Page 71 of His Choice

Hank appeared flustered. “What? Uh, I mean…yes, for me. Um, Ted is definitely into dudes.”

“I would hope, considering he’s…”

“No worries, man. He loves dick. It’s all he ever thinks about,” Hank added, almost sounding desperate for me to believe that statement, even though it wasn’t the sell job he thought it was.

“So, he discusses that with you?”

“Huh? Oh, the homo stuff? Uh, yeah. Sure. Yeah, you know. He sees a guy walk by and he’s like, man, I’d like to…get me some of that dick.” Hank couldn’t hide his grimace at the ridiculous scenario he’d fabricated. “And I’m like, dude, you have a one-track mind. But I’m all about the shawties, you know what I’m saying?”

I nodded. “No dicks for you.”

“Hell no, man!” Hank appeared like he’d puke before he shook his head. “No offense.”

“Yet you’re so cool with your friend sharing what he likes. I admire that.”

Hank grinned. “Yeah, ladies like that about me. I’m what you call…a libtard.”

“You mean a liberal?” I countered, trying not to laugh at his faux pas. So, Ted was trying to pass as straight, and his conservative roommate was attempting to play a progressive. These guys were a trip.

Hank nodded. “Yeah. Liberal, I mean.”

Like when Aaron had played me for a fool, I was annoyed with this jack-hole. I decided to make him less comfortable. “I’m just curious, since Ted confides in you. This could be important. When he sees one of these guys and says he needs to get himself some of that dick, in what way does he mean?”

“I don’t know what you’re asking,” Hank replied nervously.

“Oral? Anal? What’s he into? I’m sure he elaborates, considering you’re so…liberal,” I pointed out.

He squirmed. “Uh…everything? Yeah, all of it,” he said, trying his best not to appear disgusted. “Dick, dick, dick. Wherever he can put it. Multiple places at the same time, even.”

I imagined Ted would kill Hank once the show was done. Even with a final confessional to set the record straight, so to speak, he’d likely get harassed by everyone he knew after they witnessed Hank’s over-the-top portrayal of him.

“Oh. Uh, I don’t know. I’m looking for someone a bit more…into romance,” I explained.

Hank’s eyes widened with alarm that he’d hurt Ted’s chances. “Oh, right. So is Ted. Yeah, you should definitely choose him. He’s really into that. Way more than dick. Poetry, dinners, flowers and stuff. You know, all the shit the chicks like. And gay dudes, I mean.”

“He sounds like a real gentleman.” I wasn’t even sure I kept a straight face. “I guess you should at least wine and dine someone before expecting them to participate in a human spit-roast.”

Hank seemed to be catching on that I was being sarcastic. “Just saying, he’s able to deliver on all fronts, you know what I’m saying? You’d be stupid not to pick him.”

“I’ll definitely keep our conversation in mind when making my decision,” I promised.

As soon as the call was disconnected, I looked to the camera. “That’s a no.”

I didn’t need viewers believing I was as oversexed as the man Hank had depicted his friend being.

No doubt, the producers had offered Ted the same monetary incentive as they had offered Aaron, providing he pulled off a win. Hank’s questions about the bachelor opportunity on the straight franchise led me to believe that had been pitched as a possibility, too.

Aaron’s parents and sister, Jaylen, were next on the docket. Knowing Aaron had already informed his parents that he was playing gay at the behest of the producers, I couldn’t wait to see whether their acting was as convincing as Aaron’s had been the night I had met him. I had to believe the mom and dad had also told the sister the deal, but I couldn’t be sure of that. I just hoped they didn’t overplay the situation as Hank had.

Aaron’s parents spent the first few minutes bragging about their son and his many accomplishments. I wasn’t surprised to hear that he had been popular in school, excelled in sports, and achieved good grades. From the moment I had met him, Aaron had exuded the restrained cockiness of the kid who had everything going for him. What they hadn’t discussed was Aaron’s dating history. I hadn’t pressed them on that, since Aaron had already been upfront with me.

Jaylen seemed more inclined to discuss Aaron’s past conquests, though. “He’s been with lots of women,” she informed me, shaking her head. “Some people we know aren’t buying any of this.”

“Well, clearly, he likes men, too,” her mother said with an edge. “Why else would he be on the show?”

I was beginning to think Jaylen hadn’t been clued into the scheme.

“I didn’t say I’m surprised by it,” Jaylen clarified.