“Atti, do you really think that’s going to matter? Tomorrow, that Lewis guy is gonna do all he can to throw us off our game and prove to Charlotte we aren’t a good choice.”

“Then we need to step up our game.”

“Right. Okay. So no big deal when he asks us to tongue fuck each other’s mouths, right? We’ll just pretend it’s all normal.”

I froze and pictured it. The shudder that overcame me almost buckled my knees; it was full-body, head to toe.

Asher rolled his eyes. “That right there proves my point. It’s disgusting, and neither of us are gonna be able to make it look real.”

“Ash, we have to try. Please? We can do this.”

“We aren’t actors or models.”

“How hard can it be?”

Asher shook his head and pulled on his T-shirt. “Whatever. I’ll try. I will. I promised you, but don’t be surprised if they show us the door.”

Once I was dressed, I went back into the room and found Asher standing with Jay, looking over a paper. Jay peered up and gave me a crooked smile, his eyes slipping over my clothed body before returning to the form in his hand.

“Atticus, I was just giving this to Asher. It’s a bit of a breakdown of Ender and Elliot’s personalities.”

“Cool.” I crowded in and read over Asher’s shoulder.

“Take it with you. How does tomorrow, late afternoon work for you guys? We’re thinking around four-ish.”

Asher and I shared a glance. Tomorrow was Sunday, and I knew I didn’t have plans. Asher nodded. “Four sounds good.”

“Okay. Perfect.”

We exchanged goodbyes with Charlotte and Lewis and grabbed our coats. Jay showed us to the door and slipped into the hallway behind us.

“Can I make a suggestion?” he said before we walked away.

Asher and I waited.

“Go home and practice. Learn to be okay with touching each other. If you don’t, this will flop. Lewis is right. You aren’t showing the sexual chemistry we need, and I get that it’s uncomfortable because you’re related. So make it comfortable. Get in character and practice some. I like you guys. You have the look, and Charlotte loves you.”

“We will,” Asher assured him.

Jay gave him an assessing once-over. “You’re straight, aren’t you?”

Asher frowned. “How did you know?”

Jay rolled his eyes and grinned. “You’ve got a straight guy vibe. I sensed it the minute you walked in.” Jay’s attention turned to me. His smile softened, and his eyes sparkled. “But you are definitely gay.”

“Yeah, and so are you.”

“How the hell do you guys do that?” Asher asked.

We laughed, and Jay shrugged at Asher like the answer should be obvious. “Go home and practice some, boys. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Chapter Five