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I’m not completely oblivious. I know what this is. I’ve been attracted to both men and women since… well, since I was old enough to know that was even an option. Just goes to show you when it comes to good judgment, penises don’t have any.
Cooper’s an easy scapegoat for my shitty mood, but it started even before that center-stage hug. Bailey’s been avoiding me, but I’ve been kind of avoiding her right back and it chafes. That’s not who I am. If there’s a problem, you own it. That’s just the way I see it.
Hard to take responsibility for something when the other person involved won’t even call you back, though. Or answer a text. Or say hi when she sees you up onstage.
There’s a couple of possible explanations for why Bailey’s avoiding me, but it’s obvious to me she’s freaking out about that kiss. I broke all kinds of rules with that one, and if she had any idea how much I was into it, she’d disown me for sure.
Who am I kidding? She’s Bailey. She knows me better than anybody. And anybody with sight could see how much I liked kissing her. Possibly from space.
I have to talk to her. Just because I liked kissing her doesn’t mean things have to change.
“Hey, handsome.” I look up from the checklist I’ve been pretending to read for the past five minutes and see Mila from work heading my way, tapping a clipboard against her leg. “Helluva show.”
“Hey, Mila.”
“You did a great job up there,” she says, wrapping a sharply manicured hand around my bicep and giving a small squeeze. “I don’t know why they didn’t have you host. That fool Cooper has nothing on you.”
“I thought he did a great job,” I say, surprised to hear the words coming from my own mouth. And I mean them.
“You’re defending him?” asks Mila in disbelief. “I thought you guys hated each other.”
“He’s not so bad once you get to know him,” I say, lying through my teeth. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that Cooper might not be so bad, but I hardly know the man. No backtracking now, though. And Mila doesn’t seem to care either way.
“Well,” she says. “I’d still rather watch you any day of the week.” She squeezes my arm again.
“Thanks,” I say, disengaging before I get mauled by her nails. “Are you working the afterparty?”
“I wish. They had me at registration,” says Mila, shaking her head. “Now I’m just processing paperwork.” Which means she’s supposed to be back at the office by now.
“Well, I won’t keep you,” I say as cheerfully as I can.
“Oh, it’s no trouble. I’d rather stay and talk to you,” she titters.
This is getting out of hand. Maybe Bailey’s right—maybe it’s time I mention this to Tyler, or somebody else at the office.
But really, what could I say? She asked me out too many times? It’s not like she’s done anything wrong or hurtful. And rejection is never fun for anybody.
With that in mind, I lower my voice.
“Mila,” I say, glancing around to check for eavesdroppers. “I told you. I’m seeing someone.”
“Hmm,” says Mila, her lips twisting for a second. “Yeah, I saw your girl. She came through my check-in line earlier.”
Seeing Bailey in the crowd of competitors earlier had shocked the hell out of me. Last I heard, she wasn’t planning on signing up, but I guess Kenna must have talked her into it. I didn’t get to see her compete, but since she hadn’t been among the herd of people who got the boot for making a drink, I knew she’d be back for round two tomorrow.
“Anyway,” Mila says. “I saw her over at the beer garden. With Cooper.” Her thoughts on that little tidbit come through loud and clear in her tone.
“Thanks,” I say, already walking away. “See you back at the office.”
She calls out something I don’t catch, as I’m too busy making my way through the various blue-shirted staff members backstage, trying to get to the winners tent.
I should have known better. I’m supposed to stick to Cooper like goddamn glue. He sneaked away after we dismissed the contestants. I figured it was no big deal, since the rest of the day is mostly getting set up for tomorrow. They didn’t need us on camera, so when he crept off backstage, I let him.
Evidently he made a beeline for Bailey.
The heat in my stomach twists, confusing the hell out of me. I’m not supposed to be jealous of Bailey—she’s my friend, not my girl—but if she were… shouldn’t I be more jealous of them spending time together?
Good thing I’m not jealous. Not at all.
