Page 14 of Off Script

“I—I’m sorry. Excuse me. It’s just—”

As Jada fumbled for an explanation, she undid the belt around her waist. Then she realized this might look like a very forward way of her asking to join them. Blushing feverishly, Jada whipped the belt loose and flung it at the bed.

“Here!” she squeaked, then turned to run out. She’d only made it a few steps before Tristan grabbed her arm. Despite being completely nude, he was a fast runner, not letting his nakedness deter him from chasing after her.

“Wait, Jada,” Tristan said.

Jada kept her eyes decidedly away from him. She’d gotten enough of a glimpse to confirm what every other woman assumed. Tristan had a very ripped, hot body underneath all those leather jackets and worn jeans.

“Erica, can you give us a minute?”

The PA nodded. Wrapped in the bedsheet, she picked her clothes up off the floor and scurried into the bathroom. The girl suddenly had modesty after screwing her co-worker while bleating like a sheep throughout the whole thing. Sleeping with Tristan had been an unprofessional, stupid move.

The fact that Tristan had let it happen—no, had probably initiated it—was equally disgusting. He was supposed to be a pro in this industry. He knew better than to have sex with PAs—during work hours, no less! Besides, he had just broken up with their lead actress. Did Tristan not care about leading people on or taking advantage of impressionable newcomers who were starstruck? If so, he’d probably bed hop his way through the whole cast and crew beforeLove Locketended.

“Jada, are you listening?”

“No. Distracted. Still processing . . . could you please put some clothes on?”

“Oh yeah. Sorry.”

But Tristan didn’t appear sheepish. He was comfortable with his body and being on display. However, he did let go of her and turned his back as he looked for his pants. And okay, maybe Jada took a peek at his tush. Which was as perfect as the rest of him. When he turned back around, pants back in their rightful place, Jada was able to make eye contact.

“I didn’t mean to barge in on you two. I was just trying to hand over your belt. You’ll need it for the scenes today.” Jada gestured to the abandoned belt on the bed, the cause of this damn catastrophe. Tristan picked up the accessory and looped it through the jean’s belt holes absentmindedly, more concerned with studying her reaction.

“I apologize for what you saw. I get that it’s inappropriate. I can only imagine what you must be thinking about me,” Tristan said. This time he did seem embarrassed, blushing slightly.

“It doesn’t matter what I think.”

“It matters to me,” Tristan said.

Jada didn’t know what to say next. She didn’t want to come off as a prude or strike him as some delicate girl who didn’t know what a penis looked like and who fainted at the sight of one. She wanted to be poised, indifferent, above the entire debacle—but she felt undeniably flustered.

“Don’t worry about me. None of this is my business.”

“You won’t tell anyone?” Tristan asked, the hope and relief clear on his face. It hit home for Jada. He wasn’t worried about her sensibilities or his lack of ethics. He wanted to make sure she’d keep her mouth shut.

“Of course not,” Jada said.

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Tristan squeezed her hand in gratitude. Repulsed by his selfish motives, Jada tried not to flinch at his touch.

“I’m going to head back to set. See if they’re ready to shoot yet,” Jada said before any extra awkwardness could form between them.

“I’m right behind you.” Tristan gave her his well-known brilliant smile. One that charmed everyone—except her. Not anymore. Certainly not after this.

Jada made her escape at last, fuming on her walk back to the studio. Any positive feelings she might have had for Tristan had been stripped away. His charisma and friendly demeanor were all just to hide the fact he was an inconsiderate, conniving ass. He’d tried to emotionally manipulate her into being his confidante. It was like she’d been erroneously dragged into an old boys’ club, full of casting couch scandals and cover-ups. Granted, Tristan’s tryst may have been consensual, but that didn’t make Jada feel any better about being roped into secrecy.

In the past, keeping secrets had done far more harm than good. Unbidden, Jada’s mind drifted back to another set, another hookup, another fall out. Back to the time Jada found Daniel hooking up with anotherFallen Creaturesco-star.

The day on set had started off perfectly normal. On location in Georgia, they’d been working on season three, and Jada had been dating Daniel for almost a year. When Jada had joined the cast in season two, she and Daniel had clicked right away. As the lead vampire on the show, Daniel had shown her around, filled her in on all the gossip and office politics. Long story short, he had been disarmingly charming and she had fallen for it. However,

Daniel had been adamant about not letting their attraction “influence people’s perceptions of Jada’s talent.”

Since it had been her first major gig, she’d taken him at his word and agreed to keep their situation low key. Even when she’d developed a closer friendship with Alia toward the end of her first year on the show, Jada had kept her lips zipped about her romantic relationship. She didn’t want to put Alia in an awkward situation in the writer’s room or betray Daniel’s trust. So like an idiot, she settled for less, relishing the moments that supposedly made the secrecy worth it. All the clandestine dates filled with roses and gifts of jewelry. Amazing make-up sex after another round of “Why can’t we tell people?” She convinced herself those gestures were enough.

But on that particular day, Jada learned Daniel had been whispering sweet nothings to someone else. She probably never would have found out the truth if she hadn’t done something sneaky as well. Daniel’s birthday was coming up that weekend but he had “family plans” and couldn’t spend it with her. Jada had been upset but ultimately decided with all the gifts Daniel gave her, she should still get him something special.

She concocted a plan to slip her gift (a watch engraved with their initials) inside Daniel’s car during the lunch break. Making her way through the parking lot, she’d been so excited to give her supposed boyfriend a surprise. When she made it to Daniel’s car window, she was the one who received a massive shock. On the driver’s side, Daniel had leaned his car seat all the way back while their lead actress, Maggie, straddled his lap. Despite his positioning to allow for privacy, Jada caught an eyeful of their heavy make-out session.

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