Page 39 of Texting, Trouble & Touchdowns
I am not.
Lucian grins as he steps further inside, acting as if he isn’t walking into my personal nightmare. “Relax, Doc. I’m just making sure everything is running smoothly.”
Mike gives him a friendly clap on the back. “Plus, you’re here for the videos, right?”
Lucian salutes him. “Of course I am. Tell me where to start.”
I blink.
I’m sorry, what?
Mike, completely at ease, gestures toward the construction site. “Alright, we’ll film a few clips inside and then maybe one out front. Just talking about the process, the timeline, and you can share about the other times we’ve helped you. You know, the usual.”
Lucian nods, as if this is something he routinely does, then shifts his attention to one of the guys holding a camera. “You recording?”
The guy nods, adjusting the lens.
Lucian flashes his professional athlete smile and jumps right in, owning the room the way only someone convinced he is the brand can.
“Hey, guys. Lucian Crawford here, hanging out with my man Mike and his team from Titan Renovations. These guys are the real deal—managing my friend’s clinic renovation with top-tier quality and efficiency. If you’re in the area and need a dependable crew, hit them up. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”
I stare.
He keeps going.
“They’re taking care of everything—plumbing, electrical, mold remediation. I mean, look at this place.” Lucian gestures at the absolute ruin around him, somehow making it sound like a positive thing. “And, hey, they’re Knights fans, so that already tells you they know what they’re doing.”
Mike grins, nodding at the camera. “We always get the job done right.”
Lucian winks at the camera. “They’re the best.”
I keep staring.
Lucian thanks the crew, fist-bumps Mike, then claps his hands together like this was just another day in the life of Lucian fucking Crawford.
Then he turns to me, all casual. “And that is how you get shit done, Doc.”
I don’t move.
Don’t blink.
Don’t process.
Because what the actual fuck just happened?
“What was that?” I finally demand.
Lucian smirks. “That, Olivia, was me paying for this reno.”
“The video is how you pay?” I frown, shocked. “And what do you get out of this?”
His grin stretches wider. “The satisfaction of watching you lose your mind.”
“What?” I shriek.
He shrugs as if saying, “Yeah, you heard me.”And I hate how effortlessly he does this. He makes things easier for me while somehow making me feel like the problem for resisting.
I exhale slowly, rubbing my temples. “You’re ridiculous.”
