by Mia Monroe
“Awesome. Just keep me posted on the date and time and all that. I’ll let you know the plans for tomorrow when Matteo gets here.”
“That sounds amazing, Daddy. Thank you.”
“What are you doing the rest of the day?”
“I was finishing some laundry, now I’m going to clean up my apartment a little bit, plan my shoot with Jax, and try to line up another scene or two.”
“That sounds like a productive day.”
“What are you doing today, Daddy?”
“That’s a great question, sweet boy.”
I wish I could answer it. I don’t have anything to do these days, and it’s starting to wear on me. Maybe that’s why I called Bentley right away. It will do me good to have Matteo here tomorrow. I’ll show him around Los Angeles and get out of my house.
“Just fucking around. I’ve taken up enough of your time, boy. I’ll talk to you again tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy. Thank you for calling. You made me very happy.”
“I’m glad. Happy is all that I want for you.”
After hanging up the phone with Bentley, I lean back and stare up at the ceiling. I can’t keep living like this, spending my days doing nothing productive or important. I need an occupation, and I need one soon. My skill-set, however, is limited to fucking in front of a camera.
Maybe hanging out with Bentley will open my eyes to a new opportunity I desperately need. At this point, it’s all I have.
The next day, after spending the morning reading and preparing the guest bedroom, I hear a knock at my door. Walking over, I smile when I see my closest friend through the glass door. I open the door, gesturing for him to come in.
“Matteo. So good to see you.” He steps into my arms, and I give him a big hug.
“Legend, man, you look amazing. So good to see you. It’s been way too long.”
“I agree. Way too long, but you’re here now, and that’s amazing.”
“Hell yeah. I'm super excited to be in Los Angeles. The weather is so much nicer here than the Bay area.”
I laugh. “It’s way warmer down here. I couldn’t survive up in the cold Arctic-blast of San Francisco.”
Matteo laughs. “That might be a little overdramatic.”
“I'm always a little overdramatic.”
Matteo laughs again. “That much is true.”
“You want some coffee? I just made a fresh pot.”
“Coffee would be great. I got up early to drive down here.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t fly.”
“I thought about it, but I wanted to drive and clear my mind, and also have my car to drive around Los Angeles in case you’re not available.”
I laugh. “In case I’m not available? Like I’m doing anything else.”
“I didn’t want to assume.”
“Let’s go into the kitchen.”
Matteo follows me to the kitchen, where I open the cupboard to get two mugs down for coffee, even though I’ve already had several cups. There’s no such thing as too much coffee in my world.
“So, Matty, do you have specific areas of Los Angeles where you’re looking to open the studio?”
“Actually, yeah. I want to check out some LGBT+ friendly areas. I want to support businesses in that area, so places like that we can go to would be great. Even though my brand is somewhat upscale, I would like to be in a more accessible area.”
“Sure, I get it. I have some places in mind we can go check out. It’s going to be a full-day trip, though, getting all the way around Los Angeles.”
Matty laughs. “Not any different than getting around San Francisco in a day.”
“Very true.”
“So tell me more about the boy.”
Smiling, I glance at my friend as I fill his mug with coffee then scoot the mug closer to him, pointing to the sugar and cream. “Like I told you, he’s a budding porn director.”
“Tell me more about him,” Matty says, sipping his coffee. “You really like him?”
I nod, glancing in my mug. “Absolutely. He’s very sweet and adorable and eager. He’s like a nice version of me twenty years ago.”
“What do you mean?”
“Super ambitious, but without the bitter edge to him that I always had. To be honest, I’m a little worried about him being fully immersed in the industry, but I don’t have enough information yet to know how he’ll do. Maybe he doesn’t either, since he’s still getting his feet wet.”
“I guess only time will tell. Am I going to meet this guy?”
“Yeah. I asked him yesterday if he’d be interested in meeting you, and he said yes. Once we figure out a schedule for today, I’ll give him a call, and we can swing by his place and pick him up. Does that work for you?”
“Sure. You want to take him out with us for the day?”
“I was thinking that could be cool, unless you’d rather just have lunch or dinner with him later.”
“Nah, let’s bring him out with us. I want to meet this kid. If he’s got you wanting to meet me and thinking about a future with him, I definitely want to spend time with him.”
“Thanks, man.”
“I sense some concern in your voice. Anything going on?” Matty asks.
“Kind of. You know how when I was with Arian everything started out great? Most relationships are like that.”
Matty nods.
“But by the time things start going wrong, I’m already invested, and I’m such a stubborn ass, I don’t let go easily. Bentley is pretty close to already having me wrapped around his finger. I guess I’m afraid I’ll lose myself in him.”
Matty nods. “I know what you’re saying, but I think it’s okay to get lost in someone as long as they aren’t going to hurt you.”
“But how do you know?”
“You don’t. You just have to trust your instinct, trust the other person, and hope for the best. It’s all part of dating, relationships, and finding love.”
“I’m just worried that love isn’t attainable for me anymore. Bentley is this young fresh-faced bundle of joy. And what am I? A washed-up porn star with no future.”
“That’s the dumbest shit I ever heard. You know damn well I won’t sit here and let you play the pity-party hand. Not on my watch. You’re a tough motherfucker, and you know it. Are you seriously going to let that asshole ex of yours ruin the rest of your life?”
I smile. Matty can always be counted on for smacking you with the truth, no matter how much it stings.
“No, you’re right. I think Bentley is worth taking the chance on a relationship. He lights me up in ways I haven’t been in years. As far as a career is concerned, he might be the ticket to that too. I just have to be smart and not let his charms cloud my judgment.”
“Do you want some truth?”
I nod. “Hit me.”
“You and Arian were not a match from the beginning. You worried about how materialistic he was within weeks of meeting him. Remember?”
I nod. “I do.”
“But then you got into filming and the fans ate it up.” He frowns. “Arian didn’t drug you or force you to do things you didn’t want to do. You’re just as much to blame for getting sucked into the fame and money as Arian is. Maybe he was manipulative, I get it, and you’re kind of a soft Daddy, but you knew what was up.”
I nod, feeling my chest tighten from the shame caused by his words.
“And honestly, Legend, so what? It happens to the best of us. It was spectacular what happened, and anyone, literally so many people, would have been just as seduced by it as you were. Arian is a dick in a lot of ways, and he was never meant for you, but you’ve got to stop beating yourself up for sticking with it as long as you did. Someday you’ll look back and realize that your time with Arian was necessary, and maybe even good in some ways. Stop crying into your coffee about it and make plans for your next steps.”
As his words settle in my gut, I nod, feeling a little lighter than I did minutes ago. “There mu
st be a market for motivational speakers who tell you to fuck off and get your shit together.”
Matteo laughs. “I’m sure there is, but I’m serious, man. I love you, and I hate seeing you wallowing and puttering around this big house like an old man with nothing to do. You’re young and hot and rich. You can do anything you want.”
“I’m not rich.”
“Well, you’re not poor either. Count your blessings, not your bruises.”
“That sounds like a new tattoo that I need.”
Matteo grins. “If it helps you get your head out of your ass, let’s do it.”
I walk forward, and Matty puts his mug down to wrap his arms around me. He’s a big man, so my head rests easily on his shoulder. “I missed you and your brand of truth, Matty.”
He pats my back. “I missed you, period. Feels good to be with you again.”
I step back. “I really hope LA works out for you. Would love to have you around all the time.”
“With that in mind, let’s go collect your boy and make this city my bitch.”
“Let’s do it.”
After changing clothes, and a brief call to Bentley, we head out in my truck. As the GPS leads us to Bentley’s address, my skin starts to crawl.
“Dude,” Matteo says. “This neighborhood looks shady as fuck.”
“My thoughts exactly. It better improve by the time we get to his place or…”
“Or it’s his last night sleeping there.”
“Absolutely.” I glance at my friend, thankful for someone in my life who understands how I’m wired.
I turn onto his street and it definitely hasn’t improved. Pulling up in front of Bentley’s apartment complex, I rub my forehead. “Jesus Christ. This is bad, Matty.”
“Yeah. I couldn’t sleep if my boy lived here.”
“No way. What do I do? I’ve known him for two weeks.”
“Okay, let’s think.” Matty’s eyes dart out of the window to the people who keep walking by and staring down the truck. “Why don’t you suggest he pack a bag with everything important and stay over for a few days. Then, um, you can talk about his situation. You gotta get him out of here though.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me.”
“Like you said, you’ve only known him a minute. You spent, what, one afternoon and one night together? He couldn’t know where you stand yet.”
“True. He sounded like something was going on yesterday on the phone. I should’ve pushed.”
“Hey.” Matty puts his hand on mine. “He’s okay. Let’s go get him.”
“Assuming my truck is here when we get back.”
“Good point. I could stay down here.”
“Nah. A truck can be replaced. You can’t.”
As we climb out of the truck, there’s a guy leaning on the banister of the stairs that lead to the front door of the building. He looks at the truck then at us before giving a polite head nod. I nod back, silently hoping he’s not going to cause any trouble. He’s shorter than me, but he looks like he’s seen some shit in his day. There are two of us, but that won’t stop a gun.
“Let’s go get Bentley,” I say to Matteo.
The man looks at me again, then nods at the panel to buzz in. “It’s broken,” he says. “You can just go in.”
My blood nearly boils. “Thanks, man.”
We enter the building, and I immediately clench my fists. It smells like piss and the mailboxes have seen better days. There’s an elevator you couldn’t pay me to get on and a big staircase in front of us. This building is old. At one point, it was probably beautiful. Maybe even had some up-and-coming Hollywood actors and actresses living here, but that was a long time ago.
Matteo squeezes my arm, encouraging me to climb the stairs. Upon reaching the top, we walk down a hallway with flickering lights and little natural lighting to Bentley’s apartment.
I knock, trying to calm down so I don’t lose my fucking mind. He opens it, smiling, but it quickly fades as I step inside.
“Pack your things, Bentley. Everything important to you.”
“Wh-what?”
“How could you—” I stop myself when I feel Matty’s hand on my back. I’m practically seething at this point.
Bentley grabs my hand. “Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me, Daddy?”
I close my eyes, breathing slowly in and out for a few seconds. “No, baby, I’m not mad at you, but I am very concerned with you living in this area. It is not safe.”
Bentley’s cheeks burn bright red. “I can’t afford more. I have to have money for my business, and this place doesn’t cost much.” His eyes well with tears. “Please don’t be upset.”
All my fire dissipates when I see that I’ve hurt him. I pull him close, kissing the top of his head. “Sweet boy, I’m only upset because I care so much about you. I would not be okay if something happened to you.” I pull back, cupping his face. “Do you understand?”
He nods, but a tear streaks down his cheek. “Yes, Daddy,” he whispers. “Ramos also says I should leave, but I can’t afford to move.”
“Who is Ramos?”
“He looks out for me. He said I remind him of his little brother.”
“Okay, sweetheart, I want you to get your things. All your important things, okay? You’re gonna stay at my place for a while.”
His eyes go wide. “Your place? Bu-but we just...I don’t want to be a burden. I can figure something out. I—”
“Bentley.”
His breath catches.
“It wasn’t a question. You’re coming with us, and you are never coming back here.”
“But my lease is—”
“Do you trust Daddy to take care of you?”
“Of course.”
“Then let me.”
His bottom lip quivers. “Yes, Daddy. Thank you.”
I bend enough to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Thank you, darling boy. I wouldn’t be able to sleep with you here.”
“I understand.” His big eyes move to Matteo. “Hi.”
Matty smiles. “Hi, Bentley. Nice to meet you.”
He nods, smiling. “You too. I’m sorry for all of this.”
“Why would you be sorry?”
Bentley shifts his gaze to me, his teeth digging into that gorgeous lip. Using my thumb, I pull it free and his cheeks blush again.
“I’ll go get my things.”
“We’ll help you.”
Less than an hour later, we have two suitcases full of his clothes, a few gym bags of other things, and all his equipment. I can only imagine what could have happened if anyone discovered he had thousands of dollars of camera equipment in here, and it’s not good.
As we leave his apartment, I mentally decide what to do next. I’ll pay the rest of his lease, send movers for anything he wants to keep that we couldn’t bring today, and get him set up at my place. I can offer him a guest room so he has his own space. It’s fast, but there’s no way I’m allowing him to live here another fucking minute.
When we step outside, the man we saw earlier is leaning against my truck with a defensive stance. Was he...protecting it?
Bentley’s face lights up. “Hi, Ramos.”
Ramos?
“Hey, little Bento.”
Bentley grabs my arm. “This is Ramos. He watches out for me.”
My shoulders drop with relief as I set a bag down and offer my hand to him. “Legend.”
His eyes widen. “I thought you looked familiar. Nice to meet you, man.”
“You know him?” Bentley gushes.
“I know of him. Seen him on the screen a few times.”
He watches gay porn? Ramos is exactly why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
“You got a lot of things. You finally getting out of here?”
Bentley nods. “Legend doesn’t want me to stay here anymore.”
“Thank god,” Ramos says. “Like I said, I don’t mind keeping an eye out, but this is no place for a kid like you.�
�
“Thank you for protecting him.”
Ramos nods at me. “No problem, man. He was moving in, and I could see the looks, you know. I didn’t want to see nothing bad happen to him. He’s a good kid. A little green, you know, not too city smart. It was my good deed. I needed some positive karma.”
“I am indebted to you.”
Matteo loads Bentley’s things in the truck.
“Were you protecting my truck?” I ask.
Ramos nods. “Yeah, I heard you say Bentley’s name walking in, so I figured you were his man. Plus a truck like this stands out around here.”
“I appreciate it.” I dig my card out of my wallet. “If you ever need anything, call.”
Ramos looks down at the card then back at me. “Nah, man, you don’t want someone like me in your life.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re a good person. A bad person wouldn’t go out of their way to protect someone they don’t know. Do you need help?”
“No.” He glances at Bentley, still clinging to my arm. “You know, I’m clean now. I got involved in drugs. Taking ‘em, not dealing ‘em. I know I look like a thug, but I just lost my way for a while. I’m getting my shit together. Went to rehab after I broke into a place. I never hurt no one though. But this is my hood. People know me here, so they leave me alone. They leave anything alone if I tell them to.”
“Do you work now?” I ask.
“I run a little charity program.” He laughs. “Basically, I get weed to old and sick people who can’t afford it. It’s a little side business but not entirely legal.”
“Why isn’t it legal? Marijuana is legal in California.”
“Let’s just say I have some unique ways to get it to people who need it. It should be legal but, you know, red tape and shit.”
“Right.”
“You said you want to do something different,” Bentley says. “I’m gonna have my own studio one day.”
“You want me to be a porn star, little Bento?” Ramos laughs. “I don’t think that’s my thing.”
“There are lots of jobs. Not just filming. Give me time, Ramos. I’m gonna make something happen.”
“I know you are, kiddo.”
“And you’ll get your restaurant.”
“Yeah.” He nods. “I’m gonna get a restaurant.”
