“Where were we? Right, sex,” Wade says all too casually.

“It’s not happening,” I saw absent mindlessly as I watch Noah rub his fingers across my whitish-grey sheets, feeling their softness. I notice the beginning of bruises around his knuckle and I have to look away.

Everyone here comes because they were given a choice. Noah wasn’t. Those bruises are meant for those who want this, not those who were forced to be here. I clench my jaw shut, angry at the world.

“Fine. Just keep sending her nice pictures. Maybe not as nice as the one you just sent, damn.”

Noah opens his mouth as if to say something but then shuts it. We all notice it. Terry gives me a look and I roll my eyes, and say, “for fuck’s sake, fine. Show him the damn thing.”

Terry, who still has my phone, throws it to Noah who catches it even though he wasn’t given any warning. I watch as he looks at the picture I had sent Maddy. His eyes widen, blinking a bit rapidly. Terry can’t hold back a cackle.

“Your face is priceless, dude.”

He doesn’t stop looking at it as he says, “why would you send this one?” 

“It was the first one I found.” It was. Though, I probably shouldn’t have sent that one. It was a picture of me on my knees in the mirror. Eyes staring into the camera, darkened by arousal. My knees were spread out slightly and I was wearing nothing but a white shirt, the bottom hem between my teeth, revealing my abs. My left hand was behind my head, nicely emphasizing my upper arm muscles, while my right hand was gripped around the base of my fully-hardened dick. It was, and I don’t say this lightly, a work of art.

“I’m-“

“Noah, send it to yourself, for safekeeping, of course.” And honestly, I would protest Terry’s suggestion, but this was a convenient way to get his number.

“I don’t want that on my phone.”

“I don’t know if I should be offended or not.”

He looks up at me, eyes slightly darker than usual, and frowns, “I’m not into that.”

I hear Wade and Terry curse under their breath. As far as discomfort goes, this is pretty bad.

Noah stands up and says, “I’m going to go shower before dinner. Thanks for letting me hang with you guys.”

“Well, if you need somewhere to sit, come to our table. Always room for one more, Cybat or not.” Terry offers him something I would’ve if he didn’t say it first.

But Noah doesn’t say anything.

And, when dinner comes around, he doesn’t show up.