Who Needs Air

by Cassie Graham

  He also signs my paychecks, which make me a whole lot more agreeable.

  Closing the drawer of my desk, I pull my phone out of my bra, sending a quick text to August.

  Me: It’s insane here. I’m sorry in advance.

  It’s not one minute before he texts back.

  August: We’re already here. Waiting in line to exit the limo.

  Me: Okay. I’ll see you soon.

  Standing up, I straighten my dress out and walk to my door, checking my reflection in the mirror. Giving myself a onceover, I make sure to lock the door behind me as I exit.

  When I enter the great hall, all the press turn toward me, already in position for when everyone arrives. I do my best and put my biggest smile on. “Good evening and welcome. I hope you enjoy tonight. Please keep the photography to a minimum on anything other than the art.”

  There’s about twenty men and only a few women, but they all approve, not nearly as excited as the paparazzi outside.

  Thank God.

  They’re all native people from local stations, I’m sure they couldn’t care less about what’s going on. The only one in this town who cares about gossip is Lily and her cameraman.

  An older woman, with dark black hair and a dark dress raises her hand. “Are we allowed to talk to the actors?”

  My mouth thins. “Of course. Please feel free to get statements. I simply ask that you talk with them for a short time and then allow them to move on. This is a party and we’re all here to unveil a very important piece of art.”

  The woman agrees, stepping back into her place.

  Lily moves to my side. “It’s time.”

  I lick my lips and signal Harold in my earpiece. “We’re a go, Harold.”

  I see him gesture his recognition and make his way to the door. Outside, Hannah sits, ready to begin allowing people in once they get passed Harold.

  I take a deep breath and plaster a smile on my face.

  Pushing the talk button on my ear piece, I radio Hannah. “You ready?”

  I see her smile as she replies, “Ready, boss.” She turns toward me through the open doors and winks.

  I signal the quartet to begin playing on stage and within a few seconds Vivaldi’s, The Four Seasons begins wafting through the arched hall, lightly tapping on my ears.

  With a smile, proud of what we’ve accomplished, the first group of people steps through the door, eyes wide in excitement.

  Another five groups follow them and, before I know it, nearly all two hundred guests are gathered into the great hall of the museum. They laugh and sip wine while eating small appetizers.

  I make small talk as I weave my way through the crowd, thanking local businessmen and congress people as I see them. We take pictures for the Bradshaw Gazette and give our statements to Lily’s station, Channel Ten.

  Just as I’m about to make my way to the head server to tell her we need another round of appetizers, the crowd outside bursts with cheers and women’s screams. I see the flashes of camera bulbs fill the outside windows.

  “They’re here,” Harold warns into my mic.

  I give our state senator one final handshake, smiling as he hugs his wife with his other hand.

  As I walk to the door, a few of the side characters from the movie come in first, a blanket of light following behind them.

  Adam Peters, who portrays Rush’s (August’s) best friend in Somewhere Only We Know, is the first to make it through the throng of journalists. A tall, brown haired man with light hazel eyes and a smile that literally lights up an entire room. I’ve seen him in a few movies, and he recently starred in my favorite RomCom, Once They Fall. When August told me they cast him as Travis, I knew he’d be perfect.

  Poised and composed, Adam makes his way through the press line, talking to each reporter. He gives them all genuine answers and stands next to me when he’s done.

  “So, you’re the famous Campbell?”

  Screeching cries and wails pour through the doors and I side eye Adam and smile. “That would be me.”

  In my peripheral, he bounces on his feet, his face bright with gentleness. “Awesome. It’s wonderful to meet you. August has told us all about you. Your story is just amazing.”

  The story August wrote. “Thank you. That’s very kind. I just saw you in your newest film. You were brilliant.”

  I finally turn my eyes toward Adam when I see Jennings peek out of his car. Adam blushes, a faint pink crawling up his cheeks. “It was such a fun film. I’m glad you liked it.”

  Sophia makes her way to us and grabs me in a ferocious hug. “Why haven’t I seen you in so long?” she scolds, her arms gripping me in a sturdy vise.

  I laugh and let her go. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy.”

  Sophia tries to appear angry, pressing her mouth into a hard line, but she grins. “Fine. I’ll accept it, but you must come to set.”

  A piece of hair falls into my face and I push it away. “I’d love to see it.”

  “Good,” she agrees. “Next week.”

  Another roar of screams fills the air. “I’ll see if I can make it work.”

  Sophia winks and moves to the other side of Adam and they begin talking silently to one another.

  Next come a few more characters I’ve yet to meet. They stand next to Sophia and Adam, too overwhelmed to talk to me, not that I’m upset about it. With the commotion outside and all the curious eyes in here, I’m a little incredulous myself.

  Jennings and Whitley saunter inside the museum, all smiles and an aura of happiness surrounding them. Whitley pulls Jennings along, grinning from ear to ear, heading straight for me.

  “Hi!” she greets. Her short platinum hair is pin straight, sitting just below her chin. Her deep red dress accentuates her curves and I feel myself shrivel a bit. She’s beyond gorgeous – overwhelmingly so. I need to get on the Whitley regimen. She exudes confidence.

  “Hi, doll,” I say, pulling her into a hug. “How are you?”

  Jennings releases Whitley’s hand and grabs me into a side hug the second Whitley liberates me.

  “I’m good. I’ve missed you.”

  My heart soars. Though we haven’t been able to see each other since the incident with the boys being attacked, we’ve talked quite a bit through text. “I’ve missed you. Can we do lunch soon?”

  “God, yes,” she says as if it’s the best news she’s heard all week.

  More screeches drizzle through the open doors and I fight the urge to cover my ears. Damn, I can’t hear a lick over all this hoopla.

  “Where’s August?” I ask over the screams, leaning closer to Jennings.

  He moves to my side, pulling Whitley with him. His light gray suit is suave and debonair, much like him. The dark black shirt underneath brings out the color of his green and blue eyes. His hair is much longer now, accommodating for August’s lengthy hair when we were a bit younger. It curls just behind his ears. It looks good on him. The man could be bald and still be incredibly dashing. “He was right behind us. The reporters were a little overzealous with him, though.”

  My stomach bubbles at the thought. Are they hounding him? I know our town, for all intents and purposes, knows the movie is about August and I, would they berate him?

  Before I have too much time to worry, August crosses the threshold of the museum to the great hall and his eyes lock on mine instantly.

  Deep and penetrating, I feel myself shiver under his gaze. Goose bumps rise on my arms and I rub them with my hands. Someone stops him, a reporter for the local news station, but no matter the conversation, his eyes never leave mine.

  “Holy shit,” I hear Whitley whisper.

  I can’t turn away from August, but I reply in a hushed tone, “What?”

  Jennings snickers, saying something low in Whitley’s ear and she breathes. “Damn.”

  Forced to take a picture, I tear my eyes away from August and turn to Whitley who’s giggling behind her hand. “What?”

  She fans her face. “I swear to Go
d, my panties almost combusted right off my damn body just then.”

  My eyebrows furrow and I swivel my head, looking for August, again. “Huh?”

  “Y’all are so hot for each other.”

  My head snaps in her direction. We haven’t told anyone about what’s going on between us. I mean, hell, I don’t even know for sure. I haven’t told Lily anything and she’s my very best friend. “Umm…” I trail off, feeling a little like I’d be lying if I denied it.

  Whitley rolls her eyes and Jennings lights up with something that can only be defined as mischief. “You can’t hide that kind of spark, girl.”

  Jennings jumps in. “Yeah. I’m a guy and even I saw that.” He shakes his head. “It was kind of sexy.”

  Whitley pops his chest with the back of her hand, but then smiles. “It kind of was.”

  Beau clears his throat behind us and I startle a bit. Crap, did he hear what Whitley and Jennings just said? “We have an issue.”

  I push my hair away from my face, and turn to follow Beau to my office.

  I quickly unlock the door and once we’re inside, Beau sighs, eyes hurt but hopeful all at once.

  “What’s the problem?” I ask, feeling more than a little uncomfortable now. It’s not like Beau to cause even a little scene like he did out there, pulling me away when I need to be out on the floor. That and his presence is taking up my entire office. His eyes are dark and his chest is heaving with his ragged breaths.

  Suddenly, I feel claustrophobic. Like, I can’t move and Beau has me cornered. Which isn’t far from the truth. We’ve somehow managed to make our way to the back of my office, my spine up against the cabinets.

  “Beau,” I say his name with caution. He’s not threatening, but this isn’t normal Beau-like behavior, either. “What’s going on?”

  Beau’s eyes blaze. Passionate. Like he’s on something, but I know he doesn’t do drugs and his breath is void of alcohol. “I can’t take it anymore, Cam.” His words come out pained and he physically winces. I feel this odd need to comfort him and then run the other way.

  My breath hitches in my chest.

  “I want you back.”

  A Snake In The Grass

  Oh no. No. No. No. No. No.

  This can’t be happening. I broke him, remember? I wounded his ego and he was supposed to move on. His knickers have been in a knot for I-don’t-know-how-long.

  Instead, Beau’s licking his lips, stalking toward me.

  “Beau, what are you doing?” My voice cracks and I put my hands up in front of me.

  He stops immediately, considering my apprehension. “I…” He skirts his eyes. “I just told you. I want you back, Cam. I miss you. Seeing you with him,” he seethes. “I hate it.”

  I shake my head. “You broke up with me. We’re done.” He moves closer. “Don’t do this. I want to be your friend, Beau.” His body is up against mine now, his pupils dilated and his chest heaving.

  I place my hand on his shoulder. “I want to be your friend.”

  His eyes flutter and he looks down at where my hand is touching him. “Friends?”

  “Uhh,” someone interrupts as they open the door and I look around Beau’s face to see August standing there, eyebrows furrowed and jaw clenched. “What the hell’s going on?”

  Beau deflates and I move from behind him, so thankful for August’s intrusion.

  “We were just talking,” Beau spouts, a little annoyed.

  August walks to me, apprehension on his face, and takes my hand. He seems confused and I’m not going to lie, so am I. “Didn’t look like that to me.”

  Beau’s mouth turns down and he straightens his jacket. “Not my problem.”

  “Beau,” I warn, my eyes pointed. I turn to August, my expression apologetic. I know how this looks and I’d never want August to think I’d do anything with anyone behind his back. I would never do anything with anyone, period.

  Beau slides past us, walking out the door, but not before giving August an irritated, pointed scold.

  I roll my eyes and close the door. “I’m so sorry. He brought me in here under the guise that something was wrong and proceeded to tell me he wanted me back.” I squeeze August’s hand, the words rushing out of my mouth. “Nothing happened.”

  August’s stare bores a hole in the door, anger blazing. “I know, but he’s a snake in the damn grass, Belle.”

  “Hey,” I say, letting his hand go, wrapping my arms around his neck. The veins in his throat pulse and I know he’s close to losing it. “Hey,” I say, again. “Look at me.”

  His nostrils flare and his jaw twitches, but his eyes stay on the door.

  I release my hold on him, feeling a little guilty for even being in here with Beau and a teeny bit moody because I can’t snap him out of his fury-induced trance. I’ve never seen him like this.

  “August,” I try again with a gentle tone, “you’re staring at a closed door, for goodness sake.”

  I see his nose twitch a bit and the corner of his mouth turns up. “Well, now I just look stupid.”

  I laugh out of my nose. “You have every right to be upset, but the door didn’t do anything to you.”

  August turns to me, placing his hands on my hips.

  “I’ll handle Beau. What he did, how he cornered me, isn’t okay.”

  “It’s not.” August bares his teeth.

  “Still, you kicking his ass isn’t going to help anything except get you a night in jail and it’ll ruin the evening.”

  The fabric of my dress crunches in his clenched fist. “It’ll make me feel better.” His voice is deep, his lips curling.

  “I know it would.”

  August was not the All-American boy next door. I liked that about him. While he got good grades, played football and dreamed of writing a book, there was always this undertone of badass, just waiting to be let free. He was dangerous. Still is.

  “Let’s get back out there,” I say, placing my hand in his. “The actual unveiling is at nine so we only have a few minutes.”

  I’m already opening the door when August stops me. “You look magnificent tonight, Belle. Just,” he shakes his head, his face red, “I’m so lucky and no one even knows.”

  I start to walk out of my office when the words settle and I grimace. “What?”

  August’s steps are hesitant. “Andy doesn’t think it’s a good idea for us to go public.”

  Flinching, I’m almost afraid to ask, “Why?”

  “She thinks it’s best to stay available.”

  My teeth clench.

  “At least in public,” he finishes, but he steps back because he knows it’s going to piss me off.

  “For the movie?” I ask in a hushed tone. “It’s about us. You’d think they’d want us together.”

  August shrugs. “I’m pissed at her and she’s pissed at me – I think it’s best to let it go tonight. I’ll talk to her. She can’t tell me who I can and can’t date.”

  Damn straight.

  “Let’s get through tonight and we’ll get it figured out.”

  I concede, not happy with it. “I need to get back out there.”

  August looks behind him and then back at me, his eyes full of something that makes me tingle all over. He gently pushes me back, pinning me against the wall, his hand sliding down my side to the back of my leg. His fingers grasp my thigh and he pushes against my body.

  His mouth falls to mine and takes my lips hostage. I feel myself stiffen and melt into him all at once. He smiles against my mouth I lose myself in him completely and don’t hear someone walk up to us, clearing their throat as they push the door all the way open.

  “Um, guys,” Lily says, a smile widening across her face. She shakes her head, looking like a mischievous cat caught in a canary cage. “People are starting to wonder where you are.”

  I pull away from August and wipe my mouth. Thank God Lily is the one to find us, she knows our history. Went to school with us even. If anyone else had stumbled upon us, this whole ordeal
would have been dreadfully awkward. I feel my cheeks flush and turn away from Lily, laughing against August’s shoulder.

  He wraps his arms around my waist, laughing under his breath. “Thanks, Lil.”

  I lift my head to look at her and she winks, walking away.

  “Damn her.”

  August steps away from my body and straightens his tie. “It’s just Lily. She won’t say anything.”

  I push up my glasses, noticing the smudge on the lens from August’s nose. “I know she won’t.” Because she knows I’ll kill her. “Only now she’s going to want to know everything that’s happened and I don’t want to talk to her about it.”

  “It’ll be fine. We can talk to her tomorrow. Let’s get back out there.” His predatory gaze zones in on my lips. “I’ll kiss you later.”

  I snicker, feeling lighter because he seems to be in a better mood.

  Sure, the debacle with Beau set the night off on an odd foot, but I can’t worry about that now. So, instead of tormenting myself about Beau and whatever issues he has with me, I focus on the good. I get to spend the evening with August.

  Even if we can’t act like it in front of other people.

  Ugh. I shake off my annoyance.

  That’s a worry for another day.

  “I can’t believe you left without saying goodbye!” Whitley says as I walk onto the set of Somewhere Only We Know.

  I laugh, hugging her and then sit in the empty chair next to her. I pull my cardigan tighter around my chest.

  “You, Jennings and Lily were taking shots in the bar! I was exhausted.”

  Whitley combs her hand through her blonde hair. “Yeah, yeah. What have you been doing the last week? The unveiling was great, by the way. That painting is beautiful.”

  I smile, watching August across the set talking to the director. “It is. And I’ve been super busy at work.”

  Whitley flinches slightly. “What’s going on with Beau?”

  I shake my head, my eyes turning back to her. After it all went down, I told her and Jennings what happened. “He hasn’t talked to me. Avoids me, in fact, like I’ve got the worst case of cooties he’s ever seen.” I huff. “It makes me mad. I’m the one who should be avoiding him. Not the other way around.”