Page 158 of Just for the Plot

GRAYDON

(Yes, Graydon, just go with it.)

“One of your Gladdy Daddiestexted you,” Maple says as she takes a seat on my lap and curls into me as she hands me my phone.

I set my phone down, not giving one shit that they’re texting me, because I have my girl in my lap, in my house, sitting on my couch, which means everything is right in the world.

“Are you not going to answer it?”

“Why would I?” I ask, running my hand up and down her back.

“Because it had the word ‘help’ in capitals.”

“It’s probably just OC being dramatic about something stupid. Not in the mood.”

“I think it was Bennett.”

Well, that is different. Still, not in the mood, though.

“I’m sure he’s fine.” I move my mouth to her neck, kissing her while my hand glides up the back of her shirt.

“Graydon,” she says, pulling away to look me in the eyes. “Weren’t they the ones that helped you when we were going through a rough patch?”

“No.” I bring my mouth back down to her neck or at least attempt to as she pulls away once more.

Goddamn it.

“Graydon, seriously, you should see what he wants.”

I love this woman, so fucking much. She’s my everything, and one of the reasons I fell in love with her is because of her kind and caring nature. It’s sexy as hell, but right now, that attribute is acting as a giant cock block, and I know she won’t let this go. That’s the kind of person she is, so I grumble and pick up my phone.

Satisfied with my choice, she curls back into me as we read the text together.

Bennett:HELP! Nolan showed me these pictures of Bower with Cougar. They were taken two days ago. I FaceTimed with her that night and it was great. Now I’m worried that she’s still seeing him. And I very well might have a heart attack. What do you think is happening in the pictures?

I click on the pictures just as OC texts back. Maple and I examine the pictures together.

“It seems like nothing,” I say. “Why is he worried?”

“I don’t know,” Maple says. “They’re leaning in toward each other and she’s smiling rather brightly. And…” She zooms in. “Is he staring at her breasts?”

I look a little closer, amazed that she could notice that.

“Only a girl would fucking point something out like that,” I say as I open the text thread to read OC’s text.

OC:He’s fucking staring at her tits! That’s what’s happening in these pictures.

“Jesus…Christ,” I say as Maple laughs.

“What does that say about OC? Perhaps more observant than you.”

“Yeah, that’s it,” I answer sarcastically as my phone buzzes.

Bennett:Fuck, I didn’t even notice that. That means he’s interested, right?

OC:You’re a man, you tell me.

Bennett:Shit. Fuck! What am I going to do? Before I left for my trip, we, uh…we did some things and we’ve been talking every day. I just assumed that when I got back, we would pick up where we left off, but this, this has thrown a wrench into my plans. Graydon, man, I need your help on this.