Page 10 of Faking Romance

Al pushes the glass toward me, and I take a long sip. “I haven’t heard anything yet,” I tell them before taking another drink. I wish they’d change the conversation. I’m nervous as fuck. I’ve worked so hard to get a chance and this could be my big break. I feel my knee start to bounce with nerves as I down the rest of the expensive whiskey.

“Slow down, kid. I’m sure you’ll get it,” Al murmurs as he pours me more of the amber liquid.

“Hopefully,” I manage as I glance over at my new neighbor. She’s only been here an hour and Roxy has already made best friends with half the building. She’s sitting on the arm of an Adirondack chair that Drew is occupying. Her hands are animated as she explains the plot of some book to Drew, Jessa, Margie, Cam, and Cornelia.

“So what do you think of her?” Carly asks me. I feel Al looking at me. I turn to find both of them leaning on the bar, watching me expectantly from the far side of the wooden table. Hutch and Bray also look my way.

“She’s loud,” I state because it’s true and it doesn’t give much away. The truth of the matter is, I don’t know what I think of her yet. I was annoyed with her noise, but I could also tell she wasn’t intentionally trying to be a rude neighbor. She just seemed oblivious, which in my anxious state is not welcomed. I almost feel bad for snapping at her, almost.

Carly rolls her eyes. “No, seriously, what do you think?”

Al leans in toward Carly. “She’s gorgeous. Don’t you think?” he asks us both.

“Yep,” Carly agrees. My eyes follow their gaze back to Roxy. Her long blonde hair sways as she finishes her story and starts laughing at something Drew says. She leans back and her blue dress rides up her thighs, revealing more creamy flesh. Her eyes sparkle and the blue color of her irises seems enhanced by the bright blue dress. Her red lips are turned up, exposing perfectly straight, white teeth. Freckles dot her nose and cheeks. Her nails are painted a color that matches her lips. I can’t deny it. She’s indeed beautiful.

I decide I don’t need my friends to know my thoughts about that yet. So, I shrug.

“Yeah, she’s pretty,” I say as nonchalantly as I can muster.

Carly leans over and slaps the back of my head.

“Ouch! What was that for?” I groan as I rub my head. I glance back over to see Drew taking his empty glass and coming toward us.

Ava giggles from where she’s still sitting on Hutch’s lap, playing a never-ending game of tic-tac-toe with Brayden, who pulls out a fifth napkin to start again.

“Ava, never hit people,” Carly says looking around my head at her daughter.

“OK, Mommy,” Ava whispers as she tries not to laugh.

“Unless they are being idiots,” Brayden says as he also smacks my head.

“Shit, guys. Cut it out,” I hiss.

They all laugh. “Oh, come on. I’ve only met her for a few minutes and even I admit she’s gorgeous,” Hutch says as he glances over at her.

Drew leans on the counter. “Who’s gorgeous?” he asks, batting his eyes.

“Our new neighbor,” Brayden states while keeping his eye on the board. “Ava! That’s cheating.”

“No, it’s not,” she protests, crossing her arms.

He groans as he scratches out the move she just made for him and blocks her.

“Who doesn’t think she’s gorgeous?” Drew asks, looking down the bar at all of us while holding his empty glass up for Al to refill.

“Gray,” Hutch says under his breath.

Drew glares at me. “You are so full of shit.”

I give him a pointed look because Drew is gay and he also is dating someone.

He glares back at me. “I’m gay. Not blind,” he quips.

“Whatever. I said she was pretty,” I say. I’m about to change the subject when my phone pings. Everyone stares down at it.

Slowly, I pick it up. It’s a text from none other than Pierce Pointer, the producer I sent my demo to only a few days ago.

Pierce: Hey, man. I listened to the demo. You got a minute to chat?

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