Chapter 4 #2
Felix’s jaw dropped again. Why was Mason defending him? What project was he on about? Had Ryder said something to him? Felix wasn’t sure what the hell was going on, but the incredulous look on Sapphire’s face was enough for Felix to just roll with whatever was happening.
“He said he knows one of your friends, but wouldn’t say who it was. I call bullshit.”
“Are you talking about Ryder?” asked Mason, who kept his tone calm despite Sapphire getting more irate.
“Ryder Quinn? This guy knows Ryder Quinn?”
“Yes, Ryder is also helping with the project, and Sebastian Steele.”
Mason smiled at him. Ryder must have said something if they both knew about his project. Did they know what had happened between him and Ryder? They couldn’t have, or there was no way they’d do this.
Sapphire looked like she was about to explode, and Mrs. Delaune put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. She didn’t say a word, but the look in her eyes was clear that she wanted her daughter to stop causing a scene.
“What’s the project, Felix?”
He wasn’t sure how his project would be received by an audience like this, but the reassuring nod from Mason was enough to give him confidence.
“I’m doing an exhibition for pride month, which will include interviews and portraits of LGBTQ+ role models who are successful. Not just people in the public eye. I want most of the exhibit to be regular people.”
“That sounds wonderful. Have you filled all the spaces?”
He felt embarrassed, because he was far from filling all the spots. It was all feeling like a disaster, but he knew he still had time.
“I’m still recruiting. I want the exhibition to represent the entire community.”
“Of course. Let me introduce you to some people who may be able to help you.”
“I need to head off, Catherine. Could I have a quick word with Felix before you show him off to all your guests?” said Mason.
She laughed and patted his arm. “Of course, but come and find me, Felix. I know some people who would love to support your project. Sapphire, don’t you have something to say to Felix?”
She scowled at her mother, and then looked at Felix, plastered on a fake smile, and fluttered her eyelashes at him. Did that really work?
“I’m sorry,” she said, although there was no sincerity in her tone.
“Thank you,” said Felix, not wanting any more drama.
“Lovely. That’s all settled then,” said Mrs. Delaune, before walking off.
Mason put an arm round Felix’s shoulder to maneuver him away.
He was happy to get away, but knew from the glare he got from Sapphire that she wasn’t done with him.
He still had another two hours before he could leave, and he didn’t want to pass up on Mrs. Delaune’s kind offer.
Felix didn’t really want people from privileged backgrounds in his exhibition, but he would not make assumptions.
“Are you okay?” asked Mason.
Felix wasn’t sure what to say, as he didn’t know what Mason knew.
“I’m fine, thanks. You?”
“What’s going on with you and Ryder?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, he had his interview with you on Monday, and now he’s sulking like he just had his favorite fleshlight taken off him.”
Felix couldn’t help but laugh at that. It was obvious Ryder hadn’t told them what had happened, but he didn’t feel it was his place to fill in the gaps.
“Did he try anything?” asked Mason.
“No . . . he . . . I didn’t . . . I mean . . .” Oh. My. God. Why can’t I speak?
“What’s wrong, Felix? Do you need me to kick his ass for being unprofessional? I know this exhibition is important to you, so just be careful around Ryder. He doesn’t do serious, and I have a feeling you’re a guy who does. Am I wrong?”
Felix shook his head, but wouldn’t elaborate.
“Look, I love Ryder like a brother, but he’s never going to settle down. I’ve known him for years, and it’s rare for him to even go on a date, let alone more than one. If you decide to go there, just know it’ll be a one and done.”
“Okay.” It was all he could say.
“I better go, but here . . .” He passed a card to Felix. “Call me when you want to do the interview and we’ll find a time. You can come by the restaurant and get a free lunch.”
“Thank you,” said Felix, looking down at the card. It was for the restaurant, but there was a handwritten cellphone number on the back.
Mason patted him on the shoulder and left, and Felix needed some fresh air, so he slipped outside to take a breather.
He wasn’t sure what to do about Ryder. After he’d been such an asshole, Ryder had still asked his friends to support his project.
Did that mean Ryder would still be involved?
Felix owed him an apology, but the thought of doing it made him feel sick.
Felix didn’t have a problem with apologizing, but he was embarrassed about his behavior, especially now he knew what Ryder had done.
He had to put his own feelings aside and reach out.
He’d do that tomorrow. First, he had to get this gig over with.
“There you are,” said a familiar voice from behind him.
He spun around. There was Sapphire with her minions. She was still scowling, but he ignored that and smiled, asking how he could help.
“I want some pictures out here.”
“Of course. Did you have something specific in mind, or do you want me to make some suggestions?”
“I don’t need suggestions from you. I want pictures by the pool.”
“Okay. Let’s do this, then, so we can get you all back inside in the warmth.”
Sapphire gave another fake smile and they walked over to the pool. It was covered, since it was winter. There was no snow on the ground, but it was only a matter of time given how the temperature had plummeted after Thanksgiving.
“Can we take the cover off and put the lights on?” she asked. “It’ll look really nice with all the water lit up behind us.”
It would be a pretty shot, but he wasn’t sure how to get the cover off, so he asked, and thankfully it was all automated, so would be easy to cover back up when they were done.
Within a couple of minutes, they were setting up the shots, and she was right .
. . they looked amazing. He’d put on the floodlights behind him, so they were as illuminated as they could be, but he’d still needed to use the flash.
“Can I see them?” she asked.
This wasn’t new. Sapphire had been vetoing photos all day.
He walked over to her as her friends moved aside, all giggling.
Felix didn’t know what they found so funny.
She was vile to all of them, but they just tolerated it like it was nothing, constantly simpering to her.
The way she spoke to the hired help was disgusting, and there were many people he’d seen crying because of her.
Her mother seemed to be oblivious, or didn’t care.
When she’d made Sapphire apologize it had been an anomaly, and Felix suspected it was because Mason had been there.
He was someone important, so she wanted to look respectable in front of him.
Felix just wanted this job to be over. Sapphire took the camera off him and looked at the pictures.
She deleted a couple, not realizing that he could recover them if he wanted, but she seemed happy with the others.
She passed the camera back to him and gave another of her sinister smiles.
Before he could realize what was happening, she’d shoved him backwards .
. . hard, and despite windmilling his arms, there was nothing he could do to stop himself from falling.
If he’d had a second to think, he would have tossed his expensive and only camera onto the grass, but it was still gripped in his hand as he hit the freezing cold water.