Page 60 of The Goat in the Bedroom
“You two have known each other a long time,” Tyson observed, watching our dynamic.
“Six years,” Artie said proudly. “Since junior year of high school. Gryff taught me how to watch football, and I taught him how to appreciate rugby.”
“She means she yelled at the TV until I learned the rules,” I clarified.
“You love rugby now,” she protested.
“I love watching you play rugby. There's a difference.”
The words came out more honest than I'd intended. Artie just laughed and squeezed my arm, but Tyson's eyes narrowed slightly, like he was recalculating something.
The rest of the night, she stayed close to me while talking to Tyson. Using me as her security blanket while she tested out this new attraction. She'd lean into me when she laughed at Tyson's jokes, grab my hand when she got excited about something, check my reaction when Tyson said anything significant.
Tyson noticed. I could see him trying to figure out our dynamic, why she needed me there to be comfortable with him.
But Artie? Artie was oblivious. She thought she was doing great, being natural and flirty and confident.
She had no idea it was only because I was right there, making her feel safe.
Which meant if they went on an actual date, just the two of them, without me as her emotional support blanket...
Well. That was going to be interesting.
Tuesday morning came too fast. I'd barely slept, replaying Sunday night over and over. The way they'd fit together so easily.
Sean and Ren's beach house was insanely cool. Cars were already lining the driveway including a camera van that made my stomach sink.
“Ooh, this place is amazing,” Tempest said as Sean led us to the drinks bar, manned by someone making bespoke fresh squeezed juices. “Are you guys movie producers or something?”
“Oh, no, I'm a librarian for LAPL.” Sean shook his head and smiled like he had an inside joke.
But Ren came up and gave Sean a kiss on the shoulder. “Which is why we have an excellent home library.”
Sean grinned and gave me a wink. “This is actually Ren's place, and he is not a librarian.”
“Babe, this is our place and has been since you moved in.” That was all he said. Nothing about what he did to have the money to own a beach house like this. Hmm. I'd been around enough celebrities in sports to know when someone didn't want to be recognized for their fame.
Our hosts left us to get our drinks, all non-alcoholic and weirdly healthy, while they moved around the group with the kind of easy efficiency that came from years of hosting things together.
Sean dinged the side of a glass to get everyone's attention. “Drink and hydrate yourselves friends, because we are headed down to the beach for the fun activity of the day, after which brunch will be served. And if you need to change into your swimsuits, there are cabanas right down there.”
Sean pointed toward the beach, where there were indeed some striped cabanas, but there was also a row of surfboards and something I absolutely did not expect to see.
Goats. Surfing goats.
Artie squealed and sprinted down the stairs, followed closely behind by the rest of the girls.
“Oh god. Why do I have a feeling I'm going to end up with a pet goat by the end of the day?”
The rest of us got down to the beach and damn if Tyson wasn't already by Artie's side.
“This is the most California thing I've ever seen,” Artie said, immediately crouching down to pet a brown and white spotted goat wearing what appeared to be a custom wetsuit. “I can't wait to tell everyone back home that I went goat surfing.”
“How did you find out about this?” Tempest asked, watching as Flynn attempted to introduce himself to a black goat who seemed more interested in investigating his flip-flops.
“Sean has connections everywhere,” Ren said. “He's like the social coordinator you never knew you needed.”
The camera crew was set up right at the water. Ren gave them a glare, but Sloane mouthed 'public beach' and shrugged. “This is great, guys. We'll just be over here capturing this authentic LA lifestyle content.”
