Page 100 of Out of the Gold

“Fine.”

Without another word, he storms out of the trailer. How could Lindsay have put the solvent on without my noticing? Gotta hand it to her, she’s good.

However, I’m better. I’m not going to let her get away with this sabotage. My fingers find the rubber band around my wrist and I pluck it several times.

Back on set, Noble talks with Charles. No, he’sChase.I take my seat next to Judith and Helene.

In a terse voice, my boss asks, “Is he all set now?”

“Yes. This suit’s fine, as far as I can tell.”

Judith nods and Noble calls for quiet on the set. My eyes find Sophia behind a nearby camera, and I send her a silent thanks. She makes the universal motion for “what happened?” I skim the crowd and find Lindsay and point. Sophia dips her head. The clapper comes down on the take, and Sophia focuses her attention to the camera.

The rest of the day’s shooting goes off without a hitch. Throughout, I try to come up with a scenario where I can confront Lindsay. She willnotget the better of me now.

When Noble calls it quits for the night and summons the actors for a meeting, I make my way toward Chase’s trailer. To confront my no-good, unsupportive boyfriend. Jerk.

I set up my things to get him out of the costume. Thomas is here and, even though I’m still hopping mad, I remember Sophia wants to get to know him better. I modulate my anger out of my voice. “Hey, Thomas. Chase should be here shortly.”

“Thanks.” He pauses. “Hey, good job earlier.”

I incline my head.

“Well, there’s nothing much going on now, so I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

This is for Sophia. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Going back to that club we went to when we first got to Amalfi. You?”

“Sounds fun. Would it be okay if Sophia and I joined you?”

He clicks his pen. “The more the merrier. A few others from the crew will be there.”

All discussion ceases when Charles enters the trailer. Thomas intercepts him to sign some documents. Before he leaves, Thomas invites him to the club.

Charles says, “Not tonight. I’m beat and need to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow’s the last shoot.”

Alone in the trailer, I focus on my job. With efficient movements, I cut him out of the leggings. Before I can instruct him to unsnap the bodysuit, it’s already halfway up his torso. We don’t exchange more than ten words. He goes into the bathroom to change into his own clothes, while I clean up my stuff.

Dressed in street clothes, he looks even more delicious. Damn him. Grabbing a fizzy water from the fridge, his clipped tenor reaches my ears. “I think it’s best if we spend the night apart. I’m sorry you hate my sister so much, but I know she didn’t do anything to my costume. She never would do anything to hurt me on purpose.”

I shove the last items into my tote. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Movie Star,” I huff.

We part ways and my anger dissipates, leaving a wake of hurt and betrayal. He wouldn’t even let me talk. Defended his sister at all costs. What about me, his girlfriend? I stop as if I was the one being sewn into a costume. Am I still his girlfriend? What sort of boyfriend doesn’t talk things out? My parents always have open lines of communication. Maybe I was wrong about Charles.

Chase.

My heart drops and I slam my hand over my mouth to prevent a wrenching sob from spilling out.

The trudge to my hotel takes forever. When I reach my floor, Sophia’s sitting outside my door. “Hey, Mel,” she says as she stands. “You look like you could use a drink.”

I unlock the door and we enter. “You’re right. And I know just the place. Thomas invited us to that club we went to before.”

She smiles. “He did?”

At least one of us might have a good night. “Yup. So let’s get changed and head over.”

“Do you want to talk about what happened today?”

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