Page 22 of Shape Of My Heart
Hilda’s perfectly arched brows furrowed. “Like a dump and a brewery mixedtogether.”
He drank too much. Far too much, and she wasn’t sure if a PA could help with that. The frequency and amount he drank required a therapist, or possibly rehab. But she would see how waking early went first. After that she could maybe speak to Zelda about getting himadditionalhelp.
“Let’s go grab something to eat and get back to sorting this place out. Make sure he helps you when wegetback.”
Hilda giggled. “Yes, and I can check him out whileIwork.”
Amy laughed too. It was good things were under some control. She needed that. Here’s hoping it would work out the way shewanted.
* * *
Josh focusedon the TV as he listened to her talk. He was actually listening, but he was pretending he was focusing on the TV and drinkinghisbeer.
He was only doing this whole following her lead because the little Disney princess was right. Last night he thought about what Corey said and it freaked him out to consider the possibility of being cut from the team. If that happened he would most likely flounder in the world until he met his end. He was by no means okay, and Miss I’m-not-from-Kansas-and-my-name-is-Amy was definitely irritating the hell out of him, but he waslistening.
He needed help to get himself in order for that damn show. It was bad enough that he had to take on the daunting task of waking up early, but he felt like he wasn’t ready. He wasn’t ready to be the Joshua Mancini the world knew. The strong, confident athlete who could handle himself in any situation. It was unnerving to think that he’d have to go on ESPN, of all the networks, where everyone was guaranteed towatch.
Josh wasn’t ready and it felt like he was being forced to grieve quickly so the team could use himagain.
“We’ve got a host of people inviting you to various events after the show. How do you feel about one appearance a day until training starts?” She stood next to him with her stupid fabric-covered notebook with glitter on it. He looked at her without commenting, then focused his attention back to the TV. He was watching Jerry Springer and the main guest just found out that his wife of six years was sleeping with hisfather.
Josh didn’t understand how people could be so scandalous, and going on a TV show to reveal something like that was beyond him. Now the poor guy was so devastated he was intears.
Although Josh couldn’t have had better examples than his parents, he didn’t believe in love and marriage. He thought the whole thing was a farce and a money-makingscheme.
Look at this guy on the show. How much had he gotten just for the appearance? And damn, Jerry Springer for the matter. The man must have made millions from exposing people’s secret lives and whatever crap had ruined their marriages andrelationships.
“Josh, are you listeningtome?”
“No,” he retorted with coldsarcasm.
Shit, now she moved to stand in front of the TV, and was definitely better looking than Jerry Springer, and so much better to look at in those tight jeans, but annoyinglyirritating.
“I really need you to listen.” She lifted her chin, meeting his gazestraighton.
“Nope, it’s five past five,gohome.”
“I’m on overtime.” The damn princess tossed her golden locks over her delicate shoulders in a gesture ofdefiance.
“Didn’t realize you loved working here that much.” Hegrimaced.
“So, how do you feel about doing these appearances? People want to see you out thereagain.”
“Whatpeople?”
Hope filled her eyes when he said that. “There’s a few schools and charities, an appearance on the Today Show, a couple of photo shoots for mags like Men’s HealthandGQ.”
What the hell? Why did GQ want him again? He wasn’t some damn model. In his younger days that would have all soundedsoexciting.
“Tell them to goandfu—”
“Language,” she cut in before he could finish. “I don’t like swearing, so please don’t swear at me, or ask me to swear at people, especially thesepeople.”
This was some sort of joke. “Okay princess. I won’t swear, but you get my drift. I’m not some poster-boy cover man, or whatever the hell you’d like to call it. Those days are done. I’m thirty-six; I don’t need to do that shitanymore.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and he nearly laughed; it was because he just swore at theprincess.
“Why is it so hard for you to call me by name? Princess and Kansas have more letters than Amy. It would be so much easier to say Amy. You asked me to call you Josh, and I did with noproblem.”
