Page 48 of Jason
“Darien was great in his role,” Jason said.“But he’s a dick, and he’s not here anymore, Cass.I like the second guy, Trent.”
Cass looked at the two of them.“No.”
“Jesus, Cass.Fine.We’ll go with Robert—”
“You’re not hearing me, Jason.Neitherof them.Try again.”
Jason pressed his palm to the table and slowly rose, leaned over the table and said slowly, “We are not trying again.We don’t have time.Both men were good.And if you won’t pick, I will pick for you.”
“I suggest you make the time,” Cass said coolly.“I will not have my production ruined by actors who can’t read their way off a grocery list.”
“First of all, it’smyproduction.And they are both great actors,” Jason said.“What do you think Mallory?”
“Me?Oh, I…” Mallory hesitated.But only a moment.Cass was staring daggers at her and looked like he wanted to come across the table.But Mallory sat a little straighter and said, “I see Trent in this role.I think he’s great.Honestly, I think he’s a better fit than Darien.”
Cass’s glare turned murderous.He brought both hands down on the table with athwack.“I am an Oscar nominated director!”he roared.
“So you’ve mentioned at least a thousand times,” Jason said wryly.
“I have directed more films than either one of you have evenseen.I willnottake direction from a woman who barely knows her ass from her hand—"
Jason lunged forward, his finger in Cass’s face.“You say another word like that and you’re off the project,” he said furiously.“Stop taking your dissatisfaction out on her.”
Cass shoved his finger aside and stood up so quickly his chair toppled backward.He marched toward the door.“Do what you want, Jason.I don’t give a fuck.”And then he was gone.
Jason and Mallory stood there, stunned.“What just happened?”Mallory asked.
“I think Cass had the mother of all temper tantrums,” Jason said, and shoved his fingers through his hair.This was a complete mess.He glanced at Mallory, who was still staring at the door.“Don’t take anything he said personally, Mal.”
She shook her head.“He’s been a prick to me and everyone else for too long.What do we do now?”
“Get Trent’s agent on the phone.We need him ready to start shooting in a week.”Jason pushed away from the table, and when he did, his back seized.He sucked a sharp breath through his teeth, and grabbed his lower back with his hand.
“Are you okay?”Mallory asked.
“I’m fine,” he said, and tried to straighten.“I just tweaked it.”At least he hoped that was all he’d done.It felt really painful.“We have to get going,” he said, and began to walk, limping a little as he did.
“Jason, you don’t look okay.Should we—”
“No.Whatever you’re going to say the answer is no.We need to get Neil Tarelli on the phone and get him over to the warehouse.Plus get the lease agreement to the owner of the warehouse.”He walked to the end of the conference room, his hand still on his back.“Can you drive?”
“I guess,” Mallory said uncertainly, and put her hand to his arm, trying to help hold him up.“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am,” he lied.“It’s nothing a couple of aspirin won’t knock out.”He attempted a smile, but all Jason knew was that he and his back could really go for a stiff drink right now.
Chapter Fourteen
Jason was not beinghonest about his back, quite obviously.He could hardly get into the Range Rover and sat crookedly in the passenger seat as Mallory drove back to King Harbor.His face was screwed into a permanent wince as he made his calls.
When they arrived back at the Bickmore, he didn’t want to sit in one of the charming antique settees.“Too low,” he said.“Tell you what—let’s take a break.Meet me down here at six and I’ll take you to dinner.There’s a little dive down on the pier that makes the best lobster.”
“Okay, but shouldn’t we—”
“Can we talk later?”he asked quickly.“I’d really like to get an ice pack or something.”
“Can I get it for you?”she asked, wincing in sympathy.
“Honestly, Mallory, if you can just get Trent on board, that would be the best thing you could do for me.I’ve got my back.It’s an old baseball injury.”He gave her a ghost of a smile and gestured to the stairs.
