Seven suitcases and a U-Haul full of my belongings. That's all that's left of my California life. I'm leaving the beaches, surfers, and my daily Venti iced vanilla bean coffee for...boots. Cowboy boots. Do plus sized girls even look good in cowboy boots? God, I hope so. If it weren't for Affton bringing me on board I would probably be out at the beach right now, eyeing all the man-candy and making plans to go out tonight. As it stands, though, I'm driving down this one lane rock road and the pings to the bottom of my car are making me go as slow as humanly possible. A Mustang GT has no business on these roads. There's nothing but nature and a few scattered houses all around. I drove through a small town a while back but it didn't seem to offer anything in the way of quality name brand goods. This place is pretty far out from any big chain restaurant or store. And you know what? I'm ecstatic about this new change. I'm not getting any younger, and this was just the upward movement I needed to get away from modeling.
Oh sure, being a model is all fun and games. If you're a size zero. I'm in the double digits and I can honestly say that as good as the pay is, money doesn't buy happiness. I was thrown into the spotlight when I met Affton on the street in L.A., and while I had never considered modeling before her, I let it take me where I landed and enjoyed the ride. Even with all the social media hate from assholes that think carbs are the devil. They aren't by the way. They're fucking heaven. The minute Affton left Trenton, though, I figured my career was over. But I guess she saw something in me other than a pretty face because when Cultured Relief picked her up, she immediately brought me on board as her assistant. I learned a thing or two about this industry and I'm putting it to use for her. No more modeling, and I'm more than okay with that.
Let me enjoy a cheeseburger in peace.
I check my GPS for the fifth time since being on this long ass road -or maybe it just feels so long because I'm going fifteen miles per hour- and see the little checkered flag straight ahead. Glancing up, I can make out the outline of her house coming into view. Wow…house. Mansion. And she wasn't lying when she said there was a tarmac and hangar for her private jet. They have their own slice of heaven out here!
I park my car in front of their house just as my phone rings and blares through my Bluetooth.
"Hi, Daddy," I answer, checking my makeup in the mirror.
"Did you make it safe?"
"Yep, just parked." I smile when I see Affton swing open the front door.
"Good, good." My dad falls silent and I grab my purse.
"Hey, Dad, I gotta go unload everything, okay? I'll text later. Tell everyone hi for me."
"I love you, Carter. Don't get bit by any rattlesnakes out there or do anything stupid."
I laugh and end the call, briefly glancing out my car window to see if there really are snakes out here. I mean, it's not like I'm going to be going pure country or anything. I've seen those movies where the cowboys are out in the fields mudding or in the lakes swimming with the leeches and snakes.
No thanks. I can live in the country without being that country.
I swing my door open and am almost pulled out of the car by Affton, her shriek of excitement brings a real smile to my face. I love this girl. If I'd ever claim anyone as my best friend it'd have to be her. She's real and she doesn't have any fucks to give when it comes to what people think about her, which is what makes her so amazing.
"Okay, okay." I laugh, hugging her before pushing her off me and swiping the bead of sweat off my brow before it ruins my makeup. "It's hot as hell out here, Affton. How do you do this?" The front door pushes open and in the doorway stands Tommy. Affton's Tommy. She smiles at him and the look he's giving her makes even my lady bits wish I had a cowboy like that. "I get it now," I whisper.
"I can't wait to show you around! You're staying here until we get you settled somewhere. And listen, you're staying here as long as it takes for you to get comfortable. I'll be honest, there isn't shit to do outside of friends and family." She smiles warmly before grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze.
"Great." I smile back and pop the trunk of my car. "I've got a car load. And a U-Haul but the movers are taking it to a storage place in town until I figure out where I'm going to end up. I didn't want to lug all my shit into your place." I huff as I pull out a suitcase.
"Carter." Affton laughs and grabs my suitcase. "Our house is plenty big enough." Turning, she hands my suitcase to the hot cowboy. "And this is Tommy." Her arm wraps around him as he moves closer.
"I kind of figured that one." I reach out to shake his hand. "There's been the same cowboy on your social media page for the past year. I'd hope it would have been your fiancé, or that would be real weird."
He chuckles and takes the bag from my grip. "Nice to meet you, Carter."
"Does everyone here sound like you?" I ask, grabbing another bag and following the two of them up to the front door. "When I first met Affton she sounded straight out of the city. No hint of an accent at all. I was shocked to learn these are her roots."
"Hey, you're the outsider now. Everyone here sounds just like they should." He opens the door for us. "Ladies first."
"Affton," I whisper, following her to a room where she deposits one of my many bags. "Does he have a brother? I mean seriously, ladies first? Who still does that?"
Affton laughs before giving me a knowing grin. "Southern charm is addicting, but no. No brothers. Maybe his dad's looking for a Cali bunny." She winks at me, laughing hard again as she walks out of the room.
I shudder at the thought of being with someone's dad like that. Nope. No matter how good looking he is, if he's old enough to be my dad, that's where I draw the line.
"When does winter actually come? Does it snow here?" I swipe more sweat off my forehead and make a mental note to get waterproof makeup. California isn't nearly this humid!
"I'll turn the AC on for you." Afton smirks back at me. "So let's do the grand tour. I'll take you to the new addition first." Stopping at the thermostat, she glances around. "Tommy? Close the windows, baby, I'm turning on the AC!"
"What! No it's not damn hot enough!" I hear him from somewhere else in the house and can't help but laugh.
"Affton, you two are already like an old married couple," I whisper so he doesn't hear me.
"Just do it!" she yells across the house. "Carter's not used to the humidity! Don't be a dick!" She spins to face me. "But the sex is like we just got together." She smirks, taking my hand before pulling me down a hallway.
The house is way bigger than I had imagined, and I'm not sure why two people would need a house this size but I'm not complaining. At least it's not like I'll be living on top of them. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do as far as living arrangements, but I'm sure I'll figure something out. Maybe this will finally be the year I buy my first house, because honestly driving through that town I didn't see much in the way of nice apartments to move into.
"Hey, I'm feeling pretty gross from that car ride. Mind if I shower before we go over your schedule for the week?" It's nice hanging out with her like this, letting her give me the grand tour, but we've got a packed schedule coming up.
"Yes. And listen, my personal pilot will be back within the month and he'll fly you home when you're homesick. No more eighteen-hour drives. He's been flying Jonathan around Europe until Fashion Week is over."
"Personal pilot," I say then giggle. "You're too good to me, you know that?"
"I just uprooted you from home and I'm keeping you in the sticks and farm land. You deserve better." She laughs.
"I'm sure I'll fit in just fine here." I head back for my room, ready for a refreshing shower. "But seriously, I may be in need of one of those sexy cowboys you've got lying around eventually," I call back to her on my way.
"God, I better work on figuring out who's single in this town. I think the well's dry," she says through laughter.
***
I've spent the last month pretty much chasing my tail. Affton's schedule just keeps getting busier and busier. Which is good for my sanity, because this town literally has nothing to offer that isn't riding horses, swimming with leeches, or covering your body in mud for the sake of what they like to call 'fun'.
I've made friends with the Kenshaws, the Harts, and the Harings. They're all pretty freaking amazing and have made me feel right at home here, even if I refuse to get in the water when they take their families to the lake. I haven't missed home as much as I thought I would. Having a dad and two brothers looking over my shoulder with everything I did back in California got tiring, so the change of pace is nice. Next week Affton and I get to head to New York for the week and I'm more than ready to get a little taste of city life again.
As far as hot cowboys go, however, I don't think Affton was lying when she told me the well's dry. All these boys are married with families! Not that I'm looking to settle down or anything like that, but a girl has needs. Living with the most sexually active couple I've ever met doesn't help those needs either. Whoever built these walls made them way too thin.
"Affton, you have a video call in fifteen with Jonathan," I say, walking into the kitchen and stopping dead in my tracks. "God, shit," I blurt then start to laugh at the look on Affton's face as she pushes Tommy off her. She busts out laughing as she fixes her clothes and I take a step back. Living with these two has definitely been an adventure. I need to learn to knock before entering a room. "Can you two keep your hands to yourself for an hour please? We've got work to do." I toss my hand to my hip and give Tommy a pointed look. "Don't you have goats to go rescue or something?"
I really need to start looking into other places to live. Not that I don't love being this close to Affton for work's sake, but feeling like you're always interrupting something isn't the best feeling. Awkward. It's awkward.
"That look on your face tells me you need to get laid." Affton smirks then huffs. "Let's go do work. Tommy, go rescue goats, baby. We have two hundred people showing up in two days and I'd like to be able to enjoy my party so lets get the work out of the way."
"I'm going to go rescue some goats," Tommy mumbles, shaking his head and letting out a small laugh before kissing her and leaving the two of us in the kitchen.
"So, that guest list grew substantially from what I put out. Where are all these people coming from? And do you plan on opening your entire house to them?" I walk over and sit on the bar stool, laying my tablet and schedule out so we can get the trip to New York planned.
"Well..." She sits across from me, slowly eating a muffin. "I guess." Pointing upward, we both look. "There's the balcony and the whole upper level that Grant was supposed to move into but never did 'cause he's a flake. So I have a whole third floor that was added on for nothing. So people can stay up there and out of my house. And the party was fifty to seventy. Leave it to Grant Matthews to fly Jonathon around Europe for a month and almost triple that number." She rolls her eyes. "But he hasn't steered me wrong yet...even though he's only a pilot and has no clue when it comes to fashion." She sighs and drops her head. "I'm tired, we were up late last night."
"I know," I mutter, laughing. "So I was thinking maybe it's time I start looking for my own place."
We definitely sat down for work but she's not in the mood and honestly I'm not anymore either. I want to hear more about Grant, the man that I'm starting to think is made up. I've been here a month and as much as I've heard about him, he has yet to show up to any gathering. I'm new to Cultured Relief and to Affton's schedule still, but how does someone just leave for a month without coming home? Doesn't he have any responsibilities here?
"Oh, honey, you don't have to move out. Unless...oh god, do we annoy you?" Her brows go high and the look of worry on her face makes me feel bad. "Are we annoying? I'll be less annoying, I promise."
"No!" I blurt then start to laugh. "I swear it's not annoying." I rest my hand on hers and make a face. "But I haven't had sex since I left California and..." I giggle. "I don't know. I feel like I'm in the way. And interrupting. And..." And listening to you two fuck as much as you do turns me on more than it should. And you're my boss. "You'd let me know if it's getting to be too full of a house, right?"
Her brows go higher and she laughs. "This house is ridiculously big. I'm not sure what I was thinking when Tommy said I could add on. This house is definitely big enough for all of us. Maybe after the party, we can move you upstairs? You'll hear us less and it'll be like you have your own place." She claps in excitement. "I won't lie to you, Carter. I like having you here. There is nothing here!" Laughing she rolls her eyes.
"Goats. You've got goats." I smirk. "And a super hot cowboy. I don't really blame you for wanting to live out in the sticks, but it's a pretty big culture shock."
"The worst part is I have tons of family and friends but they all work so much I barely see anyone...except you now!" She smiles. "Speaking of, I guess we still do have jobs." Her eyes flick to my tablet.
"Right. Yes. And a trip to New York to plan." I puff out a breath and pull up her calendar. Time to get busy.
The next couple of days fly by. From preparing the new line for Jonathan to approve when he's here for the party, to actually preparing for a party, I'm breathing, sleeping, and eating all things Cultured Relief. Affton's never nervous, but this party has her on edge and I don't blame her. She's about to open up her personal life to all kinds of outsiders that may not see this small town way of life as a good thing. I, on the other hand, see nothing wrong with it. It's a slower way of life, but I enjoy it.
By the day of the party I think I've heard 'Tommy, I swear if you turn the AC off during this party I will castrate you' about a dozen times and his snicker as he walks away from her even more. The two of them are perfect for each other. I've also heard numerous stories about the notorious Grant Matthews, which just makes me want to meet the man behind these stories even more.
I spend the morning showering, shaving, and primping. Not that I think anyone here tonight is going to look at me twice, but it's always good for a girl to be prepared. Plus, I haven't gotten this done up in a while and it feels good to feel...pretty. Moving away from being in front of the camera has taken some of the confidence that the lens gave me, which is fucking ridiculous if you ask me, but it is what it is.
When people start to arrive at this party I watch with wide eyes at some of the ensembles they're wearing. We're in the country. I've become accustomed to the 'less is more' motto in the month or so that I've been here. These people look like they were plucked straight out of L.A. and are in complete shock that people still live like this.
"It doesn't look like rain so they can overflow out back if needed," I say to Affton as more cars keep pulling up and dropping people off. I'm not sure where these people are coming from, let alone where they're staying because I wasn't aware that this town had a hotel. "You invited Jo, right? And Kaydence?" Kinlee and Bo have been here from the start. I'm trying to talk Affton into getting these girls modeling for us, but she isn't pushing it yet. We'll get there.
"They'll all be here." She smiles and glances around before checking the time. "I'm going to kill him." Grabbing her phone, she pounds out a text. "Jonathan and the boys were supposed to be here an hour ago because this is their gig. But there's only one reason why they'd be late. Grant Matthews," she growls out his name.
Everything I've heard about this guy isn't promising but I'm excited to meet the man behind the legend. Can't say it's a good legend, but it's something.
"He'll be here soon I bet," I say, trying to calm her. Affton's pretty easy going, but when it comes to this Grant character she goes from zero to burning buildings in a matter of minutes. It's almost comical. Before she can reply, I hear the jet fly overhead to prepare for landing. "See, right on time." I smile a bright smile at her and wiggle my eyebrows.
"Yes, if you live in Grant's world. They're an hour late. Bet it'll take him three hours to drive them the five minutes it takes to get to the house from the hangar. He's probably..." Looking at me she looks apologetic. "Sorry. I keep bitching about Grant. Let's try and have some fun and find you a single guy tonight. I really hope you don't want to kill Grant when you end up meeting him. He has that effect on people though." She escorts us to the bar.
"I grew up with two brothers, Affton. I can put up with this Grant character, don't worry about that. And if not I'll just punch him in his dick." I shrug, taking the glass from her. "Now, about finding me a single guy tonight," I mutter, letting my eyes travel the room. The room is full of beautiful men and equally beautiful women practically pushing their tits against them. "Highly doubtful," I say.
She chuckles. "God, I can't say I miss this atmosphere. I never thought I'd want to come back to the country but the past year, I've never been happier. Look!" she quickly whispers and points across the room. "That's Sharon Reed and apparently she's taken a liking to my brother. I can't wait for Kinlee to claw her eyes out."
Not that I blame Sharon, because Affton's brother is a sight. But she's right. Kinlee's the sweetest thing until you mess with Bo. Then all bets are off. Even if you're a supermodel like Sharon Reed.
"You think someone should warn Sharon?" I watch wide-eyed, nursing my drink as Kinlee makes a beeline for her husband. "Oh shit," I whisper, letting out a giggle.
"Let's let this play out," Affton says in excitement. "She's going to...god. He's such an ass! I have to find Tommy before I kill Grant," she snaps, her attention now on the stairs. I look in that direction and everything around me blurs in comparison to what's walking up the steps.
The first thing I notice is the entourage of hot men. Holy fucking hot. Hot doesn't even begin to explain it. Did I mention they're hot? I mean, they're probably gay as the sun is bright, but hell they're...hot. Sexy. Gorgeous. And full of confidence.
Well that's it. My brain is done for the day. Fried. Then it hits me. One of these gorgeous men is Grant. The Grant I've been dying to meet.
"Which one's Grant?" I whisper, way too excited. The growl that comes out of Affton makes me take a better look, and after finally being able to pull my eyes from the gorgeous faces of these men, I am able to figure out exactly which one is Grant. "I fuck fat chicks," I mumble, reading his shirt. "Wow..."
"Bingo," Affton sighs. "I pay him way too much money for him to show up to these events in a t-shirt that says that. And it's just amazing people flock to him. You either love him, or you hate him. I might be the only one that can go both ways. Do me a favor and pull out the Letty line so I can show Jonathan when he finally stops following Grant around like he's God. I'll catch up with you after I find Tommy." She kisses my cheek before storming away, really seeming to be flustered over Grant's appearance.
I, on the other hand, am very torn as to how I feel about his appearance. He's hot. Not just country boy hot. More like a country cocky incredibly sure of himself hot. And those eyes. Swoon. A girl could get lost in those eyes. But then you add in the shirt he just walked in here wearing and I can't decide if I want to punch his face or sit on it.
Probably a little of both if I'm being honest with myself.
And Affton's right. The boys around him flock to him like he's the one in charge. Even Jonathan seems to be in a Grant-trance.
I sit back and watch him from across the room, playing the creepy stalker girl hiding behind her drink. This drink is giving me the courage I'll need if I ever decide to walk over to him. Tommy approached him a few minutes ago and from the look on his face when he motioned towards Grant's shirt I can tell he wants to laugh it up but has to stay 'disappointed' for his girl's sake. It looks like everyone in the room respects this man. This pilot. This guy that in all reality shouldn't have this much of a pull in the industry Affton and I work our asses off in...but somehow it looks like he does. I'm still not sure what to think about him, but watching him interact with everyone in the room, one thing's for sure: This guy knows how to turn an elegant celebration into a wild party.