Page 2 of Catching Coy
“Roxy—Tag’s wife—it’s her sister Taylor’s. They haven’t moved in yet. It’s not quite finished.” Bellamy parked the side-by-side in the driveway and got out, leading him up to the porch, past a swing he knew Nico and the other producers would salivate over getting a few shots of. Seemed like the kind of thing the show did all the time.“And next week, Coy and Bellamy take their relationship to all new heights—in the picturesque porch swing.”
Ahead of him, Bellamy unlocked the door and opened it, taking him inside an open living and kitchen area. With his head still full of the episodes he’d spent weeks watching, it was easy to picture quiet, evening dates in the cozy living room. How were the producers billing this? Were they taking advantage of the fact that this was one of Taggart Dubois’ homes? Of course. He’d bet money on it.
“Here’s your room.” Bellamy stood down a hallway off the living room, holding open a door. Coy strode toward her, peering into it. A king-sized bed with all white linens sat on a wooden platform, two matching bedside tables on either side with floral arrangements atop them. A dresser in the same shade of wood sat opposite the bed.
“Very nice.” He nodded at Bellamy but didn’t go inside.
“Zane’s room is right here.” She pointed to a doorway across from his. “Is there anything else I can get you?” She started back down the hallway and Coy followed, both of them ending up in the living room.
“Some of that cooking you were bragging about?”
She grinned, putting her hand on her hip. “Got any requests?”
* * *
Coy, 27
Charleston, South Carolina
Shooting Guard for the Denver Mountaineers
“I have a lot of requests, starting with more time with Bellamy.”
Chapter Two
Bellamy Hansen, 27
Little River, Wyoming
Manager, The Ranch House at the Arrow C
“I think the cast is going to love spending time at the Ranch House. I’m a big fan of the show and Coy Jones … Yeah, he was a good choice. How could anyone not be a little in love with him?”
* * *
Bellamy had not intendedto go to the first day of filming down at the high school gym, whereThe Catchwould announce the eight women competing on the show in game-starters style. Last season, when Bellamy and Roxy had watched Gunner Bent’s season, the women had been introduced on a local baseball field to connect to Gunner’s position with the Boston Brigadiers. One of the things Bellamy couldn’t help but love was the small-town locations the show used to even out the high-profile lives of the pro-athletes on the show.
The giddy excitement welling up in her as she sat in the bleachers with hundreds of otherCatchfans, most of whom had traveled to Little River specifically for this event, was the reason she should’ve stayed away. Yesterday, she’d managed to keep her fangirl tendencies in check when she met Coy Jones, though they’d been tested when he’d smiled at her and thought she was one of the women. She and Roxy had danced around the office when Nico Fox had called and asked to film the latest season at the Arrow C, and Bellamy had promised herself it was the last ridiculous thing she’d do. From there on out, she had to be a professional. Maybe her mother should have stayed on as cook during the filming. Her father wanted to do an Alaskan cruise, and the timing was right for them to go, with theCatchgroup wanting exclusivity, leaving the cooking to Bellamy. The cruise was a vacation her parents couldn’t do during the winters Bellamy’s mother had off.
But Nico had given Bellamy a VIP ticket to the filming. Front row on the opposite side of the gym from Coy, and Bellamy just couldn’t turn that down, even though it was a bad idea. What if the goofy side of her took over when the action started? She and Roxy could text for hours over which women were best for that season’s “Catch” and who was crazy and who was in it for real and who had the best chance. Bellamy could totally lose her head, which would look bad when she was trying to put on a professional front for their big-time guests.
She pulled out her phone to text Roxy. Her best friend had nearly cried when she found out the weeks of filming were over Tag’s latest tour dates. She and Tag had made a serious commitment to be together whenever they could, and even though he had told her to go home during these weeks and help Bellamy, her friend had refused. Bellamy suspected it had to do with Roxy’s newly pregnant status and the hormonal anxiety that would probably make that many weeks away from Tag unbearable.
Remind me not to be an idiot. The camera could see me, and I have to represent the Ranch House well. Remind me.
Roxy’s response came back quickly.I can’t. I’m too busy crying with jealousy. Or maybe because none of the chicken and dumplings Tag has gotten from at least six different places in the last week measure up.
Bellamy couldn’t help a snort of laughter. Of all the things for Rox to crave while she was pregnant.One more month,Bellamy reminded her.You’ll be here in time to watch the finale IN PERSON with me!She added an excited GIF.In the meantime, I will not be an idiot.
You have never ever been an idiot. Except that season you actually thought Candace the Crazy was going to win …
That was totally the editing and you know it.
“Are you sure you shouldn’t be back in the locker room getting ready?”
Coy Jones’ voice brought Bellamy’s attention up from her phone. And up and up and up. She stood on the bleacher almost on instinct. Especially when Coy grinned at her over their joke. She needed to put herself on level footing or at least closer to level footing.
“You wish.” She grinned back, then wondered if she imagined the way Coy’s gaze drifted to her lips. Sparks were flying between them, but Bellamy couldn’t let herself give in to those. Screwing up an entire season of theThe Catchby dating the star would wreck their reputation among the A-listers that had become a huge part of the Ranch House clientele.
