Page 6 of The Star in Room 7

“Okay.” I stare at him, anticipation fluttering in my gut.

“It is a refuge,” he begins. “A place where Angels can feel safe, where they have time to work through the things that brought them here, and leave empowered. When they’re ready to, of course.”

“How much does it cost?” I blurt out.

“Cost?” Phoenix seems genuinely amused by my question.

“Nothing in LA is free,” I mumble.

“I’m able to run Halo House as a nonprofit, thanks to our sponsors and the money our nightclub brings in.”

“Nightclub?”

He smiles. “Yes. It’s located elsewhere. While you don’t have to pay to stay here, we do ask that you contribute in some way during your stay. That could be by working in the nightclub, participating in the charity events we run, or helping out around the house.”

“I can cook,” I offer. “Or clean. I… I don’t think the nightclub is for me.” I look away sharply.

“You’re worried about people recognizing you?”

“I’m not exactly famous.”

“I believe the movie you starred in was the second-highest-grossing one this summer.”

“Uh, yeah.” It was something I was proud of. I take a breath. I am proud of it.

I’d never imagined a tiny indie film would become so popular, or that I’d get stopped in the street and asked for my autograph or a selfie within a year of moving to LA. It was exciting… Until last night.

“I’m not out,” I say by way of an explanation. “My family and friends know. I was out before I decided to come to LA. But I realized it would be easier to get roles here if no one knows.”

Phoenix gives me a sympathetic smile. “I understand.”

“You mentioned sponsors? How does that work?”

“There are various people—individuals and businesses—who contribute to Halo House in a variety of ways. Some donate money, others clothing—Ah! Speaking of which, I’ll show you the closet when we’ve finished talking, so you can pick out some clothes. Where was I?”

“Sponsors…”

“Yes. Some of our sponsors help from afar. Others want to get more involved.”

“Involved how?”

“By taking an interest in the Angels. They can offer whatever an Angel needs. That could be emotional support, spoiling them so they learn to feel a greater sense of self-worth, helping them to achieve their hopes and dreams, or even taking on a full caregiver role.”

I frown. “I don’t understand.”

“They provide safety and structure in a nurturing way. This can be a purely comforting dynamic, but as several of our sponsors are Daddies or Mommies, it can also be a Dom/sub one.” He tilts his head a fraction, watching me carefully.

“Dom/sub? As in a kink relationship?”

“Yes. If that’s what the Angel wants and needs.”

“And… these sponsors… one of them might be able to help me work through my stupid fear?”

Phoenix’s expression drops. “Your fear isn’t stupid, Zach. And, yes, they could.”

“But I could just talk? It wouldn’t have to get kinky? I mean… I’ve heard about those sorts of relationships, but it’s not something I’ve ever seen myself doing.”

“Yes, you could just talk. Entering into a caregiver relationship is entirely optional. As I said, the focus of Halo House is empowering Angels like you to be able to leave in a much better place than they arrived, whatever that takes.”