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Man, that brings me right back to Trina. Can’t believe she was right about that play. I scrub a hand over my face, take a deep breath, and press the record button.
My bright smile feels fake, but I’ve used it enough in promo shoots I know it looks real.
“You won’t believe how much fun I’m having.” I lean back and cross my arms, making the muscles pop. It’s a trick Cool taught me, and I’m not above using it. “Trina is definitely a surprise. I knew when I picked her that she’d make life interesting, and let me tell you, the woman is not afraid of anything.”
I rattle on for a few more minutes, doing my best to make Trina sound good while steering clear of tender subjects like our sleeping arrangement.
Before I sign off, I follow through on the “be vulnerable” part of the interview. “You know, after my last relationship, I thought I’d never date again.” It’s true. I wince before I can catch myself and give a self-deprecating smile. “Trina’s changing my mind. She makes me want to take on new challenges.” I lean in close to the camera. “The honeymoon ends tomorrow, folks. Let’s see what life throws our way once we’re an old married couple.” I wink and end the video.
It’s not great but not terrible.
Trina has kept an eagle eye on our ratings, and I get the news through her. Our heads remain above water for now, but we’re not making any huge splashes.
Leaving the booth, I grab my phone and head outside. I need to experience the ocean wind and dig my feet into the sand one more time before we head home tomorrow.
Home. Wow. I hadn’t let myself think about it too much, but reality is barreling toward us and there’s no escaping it.
I dial my brother Clay. He should be home right now, though that’s not guaranteed. The hospital keeps him busy and he’s frequently on call. Clay says he doesn’t mind, and since he’s not married, maybe it’s his way of keeping busy. Like how I play and practice for hours on end.
The phone rings three times, almost rolling over to voicemail, when Clay picks up. “Hey, man. How’s the honeymoon? Are you two having a good time?” His chipper voice booms through the phone.
I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me and dig my toes into the sand. Waves rush up and swirl around my ankles. I’ll miss this place. I slide my sunglasses over my eyes. “It’s...complicated. Like, more than I expected. We’re having a good time.” For the most part. “Trina’s not too thrilled with my attention.” Time for a truth bomb. “I like her. I think this could really turn into something. But she has no intention of going there.”
Clay knows about the article Trina wrote, and though I haven’t told him everything about why I chose Trina for the show, I think he has a pretty good idea.
Clay makes a noise that could mean anything. “Well, you two are strangers. Not like you married your best friend or anything.”
“Yeah, but I can’t ever say or do the right thing. It’s like shewantsto pick a fight with me.” I work my feet deeper into the sand and wait for a great pearl of wisdom.
I’ll be waiting a while. Clay is as lost as I am when it comes to women and romance.
His voice trickles through the background noise coming through his phone. I’ve caught him at the hospital. “Listen, I only have a minute. They’re paging me for surgery.” His voice turns harried. “Liam, you’re a good guy. Trina doesn’t know that. She only knows what she thinks she saw with Lindsay.”
I scrub a hand through my hair and try not to grimace at the reminder of the article that started all this.
“Why not tell her the truth and be done with it?” Clay asks.
“And risk Lindsay’s defamation of character?” I lift a hand and let it fall to my side. “She won’t believe me. I’m trying to earn her trust, but she’s closed me out. If I tell her now, she’ll think it’s some kind of ploy to get her to change the article. Which is what I want her to do, but you’d think she’d believe me if I said, ‘Hey, Trina, by the way, the woman you saw me with was my cousin Lindsay. I took her to my house to sleep off the alcohol and nothing happened because one, she’s my cousin, and two, I’m not a creep.’ You think she’d listen?”
The barrage leaves me breathless and I stop talking.
Clay is silent for a long minute, but I know he’s there. I hear the hospital noises in the background and his measured breathing.
“Wow.” Clay’s voice softens. “You really care for her.”
The truth hits me harder than a basketball to the head. “Yeah. We’re like some tragic love story or something.”
“Nah.” Clay chuckles. “You’ll win her over. Use that charming personality you’re famous for. She won’t be able to resist you forever.”
His name is called again. I wave a hand, which is ridiculous because he still can’t see me. “Go on. Save lives. My love life will still be a gaping wound when you get done.”
“I could throw a stitch or two in there if it would help.” He laughs. “Talk later.”
The call ends without a real goodbye. It’s how we’ve always been. He’ll call me in a few days, or I’ll call him, and we’ll pick up right where we left off.
The screensaver on my phone flashes. I stare at it, reading the words over and over. NO RISK, NO REWARD.
What I’m doing is definitely a risk, but if Trina is the reward, then I’m all in.
