Page 81 of One Life to Loathe

“An audition, huh?” Jax’s eyebrows moved toward one another. “How does that work if you already have a job?”

“This job is only six weeks of filming,” I reminded him. We were closing in on the halfway point, and I didn’t like thinking on it too hard. That meant I was halfway through my time with Sam. Having an expiration date, a clock ticking in the back of my head, didn’t do a lot for my mental health. I brutally pushed the thought aside. “I can do other jobs.”

“So … if this show gets picked up for a second season, when would you have to be back?”

The question made me uncomfortable on multiple levels. I would come back to properly write out my character—that’s what a professional would do—but it wouldn’t be the same. “Probably at least six months,” I replied, my stomach constricting. “Normally, it would be a longer turnaround, but they’re expecting this show to do well and the writers have already written half the second season. They know what they want to happen so they would just have to flesh it out.”

“And then you guys just get called back to Salem?”

I shook my head. “We would get a start time and have to be back then.”

“So, what happens if you get whatever it is you’re auditioning for?”

“It’s a movie, and it wouldn’t start filming until after we wrap the first season. I think the shoot would last three months. That’s what they said anyway. I don’t have the exact timetable.”

Jax’s forehead wrinkled as he did the math. “Could you film an entire movie in three months and be back in time for the show?”

“Yes.” That was the truth. It wasn’t as if I was the lead in the movie. I could easily film and be back. That wasn’t the plan—I wanted to book another movie right after this one if I got it—but it also wasn’t something I wanted to talk about.

“Well, that sounds fun.” Jax had a smile at the ready. “Is it a good movie?”

“It is. Like a spy thriller thing.”

“I like those. Daisy prefers romantic comedies and paranormal stuff, but I love a good spy thriller.” He looked me up and down. “You’re not going to be the new James Bond, are you?”

“Definitely not. It’s a different sort of spy thriller.”

“Well, as long as you like the script, that’s all that matters.” He clapped his hand against my shoulder. “I guess I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Yeah.”

He started to walk away and then paused. “I’m sure Daisy will keep an eye on Sam for you.” He watched me closely for my reaction.

I took a moment to glance around the lobby—it was early so there weren’t people milling about before heading out for dinner or gathering for a bar excursion—and I was grateful. “That won’t be necessary. She’s coming with me.”

Jax’s lips quirked. “I wondered. That makes sense.”

“What do you mean? How does it make sense?”

“I just couldn’t see you leaving her for an entire weekend. You guys seem to spend every free moment together.”

“That’s not true.” It was true, though, I realized. Ever since that second night together, Sam and I had made sure to spend as much time as possible together. It wasn’t a conscious thing—at least on my part, and I very much doubted on hers—but it was there. We didn’t want to be away from one another. That’s why I’d invited her to come with me for the weekend. The mere thought of sleeping away from her for two nights was too much to bear.

What are you going to do when you have to sleep away from her every night?

I brutally pushed the thought out of my head and took a step in Jax’s direction. “Listen, it’s important that you not tell anybody about this,” I started.

He made a face. “Are you embarrassed?”

“No.” The question irritated me. “Why would I be embarrassed?”

“I was just checking. I happen to like Sam a great deal. Daisy loves her. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

I wanted to be angry, but I couldn’t muster it. “I don’t want her hurt either. This thing, though, it can hurt her more than it could hurt me.”

Now Jax looked genuinely puzzled. “I don’t understand what that means.”

“Women get judged differently in this business. She’s considered old at thirty and they would still cast me as a high-schooler for the right part. It’s not fair. Women get judged for relationships, too. I can date eight women at once and they’ll all be ‘what a cad’ and laugh it off. If she’s paired with me in the tabloids and then even photographed with another co-star…” I trailed off.

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