I nod, because, yeah, we should sort out what happened last night. I reckon that’s what he wants to talk about. Luckily, I’ve gothoursto obsess over what he might say and how I might answer.Hoursto fantasize about whether words will lead to more of what happened last night.Hoursto worry about what happens next if they do.
As though he’s read my mind—or maybe just my face—Cal quick turns on his heel and practically sprints down the hallway, almost as fast as he did last night. I reckon to avoid me.Again.
Good on him. We’re thinking alike. Avoidance is the exact approach we should be taking. We can keep things casual untilI know for sure if I’m leaving. Who knows? Maybe the publicity will die as fast as it started once something else trends on Tik Tok.
I ignore the twisting in my gut, the doubts in my head, and even the tug of Hollywood and turn back to Junie and Jo. I force a smile that Jo returns like she’s totally unaware of anything that just happened between Cal and me.
Her acting skills are Oscar worthy. But not quite good enough to fool me. Not much gets past Joanne Holloway.
Junie refuses to let Jo help me with her pancakes, which is unfortunate because it’s been a long time since I’ve cooked any breakfast food besides instant oatmeal. In the time it takes me to make Junie’s breakfast, the rest of the family files in and out of the kitchen, grabbing toast, coffee, a bite of eggs and bacon as they do, reminding me this house runs on routine, not emotions. Which is a relief. I fit right in.
When Cal reappears, Jo hands him a plate of eggs, which he shovels into his mouth faster than I’ve ever seen him eat at Flamingo’s. He pours coffee into a travel mug, then refills my own cup before kissing Junie on the head, pausing only long enough to tell me, “Sorry to rush out. I’ll text you on my way back. Alright?”
He looks everywhere but in my eyes.
“Course. Whenever.” I shrug, keeping things casual, grateful for the distraction of Hayes, who’s the last one to roll into the kitchen.
“Heard I’m babysitting you today, Hollywood,” he says with a crooked grin from under his cowboy hat.
I don’t miss the glare Cal shoots his way, and I laugh before he can say anything to Hayes. I don’t need Cal protecting me from his little brother.
“Hollywood? That’s the best you’ve got, Cowboy?” I ask.
“If we’re vying for obvious, you’ve got me beat.” He raises one eyebrow. “Cowboy? Really?”
Cal’s nostrils flair as he looks between Hayes and me, almost like he’s…jealous?Which is daft. Hayes is cute, but he’s a kid. Still, I like the idea of Cal worried I’ll fall for his twenty-year old brother’s flirting.
With a piece of toast in his mouth, Wes claps Cal’s shoulder. “Dad’s in the truck. We’ve gotta go.” Then he calls over his shoulder to Bennett, “we need you, too, bro.”
Looking like he’s just been promoted, Bennett drops his plate in the sink and hustles to the back door with his older brothers.
Jo throws up her hands. “Who’s going to keep an eye on Hayes?”
“Sorry, Ma. We need him,” Wes says on his way out the door.
With a last dirty look at Hayes, Cal follows Wes out the back door.
Instinctively, my eyes follow Cal.
Involuntarily, a bit of my heart does, too.
Chapter 12
Frankie
“Hollywood!” Hayes snaps his fingers.
I tear my eyes away from the door and Cal’s retreating…figureand face Hayes. “Yeah?”
“I asked if you’ve ever picked an avocado.” His lip twitches like he’s just read my thoughts and discovered they’re ninety percent steamy romance novel.
“Toast?” Jo asks Hayes, seemingly oblivious to anything beyond piling his plate high with the remaining eggs and bacon.
“Sure. Thanks, Ma.” Hayes takes off his hat, still smirking at me. Then he swipes a pancake from Junie’s plate, which makes her giggle.
“Course I’ve picked an avocado,Cowboy.” I banish Cal from my thoughts and fall back into character, enjoying the comedy act I’ve got going with his brother.
“Off a tree? Not a grocery store bin?” He slides into a seat next to Junie, tears a bite out of the pancake and grins around it.
