Page 27 of Wild Catch
I break into goosebumps all over.
As I rub my arms over my cardigan, I add, “Listen, as your resident social media manager, I have to learn a thing or two about legalities as well. Defamation means lying, and nothing about that video is a?—”
“There’s a damn saxophone?—”
I try really hard not to laugh as I continue, “—Lie. And also, how is your image being devalued when you’re getting thousands of proposals from marriage, to modeling, to indecent ones you’d probably enjoy?”
“Saxophone,” he repeats through gritted teeth. “I hate wind instruments.”
“I’ll use some piano next time.”
“Next time?” He does an angry double take, his brow darkening by the second.
“My point is that you’re now more popular than ever, and so is the team by default.”
“Exactly!” Logan throws his hands in the air, probably the biggest gesture I’ve ever seen on him. “I save your life and this is what I get? Mockery?”
Mockery?
Is he implying that my job is a joke?
“Um, excuse me. I didn’t ask for it to beyou,” I snap, lava rising up my throat in the form of a barrage of words. “I’d also rather deal with literally any other guy on the team than put up with this crap. And oh by the way, if you’re gonna treat saving my life like it’s a favor, you’re gonna have to wait for me to return it when you’re in the same kind of danger. Good. Freaking. Bye.”
I don’t wait for him to finish blinking. I turn around and head to the other door. Except my shoulder rams into it and the door doesn’t open, which means that my only escape is through the door that Logan is blocking with his massive frame.
Ignoring him, I take the long road circling back the tables, conscious of his laser beams trained on me. But if he thinks that a glare will be enough to make me cave to his will, he has something coming to him. And by coming I mean going—back to my office, leaving him behind and his damn arrogance that has officially soured my night.
CHAPTER10
LOGAN
How to Win Friends and Influence Peopleplays on my living room sound system and I have an exercise mat rolled out over the carpet where the coffee table normally sits.
I keep my eyes mostly focused out the floor to ceiling windows that showcase an expansive Orlando downtown view—expansive by the size of the windows, not by the views. I live in the highest residential building and aside from this one, there’s just a handful of other tall ones. On a clear night I can catch the fireworks from the parks in the south, though.
Meanwhile, the rest of me is in a plank position over the exercise mat. It’s been fifteen minutes according to the counter on my phone that lays face up on the carpet where I can see it, so I’m not even shaking yet. After this, I’ll have a protein shake for dinner, get in the tub to listen to the audiobook for a while more, and catch some early Z’s. It’s an ideal rest day night before getting back on the road tomorrow.
Of course, this is when someone decides to disrupt my quiet by calling me on the phone.
At first I figure it’s my manager with news of a trade, but actually my brother’s name lights up the screen. I ignore it.
A huff comes out of my throat not because of the plank, but because he’s not taking the damn hint and leaving me the hell alone. He keeps calling, which means I keep not listening to my audiobook. And yes, I’d much rather read a ninety year old book than deal with Lewis Kim.
Finally he drops the call and the relief almost makes me drop the plank. I tighten my muscles again, starting by my toes that are holding up my lower body weight, clenching my stomach to not sag, and fisting my hands to motivate my arms to keep steady. It goes well for a couple of minutes until Lewis calls again.
“Shit,” I mumble.
I know him. He’s a hound with a bone and won’t leave me alone until I give him the attention he craves.
Slowly, I ease down to all fours and grab my phone. I do take several deep breaths before answering. “What do you want?”
“Is that really how you should greet your only beloved brother?”
“Only? Yes. Beloved? Absolutely the hell not.” Rubbing my forehead, I add, “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Fine, what I want is to know if the rumors are true.”
What rumors? Is this something related to Mena’s video that she refused to take down even when I asked nicely?
