Page 30 of His Choice

I backed away from him, buttoning my shirt. “The game is over, Aaron. Your roommate told James everything.”

“He… What? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied.

I recounted the details James had shared with me, watching Aaron’s face fall more with every word. “So, I thought putting on a little act for you was fair payback. Not so fun to have someone pretend they’re into you, is it?”

Aaron blushed again. “I didn’t want to. I mean, I wanted to, but only so I could do the right thing. I couldn’t tell you the truth. I only flirted because it would seem strange to viewers if I started gushing for Mikey right off. I was trying to pace it.”

I waved a hand through the air. “James suspected all that. I appreciate it, but I’m still rather peeved all the same. You didn’t need to turn it on so thick downstairs, did you? I feel rather foolish. Can you understand that?”

He nodded. “Yes. Are Mikey and I in trouble now? Do the producers know what he said to James?”

I shook my head. “No, and we need to keep it that way. We go along with your original plan. I understand you’ve already shared it with your parents. That’s good, because you won’t want them wondering why you never told them you’re into your roommate when they see you fawning over him.”

“It wouldn’t have been a problem, even if I hadn’t. I planned to tell viewers the truth and my plan during my first confessional,” he added.

“I wouldn’t. Maybe you’d get away with it, but maybe not. I think it’s too risky. If the producers hire a good lawyer, I worry that they could turn what you think is a loophole into your noose.”

“Oh,” he mumbled.

“And as much as I hate to admit it, your instincts to toy with me downstairs while on camera were smart—if overdone. Without a confessional, if you start to look infatuated with Mikey too quickly, viewers will assume you’re an opportunistic asshole—probably here for my money or for attention.” Aaron grimaced. “Sure, you could try to clean it up when the show wraps, but you’d probably never undo the negative perception some had already formed.”

He pursed his lips, seeming to contemplate that. “Yeah, true. Social media posts last forever, and people forget context.”

“Stick to your plan. There’s only a week, so you’ll have a difficult time transitioning from interest in me to Mikey in such a short time while still making it believable—but do your best.”

“I hope to have a career in film or on stage one day,” he said. “It will test my acting abilities.”

“Yeah, well, it’s going to test mine, too, even though I don’t aspire to that career. I’ll follow your cue on when to begin revealing to viewers that I’m sensing you’re falling for Mikey. Of course, during the finale, I’ll behave appropriately shocked by the revelation that you’re straight. On a positive note, at least you coming clean makes my final decision a little easier. You were a real contender—so removing you from the list allows me to focus on the others who have potential.”

“I’ll make it even simpler for you. Focus on Mikey,” Aaron suggested.

“Is this really just about you being a good friend to him? You’re not keeping anything else from me, are you?” I worried.

He seemed genuinely affronted. “No! You know everything now. I’ve told Mikey and I’ll admit to you that, as a side benefit, it would be nice if I get noticed by someone in the showbusiness industry, but I’m not counting on it and that’s not the main motivation. I want Mikey to be happy. He’s…awesome. Mikey deserves this. He’s seen you around White Pines and he’s been…infatuated.”

I frowned. “Has he been…following me around town?”

Aaron shook his head. “No! He’s too sweet and shy to be a stalker. You’re popular and show up in a lot of places. You can’t blame Mikey for experiencing a teenage-type crush when he sees you. The poor guy has no experience.” Aaron slapped his head. “Shit, I didn’t mean to tell you that.”

“He’s never been with a man?”

Aaron quirked his head. “No. I mean, yes. I think so. He just hasn’t…you know.”

I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t want to make Aaron reveal more personal information that we had no right to be discussing. “Listen, I shouldn’t have asked the question. It’s none of my business. He can tell me whatever he wants…or not tell me. His choice.”

Aaron huffed a nervous laugh, probably at the show’s title reference. “I think you’re his first crush, is all I was trying to tell you.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “He’s going to feel terrible that he messed up with the champagne. Just give him the same chance you’ll give everyone else, okay?”

“I already planned to,” I assured him. “Are you going to have a problem with viewers—friends of yours—watching the show all week believing you’re interested in men? Without a confessional on your part until the finale, there’s no reason for them to think otherwise.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “Dude. I’m not some inbred Klansman. I even have all my teeth. Fuck do I care?”

“Good answer.” I opened the door behind him. “Go. Take care of your buddy. And there should be a bucket in the bathroom vanity. Sara, the housekeeper, would clean up any mess, but I try not to make her life more difficult than it needs to be. James always scolds me that I clean the bathroom to be presentable for her. So, you can imagine my horror at the idea of her needing to clean…that.”

“Wait. You don’t really call the help servants and peasants?” he asked.

I chuckled. “I most certainly do not. Maybe I just got a little bit of the acting bug myself when I was teasing you. I’ll tell you this, if I see any of the contestants treat my staff disrespectfully, they’ll have zero chance of me choosing them—if I don’t boot them off the premises first.”

“That’s good,” Aaron said. “I was afraid I’d need to warn Mikey that you’re a prick. He would have been devastated.”