Page 26 of Just for the Cameras
“Maybe Bennett will actually say more than two words to me,” Callie says on a sigh. “It’s been really hard trying to have a conversation with him. I mean, he asks me questions, but that’s about it. There is no bond there.” She leans in close and says, “I even watched his game last night to see if I could strike up a conversation about his sport.”
“How did that go for you?” Travis asks.
Callie winces. “I fell asleep.”
I chuckle and then cap off my water bottle. “At least you’re not working with an asshole. I would take OC sitting in poop and Bennett not talking over Graydon any—”
My words are cut short as the gate opens and, lo and behold, Graydon is standing on the other side with that signature scowl of his.
Today he chose a pair of worn jeans, white shoes, and a navy blueFoghorns T-shirt. The scruff on his jaw seems to be even thicker today, while his hair is styled in a more tousled way, still taking the shape of a fauxhawk. When his eyes land on mine, his jaw works over the gum that must be in his mouth as he says, “Don’t let me stop you from finishing.”
Dammit.
He heard me.
I clear my throat and attempt a shaky smile as I say, “Um…I’d rather not.”
He slowly nods as he glances at Travis and Callie, who both take a solid step back. “Right. Let’s get this over with.”
He takes two steps forward, propelling himself right past me, and doesn’t glance back as I’m forced to chase him.
Looks like it’s going to be another great day with my celebrity advocate.
Travis and Callie both offer me sympathetic smiles before I chase the giant of a man who is plowing through the door.
“Hey, hold on,” I call out, only for him to whirl around on me, nearly scaring me half to death with his size. I gulp as his menacing eyes meet mine.
“What were you saying about me?”
“I, uh, I wasn’t, I mean…I was just, you know…lamenting.”
“Lamenting?” He crosses his arms over his chest, and that’s when I notice he’s carrying the water bottle I gave him. If I wasn’t so terrified about what he might say, I’d probably think it’s nice to see him using it. “What exactly were you lamenting about?”
“Well, I didn’t really get a chance to lament about anything before you arrived.”
“And what were you going to say if I didn’t show up?”
“You know, I really don’t think that’s important at the moment.” My legs tremble beneath me. “I think what’s important is that we focus on the flamingos.”
“Why? Do more dishes need to be washed?” he asks, disdain dripping from his voice.
“No,” I drag out. “I thought that maybe I could sit you down and educate you about the animals.”
“I don’t need an education.”
“Don’t you want to learn about them?”
“No,” he growls as Bennett and Callie walk by us, clearly tiptoeing around the negative energy between me and Graydon. “I couldn’t care less about the flamingos.”
And just like that, my hackles are raised.
My anger takes hold of my tongue.
And my sense of decorum is erased.
Because he couldn’t care less about flamingos? That is so…that is so…
Rude!
