “People subscribe and you share your life. They pay extra to watch you get naked.”

“Couldn’t leaked photos keep me from getting serious modeling and acting jobs?”

Although it was a legitimate concern, Bianca’s eye roll made him feel like a child.

“Stone, we aren’t living in the 1950s.”

The pretentious but poorly lit office badly needed bigger windows and better air.“I don’t know.” Sweat dripped from his armpits to his waist.

“Look, if you want to compete in the industry, you’ve got to do it. The press release is going out in two days.” She looked to the ceiling and spread her arms wide as if the title was lighting up a marquee.“Super Model and Social Media Sensation Hunter Stone Officially Collaborates with FollowMe.”

Bianca probably liked it dark because she was one of the undead. He sighed in resignation. “Maybe Clark can help me. I know he follows a bunch of guys on there.”

“Keep that fool off your feed.” She acted as if she was smelling a pile of shit every time he mentioned his best friend. “Run it yourself. If fans think you have someone else responding to them, they’ll crucify you.”

Bianca continued to blab on and on while Hunter considered his future. He could do this. It was just flirting. Right? He loved to flirt. Besides, he wasn’t exactly modest.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t even get his grocery shopping done with the working out, photoshoots, social media, and public appearances. On top of it all, he wanted to return to his acting lessons. His most important responsibilities included the extra care Buddy needed as he grew older and Lizzie’s exercise.

“Are you listening to me?” Bianca’s bright red lips asked.

“Yeah,” he lied. “I’m gonna do the FollowMe thing. But I’m not gonna fuck with people and pretend I’m something I’m not. They are getting the real me. And I don’t know how to find the time since I’m already struggling to manage everything.”

“Look at it as acting,” she said. “Do you need me to find you an assistant?”

Bianca’s choice of quality humans didn’t instill him with confidence. Although Jake was a decent guy, and she’d hired him.

“Maybe I could find my own,” he said. Damn, the woman was pale.

“Just remember they have to be trustworthy and keep your secrets.”