“Staying awake late. I got it.”
“Only making sure. I want your career to continue to flourish, and once you have a couple more movies under your belt, then you’ll have more freedom to eat and sleep however you’d like.”
“Okay. I really do have to go. I still need to make time to eat those bland eggs and dry turkey bacon.”
She chuckles. “See you on Wednesday.”
We both end the call and I walk through the main building, passing the bagels and donuts. I grab a plate and scoop eggs onto it before adding turkey sausage. No bacon today, I guess. As I’m walking back to my trailer, hair sticking to my forehead from sweat, Hayden is laughing with another cameraman and Ican’t take my eyes off them for some reason, looking away when Hayden’s eyes meet mine.
I continue toward the back door and don’t look back no matter how much I want to. He does smile with other people after all. They were both laughing together and standing a little too close. Oh my god, why do I care?
Why is my gut twisting the more I think about it, and why does this man have such a weird effect on me? As soon as this movie is done, I’ll not only take a trip to the nearest beach, but I’ll also make sure to get laid too. That’s what it has to be. Me missing the touch and attention of another person.
Before I can make it all the way through the door of my trailer, I’m stopped by one of the production assistants. “Morning, Mr. Maxwell. Anything I can get you today?”
I’m about to shake my head, but then I look at my plate and my face wrinkles in disinterest. “Yeah, actually. How about something that actually tastes good.”
Her interest peaks. “Is that allowed?”
“No, but you’d be willing to keep a secret, wouldn’t you?”
Looking around her, she leans forward, cupping her hand around her mouth. “Of course. These lips are sealed.” She pretends to zip her lips shut.
“Cool. How about some lemon-glazed pop tarts from Lotus bakery?”
“Sure. I actually have another actor wanting something from there.” She tenses. “Oops, I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about that either.”
“Don’t worry.” I place a hand on her shoulder. “My lips are also sealed.”
She laughs. “I’ll call and get that order in for you so it’s fresh.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
She darts off in the opposite direction, clutching her clipboard to her chest, and Hayden holds the door of the main building open for her while waving at me. I give him an awkward smile and hurry into my trailer with my heart galloping in my chest. What is going on with me? I need to get it together and try to avoid him as much as possible today.
And I manage to convince myself that thinking about him fucking me while I’m jerking myself off in my dressing room shower will help me lose interest the way I typically do after sleeping with someone. That I can somehow trick my mind and body. Too bad I’m completely wrong and all it does is make me watch him more during filming while putting on my best performance for his camera.
Five
Hayden
Sterling is looking at the PA he sent out to get his favorite sweet treat with a hardened expression. “I’m sorry, Mr. Maxwell. I tried to call ahead but they said that they weren’t taking any new orders for them today, and once they were gone, that was it. As soon as I got there, I was told by the baker herself that some guy came in before me, clearing them out.” She starts to apologize again, and he rests a hand on her shoulder, looking sympathetic.
“It’s okay. Thank you for trying. I’ll be better off grabbing a yogurt and banana anyway. This way when what I’ve eaten today gets back to Lisa, she won’t have another reason to complain to my manager.”
“Okay.” Her expression is remorseful, shoulders slumping. “I can always try again tomorrow, if you’d like.”
“Nah,” he says casually, trying to hide his disappointment, but I can see it as clear as day. Nothing about him gets past me. “I’m going to take it as a sign I need to cut back.” He forces a smile and she buys it, the tension lessening in her face.
“Okay. See you during lunchtime.”
“Sandwiches again?” he asks as she’s turning away.
She cranes her neck before carrying on in the direction she was heading in. “Nope. Salads.”
He groans unhappily. “And here I thought I’d prefer anything over those damn sandwiches.”