Page 34 of Hot Set

I pulled into the parking lot outside the set. I scanned the vehicles parked nearby. There was Brandon’s cherry-red Crossfire, easily distinguishable from the gray and white cars around it. I leaned my head against the steering wheel. Maybe the worst part was that I would now have to go in and pretend everything was fine when it really wasn’t. If I couldn’t tell Brandon how I felt, I’d have to act normally. Otherwise, he could suspect something.

I climbed out of my car and, steeling myself, entered the warehouse. It was bustling as always. I waved to Bioncia, already busy airbrushing one of the extras to be an intergalactic zombie. Sometimes, I really felt like Brandon threw darts at a board when it came to costume design. Not that I would ever complain. Challenges were good for make-up artists.

As if Brandon had somehow heard my thoughts, he waved and made a beeline straight for me. My heart quickened, racing a mile a minute. And even when Brandon stood before me, smiling, I couldn’t keep my eyes from darting over his laughing blue eyes or his sleek blond hair. Then, I realized I was ogling him, and my stomach flipped.

“So, this is going to sound really strange,” Brandon said, practically bursting with enthusiasm, “But it’s going to besoperfect for our zombies.”

I was having a hard time caring about zombies at the moment. “Okay?” I asked.

Brandon grinned. “We need live maggots… or worms. They sell them at pet stores, don’t they? For feeding amphibians?”

I bit back my reply of, “That’s the most unromantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Instead, I took a steadying breath and nodded. “That would be pretty gross,” I said, “in the best possible way.”

Chapter twelve

Alex

“Well, if youreallywant to figure out this sexuality thing, there’s only one place to go,” Seth drawled.

I looked up from packing away my make-up and glanced around to be sure no one was paying attention. Just because I wasn’t ashamed of this didn’t mean I wanted everyone to know about it. Heck, I wasn’t even sure whatitwas. Being gay? Being bi?

“A pride parade?” I asked.

“Well,no,” Seth replied. “I mean, I guess you could go there, but I was thinking more like a gay bar. You know—where you mightactuallypick someone up.”

“But I already know who I—um—would want to pick up,” I said.

I closed my case and headed toward the door. Seth followed me, a sly expression on his face. “Sure,” he said, “But I just think you might feel more comfortable if you really have the gay experience.”

“I’m pretty sure there’s no singular gay experience.”

“Obviously, there isn’t,” Seth said, “But it’s a different environment when you’re surrounded by people who have that shared sexuality with you. Trust me on that. You can put away all your make-up, hop on my motorcycle, and we’ll be gone. I know agreatplace. They know me by name there.”

“Is that good or bad?” I asked.

Maybe Seth’s idea wasn’t so bad, though. Maybe I reallywasn’tgay. Maybe I’d just had some…burst of feeling or something. Or maybe it was the opposite. Maybe I reallywasgay, and I only liked Brandon because he was so attractive. It might be nice to be around some people who’d already figured it all out.

“You know what? I’ll go.”

“Great! I promise not to break the speed limit while you’re with me,” Seth replied cheerily.

That was quite an accomplishment for him. I’d seen Seth drive into the set lot like a bat with all the forces of Hell pursuing him, but as long-suffering Bioncia had informed me, there was no point in trying to rein in Seth’s inner need for speed.

My make-up locked safely in my car, I climbed behind Seth on his motorcycle and took the offered spare helmet. True to his word, Seth kept to the speed limit, and he didn’t try any tricks, proving hewascapable of being a perfectly respectable driver and didn’t try anything funny. Finally, Seth pulled his bike to a stop before a bar. It looked vaguely like a Hollywood medieval tavern would, complete with a swinging wooden sign, declaring the place to beSeville.

“This must be new,” I said.

“It is,” Seth replied. “It’s only been here a couple of months.”

“And yet you’ve got a reputation here already?”

Seth winked. “Don’t judge me,” he said. “It’s not my fault that I have a way with—well—everyone.”

Seth sauntered in like he owned the place. I smiled behind him. It felt a bit like I was caught in a rip current, being pulled along by Seth’s sheer attempts to charm.

Seth headed right for the bar. I followed and edged onto a seat beside him. I’d been to plenty of bars before, but I’d never been to a gay bar. Not even with my friends (I guess because they weren’t gay, ya think?). I wondered vaguely if I belonged here. I couldn’t help but feel a sharp impulse that I reallydidn’t.

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