30. Rickon
Chapter thirty
Rickon
I’m putting on a brave face for my girl, but really I’m about to wet my pants. If Red acts half as well as I suspect she can, she’ll snap up this role like a frog eating flies, but that’ll thrust her, literally, into Brad’s arms. I haven’t read the full script so I’m not even sure how explicit this one is, but the idea of someone else making love to Red, even if it’s scripted, burns with a sting I wasn’t prepared for.
It’s made worse because Brad hasn’t even tried to hide his interest. The moment Red told him I was her alpha, I could practically see the words package deal float through his mind. Hell will freeze over before that happens as far as I’m concerned, but Red may not agree.
The problem is, Brad’s the real deal kind of alpha. Tall, charming—when he’s not being an ass—famous, and oozing alpha pheromones. And he’s a movie star for a damn good reason. My omega might be interested. I hug my arms around my chest, but the movement only reminds me how slender I am in that department. Not like Callisto and his broad back. Not like Brad.
The director calls the scene, and my omega vanishes without a trace, leaving in her place a rider who even has a different walking stride. I blink, wondering if I missed something, as she swaggers up to the fake horse, jerking back a little as if the beast really tossed his head as horses tend to do. Bradley, or James as he’ll be to her, swans into the stable to wish her luck in the next match and break the bad news she hasn’t been selected for an upcoming race.
I stand spellbound, forgetting it’s a screen test and not a real shoot as Ashana warns him the chosen jockey won’t work well with the horse. Vulnerability leaks from his pores as James sighs and admits his hands are tied since he’s only got a partial share in the horse’s ownership.
All the setup for the later drama when Ashana goes through her omega switch. Pretty much a fairytale because I’m pretty sure switching is so rare it may as well be a myth, but the capabilities of omegas are a current hot topic, which makes Red’s portrayal even more crucial.
I glance over at Mr Yun and find him hovering behind the cameraman, peering at the extended display with his thumb resting on his mouth. He’s as invested as I am after that little performance in his office.
I smirk and drop my hands in my pockets, my body relaxing. I bet on the right horse—if I’m allowed to make that kind of joke on a racehorse movie set.
Red shows the first flash of anger that she’s decided to bring to Ashana’s character, but quickly turns to soothe the “horse”. My heart warms as I realize that’s where she finds her own soothing. It’s why she became a jockey after all, to work around the creatures that bring her peace.
Masterful.
Brad rests his hand on her wrist and the tension in the air notches up as she looks up to meet his serious gaze. “I wish there were more I could do, Ashana.” The fucker doesn’t even have to act; he just lets his real desire splash out in all directions.
She smiles mischievously. “I’ve got a race to ride, James. That’s the most important thing, isn’t it?”
“Cut!” Director Yun calls, and Red steps back from both Brad and the fake horse with a faint nod.
“Wow, that was really natural, Red,” Brad oozes. “How come I’ve never seen you before?”
“I’m new in town,” she replies glibly.
I can’t handle the distance between us any longer. Twelve feet has never felt like miles as it does now.
Red’s face lights up as I approach and offer her a bottle of water. “How’d I do?” she asks.
“Spectacular!” I shake my head slowly because I don’t have any other words. If this is just a trial run, how will she look when we’re on the actual set with real horses and more time to go over her lines?
“Yay!” Her boot-clad toes stomp up and down in excitement.
Brad flashes me a hungry look that promises trouble and my belly cramps. For a split second I’m tempted to tell her not to take the job. We’ll find another role for her. But one look in her shining face and the words die on my tongue. This is what Red was born to do, and stars forbid I ever hold her back.
Director Yun approaches, arms folded across his chest. “That was decent, for a first take. We’ll run it again with a few changes.”
And my Red vanishes again, replaced by an eager student waiting to absorb every drop of wisdom falling from her teacher’s lips. It’s a gift to be able to shift gears like that. It used to take Lyra at least twenty minutes to deep point of view a character. Not that she bothered to self-interpret. She simply waited for someone to tell her what expression to portray, then did it, like a numb but talented shapeshifter.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and flash Red two fingers while pointing to it. She gives me the slightest of nods to say she understands, then returns her attention back to the director. I slide out of the room and unlock my screen.
“Eww,” I mutter as I discover messages from Hudson, most of them calling me names and demanding I phone him immediately. With a shudder, I block his number. I am so done with that shithead.
I dial up Callisto’s mom. No one knows more about horses than she does.
A familiar male voice answers her phone. “Hello?”
“Hi, Simon, it’s Rickon. Is Aunt Lexi around? I have a horse question.”
His sigh comes down the line. “Hey, Rickon. Look, Lexi had a bad episode yesterday, and she’s in the hospital.”
My heart squeezes. “Oh, shit. Did she collapse?”
“Yeah, a pretty severe attack.”
My heart squeezes and I nibble on one knuckle. “Sorry, Simon. Anything I can do for you guys? Need some meals, or hugs? I can swing by the house to pick up a change of clothes for her.”
“Bless ya, kiddo.” His voice catches, but I can hear a smile in it. “We’re doing just fine.”
I want to see the woman who’s been a surrogate mother to me. I dropped off a giant horse stitch-by-number kit just recently for her birthday, but it’s not enough, not when I know she’s struggling. “Can I come by?”
“You’re always welcome. She’s in the Maria Ventiss Hospital, room thirty-nine. You know the drill.”
“Okay.” My gaze catches on the red filming light flashing beside the door. “Um, do you think it would be too much to bring my omega?” I don’t want to touch on something I know Lexi’s sensitive about since Callisto’s shown no interest.
“Say what?” Simon’s voice sparks with brightness. “Of course you can. We’d all love to meet her. Or him?”
“Her,” I admit shyly.
Simon whistles softly down the phone line. “That’s fantastic news, Rickon. Lexi will be thrilled.”
A thick lump of emotion forms in my throat. So much warmth and excitement from people who aren’t even my real parents. They’ll be even more excited to learn Red’s also Callisto’s match—but he hasn’t accepted her yet, and I don’t think Red’s the sort of omega who’s going to let him treat her like that. I chew on my lip.
Simon speaks, dragging me free from my musing. “Text me when you’re going in because I want to meet this girl too. What did you need about horses? I might be able to help.”
I chuckle. “Will do. I need to get some beginner riding lessons for someone.”
“Check out Equinus Events and see if they have any availability. I don’t have the number saved, but make sure you drop Lexi’s name. Oh, actually, you’d know Serena who runs it. She was here for Christmas dinner. Lexi’s bestie.”
“Yeah, of course I know her. Curly hair, wicked sense of humor.”
“That’s the one. Right, kiddo, I’ve got a meeting now but text me.”
“Will do. Thanks for everything, Simon.”
“Back atcha.”
The line clicks off and I use the Alphanet to track down a number for Equinus Events. I don’t even have to name drop because Serena recognizes my name. Aunt Lexi’s probably talked about me a lot, plus Calli and I spent a fair bit of time around their horses growing up. Serena finds room for Red’s beginner riding lessons in her schedule starting in two weeks and it’s all done and dusted within a minute.
I slip back into the studio in time to watch Red go through the scene again with her new instructions. Honestly, I think her first interpretation was pretty good, but Valencio wants to see how well she takes direction.
After the scene finishes, the director dismisses us, saying he has to run the footage by his casting team. The nerves trickle through me, but the deepening dimples in the corners of his mouth tell me he’s thrilled with my omega. It’s a good sign.
I can’t resist wrapping my arm around Red’s hip and dragging her into my side. Her sweet and nutty scent fills my nose, and I relax immediately. “Guess what? I booked you some riding lessons.”
She squeals and leaps on me, nearly toppling both of us.
I laugh and stagger back, bracing myself on a chair and grabbing at her ass to keep her from slipping. I’m not strong enough and she slides down my body, her warmth scraping against my cock with a reminder I haven’t been inside her in over six hours. Kinda feels like I’m overdue. Heat flushes up my neck and I release Red to run a hand over my jaw.
Damn, who knew I was such a maniac? I never felt any interest toward women before, but with Red, it’s different. I’m addicted.
Brad turns up like a bad penny. “You did that so well, Red. I really hope we get to work together.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes shine from the praise. “I really want this role.”
I link my fingers with hers and tug. “Let’s go home and get something to eat.”
She grins. “Sounds great. I’m famished.” The way she glows seals my determination that I’m going to have a different kind of meal.
We leave Brad staring after us as I pull her out of the recording room and through the studio complex.
As we enter the front reception room, movement on the big flat-screen hanging on the wall catches my eye. The rolling tape at the bottom states an omega has gone missing. Icy hands clutch my body as a photo of Red flashes up on the screen. I stumble to a halt, Red bumping into me. Why is my omega’s face on the afternoon news?
“Red?” My voice catches. “Why’s the OCB looking for you?”
She follows the angle of my body up to the TV on the wall and her hand spasms in mine. The color leaches from her face and she blinks rapidly. “Yeah, about that . . . Um. I might have more than one secret.”
My heart swoops toward my toes.