We read it together. Most of it was so thick with legal-talk I couldn’t be sure I understood it. The location they’d chosen was local, which was good since I’d learned they were all from California and had flown a long way to see us.

They’d rented a studio in a building downtown on a street I was not familiar with. Asher knew of it. It was close to campus, he explained.

The sessions were broken down into blocks. One Saturday a month with room for cancelations should it be necessary. They wanted to begin next month and be done with all of it by summer if possible. The faster they could get it done, the better, but since we were amateurs, they’d allotted extra time.

Everything looked good to me, and Asher had stayed silent as he read, so I assumed he didn’t have questions either.

“Okay?” he asked after we’d stared at the final page for a few minutes.

“Yeah. Looks good.”

“Then we can sign it, I guess.”

“You’re still sure you want to do this?”

Asher’s shoulders fell, and he glanced off into nothing. “Yeah. I mean… I hope no one we know sees it or reads this chick’s books. If word got out, it could be bad for us.”

“Bad for you. Mom and Dad would kick you out too if they found out.”

“It’s a risk.”

“You can change your mind.”

“No. No, we can do it. I didn’t fondle your dick today for nothing. Fuck that. We’re finishing this like it or not.”

“Okay. Done.”

Asher penned his name first, then I added mine beside his. We took the signed contract back to the other table and presented it to Jay.

It was a done deal.

Charlotte bounced up and dragged us both into a bear hug. “I’m so excited about this. The first two books are already written. Would you like a copy of the first so you can get to know Ender and Elliot a bit more intimately?”

“Sure,” I said, eyeing Asher. I didn’t think he would read gay twincest erotica, but I also didn’t think he’d agree to do this gig with me.

“Sounds great,” Asher said.

“We’ll be in touch.” Jay came around the table to say goodbye. “I have your email, and I’ll send you any ideas or notes Lewis and Charlotte come up with for the shoots.”

We all shook, and Jay held on a little longer when it was my turn. “You have my number.”

“Thanks.”

He pulled his lower lip between his teeth and gave me a salacious grin that spoke volumes.

Asher checked my side, jarring the dopey look off my face and encouraging me to walk.