Call It Home, page 9
Mac shot me a strange look. “You don’t think that’s a big enough budget?”
“It’ll have to be.”
He shook his head. “Seems like we could build the entire house from the ground up for that, not to mention just for decorating.”
“If it was only about decorating, that would be different. But we will need to make some structural changes, as well. These are homes built in the 1970s.” I tipped my head toward the screen where the pictures were still cycling. “You saw the picture of the general layout. They don’t match modern demands.”
“I have no doubt you’ll make it work.” Sincerity warmed his green eyes.
I’d always had the encouragement and support of my family and friends, but somehow, hearing Mac voice his belief in me boosted my confidence more than them. Of course, a win was just as beneficial to him as it was to me. But hearing his confidence warmed my heart…and maybe a couple of other places that had no business reacting to Mac Caldwell.
I took a breath and returned my attention to the screen. This wasn’t the time or place for those kinds of feelings. That was just another personal contest I was going to have to win.
Chapter 12
Mac
Cameron and I took turns in the small bathroom. Trying to be a gentleman, I’d let her go first, but following her, smelling whatever floral lotion or cream or whatever the hell the woman used at night had been torture. I’d been searching for a water bottle in the nicely stocked fridge of light snacks and drinks when she came out of her bedroom. I dropped the one I’d pulled out when I took in the pair of skimpy shorts and a dark tank top that clung to her boobs and did nothing to hide her pebbled nipples.
“Shit.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” Damn, this was going to be a long month if she paraded around in that at night.
She curled up on the couch, tucking her bare feet beneath her and wrapping her arms around a pillow. Her hair was down, and her face was clean of makeup. Yet she was just as beautiful as ever.
“Do you think we have a chance?” she asked so quietly, I almost didn’t hear her. Maybe that was the point; she didn’t want anyone to hear her doubt.
I couldn’t claim to know Cam all that well, but her question still surprised me. Any time I’d been around her, whether it was at the office, on a site, or around her family, she was the epitome of confidence. She wasn’t one to back down without having a damn good argument that she was wrong. Then she was the fastest to apologize or thank the other person for their opinion.
I leaned against the counter and crossed my feet at my ankles and my arms across my chest. “Yes.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and cocked her head at me. “That’s it?”
I tossed one shoulder. “What do you want me to say? I mean, it’s basic math. Obviously, we have a chance.”
She huffed a loud sigh, rolled her eyes, and started to storm off.
I grabbed her elbow, causing her to whirl around and glare at me.
“Let go of me.”
I don’t know what it was inside of me that loved seeing her so full of fire. I loved her take-no-shit attitude. Maybe because I knew it meant she wouldn’t give up. Maybe it was because I knew it was what it took to survive. Maybe because I understood it better than she knew.
I let go of her elbow. Her hands swung into position on her hips.
“What was behind that question, opossum?”
Her eyes grew even bigger. “Opossum?”
I chuckled. “Sure. You ever seen one backed into a corner? They get all fired up and hiss. Kind of like you right now.”
This time, her head rolled in a circle along with her eyes. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”
“Answer the question.”
The fire in her eyes dimmed a little, extinguished behind a flood of doubt that made me want to pull her into my arms and promise her that everything would be all right.
Except, those kinds of promises were lies.
She pulled herself up straight. It was all I could do to keep my eyes from drifting to her chest.
“Just, you know, all the other teams have awards and magazine features. Shoot, even Malibu Barbie and Ken have a golden reputation with the stars. I’m just the girl from a small town no one has ever heard of who hasn’t won anything.”
I snickered and snapped my fingers. “Barbie and Ken. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think who they reminded me of.”
Her mouth twisted into a wry smile before she looked back down at the floor. I’d never seen this side of her. I hated it.
Then again, back where we lived, Sterling Construction had one of the best reputations, but let’s face it. There weren’t any stars to design for. And while the Blue Ridge Mountains were a prime vacation destination, it was mostly the larger towns that got recognition.
I believed Cameron Allen could put it on the map.
“Hey.”
I waited until she peered at me through her long eyelashes.
“The fact that they selected you without all those accolades? That says you got here without all that shit. You don’t need it. You’re like a Trojan horse. No one is going to see you coming, but you’re going to blow them away. By the time this is over, you’re going to have a waiting list of celebrities banging down your door to beg you to design and build for them.”
Her face lit up. “You really believe that, don’t you?”
I pretended to frown. “Yeah. It’s going to be annoying. Our quiet little town will be blown up with reporters and camera crews. Crazy Tillie is going to make a fortune on all the shiny things her little raccoon bandits collect for her, and Beverly Seymour is going to have a coronary trying to keep everything in order.”
She giggled, and an odd warming sensation in my chest cavity had me worried I might be having a coronary before Beverly.
“Mayor Sterling would have a field day, though.”
I snickered.
“Thanks, Mac.” Her voice was soft and grateful.
I nodded. This time, when she smiled, it reached her eyes. Then it turned into a little gleam just before she launched herself at me, flinging her arms around my waist. I had no choice but to catch her, and this time, I was sure I was going to have a heart attack. All of her softness was crushed against me.
I forgot how to breathe. A piece of me wanted to revel in her touch, to beg for more of it. To demand more of it.
But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.
Her light had no place in my world. I had nothing to give back to her, and she deserved everything.
I stepped outside the camper and stretched. I couldn’t complain about the bed; it was surprisingly comfortable. But between visions of Cameron’s sweet little body in that almost-nothing pair of shorts and tank top and the memory of how she felt pressed against me, it had taken a long time to talk my dick down. And I couldn’t even rub one out this morning in the shower for fear I wouldn’t be quiet enough with her getting ready in the attached room with nothing but a flimsy plastic wall between her and the bathroom.
It was a little cool, so I pulled the sleeves down of the cheap army green Henley shirt. It was the only shirt I could buy four of in the same size and color. We were supposed to wear the same clothes for the next six weeks while the cameras were filming so everything looked seamless when the editors pieced together snippets of film. A “uniform” they called it. They had washers and dryers on-site, but knowing how dirty my clothes got in half a day, I knew I’d need several versions of the same outfit.
The door to the camper popped open, and Cameron stepped down. She had on a pair of pants that clung to her legs and a V-neck sand-colored T-shirt that, while not exactly tight, put her curves on display. She had a tan-and-white-checked flannel shirt tied around her waist.
Inwardly, I groaned. “Is that what you’re wearing every day?”
She glanced down, then back up. “Why? What’s wrong with this? It’s comfortable, and I can move freely.” As if to push me to my limits, she bent over and touched her toes, then stretched a leg forward and bent over again.
How the hell did I think it was cold out here?
“It’s fine. Let’s go.”
If she thought there was anything odd about my behavior, she didn’t let on. Instead, she skipped a couple of steps in front of me, turned around, and continued to walk backward. There was no sign of the uncertain woman from last night.
“You ready to kick some butt, Goliath?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not sure Goliath is who you want to compare me to, Smurfette. As I seem to recall, he was conquered.”
Her lip twisted. “Right. Bad vibes. I’ll have to think of another name.”
“How about you just call me Mac like everyone else?”
“Sounds good, Big Mac.”
I rolled my eyes, not sure being compared to a hamburger was much better, but I didn’t feel like raining on her good mood. She fell back to walk beside me as the other teams came out of their trailers.
The Barbie and Ken dolls came out with smiles, but I wondered if they’d been formed into place with too much botox. The Gentry couple gave a quick wave but walked ahead, talking quietly. Mitch and Myles were the last ones to stumble out, coffee mugs in hand and enormous yawns flexing their jaws.
“Why does filming have to start this early?” Mitch whined. “I need my beauty sleep to look my best on camera.”
We all laughed and continued moving.
Cam poked the side of my stomach with her elbow. “The cameras are gonna love you.”
“Yeah?”
“I mean, come on. You got the whole sexy but moody vibe going. The audience is going to love you.”
“You think I’m sexy?”
She rolled her head. “Don’t forget moody. Just play nice on camera, okay?”
I sighed. “As long as they stay out of my way.”
Today, we’d have our first chance to see the houses in person and make rapid decisions on the major changes we wanted to make, such as moving walls or plumbing. It was also the first day of filming.
As explained to us, cameras would follow us around the house while we pored over architectural plans, reconfigured each room, and submitted permit requests to the on-site inspectors to make structural changes. Each team also had an assigned plumber and electrician, as well as a tiling and flooring expert at our disposal. Paying them would be part of our expenses, so anything we could do ourselves would save us money.
We were looking at some long-ass days ahead.
At least maybe I’d fall asleep easier, tuning out my growing attraction for Cameron.
When we reached the junction, just past our living quarters, it was like entering a different world. There were teams of people everywhere, some with florescent green vests and hardhats, others in blue vests, but most were dressed super casually in jeans and bright red jackets that boasted the HRTV logo on the back. Some stood in groups surrounding a person holding a computer tablet, others talked into headsets.
Trucks lined up along the grassy side of the dirt road. There were cameras everywhere I looked, some handheld, others on tripods, a couple on small cranes, and more mounted on an operator’s shoulder. Even a drone flew overhead. People with boom mics walked beside several of the camera operators. Other people took pictures with their cell phones.
Myles’s eyes were wide as he gave a low whistle. “Wow.”
Only Barbie and Ken appeared nonplussed, turning around and snapping a selfie with their plastic smiles.
“Shit just got real,” Jeremy mumbled, looking around with wide eyes.
Kennedy ran up to us. “Good morning! I hope you’re ready for a great first day. I’m going to have you move so you’re standing over in that grassy area so we can get all the houses in the background. Our host is already over there now, and after we’ve done some introductions, we’ll do some photo shoots, and then we’ll start filming. Remember, this week will be devoted to exploring the house and finalizing your designs. Any significant structural changes need to be turned in by the end of the day so we can get the necessary permits. I highly encourage major design purchases be done as soon as possible so it’s here in time for your actual work in each room.”
Right now, everything felt surreal. But once I could get my hands on the materials and feel the jolt of the nail gun or the buzz of a saw or drill, I knew I’d feel more settled.
Kennedy kept going. “Today, we’ll also begin interviews with your set producer. Talk about why your design is going to be the best and be a winner. You’ll have questions like: How competitive are you? and What’s your strategy? Be yourself. Have fun with it. And don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through the entire process, and I’m happy to answer any questions that come up. After we film the opening scene and interviews, you’ll be escorted to your house, where you’ll have plenty of time to walk through and then make your initial plans. Of course, a camera crew will be following you, but just act naturally. Okay? Okay. Let’s go!”
I swore the woman must have had at least five espressos before finding us because she said it so fast my mind was still catching up to what she said.
“It’s like being on a movie set,” Cam said, her voice full of wonder. “I thought it would be more like we just do our thing and they catch it on small cameras, you know, like home movies or something.”
Along with the other teams, we followed her to a cul-de-sac at the end of the street. “I hate the interviews. I always feel like I’m going to say something stupid.”
She linked her arm with mine, squeezing a little. Oddly enough, I took comfort from her touch. “You’ll do great. Just talk about how you know we’re going to win. Maybe try to say something nice about working with me. Most of all, just flash your dimples.”
Right. Dimples. That was our winning strategy.
I breathed deeply and remembered why I was doing this in the first place.
Chapter 13
Cam
Kennedy guided us farther down the road until we reached a clearing she told us would serve as the backdrop for many of the group shots. A towering screen had been set up just past the clearing, shielding us from seeing what was beyond.
“Oh, I bet those are our houses down there,” Alli speculated, narrowing her eyes as if it would give her X-ray vision.
“If we all made a run for it, they couldn’t stop us,” Jeremy drawled.
Presley poked him in the side. “Don’t even think about it,” she warned. “If you get us kicked off the show, you’ll be the one that needs to make a run for it.”
Behind us, a beep drew our attention. Turning around, I saw an aide drive up in a golf cart. A tall man with a commanding presence stepped out, waving with a huge smile.
I recognized him immediately, Cash Wilson, the host of this season’s show. He was a celebrity in his own right, not just for having a popular show of his own on HRTV, but also for his casual good looks and sparkling blue eyes that had gotten him a few acting gigs, as well.
Alli’s reaction was priceless. I would have thought she was used to being around celebrities, but she was clearly taken aback by Cash’s appearance. As he approached her, she flipped her hair and pasted on a coy smile. I smothered a laugh as he didn’t pay her any extra attention as he went down the line of contestants, greeting all of us with the same warmth and enthusiasm.
“All right, everyone. I’m glad to be here,” he boomed. “I hope you all are ready to work hard because this season promises to be a wild ride.”
Standing next to me, Alli commented under her breath, “I wouldn’t mind a wild ride with him.” She playfully twirled her hair around a finger, her gaze fixed on Cash. After a moment, she switched her attention to me. “Or your partner, for that matter. All that height and muscle. Mmm. Maybe he’d like to burn off some stress with me at the end of the day.”
I’d been almost amused by her comments, but her last statement stirred an unexpected sense of irritation. With a jolt of realization, I recognized that I’d come to think of Mac as mine. But I didn’t have a claim on him outside of working together. But did I have a right to feel this way?
I couldn’t blame Alli for admiring Mac’s tall, rugged handsomeness. I’d done the same the first time I saw him. Sure, he liked to tease me, but hadn’t he always stepped up whenever someone needed him? The biggest and most recent example was his presence here, by my side.
I turned to face her. “I hope your design taste is as good as it is in men,” I answered, trying hard to keep my tone light. “But Mac is here with me. You’ll have to find somewhere else to burn off your stress.”
Allie raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Oh, honey. You don’t have to be so territorial. Obviously, he’s not helping you cope with your stress. Life is too short to be so uptight.”
My hands balled into fists, and I could feel my pulse pound in my ears. I was trying to think of a good comeback when I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders.
“Everything okay here?” Mac asked.
Alli shrugged, a smirk still on her face. “Just admiring the view,” she answered with a sugary tone, batting her lashes at him.
Mac’s lips tightened. “Well, the views here are only good for sightseeing,” he quipped, managing to make his tone sound light.
Alli’s smirk faltered a little. Then she shrugged and returned to her brother’s side.
“Are you good?” he asked me, dropping his arm.
“Just fine,” I grunted. “I don’t need other women throwing themselves at you, that’s all. We’ve got a job to do.”
One of his twinkling eyes winked at me. “The only one who’s thrown herself at me is you, darlin’.”
