Bachelors, Bigots, and Bisexuals

Chapter 8

I had passed out after the first night and been asleep for who knows how many hours. I woke up because Tracy, my assigned roommate, was blow-drying her hair. I looked up to see her in her pajamas, primping excessively.

"Is it morning," I asked.

"Who knows," she said. "I couldn't sleep. You still snore."

"Are there cameras in here?" I asked.

"Maybe," she sighed. "Never can be sure, so we have to watch what we say. Big brother is ever-present, right?"

"I was surprised to see you," I said. "But I am happy to see a friend."

"A friend," she pursed. She turned to me and her eyes were full of something. Desire, regret, anger: who knew. Tracy was always mysterious to me. Still, a vague recollection of some of our deeper moments flooded back to me. She had left me, and I had been devastated at the time. I deserved it but still, it hurt to see her. "I did not know we were friends."

"We can be," I said. "If you would like that."

"I would," she said. "Look, I came here to explore. The truth is, I have never been with a man like Flynn. I wanted to see if it was something I want."

In other words, she wanted to see if she was into men. Why she decided to test it out here was beyond me. 

"So did you get put on sabbatical," she asked.

"I did," I said. "It seems like all of the professors put on leave have something in common..."

"There were four of us, right?" Four professors who were less than straight, that was. 

"Four confirmed," she said. "But hey? You and I have a plan. Your uncle and Pierce will welcome us back after this."

"Is that why you wanted to do this?" I asked. "I mean, I know I did it for my sister. But now I like Flynn..."

"Oh really," she said. "We had a nice chat. He is rather hunky."

"Very good kisser," I grinned.

"Not as good as you, if I remember," she said the last part as a whisper. "Hey, let's get up and go see the drama. I hear the girls in the house moving around."

"I need to put my face on," I said. "I'm not camera-ready yet."

She nodded and left me to my own thoughts. I hopped in the shower and thought briefly about Tracy. Was it possible she was here for Flynn, just to check and see if they could have a connection? Or perhaps this was some sign from the universe. I had one ex-girlfriend who had lasted more than a couple of nights: Tracy. And here was Tracy, sleeping by my bed and wearing tiny little pajamas that left little to the imagination. It seemed like a test, but I wasn't sure how to pass with flying colors.

***

Downstairs, the girls were all giggling and chatting. I grabbed a cup of instant oatmeal from the pantry and started eating breakfast, wondering what time it was. The producers were in the kitchen and the cameramen walked around like it was normal to have thirty women in a large room. Maybe for them, it was normal. One of the producers approached me and smiled. He wore a long flannel shirt and a healthy amount of stubble on his chin.

"Hey, Annie right?" He said.

"Hi," I said.

"I'm Stephen. I usually work more closely with Flynn, but if you need something, I am here."

"Thanks," I said. "Do we get coffee?"

"Yes. Right behind you there. Grab a cup and go sit on the couch. Something will be happening soon and we want you in the shot."