Page 36 of Touch in the Dark

I laugh all the way to the ground floor. They so did. And that makes me think about things I’m sure I have no right to think about.

Chapter Nine

“Did you really believe I wouldn’t ask around?” I say as I walk up behind Joel.

He turns his head to look over his shoulder. He’s bent over, getting some equipment out of his bag. He gives me a big grin as he straightens up. I hold his business card pinched between my forefinger and middle finger, waving it slightly at him.

“Busted.”

“It wasn’t exactly difficult to figure out. As I’m sure was your intention.”

“True, but I didn’t want to be the guy who says, I can get away with whatever I want because my dad is the director.”

“Even if that is what happened?”

“Nah, it wasn’t like that,” he plucks the card out of my hand and tucks it in his back pocket. “He would have kicked you off the set, maybe even the movie if he realised it was you.”

I bite my lip nervously. I’d heard he was a hard ass, seen him in action in fact.

“The man is an asshole,” he laughs as my eyes widen. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing I wouldn’t say to his face. He’s a prick of the highest order and I hate the way he treats people because he thinks he’s some big-name director. You don’t mess with people’s lives because of your overinflated ego.”

I look around to make sure no one can overhear him, though he doesn’t seem in the least bit concerned anyone hears what he is saying. We’re in trailers tonight, the scene being shot in the middle of a busy street. It’s been closed off to the general public, the people standing around, waiting to get filming are all paid extras. The actors are safely warm in their own trailers. I’ve already worked on Miles, ready for the scene. I’d thoroughly enjoyed it too, because I got to flex my prosthetic, movie make-up skills, giving him some cuts and bruises on his face because his character was just in a ‘fight’.

I saw Joel out among the other crew as I left Miles’ trailer. It took me a while to work up the nerve to talk to him. I’d thought about him a lot over the last couple of days. I did not, however, call him. The girls told me I was nuts when I brought him up, but I had my reasons. He already told me he is heading to Florida just as soon as the storm passes, so there is no point in taking things further. I don’t even know where he lives. If it’s not in New York or L.A., then it won’t work.

He's wearing a thick coat tonight, given we’re outside and its butt-freezing degrees out here, he also has a beanie pulled over his hair which makes him look cute.

“Yet, you’re still here?” I try not to sound too inquisitive, more like making an observation.

“Something made me wanna stick around.”

“What about the guy you were covering for, isn’t he back?”

“Sure, but you can never have too many cameramen on a movie,” he winks.

“Right.”

He looks over my head and I turn to see Miles coming out of the trailer. A man who looks almost identical to him by his side. His stunt double. I’m excited to watch filming tonight, although I plan on staying way, way out of earshot of anyone who may potentially fire my ass. I’ve always been a rom com kind of girl but it’s cool seeing an action movie. Watching them film stunts will be a lot of fun.

“You never called though, did the name freak you out?”

“No,” I laugh. “I’m no coward. I was just busy. My friends hijacked me.”

He eyes me, but eventually nods with a grin. “It’s damn cold out here, don’t you want to go hide out in the trailer? Keep warm?” he asks.

“I’d like to watch the stunts.”

“It’s not as glamourous as it sounds,” he points out.

I shrug. “I’ve never seen it before, so I figure I can see what it’s like, if it gets too cold, I’ll go. Aren’t you working a camera?”

“I’m on close up shots, these are wider cameras, the sky cameras and on the backs of lead cars.”

“So, you want to watch the stunts too?” I grin at him.

“You got me.” He glances around then looks back at me. “How about a hot chocolate from the van? I’m buying.”

I agree and we head over to the food truck. Joel gets us both a hot drink and I wrap my hands around the paper cup, grateful for the warmth. We stand back on the periphery of the action, shoulder to shoulder, sipping our drinks. I’m fascinated by everything going on. Joel explains a lot of the camera work and we watch as stunts are performed over and over, until they get it right. There is a stunt director who is leading on this, instead of Joel’s dad. He is here too, making sure the actors are doing what they need to do, while the stunt director works with the stunt performers.

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