Page 218 of Just for the Cameras
Bennett:Well, it’s nice to have friends. And you never know when one of us might need help.
OC:*Gasp* It’s the sister’s friend, isn’t it?
Graydon:Why are you so dramatic?
OC:Someone needs to bring the fun, or else this chat would just be full of grunts and growls, and that’s only sustainable for so long. Now, please don’t interrupt our fellow daddy while he tells us about the sister’s friend.
Bennett:Not ready to really talk about anything, but you know, if there was something to say, it would be great to know that the Gladdy Daddies are here to talk.
OC:Are you starting the book club for her?
Bennett:Sort of. I was talking to Gretchen about the zoo and how it hasn’t had much of an impact. We had a brainstorming session, and she was asking what I like. I said romance novels, and well…she ran with that. It was the first thing that came to mind because well…Bower is always on my mind.
OC:Is that her name? Bower? I think I forgot that nugget.
Bennett:It is.
OC:Bennett and Bower, wow, has a great ring to it.
Graydon:I’m not into the dramatics, but yeah, it does.
Bennett:I might have written our names in a heart a few times.
OC:Well, that just got my dick hard.
Graydon:And then you go and fucking ruin it. Jesus Christ. I’m out.
“Are you going to be okay?” I ask Maple as I turn to her in my truck.
I picked her up from the zoo and brought her back to her place, where she took a shower and got ready for the team party. She made me stay in her living room while I waited and she grumbled about things not fitting right, mentioned possibly not going because her hair was doing “a thing,” and even lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling for a whole two minutes reciting all the different breeds of flamingos.
If I wasn’t so goddamn terrified that she might not go, I might have thought it was funny. But I was on bated breath the entire time, hoping she wasn’t going to change her mind.
“I’m fine.” She straightens the hem of the sundress she chose to wear. It’s red with white flowers, and she paired it with a jean jacket and white sneakers. She braided her hair into two loose French braids because it wasn’t doing what she wanted and then put on a little bit of makeup, going for a more natural look. When she walked out of her bedroom, I felt my heart hammer against my chest from the sight of her. Like a fucking nineties heartthrob.
I kept it simple with a pair of worn jeans, white sneakers, and a black shirt.
“Are you sure? You’re a little jittery.”
“Yeah, fine.” She nervously laughs. “I’m just…I’m nervous to meet everyone.”
“Maple, you already know everyone. You’ve been training with them.”
“This is different. This is their families, and we’re not in football gear. This is more personal.”
“You’re going to do great. Just stick with me.”
“As if I would wander off by myself,” she scoffs. “If I’m not glued to your side the entire night, someone stole me.”
I chuckle. “Good to know. Stay there.”
I hop out of my truck and move to her side, where I open the door. Before I let her out, I twist her toward me and move between her legs. I gently cup her cheek and say, “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“So you’ve said.” A genuine smile falls across her lips.
“Just need you to know since you were fretting over it.”
“I just don’t understand why out of all nights, my hair decided to be rude and not work with me.”
