Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captain, My Captain 3)

I sit at the makeshift desk where the laptops are connected and see Carson walking out of the tiny, portable dressing room. He’s not wearing a shirt, and his jeans are hanging low. I forgot that today he’s going to be shirtless, so we can focus on the jeans.

Of course that’s my luck.

I pretend to be messing with the laptop, but in truth, I keep watching him through sideway glances. I hear Cassie position Carson where she needs him for the lighting, and she tries a few test shots. Staring at his abs, I have the sudden urge for chocolate syrup. He looks amazing. Maybe he really has been working out. Hell, I don’t know how else he would get abs or arms like that.

Shot after shot, Cassie continues, but I’m watching his eyes and in every other picture, they are looking my way.

This sucks.

“Enough. Stop!” I yell out and Cassie stops taking pictures.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’ve got the shot. You don’t have to take anymore. We’re done for today.”

“Are you serious?” Cassie looks at me like I’m crazy, and she’s not far from the truth on that.

“Well, she is the boss.” Carson comes up next to us. “I’m sure that she would tell us when she’s done. I’m sure she hates to send mixed signals,” he sneers at me.

I’m about to cuss him out, but he walks away.

“Am I missing something?”

“Yep,” I growl. “I need a fucking drink.”

I begin slamming everything into my bag and head back to the hotel. I don’t even bother with going upstairs. I go right into the bar and order a strong drink. And then another. And then one more. By the time Cassie gets there, I’m feeling a little tipsy.

“Well, it’s not even seven o’clock and you’re drunk. Good job.” She pats my shoulder.

“I’m not drunk. Yet.” I sip my drink some more.

“Care to tell me what’s going on?”

I sigh and down the rest of the glass. “Carson and I kissed.”

“That’s great,” Cassie squeals with delight.

“No, no, no,” I keep repeating, shaki

ng my head. “It’s not.”

“Why? You two really like each other.”

“I’m a bitch. That’s why. I’m an evil bitch.” I wave at the bartender for another drink.

“Um, okay, I see that Crazy-Kinley is here with us tonight.” She tells the bartender that I need water, and I want to tell her ‘no’, but I don’t see the point in arguing. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Fine.” I turn my stool so I’m looking right at her. “Carson kissed me, and it was the best kiss ever. So, what do I do? I call him an ass, accuse him of leading me on, and that he’s fucking one of the models. Wait, it gets better. Then I yell at him and pretty much call him a man-whore, and he walks out. But not before I yell at him, telling him that I like him.”

Cassie stares at me for a second. She probably thinks I’m going to continue on my rant. “So, what is going on now with you two?”

I give her a look of disgust. “Nothing. Because I’m a bitch and when Carson walked out last night, I’m pretty sure he has no desire to talk to me ever again.”

“I don’t think that’s true. I mean, maybe if you talk to Carson, without shouting or name calling, he’ll listen to you.”

I peel the label off of the water bottle.

“Kinley, stop overthinking every move and go talk to the guy.”