Chapter 5
Josh
When I’d seen Hill’s bathtub photo, I’d nearly fallen over in the chicken coop. I’d known instantly he hadn’t meant it to be sexual, but even though only his toes were showing, my body had reacted as if he’d sent a dick pic.
Grandpa had heckled me again for talking to my ‘beau’. I told him I was only texting a friendly acquaintance, but the bulge in my jeans probably didn’t help my case. He’d never mention it though. Nudists were polite about shit like that.
Finally chores were over. Grandma had pot roast waiting on me and Grandpa for dinner, so I couldn’t take my time in the shower like I wanted to. At least my boner died down before I faced the grands again.
The next morning I was organizing the tools and supplies we’d need for the day when Grandpa opened the back door.
Diego strolled out, holding one of my travel mugs in one hand and a blueberry muffin in the other.
Grandpa patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t work too hard, and be sure to come inside for lunch. ”
Diego grinned and lifted the muffin. “Tell Miz Betty I won’t miss it!” We’d been friends since middle school, but we’d lost touch when we’d gone to different colleges. After I’d moved in with the grands last year, I’d run into him at the hardware store, and we’d been hanging out ever since.
I shook my head at him. “Suck up.”
He raised his coffee in a toast. “And proud of it.”
The hours of sweaty work passed quickly as Diego entertained me with his dating mishaps. But he caught me off guard when he turned the topic around. “What about you?” He smirked, setting down his nail gun. “Your grandpa says you have a new ‘beau’.” He made air quotes.
I groaned. “I’ve told him and Grandma both that there’s nothing romantic going on.”
“Yeah? So what is going on?”
I glanced over my shoulder to make sure neither of the grands were nearby. “Remember how Cole Washburn gave me Hill Concannon’s phone number?”
His mouth dropped open. “You said he thanked you for the heads up and that was it!”
I rubbed the back of my neck. Shit, I’d forgotten sunscreen. “Yeah, well, I was writing that book about the actor, so I took a chance and texted him a question. He actually answered, and we’ve been texting on and off ever since.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Exactly how frequent is ‘on and off’? Daily?”
I shrugged and reached for another stack of shingles. “Sometimes more.”
He whistled. “And these texts are... platonic?”
“Yes.” But my voice must’ve wavered because he smirked. I pointed at him. “Okay, there was one semi-suggestive thing, but he’d been drinking, and he backtracked it right away.”
“So you’re what? Friends?”
“I guess so?”
“Freaky.”
I chuckled. “You have no idea.”
Grandma poked her head out the back door. “Boys! Lunch is almost ready!”
We waved and climbed down from the roof. Grandma fed us leftover pot roast with mashed potatoes. Diego, always angling for dessert, worked his wiles. “Miz Betty, I’ll come help Josh any day if you keep feeding me like this.”
She beamed at him. “Thanks, hon. You’re welcome any time. Did Josh tell you about the tiny house we’re getting for my grandson?”
I had, of course, but Diego let her fill him in. She gave him two helpings of blueberry pie.
Hill Concannon: Do you get tired of being single?
Oh, boy.
Me: How drunk are you?
Hill Concannon: Fuck off. I’ve only had one. Answer the question
Hill Concannon: Please.
Me: Fine. Yes, I do occasionally get tired of being single. But I’ve been in a couple of relationships where – realized in hindsight – we weren’t right for each other. Being single is infinitely better. Are you tired of being single?
Hill Concannon: Rarely. But I’d like to have a permanent date to go with me to these fucking parties and awards shows. It sucks having to make small talk with Hollywood types
Me: You mean like you?
Hill Concannon: Bite your tongue
Dammit, I wanted to respond with some variation of “You wish.” But we were just friends. No flirting.
Me: Are you supposed to be making small talk right this minute?
Hill Concannon: I’m hiding in the men’s room. Also, I’m disappointed. I expected you to reply “You wish.” I left it wide open
Fucking hell.
Me: I thought we were keeping things to just friends.
Hill Concannon: I guess
Not touching that.
Me: Wait. Go back to why you’re hiding in the men’s room. Is someone making you uncomfortable?
Hill Concannon: No. I’m out of practice being alone in crowds and I needed a break
Hill Concannon: Fuck, I’m supposed to be presenting. Gotta go
Hill and I texted sporadically over the next few weeks, but we avoided personal topics or anything close to flirting.
My editing was going well. I only needed to flesh out some background info then read the entire manuscript aloud to myself before I could send it to the proofreader.
I wasn’t sorry when some of that background info required me to consult an expert.
Me: I know you made those videos with alternate versions of the character, but when you’re a successful actor, do you generally have to audition for parts?
I was getting used to Hill not replying right away, or even on the same day.
The guy must get thousands of text messages, along with working and memorizing lines and learning martial arts or whatever he had to do.
Plus, he was traveling all over for location shoots, and apparently awards events, so there were time differences to deal with.
To my surprise, he answered after only a few minutes.
Hill Concannon: It depends on the film, the director, and what they want from the actor. Sometimes you have to do a chemistry test with another actor, or they want to see how you’d look in costume, etc.
Me: Got it, thanks. You’re the best.
Hill Concannon: Any time. You can thank me by sending more pics of Benny. Give him a kiss for me
Me: I will not kiss my own ass.