“You’d never even heard of this author until today. I hadn’t heard about her either. I bet not one person in this room knows who she is. It’s a niche genre. Apparently, a rather large one but specific to taste. I can’t imagine people we know finding out, and if by some chance they read her stuff, it’s because they like it, and I doubt they’re about to shake shame fingers at us.”

“You’re not thinking this through. All you see are dollar signs.”

“Of course I do! You aren’t the one eating canned pasta and living at the Duggar house with spiders while your education hangs in the balance just because you’re gay.”

“Exactly! I’m not gay,” he hissed. “You’re asking me to do gay shit, which is bad enough, but I’m not getting kinky with my brother. The fucking end.”

We both stilled. He’d kinda said that super loud, and my skin grew as cold as I knew his was at the moment. Our eyes darted around, taking in our surroundings. No one seemed to have heard—thank God.

He whipped his head back around and poked my chest. “Find. Another. Way.”

“Ash, please. It’s not a big deal. It’s acting. It’s fake. It’s—”

“I heard you before.”

“So think about it. For me. I need the money. I’m desperate.” Then I made The Face: jutting out my lower lip just the right amount, widening my eyes and making them all sad and needy, knowing their swirling mixture of green and brown was taking away all his anger and transforming it into pity. He couldn’t resist The Face.

“Don’t.”

“I need you. I can’t be on twincest book covers without you.”

“You’re sick.”

“If you need therapy after, when I’m a big computer software designer, I’ll pay for you to see the best shrink out there.”

“I’m not the one who needs help. You are for even considering this.” He chugged his beer and slammed his empty on the table beside us. “I’m getting more beer.”

“Can you get me one too?”

He sneered.

“What? I’m broke! We’ve been through this.”

He stormed off. I hoped he would cover my tab because I got the sense we’d be racking up a bill tonight.

Once my beer was gone, I followed him to the bar where he’d decided to remain. His gaze followed the breasty brunette as he sipped from his new mug.

I leaned beside him, and he slid me a fresh beer. “Thanks.”