Page 90 of Just for the Plot

“Get out of here,” she nearly shouts, causing us all to move toward the room that’s set up as a greenroom. It’s normally used for events, but the photo shoot has taken over.

Graydon slumps in a chair while I grab a pack of fruit snacks and OC snags a donut.

“Want anything?” I ask Graydon.

He just shakes his head and crosses his arms over his chest. OC takes a seat next to him, apparently testing his life span, and I sit across from them.

I check my phone for texts, but when I come up short, nothing from Bower, I grumble under my breath.

“So I know why Graydon is grumpy and I know why I’m contemplating my life choices, but what’s up with you?” OC asks.

“Nothing,” I say, staring off into the distance.

“Yeah, not buying it. Does it have to do with the sister’s best friend? What’s her name again?”

“Bower,” Graydon says, surprising us both. I might have mentioned her name a few times, but I didn’t think he’d remember.

“Right, Bennett and Bower,” OC says. “Does it have to do with her?”

I stay silent because I don’t think I’m ready for this, for them to be involved.

But after a few seconds, OC gasps. “It does. It has to do with her. What happened?”

“Nothing,” I say. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Oh no.” OC winces. “Did you make a move and she rejected you?”

“No.”

“Wait.” Graydon scratches his cheek. “Bower is the sister’s best friend? Then why was Cougar talking about her yesterday?”

“Cougar Vajeen?” OC asks, sitting on the edge of his seat now. “Is it the same Bower?”

I sigh heavily and say, “Yeah, same Bower.”

“Wait, you had me set Cougar up with the girl you like?”

“What the hell?” OC asks, outraged. “You had Graydon set someone up for you and you didn’t involve me? What the actual fuck? You know I like that kind of shit.”

“Yeah, too much, and I thought you’d be annoying about it, hence why I just asked Graydon.”

“But why would you have me set her up with someone else?” Graydon asks.

“Because I got some bad advice.”

“You sought advice outside the Gladdy Daddies?” OC asks. “From whom? Also, serves you right. You know you only get the best advice from us. Now look at you, sending the girl you like out on a date with one of the most notorious players in the Bay Area. Pretty fucking dumb if you ask me.”

“I don’t tend to agree with him, but yeah, that’s dumb,” Graydon says.

“I know,” I growl. “I don’t need the reminder.”

“Who gave you the advice?” OC adamantly asks.

“Nolan.”

“Nolan Hart?” OC asks, jaw slightly parted. “The guy who walks around in crop tops, chewing wads of gum, and giving everyone who walks by him a finger gun?”

“Do you know him?”