Page 208 of Just for the Cameras
“This doesn’t make sense. We were already…sort of public.”
“Public in a curated way,” Gretchen corrects me. “There is nothing curated about these photos other than a raw horniness that has been captured for the world to see. The public will become feral for more, which means the paparazzi will look for more opportunities. You’re not just a zookeeper dating a professional football player, Maple. You’re one of the most talked about, up-and-coming stories in pop culture right now.”
“Oh my God, don’t you think that’s a little—”
She flashes me her phone again, and sitting at number two on trending topics is “Graydon St. John and girlfriend.”
“By tonight, you will be number one. And it won’t die down, not with the season starting right around the corner. This changes everything, which means I need you to cooperate.”
My nerves tickle the back of my neck as I think through everything Graydon warned me about before I entered into the PR relationship with him. His promises that the public would tear me apart.
Break me.
I look at Gretchen and ask, “When have I not cooperated?”
“You have, but like I said, this is going to become a whole lot more difficult to maneuver.” She opens her notes app and starts typing away. “Now, who knows about your relationship with Graydon?”
“Uh…everyone, apparently.”
Her brow lifts as she looks up at me through her lashes, unamused. “In your inner circle. Who knows about the personal details?”
“Oh, um…my friend Everly and her husband, Hardy.”
“Full names.”
“Everly and Hardy Hopper.”
She looks up at me. “Hopper as in the Hopper brothers, heirs to Hopper Industries?”
“Well, technically, they’re not heirs anymore since they separated their business from their dad’s, but yes, that Hardy Hopper.”
“How do you know them?”
“Hardy and I used to date back in college. But we’re just friends now.”
“How close of friends?”
“Seriously?”
She sighs. “I told you, I need to know everything, Maple. Everything.”
Well, this meeting is about to get a lot more complicated than I thought.
CHAPTER 38
GRAYDON
Graydon:Leaving the practice facility now. Will pick you up soon.
Maple:Already left. Hank is dropping me off at my place.
I clench my jaw andtake a deep breath as I try not to get angry at Slutty Little Glasses still sticking his fucking sniveling body where it doesn’t belong.
Graydon:Be there shortly.
I pocket my phone, sling my bag over my shoulder, and head out of the locker room just as I come face-to-face with my father.
He’s leaning against the wall opposite the locker room entrance, wearing a pair of worn jeans, a gray Foghorns shirt, and a matching hat. He looks like a goddamn idiot trying to relive his glory days.Get a fucking life, go somewhere else, you piece of shit.Preferably far away from Mom and me.
