Page 79 of House of Deceit

“I always had a thing for Wendy,” he says. “But maybe by the end of this I’ll have a thing for a barmaid.”

I smack his stomach and I move to sit by him, handing him the book I’ve chosen.

“Start reading, mister.”

I look at the outfit for my interview I have hanging on the back of the door throughout the day. Last night with Charlie was amazing. After reading to her for an hour, we ended up making out in a slow, sensual way, letting our hands wander but never crossing a line.

In my real life, I never take the time just for romance. The only reason I kiss women is because they need it. But I think I would be content to only kiss Charlie forever, if that was all she was willing to give me.

Part of me wonders if I shouldn’t have asked her out on a date when I haven’t told her about my interview. All morning, I have been going crazy with the thought of leaving her. Tapping out a message to cancel the interview, deleting it, tapping it out again. Over and over. My guilt and hesitation are maddening. I watch as Charlie gets ready for today’s elimination competition, a test of endurance to see who can last the longest in a box filled with bugs. Hoots and hollers come from the wrangler watching room. A knock on the door sounds as I start to take off my shirt. Pulling it back down, I move across the room.

“Hey, Alec. Just wanted to see if you were going to join us. I feel like I’ve hardly seen you this season,” Frank says.

“Yeah, I’ve just been needing some alone time. You know how it gets on these shoots. Lots of late nights.”

“This one has definitely been more tiring, that’s for sure.” He leans against the door jamb. “Our contestants have been getting awfully friendly,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

Unsure if Parker told him about Charlie’s and his arrangement, I decide to err on the side of caution and not mention it. What a contestant does or does not share with their wrangler is none of my business, and he might not have had time to watch the clip where they made the agreement.

“They have. The audience is loving it, but I hope he’s not really getting attached. I don’t need her distracted.”

“I guess we will see.” He pushes off the jamb. “See you in there.”

Shutting the door, I don’t bother to remind him I’m leaving for the evening, and begin shucking my clothes, throwing on the light gray suit without a care, only thinking how shocked Charlie would be to see me in something that’s not black.

Making my way out back, whirring cuts through the late afternoon calm as a speck of a helicopter pulls closer, landing on the mansion’s landing pad. I button my suit jacket as I walk toward it. Once settled, the pilot lifts us into the air, ferrying me off to an interview I don’t really want to go to.

One that could change my life.

That could give me everything I’ve ever wanted.

“The flight should only be about forty-five minutes. Mr. Cochran is at his beach house this evening,” the pilot tells me through the headset.

“Sounds great. Thank you.”

The rest of our flight passes in silence. I focus on mentally preparing for this meeting, but my thoughts keep turning back to Charlie. A tiny bit of her shine has worn off since Molly was eliminated. Like she’s retreated into herself a bit. I wish I could fix it and make her feel better. She is still sleeping with Parker every night. Sure, it’s nothing more than sleeping, but the jealousy still makes me want to tear my hair out.

However, I refuse to let my jealousy of their fake relationship ruin what might be happening with us.

Outdoor lanterns become visible as we crest a hill. The sunset would be dizzying with its fiery reds and warm oranges, but I barely notice it now. As we descend, I shove Charlie and the mansion into the back of my mind and turn on my dominating personality she has slowly made me wear less and less.

The silence is deafening as the helicopter motor cuts off. I take off my headset and exit. A beautiful blonde in a skintight white dress stands, waiting for me with a leather-bound notebook in her hands. Her makeup is perfect. Not a single brush mark is out of place. Everything about this woman is what I would chase when Tank and I went out to the bars.

“Mr. King, please follow me.”

Her accent is posh and, before Charlie, would have been the final nail in the coffin, cementing my desire to sleep with her. But all I can think about now is getting back to the mansion and watching Charlie read in her favorite chair while the sun sets through the stained glass.

The pool glows into the dimming light of the day. A large, perfectly appointed table sits beneath the shelter of the house above it.

“Mr. Cochran desires dinner out tonight. Please take a seat and he’ll be with you shortly.”

I nod in her direction and move to pull out the chair next to the head of the table. I sit, looking out at the paradise that Tom Cochran has made with his storied career. Over the stone wall is the ocean crashing against it, battering to get to the land beyond. The sound of the waves puts me in something of a trance that is snapped when Tom comes walking out, looking more like he’s ready for sunbathing in Tuscany than a job interview.

He’s squat, with a bit of a belly. His shock of white hair contrasts against his deeply tanned skin. A man that loves the sun. I stand to meet him, holding my hand out for him to shake, unprepared for the bear hug he wraps me into.

“Mr. Cochran, it’s so nice to meet you,” I say as I straighten my jacket once he releases me.

“Tom, please. Sit, sit,” he instructs, waving me down. No longer than half a second passes before someone steps up to us.

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