© Justin Cumberland 2007

Chapter Six

The mental gymnastics ended. And Jason relaxed, dumbing it down. He didn’t have to worry about it.

Sensation entranced him.

Friday next was his birthday. Garth arrived early.

‘I’ve got a surprise for you, Jase.’

‘Yeah. Well, I just turned seventeen.’ He was excited. ‘You’re supposed to have a surprise for me.’

‘You didn’t just turn seventeen, Jase. It’s your seventeenth birthday. That means you’re eighteen.’

‘How come I am?’

‘You’re in your eighteenth year.’

‘How does that work?’

‘I explained it to you before, Jase.’

Jason frowned. He couldn’t remember.

‘Just forget it, Jase. You’re eighteen, right? If anyone asks you just tell em you’re eighteen.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Sure I’m sure,’ suddenly remembering, ‘Here, I got this for you!’ He pulled an envelope out of his jeans and handed it to Jason.

‘An envelope?’ He said it slowly, descending, disappointed.

‘Just open it.’

Jason snatched it, opened it, thinking it would be a card or a photo – something really stupid. And there were two pieces of cardboard inside. He pulled them out, turned them over.

He read:

‘Jason Chaste. Con…testant pass to…Busted,’ stopping, squinting, ‘Monday 18…June.’ He stopped. ‘Contestant pass? Monday 18? But that’s this Monday! Fuck, Garth! This Monday? Are you serious?’

Garth smiled.

‘How did you get it?’ Jason asked. ‘So quick?’

‘I rang em, Jase!’ Garth was excited now. He had been holding it back. ‘I fucking well rang em! Spoke to the producer – “Sir.” He wants me Saturday. I told him you weren’t coming in. Not till then. I said nothing definite till then.’

‘Oh fuck!’ It was rushing towards him. It was bright.

Garth swallowed. ‘I put on the whole act, you know – did the whole fucking “Well I’m his agent, Sir” thing. And he said come in Saturday! It’s his fucking day off, Jase!’

‘Oh fucking hell! Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck.’ Jason’s hands shook. He thought he was going to piss himself. He closed his eyes and felt it start, felt the blood start to flow in his dick, felt it harden. Oh fucking hell, he was going to fucking do it. He felt his hands close into fists at the thought of crushing…

‘…and I said, “he doesn’t want to meet with you, Sir. I’m acting for him.”’

‘Are you listening, Jase?’

Jason blinked his eyes and swallowed, nodding his head. He would have to listen. He would have to calm down. Oh fuck, he wanted some cones. Oh fucking hell, this was beyond…

‘“ …well, as soon as possible. If you want him, then you’ll need to make room for him. Monday, why yes that’ll be fine” – they’re pulling a fucking guy, Jase. They’re making a space for you – Monday!’

‘What?’

‘They’re making a space for you.’

‘Why would they do that?’

‘I sent him a photo. I sent it before I rang.’

‘Is that all?’

‘All? Jase, you just don’t get it, do you?’

‘What? That I’m hot?’

‘You’re not just hot, Jase. You’re fucking unbelievable!’

He didn’t believe this. It was just blond hair and his lips – the way they curled up in the corners.

‘Anyway, he was impressed. You’ll draw an audience. Increase the ratings, he said.’

Jason threw his head back. ‘You think they wouldn’t need it!’

‘It’s profit maximization. That’s his job.’

Jason went quiet.

‘Anyway, he said not to let you get cold feet about the whole thing.’

‘Cold feet?’

‘It’s an expression.’

‘I never heard it.’

‘It’s old.’

Jason made an O with his mouth. ‘What photo did you send them?’

‘That one of you in the shower.’

‘In the shower? Oh shit, man, not that. Why the fuck did you take that? I’m fucking naked! I’ve got a fucking boner!’

‘Yeah, well, he liked it. I told him when I took it. I put a caption under it: “Jase reacts to Brad’s win.” He said he couldn’t wait to see you in person. Couldn’t wait to get down to business.’

‘Really? Get down to business? He said it like that?’

Garth nodded.

‘You think that means the money?’

‘It could mean anything, Jase. It’s an expression.’

‘Shit.’ Jason thought for a moment and then he remembered the envelope. There was another card. ‘What’s this then?’ he said, turning it over. ‘Buddy…pass.’ He frowned. ‘Buddy pass? Well – that’s yours, Garth!’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Sure I’m sure. Here, take it.’

Garth put out his hand and took the card. His hand was shaking.

‘What? Did you think I’d change my mind?’

‘Shit. I don’t know, Jase. I haven’t always been that good to you. I’ve made you do some pretty fucked up things.’

‘Yeah – but that’s all in the past, Garth.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Sure I’m sure.’

‘You know, Jase,’ Garth stopped. ‘There’s something I really…well, look – I want to…the baseball bat – straight afterwards…making you…when, well I know you never have…’

Jason jerked his head back. ‘Oh, forget it, Garth! That’s two years ago. I’m not gonna… make you do that.’

‘I didn’t. I wasn’t.’

‘Just forget it, Garth. I’ll get my dick sucked some day. Right now I’d rather waste some little prick.’