Page 78 of Just for the Cameras
I jog up the steps to my duplex and unlock the door. I flick the lights on, take off my shoes, then head into the living room, where I flop down on my couch and turn on the TV so I can watch the highlights from the day.
I fish my phone out of my pocket and notice a text from Gretchen.
Gretchen:The inundation from press after today’s post has been insane. You’re bringing the team positivity up faster than the other two. And you were the one who I thought would fail.
Wow.
Isn’t she fucking sweet.
Also…what post?
I pull up Instagram and go straight to Flock and Tackle, where I see a picture of me watching over Maple as she gets her wrist wrapped with a splint.
It’s a candid shot of us together. Maple’s face is tilted down so you can’t see the bruising, and my eyes are concentrated on her, like if she’s not okay, I might find my last breath.
Jesus Christ, was I really that concerned?
I mean, thinking back to it, I was concerned, yeah, but I was angry. I was irritated that she thought she was going to work out with a fractured wrist.
I was a whole bunch of things.
And I was also really pissed that Gretchen was seizing the opportunity, which clearly she had no problem doing.
I read the caption and feel my barely suppressed anger resurface all over again.
“Things got a little intense over at Flock and Tackle, but thankfully the Foghorns training staff was more than happy to help me out. A fractured wrist won’t slow me down…just the big guy watching over me.”
No doubt Gretchen wrote that.
I’m about to pull up my text thread with Maple when I hear a ding and a text shows up on my phone from Maple herself.
Maple:Um, sorry to bother you, but we never discussed if I’m meeting you at the venue tomorrow?
Sorry to bother me?
She’s not bothering me.
This entire thing is a fucking bother, but she’s not bothering me.
Graydon:I’m picking you up.
Maple:Where?
Graydon:At your apartment. Where else?
Maple:Oh, I didn’t know. Okay, so you’ll just come here then?
Graydon:That’s usually how picking someone up works.
Maple:Right. Okay. Around 6?
Graydon:Yeah.
Maple:Hair and makeup should be done by then. I hope they are at least. I really don’t want that much.
Graydon:For what it’s worth, you don’t need it.
And I fucking mean that.
