Behind the Lens (Sexy 1)

“I was thinking around seven o’clock. I figured it would be nice if I got the steaks there before everyone showed up.” I take a long drag of my cigarette and flick the ashes.

“That works.” We talk a bit longer, but after I finish my cigarette, we hang up because I need to get my ass showered. I jump in the shower and let the hot water pound on me. It feels so good after my run to let my muscles relax. I get out and wrap a towel around my waist before standing in front of the mirror. I’m not a conceited person, but I will give myself credit because I work my ass off for this body. My arms are fully covered in tattoos, and the muscles just accent them more, in my opinion. My legs are toned, I have a definite six pack, and what some people call fuck lines. I chuckle at that thought and make my way to get dressed.

After I am dressed in my faded jeans, black Wicked Union T-shirt I got at their concert, and toss on a black and blue Diamond hat, I grab my phone to give my brother a call. I dial his number and make my way outside to have a cigarette before heading to the store. “What’s up, Jax?” My brother is fucking amazing. He has done a lot for me through the years. I used to get into a lot of trouble as a teenager, and my brother was the one who gave me a job to pull me away from that crowd of people. I don’t know what my life would be like if he hadn’t done that. I was definitely on a downward spiral.

“Hey, man, just wanted to make sure you are going to stop by tonight.” I take a drag and lean back in my seat.

“Yea, I’ll stop by. I’m just finishing up here. We finally got this fucking job done. Blake kicked ass today, so we will start that new job on Redwood Street on Monday.” I smile, shaking my head. My brother loves talking business, until I can get a few beers in him that is.

“Cool. Maybe you’ll find a girl to take home tonight.” I look over when I hear the slider open and Blake come walking out.

“Doubtful. Alright, I’m going to finish up so I can go home and shower soon. I’ll see you in a few hours.” We hang up and I think about him being lonely. He was engaged, bought a house with a fucking white picket fence, and fully furnished it. He came home early from work one day and found his buddy balls deep in his fiancée. He lost his shit, started throwing stuff and breaking things. Although I don’t blame him, his buddy is lucky it wasn’t me because I would have beat him within an inch of his life. He threw all her clothes and belongings out the window onto the front lawn, all while she was crying and begging him to forgive her. He never said a word to her, even when she was grabbing onto his shirt. She’d made her bed, so to speak, and he let her lie in it. Since then, he won’t date and he’s only hooked up with maybe two chicks. That was four years ago. I always try to get him to at least consider taking a girl home.

“Jax!” I snap out of my thoughts and look at Blake. “Fuck, did you hear me?” I finish off my cigarette and put it out.

“Shit, sorry, brother. What’s up?” He shakes his head.

“I said if you give me twenty minutes, I’ll run to the store with you.”

“Yea, that’s cool. Max is bringing steaks and beer, but I’m sure we will need more beer, and I’ll get some burgers and hot dogs too.” He gives me a nod and walks into the house. I stand up to turn on the pool just as my phone rings. I look at the number, but I don’t know it. “Hello?” I hear of all things Jinks playing in the background, but it is turned down quickly.

“Hi, is this Jax Burke?” I pull the phone away from my ear and check the number, definitely no one I know.

“Yes. Who’s this?” I turn the pool on and head back under the shade of the patio.

“Hi, Jax, my name is Kallie Gregory. I’m a photographer. I got your number from Maxwell Smyth.” I smile and sit down.

“Oh right, he told me to expect your call.” I can hear her moving papers around.

“Great. I would love to have you be a part of this shoot I’m trying to get together in three weeks. I know it’s short notice, but a few of the girls I work with will be gone for a while, and I really want them a part of it also. I am trying to get together a handful of both male and female models with tattoos to do a bunch of different shots on the beach. I want it to be different, with a large group. I’ll also do individual shots as well as couple shots. I just have this amazing idea I’d love to see come alive. It will be three weeks from today. We will start at sunrise to get the early sun, and I’d like to do the final shots at sunset. Obviously, I’m not a bitch, and we won’t shoot all day without breaking. Would you be able to make it?” I chuckle lightly at everything she just got out without so much as a breath. She definitely seems like someone I’d like to work with.

“Kallie, I think that sounds awesome. I’d love to be a part of it.” I actually think I hear her breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Jax. It will be amazing. Now Max said I should also talk to your friend Blake, but he didn’t give me a contact number for him. Would you happen to have that?” I don’t know what the hell it is about her, but she keeps making me smile.

“He’s my best friend and roommate. I can tell him about it for you if you like, but I can already tell you he will definitely be there also.”

“That is very sweet, but I’d like to talk with him. I like to talk to all my models personally, and by no means does that mean I don’t appreciate your offer. It’s just how I like to do things.” Right there, I can tell she is the real deal.

“I completely understand that. Honestly, I respect that.” I don’t know how, but I know she is smiling at that. I give her Blake’s number and wait while she jots it down.

“Great, I’ve got it. Jax, it was great talking with you, and I look forward to meeting and working with you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Do you have my number on your phone, or do you need it?” I check once again to make sure I have it.

“I have it. Thank you for the opportunity, Kallie, I’ll see you in three weeks.” We hang up, and I immediately save her number. She seems like a photog that I would love to work with, so hopefully this shoot will bring more.

Blake and I went to the store and got everything we needed for tonight. He talked with Kallie too, so now we are just hanging out back, drinking a beer, and waiting for everyone to get here.

“Hey, Blake, go turn that hot tub on for me.” He flips me off but gets up to do it. We sit bullshitting for an hour before Max walks in the backyard.

“Max, you fucking dick, how’s it going?” Blake gets up to help him, and I follow suit. I’m shocked at all the stuff he brought. I grab the beer and put it by the coolers, and we head inside.

“Damn, Max, you didn’t need to bring so much. Thanks, man.” He puts down twelve packages of steaks and leans on the counter.

“Just showing my appreciation for getting my drunk ass.” I grab a beer for each of us out of the fridge and give it to them.

“No problem, man. I’m going to fire up the grill. You and Blake can start marinating the steaks.” I go outside and lift up the grill hood.

“Look at this sexy guy being all manly at the grill.” I turn around, and Monica stands there with a few of her friends. She’s beautiful, stunning really, with a kickass body, but she’s just a friend. We fooled around once, and it just didn’t do anything for either of us. We’ve been really good friends since. Her friends tonight though, they are gett