Page 79 of Touch in the Dark

Remi picks it up and drinks straight from the bottle, causing the girls to all cheer.

After half an hour or so of catching up, laughing and joking and the girls filling Remi in on everything I haven’t told him, Jenna and Meg go to the kitchen to get food, and Brooke excuses herself to the bathroom.

“What’s going on?” I ask straight away.

“We’re taking a break from shooting. I wasn’t planning on coming home but I called you a couple of days ago and Jenna answered, you were in the bathroom. She told me what’s been going on and where you were going so, I decided to fly back for a few days. I said I wanted to surprise you.”

“Nice try. I know what is going on with me. Why is there a break from shooting?”

Remi looks around the room, making sure no one is within earshot. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable, so I get up and head to the doors that lead out onto the patio overlooking the beach. It’s a gorgeous evening. To have gone from a place where it’s been snowing, to this balmy warm temperature is a little jarring. Remi grabs the champagne bottle as we pass but I take it from him. Watching him glug from a bottle is not normal.

“Talk to me.”

“You have your own problems.”

“Bullshit. We’re friends aren’t we. We help each other, we talk to each other.”

“Like you told me about Nick.”

“I just… Never got the chance. I was going to tell you. If only to let you know you’re out of the deal,” I try a laugh, but it doesn’t alter the look on his face. “Remi…” I take his hand.

“The director quit.” My lips part. I don’t quite know what to say. Remi smiles sadly. “Yeah. So, the movie is without a director right now.”

“That is more than a break in shooting, though… Isn’t it?”

“Well, I’m trying not to be dramatic. But yes, the whole project is in crisis. They’re talking about losing millions every day we’re not shooting. They’re trying to find someone to take over but it’s not like you can just check the white pages and grab an experienced director.”

“Oh Remi. It isn’t your fault,” I put my arm around his waist and rest my head on his shoulder.

“If I hadn’t done what I did.”

“What you both did,” I scold him, as softly as I can. “Plus, walking away from the movie is on him. He is the one messing that up, losing the studio all that money. God, doesn’t he have a contract?”

Not that having a contract helped me with my issue on a movie set. Shouting at him right now would be lower than kicking a puppy. But I know my best friend, he is going to shoulder the blame for this. If I thought it was bad to be fired from a movie, having the director up and leave because of something he did with you was like a billion times worse.

“He obviously doesn’t care what it’s costing him, he just wanted to get the hell away from me. I know better, Els,” he swipes a hand through his hair then steps away and takes hold of the rail with both hands. “I ruined his life.”

“You did no such thing,” I say. “I won’t have you taking the blame for this. And if that asshole has made you feel that way then show me where he is, and I’ll go right around there and snap his dick off with one of those take thingies. You know the black and white board thing, with the words, for when you’re about to start filming a new-”

“I got it,” Remi holds up a hand with a strangled laugh. “A clapper board. You want to maim him with a clapper board?”

“I’d do it,” I say angrily.

“I love you, Els. Don’t ever change.”

I notice the others are back in the living room, Jenna is dancing while Meg eats some food and Brooke has her phone out swiping. There are plans to go out tonight but despite what he is saying, I’m not sure Remi is actually up to it. Plus, if the paparazzi got a look at him the way he is now, they’d cause havoc. I sit with him for a little bit, we don’t talk, just watch the ocean as it turns black when the light fades, the area is only illuminated by small spotlights out here and lights in the huge pool. I ask him to give me a second and head inside.

“Everything alright?” Jenna asks immediately.

“Not really, he’s had a tough time. Do you guys mind if we don’t come out tonight.”

“Of course not,” Jenna says biting her lip. “I hope I didn’t do the wrong thing inviting him.”

“You absolutely did the right thing,” I reassure her. “He’ll be better tomorrow, and we can get back to the partying but, please you guys go out, enjoy yourselves.”

“If it makes it easier for you, we can do that,” Brooke says. “If he needs some space.”

We agree that the girls will leave and when they head out, they wave to Remi who has stayed outside. I go back out to him and sit down on the floor by his feet.

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