Page 139 of Just for the Cameras
I pause, stunned to see her already leaving without waiting for me, but then the gate opens even more, revealing Slutty Little Glasses right behind her.
That.
Mother.
Fucker.
“What are you doing here?” Maple asks, looking sullen, like someone just told her flamingos are dumb.
“I came to take you home, like every day,” I answer.
She shakes her head. “Hank is taking me home.”
Hank is a fucking wank and saw a moment of weakness. He’s trying to get fucking in with her. What a goddamn douche.
Ignoring him, I ask, “Can I talk to you, Maple?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
She starts to walk by, but I pause her, my hand sliding into hers.
“Hey, she said she didn’t want to talk to you,” Hank says, getting all fucking huffy.
I tower over him and, through clenched teeth, say, “This does notconcern you, so fucking scurry away like the sniveling squirrel you are.”
Then, with my hand in hers, I bring Maple over to the side of the fence, far away from Hank the Wank so I can talk to her in private.
“He’s not a sniveling squirrel,” Maple says as she takes her hand away and folds her arms across her chest.
“The asshole is crawling all over you.”
“He’s being a friend,” she snaps. “He saw how destroyed I was this morning when I came into work, and he comforted me.”
“I’m sure he did.”
Maple’s eyes narrow as her anger grows. “Is there a point to this conversation?”
“Yes, I’m here to take you home, so why don’t you—”
“You have lost your mind, Graydon, if you think that I’m going to get in your truck with you after that disgusting display in front of your teammates this morning.” Moving in closer, she whispers, “That was humiliating. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my entire life, not to mentionhurt. I understand that I crossed the line when I asked you to brunch, but correct me if I’m wrong, you were very misleading.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, confused.
“Our texts. Me asking you out to brunch, and you going silent after that.”
“I didn’t go silent.”
“Pretty much. It was like I scared you away.”
“I told you I had plans,” I say. “I can’t do things on Sundays. Did you think I was upset about that?”
“Isn’t that what it was? I was coming on too strong for you, and you decided to start backing away rather than talking to me like a real man?”
My eyes narrow. “I’m talking to you now, aren’t I?”
“After snapping at me in front of your teammates.”
I drag my hand over my face. “I told you not to touch me. I was…I was going through some shit, Maple.”
