God, how had I ever found this guy so hot? He was so tightly-wound and invested in his big brother persona that he thought he was entitled to have an opinion about me based on whatever crap he’d read online.
“People are going to talk no matter what I do. Show up in a tux? I’m trying too hard to clean up my image. Show up in a boa and glitter? I’m showing off again.” I ground my heel into the rug as I spun back toward him. “I can’t win, so I might as well live my life the way that makes me the happiest.”
Duncan sighed, momentarily defeated, but I still braced for whatever barb he’d slide in next.
“I know Danny’s run into similar stuff with the media’s opinions. So I get it. But if A-List takes this job, I need to know you’re not going to take stupid risks like egging on your… What do your fans call themselves…?”
And there was the prick. The guy was a fucking SEAL. He’d taken far more risks than I ever had, but he thought it was okay to judge me? Nope. Not happening.
“The Royals? I don’t control my fans, but I get what you’re saying about needing me to follow whatever security procedures you put in place. I’ll be safe.”
“Something tells me we have different definitions of safe.”
“Listen.” Striding back over to him, I stared him down. “Do you want this job or not? I was under the impression that your company is eager for new clients, but if you’d rather criticize me, I can move on.”
He blew out a long breath, the way my mom had often done in my teens. He was probably counting to ten in his head too, and when he finally spoke, his tone was way humbler. “No. We do need the job.”
“Good.” I stopped just short of telling him to act like it.
“I’d prefer it, though, if you’d at least give me a couple of hours to see if I can line up someone you’d find acceptable.”
“You could try.” I had little intention of going with whomever he provided, but on the off chance he produced someone more agreeable than his cranky-ass self, I’d at least listen. Which was more than I could say for Duncan. “And I would think you’d be swimming in business. What with your dad’s pile of connections.”
He wasn’t the only one who could poke at sore issues, and I wasn’t surprised when his jaw hardened. “I’m trying to do this on my own. Without him. Long story, but he’s not exactly a fan of this venture.”
“Well, going your own way, that’s admirable.” I smiled encouragingly at him, giving him a tiny taste of that patronizing tone he’d tried with me. I was still working on calming down, which wasn’t my strong suit. “Sometimes we have to give up on wanting the approval of others.”
“You sound like Danny and his pop psychology.” Duncan shook his head.
“Danny’s smarter than he seems.” I might need Duncan’s help, but I could also stick up for my friend. “Smarter than your family gives him credit for.”
“I know.” He was the one to walk away this time, moving to stare out at the canyon view from the picture windows lining the far wall. “I’m working on treating him better.”
The sincerity in his voice was unexpected, so I gentled my own. “Good. Your friend Cash is great for him too. They’re so happy.”
“Yeah.” Duncan didn’t sound convinced.
“What? You’re not happy for them?” Anyone with half a brain could see how in love Danny and Cash were and what a stabilizing influence Cash was on Danny’s life.
“I am, I am.” Duncan unclenched his fists, shaking them like he was trying to will himself to relax and sound more supportive. “I’m not sure it will last, but I’m happy they’re happy right now.”
“Ah. A cynic.” I laughed lightly, but I knew plenty of those. Not everyone could end up in a perfect partnership like my parents, but I chose to believe.
“Most relationships these days don’t last. I’m a realist.” He quirked his mouth.
“I don’t disagree, and yet, I’d rather hold out hope, especially for my best friend. He deserves a happy ending.”
“I’ll add hope to the list of things I’m working on.” Duncan sounded more resigned than motivated, but I’d take his agreement as a small win.
“You should. And you should take this job yourself. It might do you some good. Give you a fresh perspective.” I smiled broadly at him, but he didn’t smile back.
“No offense, but I don’t need a new perspective.” He again blew out a breath, undoubtedly doing another counting thing. “Sorry. That came out shitty. I’ll get right on seeing who I can line up for you.”
I nodded, no longer sure whether I wanted him to be the one to take the job or not. For my mental health, it might be better to have some mild-mannered bodyguard who’d listen to my needs and go along with how I liked things to go on tour. Something told me that Duncan wouldn’t be at all willing to do my bidding. And weeks of this sort of sparring might give me a perma-headache. Yet there was also the part of me that found this sort of verbal combat fun. If I did get stuck with Duncan, I would find a way to enjoy it, and if that drove him up a wall, so be it.