DAVIS
Sex sells.
His producer wasn’t wrong. And Davis wasn’t an idiot. He knew that statement to be true. There was a reason why Victoria’s Secret was a multibillion-dollar company. Though he’d maintained his dignity by not unbuttoning his t-shirt and letting the chest hair fly, word had gotten around about his recent so-called promiscuous behavior.
While at first, the rumors circulating had been of Garrett sleeping with Kelsey, those had since been put to bed and the new one that had risen was the truth; he had slept with Kelsey. The news that Davis had been a brooding hero all along, a secret “hot guy” as the tabloids were referencing him, had somehow increased ratings on the last episode ofRenovation Dudesthat had aired.
Having the attention on him was not something Davis appreciated. But it seemed to bother Garrett, and that kind of made Davis enjoy it even more. Garrett thrived on attention and now that he wasn’t getting it, he’d been on edge. Since they’d began preparation on the last episode of the year, the Christmas one, Garrett had been pouting.
The Christmas episode was a kitchen and nook remodel. They had already filmed the demolition, laying down the engineered hardwood floors and replacing the cabinets. Today, they would film him and Garrett installing the countertops and the oversized farmhouse sink.
While Garrett had been grumpy all day, Davis had tried to remain focused. He was hoping they’d get the install done quickly and that filming went smoothly so he could see Kelsey afterwards. It had been four days since their Halloween hook-up and each day since, something had interrupted them from spending any time together. He’d been thinking of nothing other than getting her alone once again. This time, he’d take his time. He’d explore, savor, absorb every inch of her.
Kelsey had been down since her meeting at the bank didn’t go as planned. Them turning down her request to invest in O’Henry’s had sent her spiraling. He wanted to help, wave his own offer in her face, but he didn’t want to be that douchey guy. Kelsey didn’t want a knight in shining armor. But she did want a partner. That was something he could be. Both in life and in business. If she’d just let him. He needed to wait for the right moment to present it to her. If he could just get her alone, maybe he could show her this could be the answer for both.
Davis had already told Garrett about his offer to buy O’Henry’s Bar and Grill and his brother had been giving him the cold shoulder ever since. Maybe he should’ve waited to tell him because if Kelsey turned down his offer, there wouldn’t have been a point in telling Garrett. And he wouldn’t be acting like a toddler right now, only talking to him when it came to the show.
The whole thing was stupid anyway, Davis knew Kelsey and he knew she would say no. But at the same time, he also knew she was running out of options. And time.
What would she do? Accept the offer from the out-of-town investor? Because at least if she accepted his offer, he was local. He wouldn’t be interested in changing things or making decisions without her. They’d be a team.
Today, there were too many cameras pointed in their direction and lights surrounding the twins while they worked. Because no matter what the show’s producer or Garrett tried to tell him, to Davis, this was still work. They had been hired to do a job. It was really the only thing keeping him going. That, and of course the signed contract.
Some days he could forget that he and Garrett had a popular home improvement show on HGTV. On the non-filming days, they could work in silence for hours. They’d put on music and occasionally sing along. Garrett was laidback, not trying to impress the viewers. Those were the best days.
But as the lights blared, ricocheting against the glossy quartz countertop and heating his body temperature a thousand degrees, it made it difficult to concentrate. Not to mention there was an overabundance of people there than normal. He despised shooting days.
If Garrett flashed his smolder look for the camera one more time, Davis would poke his own eyes out so he wouldn’t have to witness it any longer.
“Today is an exciting day,” Garrett was saying to the camera, “Davis and I are on the last step before staging and revealing the renovation to the Larson’s. I don’t know about you, Davis,” he glanced in his direction momentarily before facing the camera again, “but reveal day is my absolute favorite day.” Big smolder into the other camera, a different angle. Or according to Garrett, his best angle.
“Definitely mine too. I can’t wait to see the reaction on the Larsons’ faces. But first, you guys gotta go and let Garrett and I get back to work.” Davis approached the camera directly in front of him with his palm held up until he covered it completely. He inwardly groaned. Did he mention how much he hated shooting days?
“Whoa, whoa, okay, but don’t go anywhere just yet. Because today Davis and I are installing the quartz countertops and then mounting the sink,” Garrett said.
Davis shuffled toward the garage door, waving a hand over his shoulder as he went. “Fine, why don’t you come along with us. But you’d better hurry. The family is expected home in six hours and we’re running out of time.” Davis rolled his eyes.
“Cut!” the producer shouted and everyone froze awaiting the next direction. “Let’s run that again. And Davis, maybe try not rolling your eyes in front of the camera.”
“Sorry,” he grumbled out the apology. Because he wasn’t sorry. This script was awful. Did viewers actually believe reality tv was real and unscripted? If they did, they were idiots.
“Action,” the producer called.
Davis returned to his position and ran his line again, this time being sure to restrain his eye roll until after he’d turned around and pushed into the garage. The countertop slabs had all been pre-measured and precut and waited in the garage, ready for a quick install, partially while being filmed.
Cooper had been hiding out, resting on his dog bed in the corner. Davis gave him a quick pat to the head, mostly because it was in the script but also because having Cooper on set with him kept this whole thing manageable. Davis kept his head low while taking an end of one of the countertop slabs and Garrett continued with his lines.
“Now, the Larsons chose a quartz countertop. And I have to say, I think that’s a solid choice. Quartz is not only non-porous, but it’s solid, making it one of the most durable countertops, isn’t that right?”
“That’s right, Garrett. So, let’s get to it, shall we?” He gestured his chin toward Garrett.
Cooper barked.
“Cut!” the producer called out.
“Sorry,” Davis apologized for Cooper, but he chucked to himself. Clearly Coop didn’t want to be there anymore than he did.
* * *
