Ellis is sent by his father to replace his sister Willa as a “kept boy” for wealthy CEO Ronan. He thinks he's just a stand-in—take the money, keep quiet, don't cause trouble. But Ronan refuses to follow the script: he gives Ellis an unlimited card; Ellis buys discounted underwear. He asks what car Ellis wants; Ellis asks for a used Trek bike.
Ellis always gets it “wrong” with Ronan—won't spend money, won't make demands, tiptoes around everyone. Until a charity gala, where Ellis's ex-boyfriend Callum humiliates him publicly. Ronan bids two million dollars—plus one dollar—and puts the paddle in Ellis's hand: “Spend my money. Give back every ounce of humiliation you ever received.” From stand-in to someone worth choosing, from never daring to ask for anything to reaching out first—this meeting born of substitution finally becomes a story of his own.
