Free Shatter by Rachel van Dyken

going to be absolute crap today if you don’t take a breather.”
    “Right.” I dropped down to my feet and grabbed a nearby towel . “ I was just lost in thought.”
    “Yeah.” Jaymeson grinned . “ I run fifteen mile s when I want to think too . ”
    I laughed and shook my head . “ Prick. And it wasn’t fifteen.”
    “ Bro , once you pass ten, it’s all the same.”
    Shrugging, I pushed past him just in time to see three sleepy girls walk out of the
     house. I turned and lifted my eyebrow . “ Yours?”
    “Well , they aren’t mine , ” Demetri said from behind them. “Jaymeson, my man. I don’t know whether to punch
     you or spray you with Lysol.”
    The girls scowled at Demetri and then turned lust - filled eyes toward me. I backed up like a trapped animal and lifted my hands in the air . “ Jaymeson, care to call off the wolves?”
    “Oh , sorry.” Jaymeson put his phone away . “ Thank you for a lovely evening , ladies.” He bent over each of their hands and kissed them on the cheek, taking special
     care to look each of them in the eyes before sending them on the ir way.
    “Holy hell, it’s like you have a harem.” I squinted as they all happily disappeared
     out the back gate . “Are they seriously just leaving and not asking for your number? What did you do,
     drug them?”
    Jaymeson shrugged . “ It’s how I roll.”
    “Crap. You’re worse than Demetri was.” I chuckled and took a swig of water.
    Demetri threw a towel at my head . “ Thanks , man.”
    I threw it back at his face . “ Anytime.”
    With a scowl Demetri came and stood by me. I shook my head . “ It’s like watching a wild animal in its natural habitat , ” I said, amused as Jaymeson began stretching and then texting on his phone. “Ten
     bucks says he’s setting up his next b ooty call.”
    “Twenty and you’ve got a bet.” Demetri held out his hand.
    “Gross… she’s my step-m o m , gents. S how a little respect.”
    The water spewed out of my mouth. I choked wildly as Demetri patted my back. “Dude,
     you’re supposed to drink water, not inhale it like a mermaid.”
    Jaymeson ’ s head snapped up . “ Mermaids inhale wate r?”
    “That’s all you took from this entire conversation? Mermaids?”
    “To be fair , ” I said, though my voice was scratchy from choking . “ To him mermaids are just another type of female he can seduce.”
    Jaymeson ’ s eyes narrowed. “Hilarious.”
    “How is that damn sexy newly - divorced mom of yours, anyways , Jaymeson?” Demetri teased .
    I pretende d to ignore their conversation.
    “Brilliant .” He put his phone in his pocket . “ She’s thinking about taking a long vacation, you know, to get away from all the media
     for a while.”
    “Where?” The word was out before I could even think.
    “Well … ” Jaymeson ’ s eyes narrowed . “ She was actually asking me a bout renting a beach house here. Would you guys be cool with that? I mean , she’s not going to bring any of the brothers and sisters . T hey’re going to stay with the n anny, but she really seemed stressed out. Like she needed a break. Then again, she’s a female , so spiders and The Bachelor stress her out, you know?”
    Shit.
    “I have no idea how you get so many girls.” Demetri rolled his eyes . “ And it’s fine. She can stay in our house. I mean , that way she can be close to the set. You guys can bond and not have to worry about not seeing one another s ince we’re all holed up here in the Seaside Producer House Hell.”
    “Speaking of.” I pointed to the outside cameras taking in our entire conversation.
    Demet ri smiled and flipped them off.
    “Um … ” I scratched my head . “ No offense , Jaymeson, but don’t you think your mom would be more comfortable in something smaller?
     Safer? I mean , people know it’s our house . T he media practically camps outside it.”
    Demetri hit me on the back of the head . “ Dude, manners!” He high - fived Jaymeson . “