Under the Covers

by K. C. Wells

  Jase grinned. “Hey, at least you’ll already know one of the participants.” Inwardly he was delighted. The thought of walking out onto the stage hadn’t fazed him—nothing new there—but the whole idea of taking part in what was essentially a beauty contest had worried him a little. Having Chris there with him would make the event a little more bearable.

  Chris sighed. “If you really don’t have anyone else who can step in….” He narrowed his gaze. “How many people have you already asked?”

  Eliza bit her lip. “You were first on my list. I wasn’t going to ask Dean because he’s already doing way too much, what with the movie night, his craft classes, and planning for Saturday evening…. Not that he wouldn’t do a great job. You’ve seen how he is with a room full of readers, right?”

  Chris nodded. “That’s why Monstrous Movies is always a packed room year after year. But you’re right. He’s already looking stressed, and the convention hasn’t even begun.” He took in a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  Eliza seized him in a hug. “Thank you so much. You’ve taken a great weight off my mind. It’s Thursday afternoon, and there are about ten contestants. I’ll email you all the details.” She gave Jase a smile. “I look forward to seeing you in the competition. Good luck.” With that, she walked off toward the bar.

  Chris watched her go. “I can never say no to her.”

  “Which was probably what she was counting on,” Jase remarked. “Tell me you brought a tux with you.”

  Chris’s eyes widened in horror. “Aw, crap. No. I didn’t expect to be doing anything like this.”

  Jase looked him up and down. “We’re not that dissimilar in height and build. Why don’t you borrow mine?”

  Chris snickered. “We may be the same height, give or take an inch, but I sure wouldn’t fill a tux the way you do.”

  Jase had no idea what came over him. “Oh, I don’t know. I think you’d fill it quite nicely.” Then he clammed up, amazed that he’d summoned enough nerve.

  Chris seemed to have lost his tongue too. After a moment he cleared his throat. “Well, I could rent one, but that still means finding it in the first place. So I guess your suggestion makes more sense.”

  Jase nodded enthusiastically, relieved at the change of direction. “Come to my room and you can try it on. I won’t need it until Friday morning anyway.” He winked. “Just don’t go spilling anything on it before then.”

  Chris rolled his eyes. “Sure, Mom.”

  Jase stared at him for a moment; then they both burst into laughter.

  Five minutes later they were in Jase’s room, and Jase was taking his tux out of its protective cover.

  “Have you given any thought to what your costume’s going to be for the competition?” Chris asked him.

  “Sure, but I’m not telling you. Not that it’ll be that much of a surprise. I mean, you’ve seen most of my costumes.” Jase attempted a mysterious smile. “You’ll just have to wait.” It felt like a flirtatious thing to say, and he waited for Chris’s reaction.

  Chris laughed. “Remember what Eliza said. Nothing R-rated.”

  “Does that mean my leather jock is out?” Jase teased. Where the hell is this coming from? Jase was not one for flirting.

  Chris gaped at him. “Name me one book cover where you’re wearing a leather jock.”

  He pretended to think about it. “Just because you’ve never shot me in one doesn’t mean I haven’t done it for another photographer.”

  Chris arched his eyebrows. “I see. You’ve been holding out on me. In that case, I can’t wait for Thursday afternoon.” He peered at the tux jacket. “You still think this will fit me?” He examined the pants. “I can get away with these.”

  “And if the jacket fits, so will the dress shirt.” Jase held it open for him, and Chris slipped his arms into the sleeves. Jase pulled the jacket to and fastened one button. Then he took a step back and eyed Chris critically. “Not bad. I think we’ll get away with it.” He placed his hands on Chris’s shoulders and gently turned him toward the mirror. “What do you think?”

  Chris regarded his reflection. “I think I owe you.”

  Jase wiped his brow dramatically. “Thank God. Okay, that’s one less thing you have to worry about. All you have to do now is work on your act.”

  “Act?” Chris appeared horrified.

  He nodded. “You’re going to be the emcee. That means you’ve got to be entertaining.”

  “I am not going to stand there telling jokes,” Chris remonstrated.

  “Then at least check the details on the guys taking part,” Jase suggested. “So you can say something witty or interesting about each of them.” It was such a role reversal. Chris was usually the one making suggestions and advising Jase. Being the one who was so assured was a heady experience.

  “I guess I’m not used to being in front of an audience,” Chris said at last.

  “Maybe not, but I am, so let me help you. We can work together on what you’re going to say, and then you can practice it on me. What do you think?”

  Chris chuckled. “I think… I’m really going to owe you when this is over.”

  “Don’t worry. Dinner is on you Friday night. And I don’t mean here in the hotel. We’ll go out to eat, right before you show me the sights of Las Vegas.”

  Chris beamed. “You’re on.” He glanced at the LED alarm clock next to the bed. “And now I’m gonna say good night. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m., so I’ll meet you for breakfast at eight at that restaurant where we had the chicken and waffles. That’s if you want to have breakfast with me?”

  Jase loved the idea. “Eight it is. And I promise to set my alarm this time.”

  Breakfast with Chris sounded like a great way to start the day. Then he had second thoughts. “Hey. I don’t want to monopolize you. Please don’t think you have to watch out for me just because this is my first convention.”

  Chris’s smile was gentle. “If I had something else to do, I’d tell you, all right? And you’re not monopolizing me. I’m really grateful for the company, if I’m honest.” He removed the jacket and held it out for Jase. “Thanks again for this. It was a great idea.” Jase took it, and Chris walked toward the door. “I’ll see you at breakfast. Sleep well.”

  “Sweet dreams,” Jase called out impulsively as Chris stepped out of the room.

  Chris turned, that gentle smile still in place. “You too.” Then the door closed.

  Jase stood there for a moment, a warm feeling spreading through him at the memory of that smile. He makes me feel so good.

  Then he shook himself. He’s being kind. That’s all it is. Don’t read more into it. The last thing Jase wanted was to complicate his professional relationship with Chris.

  Damn it.

  He did a quick check of his sodas and saw he needed some. There was a vending machine in the small room along the hallway where the ice was located, past Chris’s room. As he headed in that direction past the elevator, the doors opened and a young woman stepped out. Her face lit up when she caught sight of him.

  “You’re Jase Mitchell.” She held out her hand. “I’m delighted to meet you at last. I’m Victoria Keats.”

  Jase couldn’t help but smile. “Oh wow. I didn’t know you’d be here.” He shook her hand.

  Victoria chuckled. “I never miss this convention. And I didn’t know I’d get to meet the gorgeous young man who keeps turning up on my book covers.”

  Jase arched his eyebrows. “There’s a reason for that. You keep requesting me.”

  She laughed. “I’m calling it a night, but I’d love to talk to you over a drink sometime. Do you think you could find time for that?”

  “I would love that.” He and Victoria had messaged back and forth on Messenger on numerous occasions. She’d first contacted him three years ago after seeing him on a book cover. She’d gotten in touch to ask how she could get one of his photos for her next book, and they’d stayed in touch ever since.

  She sighed. “I
can’t believe we finally get to talk in person. This is fantastic.”

  He felt the same way. Impulsively, he gave her a hug. “I’ll message you with the times when I’m free, okay?” he said as he released her.

  Victoria’s smile reached her eyes. “Yes, please.” She waved as she headed for the opposite hallway.

  Jase went to the ice room, absurdly happy. Finding someone else he knew at the convention made it less of a scary prospect, and he couldn’t wait to talk to her again.

  This is looking better. Now all he needed was a call from Juliet to make it perfect.

  Chapter Five

  Wednesday

  CHRIS had no idea what had awoken him before his alarm went off. He rubbed his eyes, then sat up in bed, pushing off the covers. His phone vibrated on the nightstand, and he grabbed it. Two texts from Shane.

  Call me when you get this.

  Hey, you still living?

  Chris had to smile. Someone is eager to talk to me.

  Shane answered his call within two rings. “So what’s the deal? You ignoring me now?” A good-natured chuckle assured Chris he wasn’t in that much trouble.

  “Hey. Sorry. I meant to call you last night, but it was too late. I’m on the West Coast. Well, almost. I’m in Vegas. So what’s so urgent?”

  “How would you like to exhibit in my gallery, one night only?”

  Chris laughed. “This is a joke, right?” Shane owned one of the swankiest art galleries in New York, and artists and photographers fought like crazy for the chance to have an exhibition there. “Who do I have to kill? Or do I just have to sell my soul?”

  “Okay, are you sitting down?”

  Chris snickered. “I’m sitting in bed. Will that do?”

  “Next year. May. One week of exhibitions. A different artist or photographer every night. Guests pay a donation to attend, and all the money goes to charity. You get to choose whether or not to sell your work on the night, but if you do, a percentage of the proceeds would also go to charity.” Shane paused. “Well? Are you interested?”

  “For God’s sake, give a guy time to take a breath, why don’t ya?”

  “Hey, time is money, babe. I have a list of people to call. I just need your pitch, if you’re in. An idea of what you’re going to exhibit. Call it my way of whittling down a very long list to seven definites.”

  There was no way Chris could come up with a brilliant pitch on the spur of the moment. “How long do I have to come up with something?” This needed careful consideration.

  “You’ve got until Friday. After that, I contact the next person on my list.” Shane paused. “Think of it this way. You put together an exhibition, and once it’s over, you’ll have enough material for that book you’re always talking about. You know, the one you don’t have time to do because you’re too busy working?”

  Now that was a great idea. Chris had toyed with the idea of a book for years. Plus, he wanted to branch out from doing headshots, wedding photos, and book covers. This sounded like the perfect opportunity to do just that.

  “Okay, I’ll think seriously about it.”

  “Well, don’t think too long. Friday, remember?”

  “Thanks, Shane. Thanks for thinking of me.” He’d done the wedding photos for Shane’s sister four years previously, which was how their paths had crossed. They’d become friends and stayed in touch.

  “Aw, you’re welcome. You’ve been hiding that light of yours under a bushel for too long. Let’s show New York the talent that’s out there.” Shane snickered. “Now get up outta that bed and get your thinking cap on. Dazzle me, babe.” And with that, he disconnected the call.

  Chris dropped the phone to the bed, his mind already turning over ideas.

  This has to be good. Scrap that—this has to be perfect.

  “DO I have to wear this all the time?” Jase asked, glancing down at the small, flat bag now hanging from his neck, bearing the words Jase Mitchell, Cover Model.

  Chris laughed. “Back home I have a drawer full of these. And yes, you do. They won’t let you into the events if you’re not wearing one. You just have to get used to people’s gaze automatically lowering to your chest when they meet you for the first time. And don’t lose your tickets.”

  “What tickets?” Jase reached into the cozy bag and extracted five small bits of card. “Swag bag,” he read aloud. “What the hell is a swag bag?”

  “Every attendee gets a bag full of goodies, stuff that the authors give away. We’re talking pens, business cards, bookmarks, bottle openers, mirrors, notepads… basically anything they can think of to promote their books. Plus, you get given free books.”

  “And every reader gets one of these? Man, that must cost thousands.”

  Chris laughed. “Some authors get a kick out of coming up with new ideas for things to give away. Last year one author gave away car air fresheners with her logo printed on them. Another author had a sexy guy on a door hanger, with the words Shh, I’m Reading. One year I got this neat little flashlight. Lip balm is a firm favorite.”

  Jase was already peering at the remaining tickets. “Drink voucher?”

  “Yeah. At the evening events, they set up bars at various points in the room. You can exchange a ticket for a beer, a glass of wine, or a spirit. If you want something more adventurous, you pay for that yourself.”

  Jase smirked. “Does anyone ever get drunk at these shindigs?”

  “Readers, maybe. Authors? Not so much. After all, they represent their brand, and no one wants to be remembered as that asshole who got smashed out of their brains at a con. Things like that tend to stick.” Chris gestured to the camera around his neck. “I have to be careful. Some people don’t want their picture plastered all over social media, so they wear a lanyard with a different color. See how yours and mine are purple? Well, you’ll see people with a white lanyard. I have to make sure they don’t end up in my photos.”

  Jase’s eyes lit up. “Ah, that’s why they asked if I was okay with being seen at the con.” He peered at his clothing. “Speaking of brands… am I dressed okay?”

  Privately Chris thought Jase looked more than merely okay. He wore a pair of black jeans, black boots, and a dark blue button-down short-sleeved shirt that really complemented his blue eyes. It showed off his slim figure, clinging to the gentle curve of his biceps. His dark brown hair was glossy, swept over to one side in a soft wave, the tips curling above his ears.

  “You look perfect,” Chris admitted. “Now, is there anything on your agenda for today? We’re going to Dean’s event tonight, but apart from that, I have a couple of meetings scheduled with publishers.”

  “I followed your advice and made appointments too. I get to meet with three different publishers today, ones I haven’t worked with yet. Hopefully some work will come of them.”

  “Most readers start arriving today, so be ready for people stopping you in hallways, coffee shops, and restaurants, all wanting to have their photo taken with you.” Chris had a feeling Jase was going to be in demand.

  Then he stiffened. Oh Lord. Why did I have to open my big mouth?

  “What’s wrong?” Jase had apparently noticed his reaction.

  Chris sighed. “You know I talked about the chance of meeting someone you know at a con?” He pointed over Jase’s shoulder to a tall figure sauntering along the hall.

  Jase turned to look. “Isn’t that Gabe? I had no idea he was going to be here.”

  “Me neither.” Something niggled at the back of his mind, and he pulled out his phone. Chris scrolled through Eliza’s email and sighed. “He’s in the cover model contest too. His name just didn’t click until now.” He glanced up. Gabe was walking toward them, his eyes gleaming.

  Before he reached them, however, a group of six women, all wearing the same T-shirt, hurried over and clustered around Jase, talking at the tops of their voices. Chris watched, amused, as he posed for photos and signed books and the covers on Kindles. As they walked away, still talking animatedly, Gabe approached
them, grinning.

  “I see you have a fan club. Obviously ladies with taste.”

  Jase gave him a half smile. “That’s the second time this has happened since we got here.”

  “We?” Gabe focused an inquiring glance on Chris. “You came here together?”

  Before Chris could respond, Jase interjected. “Yeah, we flew in yesterday morning.” His smile didn’t alter.

  Chris registered the brief flash of surprise in Gabe’s eyes. “I see.”

  “Are you ready for the cover model contest?” Chris asked. He couldn’t get over Jase’s quick response. It was as if he’d intended to give the impression that they were an item. Not that Chris objected.

  Gabe nodded. “Wait till you see the costume I brought along. Troy Maitland will be drooling all over me.”

  Chris couldn’t resist. “Well, unfortunately, Troy’s not the one who decides on the winner. That’s down to the audience. And Troy won’t be there. He’s broken his leg.”

  “And I don’t think Chris is a drooler,” Jase added with a grin, touching Chris lightly on the arm.

  Gabe frowned. “You’re taking Troy’s place?”

  Chris nodded. “Last-minute thing.”

  “I think he’ll be amazing,” Jase said warmly, glancing at Chris. His hand still lay on Chris’s arm.

  Chris knew exactly where this was coming from. Of course. This is to keep Gabe off his back. Chris recalled Jase’s reaction to Gabe’s less-than-subtle advances. Whatever the reasoning behind it, Jase’s plan was obviously working. Gabe’s previous flirtatious manner had dissipated, and he regarded them with unguarded surprise.

  Gabe glanced down at Jase’s name badge. “Ah. I haven’t done that yet. I’d better go and register.” He gave them both a polite nod. “See you later?” Then he strode off in the direction of the registration desk.

  Jase withdrew his hand. “Sorry about that. I know I came across as pretty possessive, but I didn’t want him to think it would be okay to come on to me like he usually does. It wasn’t the right thing to do, really. I should just be honest with him and tell him how I feel, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I figured this was a gentler way to let him down. Of course, now he thinks we’re a couple.”