Page 13 of Ghost of a Chance
Bri wasn’t near them, and before she could overhear and butt in, Jasper took Kirsty’s arm and led her away from the crew cleaning up the shattered lights.The debris had hit the stage and hadn’t harmed anyone in the audience.
“Definitely not.Bri will be hurt if you suggest anything like that,” Jasper warned her.“I know she has a reputation for being ratings driven, but Bri has a strong ethical code and genuinely cares about everyone.”
Kirsty’s skin looked even paler than it had before.Her hand shook as she shoved it through her hair.“I need to talk to Gia.”
She pivoted, walking away from him without another word.
Resigned, Jasper helped out by clearing the set and picking up his book.Making sure everyone was occupied he brought the closed book up to his face.“That’s enough.No more outbursts here.Got it?”
Of course there wasn’t a response.And when had Paul ever listened to Jasper.He tossed the book on the sofa and went to find Bri who was buzzing with excitement.
“That was way better than I expected.Not gonna lie, at first I thought we were going to have to cut the entire haunted book segment before it aired, but you came through.Why didn’t you mention Paul before this?”
He rubbed the back of his neck.Usually people thought he was nuts when he mentioned that he had a haunted physics book.Not that he ever talked it up.He’d only told his mom and his housemates senior year after they kicked him out for blaring music at 2:00 a.m.and playingJudge Judyevery day.
His mom humored him when he’d said he thought he had a ghost.Had even sent a Halloween card for his ghost each year.He hadn’t mentioned it was Paul…not to her.There would be too many questions.He wasn’t sure she bought into the ghost but she loved him.
“It’s not something I like to talk about.I didn’t expect you to bring me on the show.”
“I wasn’t planning on involving her psychic skills…when I heard you asking her in the greenroom I knew I had to step in.My gut told me this would be a good segment and let’s face it, that was phenomenal.”
“It was…expensive.He’s never been destructive before,” Jasper agreed.
“Worth it!I’m going to talk to her PR person about filming her while she helps you get rid of Paul,” Bri suggested.“We can air it on the show after he’s gone.”
“Uh…” Kirsty wasn’t going to like that.
“No need to thank me.It’s good television.Let me talk to her people,” Bri said, disappearing before Jasper could stop her.
“Wow.Had no idea your book was that powerful,” Fern teased, coming up to him.“Want to watch the playback?”
No.He didn’t.But he followed Fern to the monitors where everyone on the crew was gathered around watching it happen again and again.
Paul seemed to be getting stronger and manifesting differently and more frequently.The first few times Jasper watched the replay his eyes were on the book, but this time he watched Kirsty.
Her eyes were wide and she rubbed her hands on her arms as if she felt a chill…
Had Paul spoken to her?
Jasper noticed Kirsty appearing back on set and picking up the textbook.He went to join her.
“Can you talk to him?”
She shrugged.“It’s not that easy.I… I’m not really in the right state of mind to do it.”
“Yeah, don’t blame you.Those lights were loud and freaky.”
“They were.Can’t say I’ve ever experienced that before.How often does that happen?”
“The lights?”
She gave him a hard duh look.
“Like never.They’re maintained and kept clean and changed.Paul usually limits himself toJudge Judy,the odd song and lights…though he has recently started fucking with the blender,” he said.“You look really different…where did the tattoo come from?”
He pointed to her chest.Last night her skin had been smooth and unmarred by the designs that were there now.The design showed off her delicate bone structure while indulging the unapologetic person she was.He liked them.They suited her.
“I put them on when I’m doing press,” she said.“If anyone asks, they’re real.”
