Chapter 29
OLIVIA
“Charlie is going to be our family spokesperson for the filming,” Jack said once we were all settled in their dining room. “Colt has agreed to be featured as well and the rest of us are willing to appear, but we don’t want to be the focus.”
Cody shrugged as he shot his oldest brother an apologetic smile. “That’s what you get for being born first, man.”
Charlie stared impassively back at him. “Being born first also gives me the right to boss all of you around for life. I’m willing to talk some crap to a camera for a day for the privilege.”
Despite myself, I fought yet another smile. As weird as it was, I’d really missed the Andersons. Spending time with them was always fun and no matter how I felt about Charlie, I loved getting to experience the dynamic between them.
Cody opened his mouth, no doubt ready with a witty retort, but their mother gently cut them off. “Boys, let’s allow Olivia to talk, shall we?”
I smiled. “Thanks, Mrs. Anderson.”
Turning my attention mostly to Charlie and Colt, but making sure to make eye contact with everyone else occasionally as well, I dove right in. While I really was enjoying being back here with them, it still wasn’t easy for me to be in a room with Charlie.
The sooner I could get done here, the better.
“So, what we’re trying to achieve here is to make the viewer feel like they’re on the ranch with you. People are loving that kind of thing, where they’re sitting at home, at work, or wherever, and feel like they’re being transported somewhere else.”
“Why don’t they just go somewhere else, then?” Charlie asked, proving that we were going to have a rocky start to the day after all. “Or they could pick up a book. I’ve heard those can be a good escape too.”
I blinked at him, genuinely confused. “You’ve heard?”
Wyatt laughed. “Charlie’s never been the bookish type. Just him ignore him and tell us what else you need, oh captain, our captain.”
Joining in his laughter, I gave my head a little shake to clear it of the fog of Charlie and looked at Colt again. “It’s really important for you to be authentic and in the moment. Be intentional with the information you’re sharing and communicate clearly.”
Colt snapped his fingers to his forehead in a salute. “Got it, Captain.”
I chuckled, emotionally bracing myself before I slowly moved my gaze back to Charlie’s. “Are we clear?”
“They called you captain, Liv. Not drill sergeant.” A crooked grin appeared on his lips. “If this is going to be any fun at all, you’re going to have to loosen up.”
“You’re going to have to shape up,” I said without skipping a beat. “Poke fun at me all you like, but it’s really important for the audience to feel like they’re here with you when they’re watching it.”
“Relax.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. Those eyes were calm and confident as they locked on mine. “We’ll charm the pants off them.”
I sighed. “Not everything is about people’s pants, Charlie. This is about connection. Transparency. Honesty.”
Out of nowhere, I realized that what I was saying wasn’t only applicable to the camera crew anymore.
Jack stood up, grinning at me, and moved toward the door.
“Yesterday, you mentioned that your team would need a quick tour of the main areas today. How about I show them around while you guys hammer out the details of the content?”
Mrs. Anderson smiled and followed him, glancing over her shoulder at me as she reached the door. “You’re doing an excellent job, sweetheart. We trust you. Let’s get your people something to drink. Then we’ll show them everything they need to see.”
“That sounds wonderful.” I returned her smile, turning to nod at the few key members of the team I’d brought with me. “We don’t need you in here for this and I want you to have the lay of the land by the time we get started. I’ll come join you when we’re done.”
One by one, they nodded and stood up, joining the Andersons before they disappeared. I wasn’t surprised when Mason shot to his feet, closely followed by Cody and Wyatt.
Mason smirked at me. “Good luck with these two. You’re going to need it. We’ll be authentic if we wind up speaking to the cameras at all, Liv. Don’t worry about us, but keep an eye on them. They’ll mess it up for sure if you give them half a chance.”
“I don’t intend to.” I gave Charlie a pointed look. “You’re a full-on country boy. I’m sure you can manage charming, intentional, and honest, can’t you?”
His jaw ticked, but as always, he wasn’t about to be outdone. “You’re a full-on city girl with an attitude right now, but I’m sure you can manage humble and patient, can’t you?”
My heart jerked in my chest and I lifted my chin a little higher, knowing that I needed to keep it together.
While I’d learned that I didn’t know Charlie quite as well as I thought I did, I knew enough about him to know that poking fun at me and this banter was his way of engaging.
Of getting me to pay attention to him when I’d gone out of my way not to the last couple times we’d seen each other.
It really wasn’t that difficult to figure out what he was doing. It was more the question of why he was doing it that baffled me. Why did he want my attention if having me around had been such a nightmare?
At the end of the day though, I was doing my best to put on a face like he meant nothing to me.
The truth wasn’t quite that simple, but I couldn’t let him know that.
I couldn’t let him see how hard this was, or that I couldn’t help but feel all the things for him, or that on the inside, all I wanted was to be close to him.
Despite what I’d overheard, that connection between us hadn’t faded at all and neither had my attraction to him. Charlie Anderson still did things to me that I didn’t understand, and I still wanted him in all the ways I had before.
Why did he have to say those things about me? Why did I have to hear them?
Colt cleared his throat, drawing me out of my thoughts and back to our training session. “Anything else, Liv?”
“Yes.” I blinked hard, forcing my brain to focus on the task at hand.
“When you’re talking to the camera, look directly into it.
People like to feel that you’re looking at them.
Speak clearly and concisely, and if you’re pointing something out or showing it to the camera, remember to move aside after so the cameramen can get a good shot. ”
“All of this seems surprisingly logical so far.” Colt grinned at me. “I’m kind of looking forward to it now. Thanks, Liv. You’re the best.”
“We’re not done yet.”
Colt checked his watch and grimaced. “I’ve got to get going. Charlie is going to be the main focus, right? He’s the only one you really need here.”
I bit my teeth but didn’t argue. “Do you really have to go?”
He nodded. “I had to call the vet last night to come check on a few of the cows. They’ll be here soon, but Charlie can let me know what I missed.”
“Sure.” I blew out a slow breath through my nostrils, smiling. Colt stood up, waved, and left, and I glanced back at Charlie. “And then, there were two.”
“The way it was meant to be.” Those blues locked on mine, but to my surprise, he didn’t start joking around or poking more fun at me. In fact, he seemed a lot calmer now that it was just him and me. “Alright, Liv. Talk to me. What else do I need to know for when your cameras get here?”
I drew in a deep breath in an attempt to calm my racing heart. Then I centered myself and got back to the training. Charlie was attentive and pretty sweet for the rest of the session. After we were done, I was packing up when the inevitable finally happened and he brought up the dreaded rodeo.
“Can we please talk about what you heard?” he asked quietly.
I shook my head, my gaze on the rolling pastures outside the window rather than on him. “I don’t need any more information, remember? I heard what I heard and that’s that.”
Picking up my things, I slung my bag over my shoulder and left, deciding that I’d meet the others back at the office instead. I didn’t need another tour of the property and they’d come in their own vehicle, so they didn’t need me to wait.
As I climbed into my car, I felt him watching me, but I was grateful that he was letting me go instead of pushing the issue. He didn’t chase after me or try to stop me from leaving. He simply stared from the porch as I pulled away.
As I got onto the dirt track that led to the main entrance, I glanced into my rearview mirror, surprised to find him still staring after me. Across the distance, I could only just make out the expression on his face, but he seemed kind of sad.
The corners of his mouth were turned down, the look in his eyes forlorn and even his shoulders seeming kind of slumped. My heart gave an uncomfortable squeeze at seeing him like that. It sure didn’t look like he didn’t want me around.
Maybe there’s more to the story?
As I left the ranch, I realized that it was time to call for backup. I’d heard what I’d heard, and I’d thought that was it, but now that I wasn’t so sure, I needed an outside opinion. I didn’t want to be that girl, who forgave some asshole just because he seemed unhappy about being dumped.
Not that I’d dumped him, but… urg. Well, I know what I mean.
“Call Lacey,” I said out loud and the sound of ringing flowed through my speakers.
“How did it go?” she asked when she picked up. “Are you still on the ranch?”
“Nope. I left the team there to get the tour, but I couldn’t stay.” I gripped my steering wheel harder, pressing my foot down on the gas now that I was on blacktop again. “How do you feel about a girls’ night at my place tonight? Tell London too.”
She chuckled. “I’m always down for a girls’ night. Should we do a charcuterie thing? We can each bring a board to share. I’ve been craving that.”
“As long as it comes with wine,” I replied dryly. “That man is driving me to alcohol. I swear, whenever I think I’ve got a grip on what’s going on in his head, something changes drastically.”