CHAPTER30
Levi
Since sealing the dealon our partnership, things have been fast and furious. That said, we’ve been moving at breakneck speed in the last couple of weeks. We had so many things to knock off our never-ending to do list leading to this monumental day. The long hours and intense work made it that much easier to put that scary night behind us. It took Jules a few days to recover. The rumors were true. That tragic, fatal night––when I thought I nearly lost another woman I love––started as a bad case of road rage on San Diego Freeway and escalated when two rival gangs decided to use Culver City as a war zone to settle a score. All I know is, it was too close to home.
So here we are at Rod’s studio, shooting our very first promotional video we’ll use for Fit Thonix’s crowdfunding.
Dominika’s small studio is annexed to Rod’s, but she shoots videos here because it’s fully equipped. Linc and I created a kickass set, complete with large screen TVs that showcase the results from pre-recorded simulated rides. As I suspected, fixing the tech glitch preventing the screens on the bikes from properly connecting with the app was child’s play for a top coder. Our guy delivered in spades. Now, you can have a virtual ride with one or multiple riding partners—up to five in total. Dom hired three model-actors––two women and one guy. She had a very specific concept in mind––six bikes placed in a triangle formation. Jules, Shane, and Colin rotated on the first bike throughout the shoot.
“Watching her work, is something else,” I whisper to Rod.
We’re both standing to the side, a little removed from the set. Dom dismissed the three models a half hour ago, but she wanted a few extra shots with my business partners.
“It is,” he nods, his eyes never leaving Dom. “I could watch her all day long.”
I cock an eyebrow.
He responds in kind.
I open my mouth to say something, but his gaze moves away from mine.
What the hell?
“And... cut!” Dominika shouts, peeking out from behind the camera. “We did it, gang!” her hands lift in victory.
“It’s a wrap, people!” Morgan’s booming voice resonates throughout the studio. He’s Dom’s 1st Assistant Director.
“We got it?” I ask.
“The sixth take was the charm,” Dom smiles, her blue eyes sparkling.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Shane cheers.
“Oh, my God! Really?” Jules asks.
“We finally got the ‘money shot’!” Dom says in quotation marks, a wide smile stretching her lips.
“This is so amazing!” Jules cheers. “Thank you so much, Dom!” she smiles.
“My pleasure,” Dom smiles back.
“You’re the best!” Jules exclaims.
“Yes. She. Is.” Rod drawls out the words.
All eyes are on him.
“What? It’s true,” he defends.
He’s acting strange today, as if he lost his favorite puppy.
“Watch out world, here comes Fit Thonix!” Jules nearly leaps off her bike and comes running to me, her excitement boils over. I wrap her in my arms, kissing the top of her head. My girl’s sexy little body is clad in our new branded fitness gear. Yeah, we intend on milking our fifteen minutes of fame for all it’s worth.
“For the record, I brought my A game from the very first take,” Collin pipes up, getting off his bike.
I roll my eyes.
Rod shakes his head.