Page 324 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
“We could easily figure that part out,” Joni says. “Just think about it. If you have a beautiful woman on your arm, looking all cozy and comfortable, people aren’t going to be asking about Claire.”
“No, they’ll be asking about the mystery woman on my arm. Besides, the press junket isbeforethe premiere. That’s when people will be hounding me the most.”
Joni frowns. “That’s true. But if youdidhave a date, maybe we could do something before that makes it clear you’re with someone. Simon was right about that part, at least. If you’re seeing someone new, it would putyouin control of the narrative.”
“And you won’t feed the flames like Claire does,” Nate says. “You can just say you want to keep your personal life private, and then move on to the next question.”
“Exactly,” Joni says, her eyes sparkling. “Claire will know that if she keeps talking about meeting up with you, dating you when you’ve clearly moved on, she’ll only look desperate.”
“And stupid,” Nate adds. “She won’t want to look stupid.”
I reach for my water and drain half the bottle. I still don’t love the idea, but it’s slightly more tolerable than Simon’s. His plan felt like a publicity stunt. This feels more like a decoy.
I run a hand through my hair. “Ya’ll are talking like I could just head down to the Feed ’n Seed and pick up a girlfriend on aisle four.” Audrey’s eyes flash through my mind one more time, and I quickly shove the image away.
“If anyone could, it’s you,” Joni says. “Just mention it to Ann. I bet she’d have a dozen women lined up in an hour, ready to date you.”
I appreciate Joni’s confidence, but I’m not half as certain. Besides, women lining up to date me because I’mFlint Hawthorne, famous actor, is a lot different than a woman wanting to date me because I’m…me.A lot less appealing, too.
“I’ll think about it,” I say, suddenly restless to be out of this room, away from the drama that drains the fun right out of my career. I look out the window at the late afternoon light. It’s already past four, but that doesn’t mean much. It’ll be almost nine before it’s fully dark. “I’m going to go work on the trail.”
Nate perks up. “You want me to come with you?”
“Nah, man. I need solitude. But I’ll keep my phone on me.”
I head toward the garage, but not before Joni yells out, “Please be careful with the machete, Flint. Your face is worth a lot of money!”
I pause, sensing that what Joni really needs is some sort of indication that I’m okay. That despite the tension of our conversation, I’m not going to drive off into the wilderness and never come back.
I pause and lean back into the kitchen where she can see me, offering her a wide grin. “I’m not worried. A few scars will only give me more sex appeal.”
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the relief moving across her expression. Her voice follows me as I disappear into the garage. “Flint, I’m serious!”
“Love you, Joni!” I say in reply.
I appreciate my manager’s concern. I really do. But I’m stressed as all get out at the moment, and any man with blood pumping through his veins would agree. There are few frustrations in life a little time with a machete won’t cure.
Chapter Five
Flint
Late afternoon sun warmsmy shoulders as I drive a four-wheeler down the roughly cleared trail I’ve been working on the past few weeks. Eventually, it’ll meet up with the old forest service road that runs along the west edge of my property, and I’ll be able tomostlymake it around the entire perimeter. I don’t have a particular purpose in connecting to the road, other than it seems like a good idea to have access to all the acreage I bought.
Plus, it’s not like I have anything else to do. Not unless I want to go hang out with one of my brothers like some kind of lost puppy. None of them would truly mind. But I’m only comfortable being a third wheel for so long.
I drive the four-wheeler as far as I can, stopping a few yards shy of where I stopped clearing. There’s a thick stand of rhododendrons just in front of me, which is going to require more than just a machete.
I smile to myself. I get to use the chainsaw.
An hour later, I’m covered in leaves and dirt and sweat, but I’ve made a hundred yards of progress, and I’ve finally reachedthe shallow creek bed that runs down the mountainside to meet the Broad River. I crouch down and scoop up a handful of the icy spring water and splash it onto my face, then toss another onto the back of my neck.
I’m tempted to take a drink. There are multiple springs in the mountains that are fully potable, but until I can test the water to be sure, I won’t risk it. I’ve experienced firsthand what happens when youdorisk it, and it’s definitely not worth it.
Back at the four-wheeler, I slide the machete into its sheath and lower the chainsaw into the cargo basket on the back. Sweat drips down my brow, so I lift the hem of my T-shirt to wipe off my face, pausing when I hear what sounds like a gasp.
I freeze as my heart rate climbs, my eyes roving over the surrounding woods. I don’t hear anything else, but all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I’mnotalone out here—I’m sure about that.
