“Well?” I jutted my chin in defiance of his outrage.
He kept his distance and sucked in a breath before releasing it. “Do you want to know where I was last night? I was with Callan, collecting John from Newcastle. Because before the game, the owner told John he’s not renewing his contract. One of my best mates is off the team. The gaffer was pissed as hell because he knew that would mess with our heads going into the game, and it did. So not only are we losing John to Canada, but we also lost the championship, and we’re going forward with an incompetent fucking owner who didn’t have the common sense to wait until he delivered that soul-destroying news.
“John fucked off to Newcastle to get absolutely smashed, got into a bit of bother, and Callan and I hauled our arses down there to get him. I didn’t get home until four o’clock this morning, and I was late getting here because I was trying to get a bit of sleep before launching into this circus with you.”
I closed my eyes as regret and shame filled me, followed by sadness for Baird and John. “Bear …”
I opened my eyes as Baird finally closed the distance between us. He bent his head toward me and I flinched at the reproach in his expression. “I wish you’d stop deciding who I am for me. I wish you’d start trusting me. I’m not your mum, Maia.”
My body physically jerked at his words.
His reproach softened to regret. Then he shook his head and muttered a harshfuckunder his breath before he marched out of the trailer.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MAIA
My stomach was sick as we approached the hot air balloon, and it wasn’t nerves about the flight. Before this morning, I’d been looking forward to it. I’d never been up in a hot air balloon before. Will and I had the opportunity when we were in Barcelona last year, but Will said he was pretty sure I’d hate the experience, so we didn’t bother.
Yet another unsubstantiated comment I’d swept under the rug.
I glanced up from beneath my lashes at Baird who hadn’t looked at me since I’d followed him out of the trailer. Between the murmurs and worried glances, I knew the team could sense we were at odds with each other.
What I was just beginning to realize was how much I detested being at odds with Baird.
It was confusing to find myself arguing with him when I never argued with Will about anything, and yet I felt wretched at the very thought of Baird hating me.
It took a lot to make Baird dislike anyone. However, I had been judgmental and untrusting and self-involved.
We were mic’d up, so they could hear us clearly during filming. Mine was taped onto my back, causing a pronounced bulge, so our cameraman had been informed to try to avoid filming me from behind. Baird’s was more concealed under his shirt.
The low roar of the propane burner drowned out the rushing of blood in my ears as we stopped before the balloon.
“This is Nicholas, your pilot.” Gail gestured to an attractive dark-haired man around my age. “Nicholas, these are our lovebirds, Maia and Baird.”
Nicholas gave us a chin lift. “Nice to meet you. Use the steps to climb aboard.”
He pointed to barely there footholds attached to the basket he was already standing inside.
“Ladies first,” Baird said without meeting my eyes.
I put my foot in the first hold, but I was shaking so hard, I slipped.
“Easy.” I felt his familiar strong hands on my waist. “I’ve got you.”
That was Baird. Being kind even when he was angry with me.
The problem came in trying to hike my leg over the basket in this dress. I’d stupidly assumed there would be a door on the basket when I’d chosen my outfit. I was about to hike up my dress when I remembered something. I glanced over at the crew, who already had a camera in my face. “Can you not film this part, please?”
The cameraman, Mike, just said, “I have to film everything.”
“She said no.” Baird glowered at Mike.
Mike shrugged. “I take my orders from my boss.”
The air turned menacing as Baird gruffly asked, “Is that what you think?” Then he covered the camera lens with his big hand. “No look-y without permission-y.”
The words were playful; his tone was not.
