At fifteen, JT Pierce was the star of a hit TV show and had the world in his hands. Every teeny-bopper magazine had his face on it; every teenage girl had his poster on her wall. But then the show went on hiatus, and JT wouldn’t lower himself to bit parts or commercials. Slowly, his star faded from view.<br><br>Seven years later, JT is Johnny Thomas, who hopes to jumpstart his career by hiring his former manager, Lou Merrin. He wants to do serious movies, a huge blockbuster or two, and claim one of those coveted Oscars for himself. But Lou cautions Johnny about the paparazzi, who can make or break a star these days, and he’s heard rumors of Johnny’s sexuality that might prevent him from landing those coveted leading roles.<br><br>Still, Johnny’s nothing if not persistent, and he swears he’ll play it straight. Until he meets Brett, a photographer who turns his life -- and his heart -- upside down. Suddenly the celebrity gossip website Z-23 seems to have exclusive pictures of Johnny, and someone close to him leaks information about an audition that was supposed to be kept quiet. When photographs surface that Johnny thought were taken in confidence, he realizes he must choose between the career path Lou offers him and the love he wants to share with Brett.

Beautiful Liar

In the dream, the voice is Brett’s. Johnny looks over his shoulder but finds no one there, no one at all. “Brett?” he calls out. When there’s no response, he tries again, louder. “Brett?” 


The snap of a camera’s shutter is his only reply. 


He stirs amid his bed sheets and the dream dissipates. “Brett?” he murmurs, his arm reaching across the empty expanse of the bed. He finds the pillow his lover used the night before and fists his hand in the downy material. The sheets smooth over his legs as he stretches awake. “Where….” 


An almost inaudible clickstartles him awake. His eyes flutter open. 


Brett kneels on the bed, his nude body a glorious stretch of firm, tan skin that coalesces into a thick thatch of sandy curls at his crotch. He has his digital camera in both hands, aimed at Johnny, and a faint smile appears on his face. “There you are. Say cheese.” 


Chapter 10