Rumor Has It

Part 18

Bradley was trying not to look mortified at Lea's comment and sat down next to her in the dry grass, nudging her shoulder.

"Do I get a say at all in sharing me, Miss?"

"No."

"Okay." Sometimes he was very aware of how much this girl had him wrapped around her little finger anyway and that she had to know it just as much.

Stefani's strategy seemed to be to ignore it entirely and to busy herself with the dogs jumping her like she was carrying around treats in her non-existent pockets.

"Who's going to film the screen test?"

"I'm not sure yet." Bradley squinted against the sun, trying to avoid seeing Stefani's expectant face looking in his direction. He hadn't gotten that far yet.

"I might know someone." She mentioned absently. "I've worked with him before and we just talked the other day."

"That sounds great." He was thankful for her offer, but couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive about calling up her contacts this early. It would mean involving more people and using the fact that she had managed to find a path through her life without making a lot of enemies and instead leaving behind a trail of positivity.

"Mom, are you going to have a test?" Emily's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Something like that." Stefani paused and gnawed on her bottom lip, throwing another quick look at Bradley. "Actually, that's exactly what it is."

He wasn't sure how to explain it either, but it sounded close enough. "We'll have to prepare for it a little."

"Daddy, you too?" Asked Lea with her eyebrows drawn far up suddenly.

"We might work on something together if it works out." Bradley explained as vaguely as possible.

"If we pass the test." Stefani added quietly.

"Okay. I can help. I'm good at tests. Stefi, can you tie my bracelet?" And that was the topic over for Lea, who was more interested in showing the bracelet dangling off her wrist off to Stefani. "Please." She added with a sneaky glance at Bradley.

Her father for once wasn't focused on how she'd often plainly demand things, but Emily had his attention instead, who was gripping at one of the dogs on her lap. The girl had been leaning against Ashley's side and her mouth that was usually going a mile a minute was tightly shut. The dog in her lap was squirming until she let go and she let out a deep breath.

Bradley watched her stare at himself and back at Stefani who was getting an elaborate explanation about each charm on his daughter's bracelet. Emily's expression was very similar to one he'd seen before and she pushed herself up from the grass without a word and walked back towards the house with her tiny hands balled into fists.

"She's upset." Ashley whispered with a nod towards Stefani who had gone red faced while Lea stared after her friend open-mouthed. She got up and cleaned her sticky food-and-watermelon hands on her dress, making Bradley groan inwardly. "I'll go talk to her if she's sad."

"Thanks, that's very sweet of you, but I should be the one doing that." Stefani sighed and marched after her before anyone could intervene.

A heavy weight settled in Bradley's chest and he glanced at Ashley while Lea let herself fall back next to him, her hand grabbing for his shirt pocket casually in search of his phone. Usually when the adults looked like this, it was a safe opportunity for unexpected screen time. "So this wasn't the best way to tell them."

"Obviously not." Ashley muttered under her breath. "Sorry. It's not been a good week with Stef back to filming."

Bradley pulled his hand through Lea's hair, not really wanting her to listen. "And now I'm over here making plans to take her away for my film again too."