Page 98 of Just for the Cameras
Graydon:And I’ll be in later, an hour or so before you leave work. I have to be here in the morning and through the afternoon. We have individual team meetings.
Maple:Don’t worry about it. If you can’t make it in, it’s fine.
Graydon:I’ll be there.
Of course he will, because he’s the type of guy who keeps his word, and I’m having a hard time deciphering if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Keeping his word means he’s trustworthy and that he won’t back out on things, such as his ridiculous notion that he needs to take care of me.
Maple:Okay. Um…can I ask you a question?
I nibble on the corner of my lip, hoping he says yes, because Ireallywant to know how he is and what happened at the end of practice.
Graydon:You can always ask. If I answer is up to me.
I roll my eyes. Of course.
Maple:Are you okay? I’ve been worried about what happened to you after practice and if your coach really made you pay for what you did to your dad.
Graydon:You worried about me, Baker?
Maple:I mean…kind of.
Graydon:Kind of or you are?
Maple:Are you really going to make me say it?
Graydon:If you want me to answer truthfully, then yeah.
Maple:Fine. I care about you.
Graydon:Wow, didn’t think you would say it.
Maple:You might piss me off and I might swear at you under my breath, but we are in this intense thing together so, yeah, I care about you.
Graydon:Good to know.
Maple:So…are you going to tell me what happened?
Graydon:No.
Maple:Hey! You said you would tell me what happened if I said I cared for you.
Graydon:No, I didn’t. You asked if I was okay, and that’s the truth I will tell. I’m fine.
I grumble to myself, irritated with his little game.
Maple:Why won’t you tell me?
Graydon:Because you don’t need to know.
Maple:But why? What does it matter if I know?
Graydon:Because I don’t need you feeling sorry for me.
Maple:I wouldn’t feel sorry for you.
Graydon:Bullshit.
Maple:Fine, but I was the one who caused this, and it’s eating away at me.
