“Really, Hartwell? No smug remark? No, ‘I don’t need your bossy input.’” I tap my mic. “Are you sick, or did you run out of excuses for being wrong?”
“Just trying to focus, St…” He cuts himself off, voice gruff. “… it’s a tricky shot.”
Stopwatch.
That’s what he was about to say.
Whydidn’the?
I glance at the monitor: Sienna framed perfectly, the ocean glittering behind her, volunteers hanging on her every word.
Because he didn’t want to say your nickname, Ivy. Not with her there.
Jealousy flares, but I clench my eyes shut and breathe through it.
“Enough.” I grip the edge of the table. “You are going to execute this event flawlessly. You are going to secure that promotion. And you are absolutely not going to obsess over Cole Hartwell’s stupid silence in your headset.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re live.
Blaze is already mid-ramble. “… which is why, ocean lovers and beach babes, this is THE HOTTEST beach cleanup EVER! We’re out here saving the Pacific AND getting that vitamin D—win-win, bro!”
I check the live chat and immediately regret it:
SEA LION DADDY WHERE YOU AT
Check the water for Dr. O’s STAFF OF POWER
BLAZE IS BACK LETS GOOOOOOO
SCEPTER WATCH - Day 2
I press my finger into my temple.
Fantastic. We’ve summoned the internet.
The Dr. O incident is very much alive and thriving. Thankfully, Blaze can’t see the chat and make it worse. All I have to do islet the event build momentum, and those comments will bury themselves under actual content.
Hopefully.
“Cole, zoom out,” I say into the headset.
“Copy.”
I go still.
Same word.
Again.
“Ya know you said copy twice, Hartwell. Should I test you for signs of personality loss?”
Nothing.
He’s ignoring me?
Great. Real mature.Nothing gets my blood boiling quicker than a grown-ass man resorting to childish games.Fine, Hartwell. Pretend I’m not here. I’ll enjoy the silence.
Blaze throws an arm toward the shoreline. “Let’s give it UP for the REAL MVP, the brains, the BOSS behind the whole show. Dr. Sienna Alvarez!”
