Page 20 of Kissing Games
As Shauna rushed through the dining room, he gave her a wave. She swerved and ran to him, out of breath and looking desperate.
He sprang up. ‘What’s happened?’
‘It’s Kirsten. She needs guava.’
‘Guava?’
‘Yes, and I can’t find any. She can’t work without it. Do you have some?’ Her voice was tinged with desperation.
He held his hands wide. ‘Sorry, I’m all out.’
Shauna bit her lower lip and nodded. She looked like she was about to cry. ‘Okay. I’m going to try in the village now. See you later.’
She ran off and Charlie sat down with a thump. Who knew guava was so vital to the acting process? He picked up the schedule again. In an hour, there was a photoshoot for the main actors.
His stomach flipped. He would soon see Valentina again.
The great hallhad a double height, vaulted ceiling and ancient family portraits lining the walls. At one end was a raised dais, on which sat two ornate wooden thrones. Huge lights were trained on them in preparation for shooting publicity shots of Brad, Kirsten and Valentina in their costumes. Brad had not only writtenBraveheart 2, he was producing and directing it, and was also the star.
The story was a bonkers fantasy, with Brad playing Robert the Bruce. Rory had read the script and told him it included Brad’s character discovering America and bringing an army of Native American ninjas back to help him liberate Scotland. Valentina was playing one of the ninjas and Brad’s second love interest after Kirsten’s character. Charlie thought the story proved people would pay to watch just about anything, no matter how historically inaccurate or culturally inappropriate.
He stood against the wall watching crowds of people buzzing around their brightly-coloured queen bee. Brad was dressed like a mediaeval king who’d put his nation’s wealth into his clothing. Charlie imagined him showing the costume designer a portrait of Henry VIII and telling them Henry’s outfit was a one out of ten, and his needed to be an eleven. So many fake jewels were stitched on that under the lights he’d morphed into a human glitter ball.
Charlie blinked and looked for Valentina, his heart sparking when he saw her. She was on the other side of the room talking to Zoe, wearing an outfit that could only have been designed by a man. She was meant to be the daughter of a Native American chief but looked like a stripper. Her beaded leather dress barely covered her bottom and was cinched so tight around her chest that her breasts had almost completely spilled out the top. The only sign she was apparently meant to be a ninja warrior were shuriken throwing stars hanging off the bottom of her dress, a long knife at her hip and a bow and arrow over her shoulder. The costume was terrible, but Charlie was more concerned about the weapons. Had they made the blade edges safe? The only injuries she looked like she could inflict were to herself.
He shook his head, then noticed her staring back at him, a look of hurt on her face.
Oh fuck.
She turned away, striding towards Brad, who greeted her with open arms. Charlie ground his teeth.Idiot.Stupid fucking idiot.
Inside him, caveman Charlie was in a fight with his higher self, whilst his internal logic threw rocks at them both. That she looked hot enough to melt diamonds was beyond question, but the warrior accoutrements were cringe-worthy lip service to an idea of female empowerment when she was dressed like someone at a Halloween frat party. He dug his fingernails into his palms.She can wear whatever the fuck she likes, he yelled inwardly, before another part reminded him smugly that Brad Bauer chose the clothing, not her.
Brad was sitting on a throne, manspreading, his XXL codpiece reflecting light out into space and putting satellites off course. He beckoned Valentina over and she sat on his knee. By now, Charlie’s inner caveman had ripped the head off his higher self and torn logic and common sense limb from limb. He wanted to punch Brad into the middle of next year and sweep Valentina away. As she got up and Brad adjusted his codpiece, Charlie moved towards them. She looked at him coldly and it stopped him in his tracks. This was her life and her job and he had no right to interfere. He turned and left the hall as fast as he could without breaking into a run.
Out in the corridor, he bumped into Rory.
‘Hang about,’ Rory said. ‘What’s up, mate?’
‘Brad,’ Charlie spat. ‘It’s like he’s making a fucking porno or something.’
‘With Zoe?’ demanded Rory, his face turning white. Charlie put his hands on his upper arms, feeling the muscles primed for action.
‘No, fuck no. He’s just all over Valentina like a rash. I don’t know how she does it. It makes me sick.’
Rory relaxed. ‘Mate, if it makes you sick watching it, think about how Valentina feels doing it.’
Charlie shook his head. ‘I’m such a dickhead.’
‘We all know that. How did you finally figure it out?’
‘I’m pretty sure I’ve pissed off Valentina.’
‘Already? You’ve surpassed yourself.’
‘Fuck off.’
‘Will do. I’m off to make sure Brad’s nowhere near the love of my life.’ Rory slapped Charlie on the shoulder and walked past him into the great hall.
