Page 260 of Just for the Cameras
Maple:I missed you at the zoo today. I had to do the dishes myself. Big Hermy wasn’t into getting fed by me, and every time I looked at the mural, I thought of you. I took a few pics in front of it for you. Miss you. Love you.
Does this mean that Phil let her return to work?
Two pictures follow the text, and they’re of her sitting in front of the mural. The camera is at a ground angle, which makes me think she set it up with a timer. In the first, she’s smiling and looking so damn adorable that I want to grab her through the phone and pull her into my chest, never letting her go.
The second is of her kissing the camera in front of the mural, and I feel myself sigh from the thought of those lips on me.
“Whatever it says, it’s breaking the wall he’s tried to erect,” Bennettsays. “I know that look. You can put it off as much as you want, man, but I’m telling you right now, you’re bound to give in, especially with that look in your eyes. What you need to focus on is trusting the fact that she’s strong enough to handle herself through the ups and downs of what your relationship will bring. That will be the challenge. I wouldn’t worry about her. I would worry about yourself.”
It’s silent for a moment, and then OC chuckles. When we look at him, he motions to Bennett and says, “You said ‘erect.’”
I point at the front door and say, “Grab your piss beer and get the fuck out of here.”
He nods and stands from the chair. “Yeah, that might be best. I’m adding no value to this gathering. I’ll be better next time. Carry on, men.”
I drop the weights on the weight rack and reach for my phone to skip the song blasting through my AirPods. I’m not in the mood for some pump-up, techno beat. Nope, I’ve been purely listening to slow songs, mostly covers by Boyce Avenue, but of course that’s not something I would ever admit out loud, especially not when I’m benching three hundred and fifty pounds.
When I pick up my phone, I see a text message from Maple. Fucking hell, the way she makes my heart flutter. I open the text and read it to myself.
Maple:Remember that kid who you took a picture with at the food trucks? He came by the zoo today and asked to take a picture with me and then stayed to learn about the flamingos. I let him help me feed them. It was incredibly rewarding and I had no idea that my love for you could transfer to so many people in so many good ways. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to call you mine. Xoxo.
Fuck.
I stare down at the text, reading it over and over and hating myself with every second that passes by.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to call you mine.”
That’s going to weigh on my chest for a long fucking time.
Bennett steps up to the plate, and OC picks up the pizza box in front of us and offers me a slice. I pick one up, and he takes the last slice as we sit in silence, watching the game.
He begged to come over, and I told him he could as long as he stayed quiet. So far, it’s been a rather enjoyable evening.
The guy is not half bad when he’s not opening his mouth.
Bennett takes a ball, and the announcers talk about his OPS and how he has the highest on the team. How, with every game, he keeps improving, showing up, doing the work, and all with a humble attitude.
Honestly, I’m not surprised.
Just from knowing him for a short period, I can tell that he’s a different kind of athlete, one of those that only come around every so often and have it all.
I take a bite of my pizza just as my phone dings with a text, and Bennett hits the ball to right center. He takes off into a run, rounding first and making it to second standing up.
“Jesus, he’s fast,” I say out loud, then wince at the thought of opening the floodgates for OC to talk.
But to my shock, he just nods and continues to eat his pizza.
Huh, he can take directions well.
Shocking.
I pick up my phone and look at the text. It’s from Maple. Of courseitis. She’s been texting me every day since she left my place a week ago.
Maple:Hey, you. Miss you. Miss you calling me beautiful. Miss seeing your face in the morning. Miss you washing me in the shower. Miss you being your overprotective, grumpy self. And I miss being in your arms. Hopefully this won’t be forever. Still loving you from afar. Please respond, Graydon. I’m getting worried. Xoxo.
“Is that from her?” OC asks, breaking his silence.
“Yeah.” I sigh.
