Page 35 of Summer Heat
I slowly lowered my shirt, never taking my eyes from hers. Sure enough, her gaze shifted to mine, and her face flushed. She'd been checking me out. She wasn't as immune to my charms as I thought.
"That was so fun!" Maya exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes.
She made everything fun. I enjoyed spending this time with her. I fist bumped her. "Good job."
She puffed up her chest. "Can I help clean up?"
"I'll get it since there's a lot of sharp edges." I didn't want her to get hurt, but at the same time, I didn't want her to be disappointed that she couldn't assist me. To distract her, I asked, "Why don't you grab a snack? We have more to demo."
Kinsley held out her hand to Maya. "Let's eat while Shep cleans up.
Maya pouted for a second before placing her hand in Kinsley's.
I blew out a breath. I was worried about Maya, that she would get hurt and that I would screw up on camera.
It was hard to be myself when I was conscious of the camera recording. It was easier when I could forget about it, but that was impossible.
I was positive that no one would be impressed with my work. How could they be when my dad had always been disappointed?
It would be evident for everyone watching that I wasn't organized or particularly skilled in directing a project. Whenever I gave into negative thoughts, I spiraled to a bad place. But with Kinsley and Maya here, I didn't have that luxury.
I had to act like it was no big deal to be on camera. The only consolation was that maybe no one would see the videos. The endeavor would be a huge flop, and I could move on with my life, camera-free.
I gathered the shards into a garbage bag and carried what was left of my bathtub to the trash outside. I'd rented a dumpster that my neighbors were not happy about. I needed to complete the demolition so I could get rid of it.
This neighborhood frowned on anything that marred the beautiful landscape. And my dumpster was an eyesore.
In the kitchen, I pulled off my gloves and goggles, then washed my hands.
Kinsley set half sandwiches on a platter on the countertop.
My stomach rumbled.
Kinsley pushed the plate toward me. "Eat."
I patted my stomach. "Hitting things sure works up an appetite."
Maya nodded in agreement as she chewed on her sandwich. Her plate included goldfish, and she was drinking a juice box.
I grabbed one for myself and drank it until it was empty.
Maya's eyes widened. "You drink juice?"
"I love these things." I lifted the box and threw it in the recycling container.
"You are a big kid," Kinsley said, and I immediately regretted my actions. I wanted her to see me as a man, not a grown child.
This time, I grabbed a water and drank my fill. I usually left demoing a house to my crew. It was hard physical work, even if it was satisfying to destroy things. But I wanted to be involved in every aspect of this demolition.
I ate a few more sandwiches before diving into a chip bag.
"Can we go for a swim?" Maya asked.
"I have more work to do before I can play. Do you want to do more demo first?"
Maya nodded. "It was fun."
"I'm glad you liked it." This was the only time she'd be able to participate in a demo. A construction site was too dangerous for her. But I could control things here.
