Page 25 of Too Far

Kylian: Or equally distributed PDA? If the goal is to confuse them as to whom Jo is with, then, theoretically, if we all engage in equal amounts of physical contact, it should create the same illusion as none of us engaging in physical contact. I could make a spreadsheet.

Cap: The GOAL is to keep the cameras off her, period. To allow her to blend in. To make it seem like her presence is nothing special.

Locke: You are special, Hot Girl

Cap: I didn’t say she wasn’t special.

Locke: You literally said her presence is nothing special

Josephine: Let’s not argue. I agree with Cap.

Cap: You do?

Josephine: *eye roll emoji* Don’t act so surprised, Decker. We need to present a united front and keep PDA to a minimum. It’s only ten days, right? If we make our lives look boring and routine, they won’t have anything to harp on. I hate the idea of being included in any of this, but I refuse to be separated from any of you.

Kendrick: Whatever you want, Mama

Kylian: Always your choice, baby.

Chapter 11

Decker

Atinklingoflaughtercarries in from the deck, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I turn my head slightly, seeking, listening, an addict fiending for another hit of her happiness.

Fuck. What I wouldn’t give to be responsible for that laughter.

Hell, I’d settle for just being in the vicinity of her brightness right now.

To be granted the pleasure of her company, the gift of her proximity.

Anything but here. Anything but this.

It takes all the energy I’ve got to maintain my composure.

With a deep breath in, I tilt my neck to one side, then the other, relishing the way it cracks and the hit of relief that comes with it.

Misty hums beside me, regarding me with a coquettish smile. When she brushes her fingertips over my forearm in a not-so-subtle move to reach for the water pitcher, I flinch and yank my arm away.

She pours herself a glass, then suspends the crystal pitcher in the air in offering.

Shaking my head, I dismiss her.

“We’re almost done,” she whispers in what she thinks is a reassuring, placating tone.

We better be almost fucking done. We’ve been at this for nearly two hours.

My muscles are bunched and tense from sitting for so long. After a full day of class and practice, followed by two content shoots, my presence was required at what was titledStrategy Meetingon the calendar invite. Though it’s nothing more than a ruse created by my dad and his lawyers so they can remind me who’s boss.

And remind me, they have.

At my father’s behest, we’re reviewing the language of the SportsZone deal. Line by line. In his words, it’s important that we analyze the fine print so that I “fully understand the significance of this opportunity.”

The only saving grace is that in the two hours since this farce began, no one has brought up the incident on Sunday morning. Maybe the SportsZone photogs aren’t talking. Or maybe my father has chosen not to rehash the events that led to Josephine being manhandled in a way that forced Nicky to come to her defense and K to then take the fall for it all.

Makes sense: why bring it up and risk angering me when they can hold me hostage and encourage specific behaviors through manipulation?