Chapter 1 - Carson Andrews

Carson Andrews had never packed so few items for a trip before. Or such... little items.

He stared down at the 'required pack list' in his hand and the half-empty suitcase on the bed in trepidation. The lack of clothes wasn't the only thing that filled him with trepidation, and the misgivings were quickly adding up.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a few slow, deep breaths like his younger brother Nathaniel had taught him, trying to push away a wave of anxiety. Surely he was just missing some clothes, right?

Required

Swim Trunks - 4 pair minimum, suggest look-alikes

Black Speedo - 1

Button-down short-sleeved shirt or sun cover-up - 2

Pajamas for PJ party - 1 pair

Activewear suitable for Yoga - 1 set

Hat with visor - 1

Sandals - 1 pair

Pool Shoes - 1 pair

Athletic Shoes - 1 pair

New underwear (any style) best representing you - 1

Optional

T-shirts

Shorts

Undergarments

Other warm-weather clothing as desired

Carson couldn't help but relax a little as his brother came into the room, despite the fact that Nathaniel was the main cause of all this stress. No... not the cause, just the instigator. "I just think I should pack a few more shirts."

Nathaniel smiled, bemused and adoring, squeezing his shoulder as he shook his head. "No."

"But we're going to have at least a few days in Puerto Vallarta afterwards with the kids - "

"And Kim and I have more clothes for you in our suitcases. You want to keep things light, it'll be easier to keep track of it all in the DILF Island villa." Nathaniel regarded the suitcase with a little hum. "This is too big. And you'll be wearing your sneakers on the plane. Let me grab a carry-on."

"Nathaniel...." Carson caught his arm before his brother could leave, looking at him helplessly. "I don't... I can't. I can't do this. Not even as a fuck you to my ex. I can't."

Nathaniel's smile softened, and he stepped close, wrapping his arms up around his neck, one hand stroking the back of his hair. "You're going to be fine. It's good money, and a better vacation, and you're going to have a good time with some nice guys."

Nathaniel's eyebrows rose, amused but adoring. "You are literally a father, Carson. Besides, it's just a gig. It's not real."

Carson gave a soft snort. Perhaps that was the reason for the icy boulder in the pit of his stomach. It had seemed so easy when Nathaniel and their sister Kim had talked him into applying, and the casting director had been so nice and said all the right things. But the idea of putting something like this out into the world - into the media - as "reality TV" was the whole reason he didn't watch the genre.

"But what if it's not? Sometimes people stay together after these things, right? What if other contestants are there because they actually want to find love? And it's just gonna be a bunch of horny bar stars, how am I supposed to find any of them attractive? I can't even do one night stands! What if - what if I'm just one of those asexuals?"

Nathaniel didn't respond for a moment, eyes searching his, and Carson felt his stomach do another flip. His younger brother had always been far too intuitive, even before he'd started his studies in psychology. Could he see something that Carson himself wasn't even aware of yet?

Nathaniel smiled, stroking his cheek. "I think," he started gently, "that spending time getting to know other guys without having to worry about cell phones and when nobody's allowed to have sex is probably just what you need, isn't it?"

Carson let out a long breath, briefly closing his eyes. Of course Nathaniel knew.

"Don't think about what happens at the end," Nathaniel said gently again. "Just be yourself and enjoy spending time with the other guys. Everything will be fine. I promise."

Nathaniel gave him a bemused smile, stepping back and lifting up his t-shirt to regard his stomach. "You really going to not show this off after all that work?"

"I had to do something when I gave up running after the kids were born!" Carson tried to defend himself again, ignoring Nathaniel's knowing hum. "...fine."

"I'm Carson, I'm thirty-three years old from New York. You might think I'm a bit young to be a daddy, but I have a very successful established career as a musician and songwriter, and I have two kids. I guess I'm here because... I'm really looking for someone I can share my life with, someone I can call a partner. I'm ready to take a chance on love again."

This was how Carson found himself standing in a room in a huge Puerto Vallarta villa that was probably supposed to be an office but now was half full of camera gear with a makeup table. He'd spent a half an hour earlier in front of the camera in a bedroom upstairs that had become the 'confessional stage' - he was allowed to wear a shirt for that, thank god - and was waiting for an introductory cue.

The casting director, one Quinn Whitlock, looked him up and down. "You know," he started with a little smile, "it's really hot outside."

Quinn had been very nice, Carson reminded himself. It wasn't his fault that Carson was having second thoughts. If Nathaniel were here he'd be able to laugh and tease, but Carson thought it was an accomplishment to just manage not to be sharp with the man. "You want me to take my shirt off."

Quinn smiled and shrugged. "Whatever you're comfortable with. Could be a nice surprise for your date to see later. The himbos have already picked who they want to date based on your underwear, so it's not like you have to use those abs to convince anyone to choose you...."

Carson sighed and started to unbutton his shirt, tucking it back into his very small suitcase. "Better?"

Part of Carson wanted to argue again that he wasn't even a daddy, but he'd also already lost that argument three times with Quinn. Instead he closed his eyes and breathed slowly. Then, when the cue came through on Quinn's headset, he tried to cling to calmness and started to follow him through the house.

He could see other production aids ushering other men from rooms he hadn't been in yet, all five of them falling into a line as they were ushered out the side door of the kitchen. Irritatingly, he immediately noticed only one of the others had caved to the pressure of being shirtless: the dark-skinned man in front of him, tall and built with his neat goatee streaked through with silver. The others all wore button down shirts, though one at least wore his over a very European speedo instead of capris or board shorts.

They were also all markedly older, taller and more distinguished than he was, leaving Carson once again feeling like trying to call himself a DILF was the most ridiculous farce he'd ever gotten himself talked into.

Then they were rounding the house, and as they made their way down the pool deck Carson got a glimpse of the other half of the competitors for the first time.

Five men wearing very little, lined up in the sunshine, bare skin oiled and shining and very much exactly what Carson had expected and been afraid of. But despite what he'd said to Nathaniel about not finding these kinds of guys sexy, his gaze immediately locked on to the man in the middle, and suddenly it was like Carson couldn't see anything else, couldn't think, couldn't breathe.

One man, with the most incredible, kissable lips, forming a lopsided smile. Blue eyes like the sky, thick auburn hair brushed up high, shining like gold in the sunshine. Broad shoulders and strong arms, one with a tattooed arm band. Softly muscled chest, a hint of abs, and legs for days - Carson prudently didn't let his gaze linger on his speedo - all wrapped in creamy skin with just a hint of a tan that was covered in a riot of freckles.

Too tall to give a shit about him. Far too good looking to give a shit about him. He shouldn't get his hopes up. But... Jesus Christ, he was looking back at Carson, that amazing smile growing wider -

Part of Carson was aware that Freya - actress, gay icon and the show's hostess - was speaking, but nothing registered until the man reacted, holding up the pair of underwear he'd been holding half behind his back.

Carson felt hot and cold at once, and had to focus on the mechanics of what he was supposed to do, stepping forward, raising a hand. Don't think about whether or not he'll like you, don't think about disappointing him - "Those are mine."

And then, despite all Carson's worries, the hottest man on the pool deck was walking towards him with nothing but appreciation in his gaze. He gave a low, very pleased hum, pulling Carson into a warm embrace. "Oooh, I hit the Daddy Jackpot."

	Day 1
Darren	Carson
Carson	Darren
Wes	Alain
Alain	Wes
Trevor	Tydall
Tydall	Trevor
Zhehan	Stephen
Stephen	Zhehan
Blythe	Luiz
Ryland	n/a
Luiz	Blythe