Page 9 of Dangerous Curves

I enter the large, white building, that is one of many on this lot. We are doing some on set filming today. When I step inside the buzz outside is tripled with the four walls of this building. Chairs and refreshments are in one corner of the building. Sets for various scenes are laid out in front of me to bring the script to life. Actors congregate together. Technicians are everywhere messing with sound equipment as well as lights. The camera is right in front of me with the legendary Walt McCormmick sitting in his chair, headphone around his neck while he watches the screen in front of him. He’s hunched over which makes him look much smaller than he is. Walt is a good six foot, lean build, salt and pepper hair which is kept short, but has a slight curl to it as it grows out. Intense and intelligent brown eyes that are partially hidden behind his large silver framed glasses. Days' worth of stubble normally coats his face and I’ve never seen him in anything aside from jeans except for on a red carpet and from what I hear even that is hard to get done.

Grant appears beside me and ushers a cold bottle of water into my hand. “Hello there, you look fabulous.”

I can’t help but smile. Grant is a young kid with raven hair that curls around the collar of his button up dress shirt. It’s currently charcoal gray with perfectly pressed black dress slacks. His black loafers shine like a diamond under the overhead lights. His olive skin is clear and crisp, not an ounce of stubble. Grant’s always smiling so his stark white teeth are something I’m used to but it’s his caring hazel eyes that can unnerve you into confessing all your sins. His signature little gold hoop in his left ear hangs there and his trusty clipboard is tucked under his arm. “I could say the same for you, only I would mean it. Actually, I have a question.”

“For the record, I mean it when I said you look fabulous and shoot that question at me.” His smile widens.

I laugh. “Do you ever wear anything else?”

Grant looks down at his outfit, his brows knit together in confusion. “I have a wardrobe of non-working clothes.”

“A wardrobe?” I can’t help the smile that overcomes my face.

He shrugs and looks up. When he notices the expression on my face he sighs. “I thought there was something wrong with the way I was dressed there for a minute.”

My head falls back in laughter. Grant is such a sweet boy. I worry that Los Angeles will eat him alive but I’m holding out hope I can get him prepared for that. I wrap an arm around his shoulders. “Of course, not. You look handsome as always. I just don’t want you to forget about yourself in the midst of this job. I know how demanding Los Angeles and this industry can be. I just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”

I watch as his cheeks darken. “Thank you. You’re an amazing boss, and I’m truly lucky to be in your presence and for this opportunity.”

“I’m just as lucky.”

Walt turns around and spots me. “Drix! I heard you were stuck in a traffic jam, but I’m so glad you are able to join us darling.”

“Yes, I should have left earlier. It hasn’t exactly been an easy morning for me, but I’m here now. Where do you need me?” I ask.

Walt starts to give me a list of things to do and I instantly begin to take notes. Grant does the same beside me. I become hyper aware of eyes on me half way through the list and the urge to look around is a hard one to fight but it’s there. By the time Walt is done, the feeling is gone, but I scan the area anyways. I see lots of familiar faces, but I haven’t felt that type of heated stare on me in so long. There’s only ever been one person that made me feel that way...Jaxx.

Eight

Jaxx

“I slept like shit last night,” I tell Ace, as I head to my car. Just another thing wrong with this morning already. The winds in the area are already higher than normal and according to the forecast they are expected to become stronger as the day goes on. Weather like this means I can’t ride my bike to the studio lot, which is only making my morning go down faster.

Ace chuckles. “I’m sure you did, princess. I mean, you did have an eye opening day yesterday.”

“No, you had an eye opening day by realizing what I already knew and have known for as long as I can remember.” My electric blue Zenovo ST1 sits in the garage. She’s as pretty as a picture but I hate being in the confines of a car. It must be my history with them. Shaking away the memories of one of the scariest moments of my life, I unlock her and slide behind the wheel.

“That's for sure but I slept as well as a baby last night.” Ace is teasing me and I know it. This is the basis of our relationship these days. Ace used to be the quietest person I knew and he still is around certain people, but our friendship has changed. We’ve morphed into those friends that give each other crap over everything. Normally, I’m quick to give it right back to him, but the weight of today is heavy for me.

I move the call to the hands free car setup and Ace takes over my stereo system. “Well, I’m glad one of us did.”

Ace sighs. “Okay, in all seriousness I get why you’re so wound up over today, but I think you’re going to be fine. I think you’re making this into something it doesn’t have to be. You don't’ even know if Kenndrix will be on set and if she is you’re just going to man up like we discussed yesterday, right?”

“Man, you know that’s easier said than done. I wish I could say without a doubt that if she shows up, I’ll just act indifferent to her, but I’m not you.” I scrub a hand down my face as I pull onto the freeway.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ace asks, tone defensive.

I laugh, but it’s sarcastic and I’m sure he can tell. “You know exactly what that means. For years, you were the master of acting indifferent. Kynlee was the one that finally got through that exterior of yours but you even acted indifferent with her for a while. So, acting unphased by Kenndrix would be easy for you, it would be second nature, but it’s not for me. I’ve always worn a part of my heart on my sleeve.”

“I know and it’s one of the best and worst qualities you possess. I used to worry about how the visible heart was going to be ripped to shreds in Hollywood, but you’ve managed pretty damn well. That’s the one thing I could never understand with you and Kenndirx.”

His comment throws me off. “What do you mean?”

“Well, when everything went down between the two of you it was explained in a way that made it sound like Kenndrix didn’t know what you felt for her, but I didn’t know how that could be possible because like you said your heart is on your sleeve.”

“It wasn’t that she didn't know how I felt. It was about her believing it. Kenndrix had been through hell throughout most of her life, bullied by her family and peers for her size. It warped her mind into believing she was never good enough and that her curves were off putting. I could never find a way to make her believe that I didn’t see her that way. You know when I walked away, I thought it’d be a wakeup call, make her realize how much I cared for her and vice versa. I never expected it would actually end us,” I admit quietly. Ace is quiet, but I hear the heavy sigh he releases, so I know he’s still on the line, but this conversation needs to end. The traffic isn’t too bad right now, so I’ll be at the studio lot soon enough and I need to get my head on straight before I get there, just in case she happens to show up. “I’m almost to the lot so I need to go. I’ll talk to you later.” I don’t wait for his response before I end the call. It’s not the nicest move, but I know that he’ll understand.

When I get to the lot, I pass my badge to the security office. Once it’s scanned, the gate opens and I drive through, heading for the lot number I’ll be working on. My call time is early but I think that’s because of hair and makeup. I need to look as similar to the leading man as possible, especially from behind. I drive until I see the parking lot. I grab a spot and climb out of the car. My nerves are high, but I feel that rush of adrenaline building within my body.

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