Page 17 of The Boyfriend Boycott
“It’s not ruthless, Landry. It’s survival.” Spencer glances back over her shoulder and nods towards Ally and Poppy. “I better get back. It’ll be a pleasure doing business with you.”
I flex my neck in either direction, coming to grips with what I’ve decided to do. The deal I’m about to strike up with the little devil sitting on my shoulder. The muscles in my jaw twitch as I grind my molars together.
Somehow, I doubt it will feel like a pleasure for me. Only a straining, ripping pain at the fact that she’s right there within reach, and I can’t have her.
CHAPTER 8
SPENCER
“Explainto me again what you’re trying to do?” I ask Grady. He’s sitting across from me at the wooden picnic bench that is currently serving as my dining table. I didn’t waste any time nailing down some concrete plans after we shook on our agreement the other night at the bar. Grady suggested coming to the campsite to hash things over out of the prying eyes of the town. He talks about the place as if it’s Wisteria Lane, but then again, I’ve never truly experienced small-town life, so I didn’t push back.
“The town council is three weeks away, and from what I understand, Carter is going to introduce a motion to get rid of a law that has been in place for decades. It prevents chain companies from coming in and taking over the town. Right now, the only businesses allowed are independently owned, local businesses, and I intend to keep it that way.”
“What’s in it for him?” I ask. Something shady, is my guess. I don’t trust Carter as far as I can throw him, not after his pick-up stunt from last night, however much that played in my favour.
“He’s an investor in the chain. Ever since the Parks left town, he’s been eyeing up the vacant building next to mine. Right now, Jodi—Mayor Price—is on his side. Probably because shehas her hand so far down his pocket she’s practically jerking him off.” Grady explains with an eye roll.“I think she actually might be jerking him off. I saw them together behind the stands at the baseball game the other day. I don’t want to make any assumptions, but it was pretty obvious they have more than a professional relationship.”
I try to hide my shock and fail, my jaw dropping open.
“You mean, you think Jodi and Carter are …”
“Having an affair? Yeah,” Grady confirms.
“That could ruin her career,” I add, and he nods grimly.
“I wouldn’t do that to her. Not for my own gain, anyway. I grew up with Jodi and she was never a bad person. She’s just clearly lost all her better judgement,” Grady explains. “I want to win this the honest way, for myself.”
“So, you’re going to attempt to convince her not to take a very large sum of money and boost her lover’s business. Seems doable,” I tease.
“It’s not about the money, at least not for me.” Grady scrubs a hand over his short, groomed beard. “I’m trying to get them to see how getting rid of this law will only hurt the town in the end. People come to Heartwood because they want to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. They want to experience the small-town charm that we offer. Part of what makes Heartwood great is our local economy. If big companies come in and start competing with the little guys, well, there won’t be any more locals. All it takes is one, and this town will be overrun with tourists. The money might be flowing, but at what cost? It’s not just the people, it’s everything. The environment, too. Banff has started having to restrict people from going to Lake Louise because of how crammed it is with tourists. So now no one gets to enjoy it,” Grady explains, his words full of passion. I can see it so clearly, how motivated he is to stop this from going through, so why can’t everyone else see it, too?
“What about the rest of the council? You seem to have a decent argument, I’m sure they would agree with you if you phrased it just like that,” I say.
“That’s the problem. I’m not sure they would. The last few years have not been kind to small towns, or small businesses.” I take a sharp inhale as I nod. I know Grady’s right, I’ve seen it first-hand. It seems every town I visited over the last month is changing, growing. “The thing is, I know this motion isn’t the way to fix the problem.”
“Mmhmm,” I hum in agreement. “And you’re worried that they won’t hear you out.”
“I know they won’t. You heard the conversation I had with Jodi.” As embarrassing as it was to be caught eavesdropping, I’m now very glad I did. “She essentially told me not to bother trying because no one takes me seriously enough to listen. They don’t think I take anything seriously. Or they think that all I care about is the bar and getting rid of any competition. It has nothing to do with me, or the Whisky Jack.” The way his voice wobbles makes me wonder what this is really about for him, what is lacing his words with so much raw emotion.
“Well, do you?” I ask. “Take things seriously, I mean.”
“Of course.” Grady pins me with his stare, his expression genuine. “I just don’t always show it. I like to make people happy. Besides, life is serious enough as it is without me being a downer all the time.”
I inhale through my teeth and contemplate what Grady has just told me.
“Which is where I come in,” I conclude. “In order to change their perception of you, I have to know what I’m working with here, what makes you tick.”
“What about no personal questions?” Grady asks, as if he can see my thoughts. His question is laced with flirtation, a reminder of the night we shared. I give him a blank stare, hoping that mynon-reaction is enough to tell him that it’s never going to happen again. “You said personal questions lead to connections, and connections lead to feelings.”
“I know what I said.” I ruminate on his point for a moment, tapping my index finger on my lips. “We can get rid of that rule for now,” I decide. “It will work against us. I have to know what aspects of you I can sell to people. PR is just marketing the things you want people to see, what you want them to focus on. You’re well known around town, so in order to work, our plan needs to be authentic. What makes this so important to you, Grady? Why is Heartwood worth all the trouble?”
Grady purses his lips a moment and gazes off toward the mountains that loom over the campground.“I think it would just be better if I show you.”I stay where I’m seated and watch as he gets up and strides over to his bike.
No, no, no. The last time I got on his bike with him did not end well. I mean, it endedamazing, but it can’t happen again. I don’t know how much resolve I’ll have once that bike is vibrating beneath my crotch, my hands gripping Grady’s firm torso …
Get a grip, Spencer.I make a mental note to research chastity belts. I may need one if I’m going to be around Grady for any length of time.
Grady already has his own helmet on, and he’s opening the back hatch to pull out a jade-green one. He holds it out to me, and I take it from him hesitantly, eyeing him through a squint.
