Page 93 of Between Never and Forever
“Fun sucker,” I say over my shoulder, and he sighs louder.
“But seriously though, he’s just a good guy, too,” Dakota cuts in. “He does a lot for the community. Only mark against him is he’s not very friendly. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say more than a few words at a time. I saw him smile one time and I about swooned, though, so it’s probably for the best.”
I climb out of the golf cart and give Dakota a wink.
“I think I like them better when they don’t talk, anyway.”
She laughs and nods in agreement before throwing the golf cart back in gear.
“Break a leg today, Sav,” she says, then she zooms off, leaving me, Red, and Zigalicious in her dust.
“You ready for this, kid?”
Red’s gruff voice is low and gentle, and I think it over. I’ve memorized all of my lines plus half of Paul’s. But am I ready?
“I could use a shot of whiskey and a xanny,” I say honestly. It’s about all I’m sure of right now.
Red doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t even acknowledge what I said. What do you say to a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser, anyway? Silence them? Tell them,oh no, I know you don’t mean that? He knows I mean it. He also knows that nothing anyone says can change it. Not him. Not Mabel. Not Torren or Jonah. Certainly not Hammond.
Only me.
I sigh loudly and reconsider his question. I pick up a strand of my new brunette hair and twirl it around my finger. My head doesn’t itch as much as I expected it to with this wig on. Neither does my arm where they applied the fake tattoos. If I don’t look in the mirror, I’d never know the difference.
I shrug.
“I guess we’ll find out.”
22
“Alright,let’s take two hours for lunch, and then we’ll try to get the next one in before the sun goes down.”
My director, Karen Evans, addresses us from where she stands next to one of the large cameras. She’s reading something on a tablet with a furrowed brow, and her long gray hair is currently piled on top of her head in a bun. She’s given me direction and encouragement all day, but I can’t help but feel like I’ve disappointed her.
I’ve been fascinated by Karen since I took this role and did an internet search deep dive on her credentials. At fifty-one, she’s one of the most decorated and respected directors in Hollywood. Her very first film cost four grand to make, was twelve-minutes long, and took home a special jury award at Sundance. She was twenty-eight.
I freaking love her. Half the reason I’m trying so hard to get this right is because I don’t want to fuck up royally in front of Karen Evans. I’m in the presence of greatness, so I need to step my shit up.
As if summoned, Dakota pulls up in her golf cart and waves me over. Red took Ziggs back to the trailer a few hours ago, so he’s nowhere to be seen. I take one last glance at Karen, then head to my awaiting escort.
“Word on the set is that you don’t suck,” Dakota says as I plop into the passenger seat. I perk up immediately.
“Says who?”
“Some of the other production assistants, one of the sound guys, and basically every extra.”
I glance over my shoulder. There are about fifty people being used as extras right now. I haven’t spoken to any of them, and they haven’t spoken to me. They’ve been watching me, though.
“Are they credible?” I ask suspiciously, and Dakota laughs.
“The extras might be a little starstruck, but the people who work on set are very credible. To them, you’re just another actress. If anything, they’re more critical. A little jaded, even. The fact that you’ve gotten good reviews after your first scene? That’s pretty good.”
I heave a sigh of relief and send her a smile.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Sure thing,” she chirps, then smirks. “Don’t get comfortable and start slacking, though. Their good favor is easily lost.”
I smile and nod. “Noted.”
