Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Matty waited, watching Brendan as his breath came out in spurts. Was Brendan going to let him go? Would he run for the hills and leave Matty to handle this himself? He hoped not because he sure as hell didn’t know what the hell to do. “So, what do we do?” he asked, and Brendan looked up, his eyes wide with shock.
“You gotta give me a damn second to wrap my brain around this,” he said, a little exasperated. “I was expecting you to come in here and tell me these were photoshopped!”
Matty shook his head, pressing his lips together. “They’re real. Lemiere is my boyfriend.”
Brendan blew out a breath. “I don’t even…” He paused, shaking his head. “I… Shit, Matt, no one knows?”
“No.”
“And I assume you don’t want them to know.”
Matty paused, holding Brendan’s gaze as he thought that over. “Not like this.”
Brendan nodded, running his hands down his face. “Well, he wants money, or he’s gonna leak them.”
His heart skipped a beat as his stomach twisted. Laying the file on Brendan’s desk, he asked, “How much?”
“Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
Matty grimaced. That would be a hit to his savings, but it was something he’d have to swallow. “Fine, that’s fine.”
Brendan bit his lip. “Each.”
“Each?”
“Each photo. Nine. So about six million.”
Matty almost threw up. There was no way. He didn’t have that kind of money yet. He made that a year, and he liked spending money. He had credit cards, but none of them had a limit to that amount. He could take out a loan, but did he want that interest? Fuck, did he have a choice?
“I don’t have that.”
“I know. I tried to gamble with him, but he’s set. He wants the money by the end of the week, or they go out Saturday.”
It felt like he had taken a puck to the chest as he wheezed in a breath, shaking his head. “I’ll get it.”
“Okay. Just let me know when you do. I have his account number and everything.”
Neither of them moved. Matty’s mind was going a million miles a second, thinking of different possibilities. “Can’t I sue him? I mean, this is invasion of privacy and then extortion.”
Brendan nodded. “We can. But the pictures will surface. So we can get the lawyers involved, but after legal fees and everything else, not only will everyone know, but we’ll be out the money.” He held Matty’s gaze, sympathy in his eyes. “But it’s up to you. I’m here for whatever you want to do.”
Matty’s eyes clouded as he looked away. “Don’t want to run?”
“You’re my client and my friend. I love you, Matt, and please don’t think your sexual orientation changes that. You’re still one hell of a person and a player. I don’t care who you’re sleeping with.”
Looking up, Matty nodded. “Thanks, man.”
“Of course, let me know when you’ll have the money, or when you do get it. I’ll let this fucker know we’re getting it together.”
But Matty shook his head. “Don’t tell him shit. Let him wait.”
Brendan nodded. “Sounds good.”
They both stood, and Matty held out his hand, but Brendan ignored it, coming around the desk to take Matty in a backslapping hug. “This doesn’t change us, Matt. We’re good. I just wish I had known before.”
Matty laughed as they parted. “I’m just private.”
“I know, but don’t worry, we’ll figure this out.”
“Thanks,” he said once more, a brave face on. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
But when he left the office, his brave face was gone, and panic filled every single one of his features. His limbs were shaking, he couldn’t breathe, and he was pretty fucking sure he was having a panic attack as he entered his car, gasping for breath.
“What the absolute fuck?”
What was he going to do?
When he heard his phone ringing, Matty ignored it as he rolled over in his bed, clutching his pillow to his chest. He had spent all afternoon and evening trying to figure out what he could do about this. He was able to get a loan, but only for five million, and the interest was so damn high even he was scared of it. He knew he could ask his dad and he’d probably give it to him, but he’d have to give a reason.
Well, Dad, some asshole took pictures of my boyfriend and me on the beach. Oh, by the way, I’m gay!
Closing his eyes, he dug his face into the pillow as he groaned loudly. He knew Seth and Laurence didn’t have that kind of money. They were successful guys, but not that successful. He considered calling Avery for about two seconds before he realized he couldn’t. They were still so fresh in their relationship; he couldn’t ask that of her. No matter how much he wanted to. When his phone rang once more, he squeezed his eyes shut.