“This isn’t working. End scene.” I stepped back and studied Asher.

He looked worn out as he pinched fingers into his eye sockets. “I’m sorry. We can do this. We have to be these characters. We can’t be us. I … have an idea. Turn around and … let me try something.”

“Okay. Turning around.” I gave Asher my back and blew out through puffed cheeks. “Action!”

Asher jumped in right away. “Elliot, what are you doing in my room?”

What? Oh. Ohhh! He wanted to role play it out? I could do that. Maybe it would help. Acting. All acting.

I tipped my head, not quite glancing over my shoulder. “Ender, I … I don’t want to be alone right now. Something happened and…”

How was that for a nervous virgin? I let myself sink into the part, drawing on the unsure, shy qualities Elliot was supposed to have.

Tentative hands landed on my sides. Sweaty hands. Ones that were a fraction more confident than before but no less trembly. Heat warmed my back as Asher moved in closer. It was … strange knowing who it was.

It’s Ender. Let it be Ender.

“Tell me what’s wrong. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

God, we sucked at acting.

“I’m… I don’t know what I’m doing.”

This was the world's shittiest made-up script ever.

Asher’s hands slid around my middle, gliding feather-like until they encircled me and stopped on my abdomen. His bare chest came in contact with my back. I gulped. My head scrambled. He was right there, playing it out. The heat of his body was scorching.

My heart raced.

Holy shit, this was way weird.

I squeezed my eyes closed and forced myself to become Elliot. This wasn’t Asher. It was Ender. My future lover. The man I wanted more than my next breath. These touches were good and wanted.

“It’s that douchebag, Jay, isn’t it? I know he wants in your pants. I could tell by the look in his eyes. He’s a player, Elliot. Whatever he’s telling you, it’s lies. He’ll use you and toss you aside like last week’s garbage. Is that who you want to give your virginity to? A dick like him?”

I couldn’t fight the smile when he mentioned Jay’s name. It was funny Asher had even noticed Jay’s ravenous looks, him being straight and all. Straight guys tended to be oblivious to other guys checking them out.

I forced myself to stay in character and leaned back into Ender’s arms, tipping my head to the side when the tip of his nose glanced my shoulder, his ghosting breath carving a path up my neck to my ear.

I shivered then frowned because, What the fuck?

“Talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

I’m Elliot. Be Elliot.

“I … hate being a nervous virgin.”