From Campus to Camera

 That Impresses Me Much

As we sit there, I look across at Tyson “So is Tyson your porn name or your real name or both?” I ask him as he looks at me with just a grin. “It was my porn name but I’ve just adopted it as my legal name these days, I had a falling out with my family over all this and honestly, Tyson is a hot name,” he says as I look at him nudging him for more information.

“You cannot leave me hanging like that,” I say to him as his charming smile with his perfect white teeth almost convince me to let it go. “You can try and flirt your way out of anything but it might have a temporary effect on someone, you’re forgetting I’m straight,” I say even with some doubt in my voice which I think Tyson picks up on even if I’m not picking up on the doubt.

I see him laugh “Fuck I hate you and love you at the same time dude,” he says to me as I just smile at him and he is now the one blushing. “My parents were never that open-minded, they weren’t conservative but they just lived sheltered lives and as a kid, you saw I was always chubby and I hated sports so I was a disappointment to my Dad who was a football coach because I couldn’t play like he wanted me to, I always knew that I was different and I’d often say that I wanted to go to the gym growing up but my Dad would always tell me it was too late for me and the gym was for athletes” I sit there shocked at how cruel it sounds like Tyson’s family was.

“Yep, I started to go when I was telling Dad I was going to the library to study I went to the gym and loved everything about it and it made me feel really confident especially when I knew who I wanted to be” he says as I smile at his confidence these days. “I was 17 and one night I’d just had enough and I walked out the door and never set foot in my family’s house again”.

I sit there stunned by that fact because my family is so massive and everybody is so close in my family and usually Thanksgiving is 30-40 people. “That was eight years ago and I’m happier for it and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing in my life because I only want to surround myself with positive people,” he says as I’m surprised he opened up so much about that.

For me the change to move from North Dakota to somewhere East was a big deal but I’m still in touch with my family once a week at a minimum but there are so many of us that it’s a daily occurrence but to not to speak to any of them for eight years is just something that I could never imagine.

“That is phenomenal,” I say as Tyson just nods his head “It was why I changed my name because I was named after my Dad and I hated the name so when I started porn I just began using it more frequently so I changed it legally which was hard but something I had to do,” he says as I sit there proud of him even though that I know he is so confident these days it was something tough.

I get up and get us another round of drinks as I sit down “I wasn’t expecting you to go into that much detail about your life, I’m sure that you don’t talk about it that much” I say to him as he takes a sip of another margarita and shakes his head.

“Nope, honestly you’re about the first one that I’ve told about my life fully and the way I looked, most people know I don’t have a relationship with my family but not to the extent that it happened,” he says as I put my arm around him and appreciate the level of feeling between us even though it’s only been 2 weeks at most. 

“I appreciate you telling me bro” I say as he smiles at me and we separate a bit and sit there listening to the light music playing as he gets a cheeky grin on his face. “Ever been to karaoke?” he says as I look at him and shake my head trying not to do it. 

“Absolutely not,” I say as he finishes his drink quickly and grabs my arm to try and take me out “Come on it’s a load of fun and you don’t need to sing in front of anyone, you can just do it in a private room the two of us busting out,” he says with the eagerness of a kid wanting to open Christmas presents.

I reluctantly get up “If it’s only us two ok?” I say as we head down the road to a Karaoke bar and Tyson seems to be a regular because the girl behind the front desk knows him by name and seems surprised that he just wants a private room tonight. “Can you send my usual drinks in too?” he says to the girl as we head upstairs to Room 14 which is a surprisingly big room with a lounge that goes on either side as Tyson lays down.

We wait for the drinks to come before Tyson gets up “I’ll start the way I always should with the queen of music” he says as I sit there expecting someone like Beyonce or Rihanna to come on as I grab one of the drinks that I have no idea what it is but tastes so damn good.

He stands there picking a song as I’m worried that everything I’m going to pick is from the country music section which really won’t do my credibility any good especially considering what I was playing when he came to my apartment. Tyson picks his song and as the music starts if I didn’t feel connected to him before, this was definitely the sign that he was a keeper in whatever form this bromance takes.

Singing through the song, Tyson finishes up and looks at me as I look back at him “Shania Twain?” I say as he looks at me. “Yeah got a problem with that? I absolutely love her she’s my queen and ever since I heard this as a kid I just loved the song… probably the video that turned me” he says as I just laugh and nod.

“I thought I was the only one obsessed with Shania Twain,” I say as he laughs and sits down next to me and puts his arm around me. “Are we really sure that Scott is straight?” he jokes with me as really it’s becoming more of a question every day even though I’m adamant that I am. “I’m a country music kid, so I’ve got it all from that like Dolly, Reba and all those, you’re nothing country,” I say as he shrugs and the night just goes to another level where we are belting out Shania Twain songs until it’s nearly 2 am.

Finishing up, Tyson looks at me “You heading home now?” he asks as I nod. “Well let me come with you, it’s not a great area which I know that you know but I don’t wanna have anything happen to you yet,” he says as I don’t say no but then don’t really say yes either. We hail down a cab where the driver is reluctant to head to that part of town at this time of night but when we say that we’ll pay extra he is quick to accept the fare.

Heading back to my place, Tyson tells the Taxi driver to wait but he refuses so we both get out and head up to my apartment “You want me to get you an Uber or…” I say as he looks at me and shakes his head. “Not at this time of night, your couch is big enough for me to crash on and I can head home in the morning,” he says as part of me wishes we could share the bed but the single bed is barely big enough for me let alone adding Tyson in.

I put some music on and the country music doesn’t seem to be the embarrassment that it was when I first put it on when Tyson came around. As we chill out the music is quickly drowned out by the sounds of loud shouting and yelling yet again. “What the hell is going on out there?” Tyson says as he gets up to look out the window.

Wandering back from the kitchen I pull him away “That’s how you become a witness” I say as he just looks at me confused about what’s going on and my calmness with it. “It’s just your routine disagreement at the friendly neighbourhood meth lab” Tyson looks at me concerned as I say that casually. “It happens twice, three times a week” My words don’t really calm him down or ease his tension.

“Why are you still living here?” he asks as it’s a pretty fair question but there aren’t too many other options and during the day it’s actually a decent enough area that cops a bad reputation for the little pockets of trouble that I seem to live right above. 

I sit down next to him on the couch “This is the only place I can afford and even then I’m pushing my limits and that’s before rent goes up and having no job” I say as I look at him “Why do you think I got into gay porn?”.

Tyson just sits there and nudges me as he laughs “True but I’m not going to let you say that there wasn’t a deep-down desire that needed to be unlocked” he says as I just shrug as we sit there turning everything off because I’ve learnt in the past having a light on can be a sign that you can be dragged into this.

I get up and take off my pants and shirt and put them over a chair on the table as I head into my room with the briefs still on as I change into my PJ pants and I notice Tyson checking me out as he takes everything but his briefs off and turns off the light.

It’s only a few minutes later that the living room is lit up by the bright blue and red lights of the police cars and tonight there’s an ambulance as well which isn’t ever good either. “I always manage to bring you to the nicest places” I joke as he laughs and looks at me.

“To be fair, it was my problems that spoiled our first night out” I nod and just laugh that for how perfect we seem to be together, everything around is far from it. I head back to my bed as everything goes on outside but we don’t get too much sleep and end up just talking a bit more.

The conversation for 4 am is now pretty deep which is probably just the effects of a lack of sleep and the wind down from so many margaritas and how deep the conversation was earlier when he was telling me all about his life. “Do you ever have any regrets?” I turn and ask him curious as we find ourselves almost cuddling now as I have my head on his shoulder.

“Look at me, I have zero regrets about how I dealt with things because the toxicity at home absolutely killed me and honestly I’m surrounded by the most amazing people in my life these days and that has grown since meeting you,” he says as I blush and runs my hands through his thick brown hair.

He looks across at me “What about you?” he asks as me as I don’t know whether I necessarily have any regrets about things but doubts definitely. 

“I wouldn’t say there is a regret yet because I haven’t had any of my nudity on the internet yet,” I say joking as Tyson just shoves me “So I tell you this deep secret and you joke” I smirk at him as I shake my head. “Regrets no, but doubts always and not about the porn stuff,” I say as I think about life at home again and why I wanted to be a doctor so badly.

Tyson looks at me wanting to go on “Leaving North Dakota was hard because my family is so tight and close but when I was 13 we were on a trip visiting my grandparents on their farm but Dad didn’t come because he’d had a headache and wanted to do some work on the farm” I say taking a deep breath as it’s not something that I really open up about.

“So we got back that night and Dad was laying on the floor and he’d had a stroke which with all the ensuing damage that happened had left him with permanent damage and paralysis so everything changed” I say as Tyson hugs me having no idea that it happened. “So everything happened and I made my decision to become a doctor because it turned out that if there was just one Doctor in town that he could have seen rather than the three gun shops,” I say with some anger in my voice which Tyson senses.

He just rubs my shoulder as we sit there and just cuddle in together falling asleep on the couch together for a few hours before Tyson’s phone goes off. “Shit, I’ve got to get to work and still in my dirty clothes” he says as I smirk “You could borrow some of mine but not sure it’s in your class range or size” he says punching me as he books an Uber to swing by the house before taking him to work.

I head to bed finally and just fall asleep for a while amazed by the night that we had and how special it felt. Getting up, my head is sore through the drinks last night and the lack of sleep but I need to get some shopping now that I have actually got some money in my account now.

As I head out as Sharon is coming up slowly from the garden “You look like you had a good night last night, something special going on there?” she says as I shake my head. “Nah, we are just close friends that’s all” I say as Sharon just nods her head.

“You just seem really happy lately and he’s been around a lot picking you up” she says as I just assure her that there is nothing going on between Tyson and I even though from the outside it really does look like we are more than friends.

Things between Tyson and I have grown so quickly from him watching me at the photo shoot to going out for drinks that night and then basically talking every day which is something that I didn’t even do with my best friends in North Dakota. 

The week drags on so much because I’ve got a couple of exams that I study for so I’m pretty much stuck between Class, Library and home all week and don’t even get much time to chill out with Tyson because he’s working and getting a huge opportunity at the salon he works at which he wants to do to get noticed at doing something other than just being a pretty recognisable gay porn star.

It gets to Thursday night and I’m sitting outside for a few minutes talking to Ash when a silver car pulls up “Wanna take a ride?” someone calls out as Ash just looks at the car. “Get lost loser” she shouts as the car door opens as I see the familiar frame get out of the car.

“Wasn’t talking to you” he says as I smile “What are you doing here? How did you know my schedule?” I say as Tyson comes around and leans on his car. “Well when I said did you wanna catch up, you said you had class until 7 and didn’t have the car so I thought I’d come pick you up being a good friend” he says to me as I smile and Ash just smirks.

“Now I get it, didn’t realise you went that way, Scotty,” she says alluding to me and Tyson being a couple which he doesn’t stop as he just laughs. “Shut up, it’s not like that we’re just friends and that’s it” Ash doesn’t believe me as I say that.

“Come on Scott, I’ve known you since you moved here and not once have you ever cared about how you look but suddenly now your hair is perfect and you seem to care about how you look, a lot,” she says as I can’t deny it and Tyson is just standing back leaning on his car. 

I stand there umming and ahhing for a moment as Tyson steps in but not the way that I wanted him to at all “Do you want a ride home or somewhere?” he asks Ash who agrees as she gets in the back of the car and I sit in the front.

As we drive off, I decide to be upfront with Ash as she asks the question “You can’t tell anyone else about this ok?” I say as she smirks thinking that she’s right. “I’m right aren’t I?” she says as I just say no before saying sort of.

“So you know how broke I am and everything… well I started doing some work and that’s where I met Tyson,” I say as she just nods at me. “When you say work… you mean?” she asks as I just let out a sigh and look at Tyson for advice.

Tyson being himself doesn’t help me but just comes out with it “Gay porn, that’s where we met on set” he says as I put my hands in my head with how bluntly he puts it as I wonder how Ash reacts but she just has a smile on her face. “So I was right about you?” I still can’t say anything as it’s going to sound weird and a lie but at least this time Tyson clears the air.

“Nah, Scott’s straight as, he needed a straight porn video to get through everything and it’s just for the cash” he says to Ash who nods her head and totally understands now even if Tyson is lying a bit just to help me cover. “Well that’s cool man, and you know every secret is safe with me” she says as we drop her off at the station and gets out of the car.

I look across at him and punch him though my punch doesn’t do a lot of damage “What the fuck man? You could’ve said something else” Tyson just laughs and looks at me “Well are you happy about doing porn or not?”

Thinking about the fact that I am, but I’d not really thought about the fallout from people learning about it “Well yeah I am”. Tyson looks at me and knows what I’m about to say “But you don’t know how to tell them or what to do if they find out?” he says as I just nod my head and he laughs. 

“Yeah something like that,” I say as he puts his hand on my leg as he starts to drive from the station “Nobody’s opinion matters other than yours and if you are comfortable with your life choices then that’s all that matters like me,” he says as I smile and appreciate his ability to turn around any situation into a positive. 

We drive towards the bay into a new part of the town that’s being developed “Thought you were giving me a lift home” I say as he smirks and just winks at me. “I am, I just never said which home” he pulls into an underground car park and tells me to get out as I look surprised at all the mystery and intrigue of this with a sense of worry that he’s actually some serial killer about to attack me.

Catching the elevator up to the 11th floor of the 15-floor tower, Tyson leads me down to an apartment and unlocks the door “What do you think” he says as I look around at the brand-new modern apartment.

“This is pretty damn nice, who’s place is this?” I ask because I know well at least thought Tyson was living at the estate with his work on set both on and off camera. “Mine and well I was thinking yours” he says which still doesn’t a lot of sense as I look at him really confused.

“Don’t you live at the house?” I ask him as he nods and gets out a drink for the two of us as I sit down on the couch. “Yeah it was a temporary thing, like Cam and Bennett agreed to me living there for a few months because I had this place all sorted but they were still building it and everything and because I’m the hair guy for the studios, they agreed when usually it’s just for the out of town guys” he says as I nod and he gives me a key.

“Take it, I know you’re gonna say no and you’ve got your place but it’s only a matter of time before you get caught up in all the shit and it’s much closer to the studio and importantly College is only a 15-minute bus ride and it’s direct,” he says as I know that he has this sorted out. “And before you say anything I’m not expecting anything from this other than the fact we’re friends and got separate rooms plus I’d ordinarily look for a roommate so why not just let it be someone I know and like”.

I blush that he wants to do this but I just don’t know about the practicalities of all the things and worrying about breaking my lease. “What about my lease? I’m hardly in a spot where I can cancel it without a huge fee” I say as Tyson looks across at me.

“It can be totally sorted especially if you’re not feeling safe in the place and well with what happens there you’ve got every right to break it on personal safety risks” he says as I look across at him with surprise. “What you think I’m just a pretty face that can cut hair?” I laugh and sit there thinking about his offer as we just chill for the next little bit.

Tyson drives me home at about 9 after we have a bit to eat “You looking forward to tomorrow?” he asks as I nod. “Honestly, the thought of fucking a guy really does scare me but then knowing it’s with you doesn’t feel like I am fucking a guy” I say as he looks at me as I realise what I said.

“I just meant…” Tyson stops me as he just smiles “I know what you mean, it’s not like fucking some random guy it’s not as awkward” I nod my head as we pull up outside my apartment. “What about you are you excited?” I say as I think I know the answer but wanted to ask anyway.

Tyson just looks at me “This is the most excited that I’ve ever been about a porn shoot ever and you know how long I’ve done this” he says as we sit there still chatting about things for a while in the car before we both agree that we should get to bed early. 

Without even realising it, I feel Tyson pulling me over for what I thought would be just our usual bro hug but this time tonight I feel him pressing his lips against mine and I find myself not fighting but actually returning the kiss before he pulls away. “Just wanted a quick sample of the merchandise tonight before getting to fully explore that sexy body tomorrow,” he says as I smile and head upstairs to my apartment.

Getting in there, my head is filled with so many different thoughts about so many things because I’ve got my first guy-on-guy action tomorrow which even with Tyson feels really exciting and nerve-wracking because it’s so new. I’ve signed the contract with the studio for 12 months' worth of action but then I panic that maybe just because they all think that I’m hot that I’m not gonna be any good or the first time that I do is going to be awful and they hated especially Tyson.

I just take a shower as the thoughts still cloud my judgment thinking about the surprise offer that was sprung upon me this afternoon and then everything with Tyson I’m starting to realise that the way I feel about him isn’t like I’ve ever thought about anyone.

When it comes to Tyson, we hit it off pretty quickly and he’s brought out a whole new side to me that I never knew existed because even though I worked in a bar, it was more your family-friendly restaurant and bar sort of country-themed sort of thing like back home rather than the bar that has become seemingly our special spot. The feelings between us are weird because, from the first moment, he met me he asked me out he said that he was gonna ask me out on a date if I wasn’t straight but we still went for drinks and talk so much every day.

The connection between us is something that I’ve never experienced with anyone before and even if I don’t necessarily feel that level of sexual attraction towards him that he does for me right now but deep down there is something to me that is more than just friends. I’ve never had the most confidence in the world but when he comes along I’m a whole different person and any sense of country boy is totally gone and I like that person a lot more than I do the usual me even though I don’t hate myself at all.

Laying in bed, I know that I’m trying to sleep but all I can think about is Tyson and his offer to move in with him which is tempting because, without a car, I’m pretty much resigned to two buses to just get to the city before the shuttle into the college. The thought of moving in with Tyson is amazing because we both get each other and it’s going to be so relaxed and chilled without issues but then I just wonder what he will need me to cover the rent and all that because he wants to get a roommate then.

I go through my relaxation techniques for when I’m stressed and go to sleep pretty quickly, that night all I can dream about is about this dark-haired, tanned stud that I’m going to fuck tomorrow and it’s now making me so excited about things and especially after the kiss tonight before getting into the car, I know I’m ready for this career or at least with Tyson I am.

My alarm goes off at 7:30 the next morning and I have a light breakfast not wanting to put too much in my stomach and look bloated as my phone goes off and I automatically know who it’s going to be.

Tyson: “Today’s the day 🍆🍑”

I just shake my head at the message and how excited this mid-20-year-old guy is because he’s acting like a kid at Christmas excited about the new toy he’s getting to play with although that fact is true, that he is getting a new toy to play with, just a more adult version.

Me: “Yes 😨… “

I then follow it up with a joking message back about me fleeing to go back home

Me: “Change of plans btw 🚕 ➡️ 🛫 ➡️ 🏠 ”

Tyson just replies back with a laughing emoji before following it up

Tyson: “You tried that one before and you’re still here and remember I know where you live so it will happen”

I just smile at his messages back to me before realising that my excitement has actually taken over me significantly and that what nerves I do have aren’t now so much about what I’m actually doing but whether I’m going to be a disappointment to Tyson and that what we have is going to be made really awkward because I was so bad. 

I try to think of things and end up just ringing him instead of texting him

Me: “I’m probably asking the wrong person but how’d you deal with nerves before your first shoot or any shoot like this”

Tyson: “Wrong person? I still get nervous and I’m pretty nervous this morning, to be honest”

Me: “Why? I thought I was the one who should be nervous”

Tyson: “We both can, but I’m just worried that things turn weird if really it’s not what you were expecting”

Me: “That’s why I’m so nervous because what if I’m really bad and everything becomes so awkward between us”

Tyson: “Scotty, it won’t become awkward because we’re not all about sex in our relationship, I like you because you’re a sweet, kind-hearted guy and being hot is just an added bonus. I might always talk about it but to me, sex is just the cherry on top”

Me: “Well that’s a relief because I’d been so worried”

Tyson: “Whatever happens, happens you know? Nobody expects you to be the best damn fucker in the world because I’ve already got that title and anyway, first-time shoots are all about the nervous guy”

Me: “That makes me feel so much better, I’ll catch you at the house later”

I start to feel so much better as I head in to take a shower and get myself ready for a day that is going to change my life in so many ways, just without knowing in which way yet.