Page 9 of Breaking News

Before long, the topic of conversation shifted to Owen’s upcoming book tour. I participated in the conversation like normal, but on the inside, I was screaming for a multitude of reasons.

One, because that ibuprofen wasn’t touching my pain.

Two, because the jealousy surging through my veins was making me not like myself very much.

And three, because the sight of Graham’s chest hair poking out from that slutty, partially-unbuttoned shirt of his almost distracted me from the first two things.

Almost.

chapter four

Graham

Isent Caleb a text letting him know I was in the neighbors’ backyard in case he needed me, to which he replied with a meme I couldn’t even begin to try to comprehend.

Having a beer with some of my employees was never something I imagined myself doing on a Friday night, but they seemed to genuinely want me there. Or they might’ve just been too drunk to care. I half-listened to Owen detailing the events of his bachelor party to Chase over by the fire pit while also watching Xander and Jillian interact beside me.

She was frowning.

I assumed they were fighting until he pushed her hair away from her eyes, asking her, “Do you want me to get my vape? A little THC could probably take the edge off your pain.”

Jill’s eyes widened and she shifted around in her seat, stealing a quick, uncomfortable glance in my direction. “No, I don’t do that.”

Xander scrunched up his face at her obvious lie. “Are you saying that because Graham’s sitting there? He doesn’t give a shit.”

Xander was right about that. With a shrug, I said, “I just assume all the journalists in Woodvale are on drugs. It’s the only way we can cope.” When there was some discussion at a meeting about implementing random drug tests, I quickly shot that idea down, knowing I’d lose half my employees in one fell swoop.

My comment at least made Jill smile. But she turned back to Xander to say, “Actually… I think I want to go home and rest.”

“Oh.” Xander glanced from the fire pit to the beer in his hands before returning his gaze to Jill’s face. “You may have to wait for me to sober up. Do you want to lie down inside for a little bit?”

“Maybe I’ll just call an Uber.”

“Okay, you do realize this is Woodvale, right? We don’t have that here.”

“Yes we do,” she corrected. “There’s at least one guy who does it. I’ve interviewed him.”

They continued to go back and forth on this, and I considered standing up to join the guys by the fire until it dawned on me: I might be the only sober person in this backyard. Having only taken a few sips of the beer in my hand, I was more than capable of driving Jillian home.

If she wanted that, of course.

I cleared my throat, scooting closer to the edge of my chair. “Hey, if you need a ride home right now, I could drive you.”

Jill ran a hand through her hair, flashing a polite smile. “Thank you for offering, Graham, but I’m sure you need to stay with your son.”

“Ha. He’s been home alone before, and he hasn’t burned the house down yet.” Normally when I’d leave Caleb home alone, it was during the day, and just for a quick errand, like pickingOlivia up from choir practice or grabbing dinner. This would be a little different, but I knew he’d hardly even notice my absence.

“You should let Graham take you home,” Xander urged, running his hand down Jill’s back. I held my breath as he continued. “And I’ll call you in the morning.”

She turned back to me, blinking a couple of times. “I mean—are you sure? I live on the opposite end of town.”

“Of course,” I said, setting my beer down on the little table beside me. I hoped my words sounded more relaxed than I was feeling, because my heart was racing. “I’d be happy to help.”

She finally accepted the offer, and I waited by the gate as she said her goodbyes, explaining she wasn’t feeling well. As she dashed inside for her purse, Owen hollered my name from across the yard, plumes of smoke half-obscuring his face. “Do you play poker?”

I grinned, resting my hand on the gate latch. “I’ve been known to lose spectacularly.”

“You should come next Friday and let us take some of your money, then,” Chase said, adjusting his glasses with a smirk. The long-haired guy beside him, who was bent over opening a pack of fruit snacks for the little girl, let out a laugh. I got the impression these guys had already discussed my invitation to their next poker night while I’d been distracted by Jillian.

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