Hot Pickle - J.J. Knight Page 0,34

right thing at this moment. So I simply stand there. “When we’re here together,” I say, “it’s just you and me. We make the rules. We’re two adults in a professional relationship that partially depends on me getting naked. Even when I have a boner the size of New Jersey.”

That gets her. She looks down at my trunks. “You don’t have one now.”

“I’m about to if you keep looking at him.”

She rubs the heel of her hand against her forehead. “Okay. I’m fine. I’m sorry. This whole thing is complicated. I don’t want to screw up, or take advantage of you, or whatever.”

This time I reach out and take her hand. “We’re fine. Coming here and getting naked for you is the highlight of my week.”

Her laugh is the best thing I’ve heard in days. “Well, get out of those damn trunks, then.”

“Should I still get the modesty pouch?”

“We do need to cover your assets,” she says. “Trust me, it’s not pretty covered in tanning oil, especially when it starts to wear off in weird bits like spray tan leprosy.”

“And…all boners contained,” I say with a laugh. “One modesty pouch, coming right up.”

I step behind the screen to change, in deference to this hard conversation we’ve had.

I don’t know what advice she’s been given, what made her feel guilty. It can’t be her brother. He would’ve punched my jaw over it.

But I think I understand the root of the problem. She wants us to stay in a professional relationship. She just drew the line.

So, as I tuck my junk in a pouch to protect it from her spray, I also tuck away my disappointment.

She’s loud and clear. Now is not the time. I remain grateful I can rely on her to help me with my career. Maybe more will come.

16

Camryn

My alarm clock buzzes way too early on Saturday morning.

I force myself to sit up immediately, or I’ll be tempted to fall back asleep.

Max is arriving in twenty minutes. And I have to prep him for his competition. Plus, Lora, another female competitor, right after.

Then six appointments at the amateur open. A dash over to the invitational to do Dahlia.

And of course, eat a sandwich with Max.

Except…we arranged that date before our awkward tanning on Thursday.

I sure messed that up.

Were we still on for lunch?

I slide on a pair of charcoal yoga pants and the navy top I laid out last night. Dark colors not easily stained by the oils I will be applying all day.

When my hair is tamed and smoothed into a ponytail, I apply a light smudge of eyeliner and my magical mascara.

While I brush my teeth, I berate myself for holding Max at arm’s length. Dating someone should be simple, right?

But it can’t be when your brother tries to murder him with a bench press, and all your interactions involve him being naked.

No, this is no ordinary relationship whatsoever.

I start some coffee, adding extra cups in case Max and Lora want some. They’ll both have to hold back on liquids today, so probably not, but I want to offer.

It’s only five minutes until his appointment, so I swiftly pull out the canister with his color and set out the tarp and stool. I arrange my creams plus all the base makeup for Lora.

It’s going to start crazy and go long.

I’m not sure what Max’s chances are at the invitational. I’m not caught up on the competitive level of the heavyweights. But if he shows the same charisma he did two weeks ago he has a shot at placing no matter how developed everyone is. Stage presence matters.

A light rap on the door startles me to the next level of awake. Come on, Camryn. Time to get moving.

It’s dark outside, so Max is lit only by the tiny yellow lamp over the door.

“Good morning,” he mumbles.

“You’re not a morning person either?”

“Not even close.” He rubs his chin. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m better off staying up all night.”

“I made some coffee if you’d like a few sips. I know you can’t have much.”

“That would be awesome. Maybe a quarter cup?”

I hurry to the kitchen to fetch it. It feels nice doing something small for him, something normal between a couple, even if I probably killed that idea two days ago.

I pour his in a mug and fill a travel container for myself. I’m going to need plenty of caffeine until I hit my stride around nine.

When I come out, he’s already down to his posing trunks and sitting