Page 180 of Just for the Cameras
“Everything okay in here?” Graydon asks as he walks into the building, spotting me and Hank…holding hands.
I take my hand away and nod, putting on a smile. “Everything is good. Did you, uh, did you take pictures with some fans?”
Graydon looks between Hank and me, and I prepare for him to put Hank into a choke hold, but then his eyes settle on me again, ignoring Hank completely. “I did. A group of kids spotted me and made the most of it.” He nods in my direction. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
He walks past Hank, and I’m surprised he doesn’t bump into him, possibly elbow him in the nose, or all-out bite his ear off. Instead, Graydon remains decently calm, lifting up my hand and kissing my knuckles. “Let’s go.”
Okay, going the mature route; I can get on board with that.
Then he guides me away from Hank and helps me gather my things, and we head out of the building. His hand clamps around mine, and he keeps me close while we make our way out to his truck, where he opens the door for me like always and helps me in. But this time, instead of shutting the door and moving to his side, he stays put.
“You good?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Why am I so nervous?
Maybe because I’ve seen him lose his mind over Hank, and him walking in on Hank holding my hand could have very well ended Hank’s young life.
He studies me, those dark eyes eating me up. “Doesn’t seem like you’re fine. Seems like that dick back there said something to you.”
“Graydon, it’s nothing.”
“It’s fucking something if he’s making your brow crease like that.” He presses his thumb between my eyes, trying to get me to relax. “Talk to me.”
Talk to him.
How easily he’s willing to do that now—not that I’d chastise him, not even a little. I’m truly honored and fascinated that he has offered me such trust, that he’s opened himself up to me and is not so guarded anymore. He’s not just protective but also caring.
I turn toward him, and he moves between my legs and rests his hands on my sides as he leans in, ready to listen. I run my finger over his jaw as I tell him the truth.
“He was just saying things about our relationship and how it doesn’t make sense. How you’re not someone I would normally go for.” His brow creases, but he continues to listen. “How he thinks it’s just a PR stunt and I’m not someone looking for the spotlight.”
“You’re not, and that’s not what you’re doing.”
“I know,” I answer.
“Then why are you looking like what he said has some truth to it?”
“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t like what he said. I feel like there’s more to us than what he claims, but then again, we don’t know a lot about each other yet, and I don’t know, I might be getting in my head or I might be jumping the gun, but I feel…connected—”
“We are connected,” he says softly, then cups my cheek. “Trust me when I say, if I didn’t feel that pull toward you, I never would have told you about my mom. I wouldn’t have even pursued you. I don’t take my decisions on the people I place in my life very lightly. I learned that quickly when even my own father turned his back on me.” His thumb rubs my cheek. “Don’t let other people make you feel a certain way about what we have going on. Remember what you told me? That you have your own mind and you don’t let people sway you? Where did that girl go?”
“Momentarily taking a break.”
“She can’t.” He shakes his head. “You have to stay strong for me, Maple, because the dickhead saying that to you, that’s just a drop in the goddamn bucket. I don’t want to scare you, but it can get way worse, and it will get way worse.”
“You’re right.” I place my hands on his shoulders. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let him get to me.”
“You’re human, beautiful, it’s going to happen, but just keep talking to me about it, and don’t hold it in, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now…” He moves in closer. “Pretty sure you owe me something.”
I smirk and lean forward, wrapping my arms around his neck. One of my hands shifts into his styled hair as I brush my lips against his. “Is this what you’re talking about?”
“Yeah.”
