Page 216 of Just for the Cameras
Am I living this life for others or for me?
“I can see by the way you’re sitting taller that you’re possibly giving yourself a mental pep talk. Please, invite me into it.”
I laugh.
How many times have I acquiesced to Phil’s demands of me at the zoo? Even if it’s taken extra time in my day. If I’m honest with myself, I only stayed together with Hardy for as long as I did because I didn’t want to make waves or disappoint him.We were never the right fit.If I went down the proverbial rabbit hole, I’m certain I could revisit many situations where I’ve stayed quiet in my life and not demanded what I wanted.
“I was just thinking that I’ve spent my entire life appeasing others, even my beloved flamingos, and that maybe it’s time that I appease myself. I want him, Everly, so why don’t I just take him?”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” She smacks the table. “You take what you want and do it unapologetically. If anything, the Foghorns should be grateful for the relationship you’ve developed with Graydon. I saw the other day that season ticket sales have increased, and the social media for the Foghorns is on fire. Their social media team is running on content of you two.”
“What? Really?”
“Uh, have you not been paying attention?” she asks as she picks up her phone and taps away on the screen.
She shows me the feed for the Foghorns, and there are a few videos of me watching Graydon. One of Graydon pushing my hair out of my face. Another of him smiling down at me. And the views on the videos are insane.
“Oh my God.”
“Yeah, they’re going crazy, so I understand why they’re worried about the breakup and how it might play out.”
“But to preplan a breakup? That just seems so…ominous.”
“I could not agree more, but they are seeing your relationship as a business. Not that I’m sticking up for them by any means. They can rot in hell for all I care, but what you need to do is block out that noise and focus on the way Graydon looks at you, because girl, that look he’s giving you…It’s the same look Hardy gives me. It’s the same look I see Brody give Maggie. Hudson practically devours Sloane every time he sees her, and don’t get me started on those Cane brothers. Uteruses weep whenever they look at their soulmates. This is very much real for Graydon, and I think you need to hold on to that and not overthink it. Just feel and enjoy.”
I attempt to hold back my smile. “He really does look at me in a special way, doesn’t he?”
“Uh…yeah. If I wasn’t so massively in love with my husband, I might have watched that video ten times while weeping instead of three times.”
I laugh and then click on the video, watching his eyes light up as I jog toward him. God, she’s so right. It’s all there, the evidence. And this wasn’t for the cameras, this wasn’t for some PR idea, this was him just watching me, taking me in, and someone catching it secretly.
I wet my lips. “This whole relationship was so unexpected. I truly did not like him at first, but then, something just switched. I started seeing past the grumpy facade and started noticing the little things. And all those little things have added up to something so much bigger. I really like him, Everly.”
“Good, because clearly he really likes you.”
I nod. “He’s told me several times.”
“Then hold on to that, live off that, and the rest of it, the rest…it can just fade into black. Because you have everything you need.”
“I do.” I smile and stare down at the video again. “I have Graydon.”
CHAPTER 40
GRAYDON
OC:Bennett, did you start a book club?
Bennett:I did.
OC:Uh, did you not think that it would be a good idea to run that by us first?
Bennett:Why the hell would I run that by you?
OC:Uh, because I heard that you were pulling out of the zoo PR, and you’re now into this whole book club thing. Is this your subtle way of telling us you’re leaving the Gladdy Daddies?
Graydon:I hope so. Maybe we can disband the whole damn thing.
OC:Says the guy who leaned on the Gladdy Daddies when he was in desperate need of help. I would consider how you profited from such a group before attempting a disbandment.
