Page 179 of Just for the Cameras
Even though I hate to admit it, he’s right, and given that he’s having a weak moment, I decide to throw him a bone.
“You did.”
His head whips around fast to meet my gaze. “Do you mean that?”
Jesus Christ.
“I do.”
“Wow, I never expected you to make such an admission. I don’t…I don’t know what to do.” He frantically looks around and then picks up one of his half-mutilated muffins. “Tongued muffin?”
I glance down at the muffin and then back at him before I swat the muffin out of his hand, shooting it against the wall once again.
His eyes land on the baked good smashed across the floor, and after a few seconds, he nods and says, “That’s fair.”
Fucking moron.
CHAPTER 34
MAPLE
Voices outside rise, and thereseems to be a commotion as I finish logging some observations into the diaries we keep on each flamingo. The door opens, and Hank walks in, looking…tense.
“What’s going on out there?” I ask as I shut the diary.
“Yourfriendarrived.”
The emphasis on “friend” is laced with discontent.
“Do you mean Graydon?” I ask.
“Yeah. He’s taking pics with some kids outside in front of the mural.” Hank shakes his head. “He’s making a spectacle of it all.”
“Is he?” I ask, not believing that. I stand from my chair, push it in, and then lean against the counter where Hank is. “Or is he using his name to bring awareness?”
“Right now? A spectacle. No one is even looking at the flamingos. They’re all worried about getting a picture with him.”
“In front of the mural, though.”
He shakes his head. “Never mind.”
He starts to walk away, but I stop him by the arm. “He’s not a bad guy, Hank.”
“As you’ve told me before.”
“So then why won’t you give him a chance?”
“Because he’s not good enough for you,” Hank replies without even having to think about it. “You’re better than that, Maple. You’re betterthan this…this PR stunt that you two are attempting to pull off, and I can see you getting wrapped up in it.”
“What PR stunt?” I ask, my breath coming out heavier, because how does he know?
“Please.” He rolls his eyes. “Graydon isn’t a guy you would go for unless you had some sort of ulterior motive. He’s bringing awareness to your cause, and you’re making him look better by letting him.”
I mean…sure, that’s how it started, but he’s cheapening what we have, at least what I think we have. There’s more to it than that. I feel a connection with Graydon, something driving me toward him as if I was meant to be brought into his life, not just to promote the Foghorns and flamingos, but because I’m the person who fills that empty space in his heart.
At least that’s what it seems like.
“I can tell by your expression that you don’t agree with me,” Hank says and takes my hand. “Listen, Maple. I just don’t want you to get hurt, okay? I’ve known you for a really long time, and I know the person you are. This spotlight thing, with him, it’s not you—”
