Chapter Nineteen #2
“Thanks, Whisper,” Matt says.
“Oh… anything for you, sexy boys, you like family now. We like brothers. I your third twin, yes? Hahaha. You pay cash now? Usual price… five ninety-nine ninety-five.”
I chuckle through a snort, realizing he has raised the price significantly, and Matt just nods, pulling out his wallet and sorting through a wad of cash.
“Okay, I’m hitting the showers. You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m glad you’re home tonight.”
“Any time you need me, I’m here. I’m always here for you, just like you’ve always been there for me.”
“I know, now go shower. I’m fine.”
Slapping his shoulder, I nod to Whisper. “Good to see you.”
He brings his hands up in a prayer pose and bows to me. “Namaste, sexy boy.”
I head for the stairs, the ficus customarily slapping me in the face as I walk up the wooden stairs toward my ensuite. I feel somewhat lighter, but I am still thinking of Ria and how I should be inside her right now.
Instead, she’s with her parents, and I’m here, aligning my dairy-free chakra.
Fuck my life.
***
My eyes flutter open as I stretch and yawn, taking in the coolness of the morning air.
I’m jolted back to reality that I’m home and not on the tour bus.
I smirk slightly as my muscles smile with me at the comfort of my soft mattress and not the hard bus bed, but I hate that Ria isn’t next to me.
Then it dawns on me. I’m going to be heading into filming today, totally blind, again.
I was going to run over the script with Ria last night, but her parents put the brakes on.
Sighing, I roll over and grab my cell from the bedside table.
I miss her and want to text her.
Or at least try to.
Me: I cant wate to see you.
I hit send, pretty sure I’ve spelled some things wrong, and my grammar’s a mess, but I’m trying and still learning, so I’m sure she’ll forgive me.
My cell beeps, letting me know there’s a message, and I look at the screen, seeing it’s a reply from Ria.
Ria: I can’t wait to see you too.
She replies, and now I can see my errors, so I make a mental note and file it away for later.
After a quick shower and some breakfast, Matt and I make our way to the studio.
We’re running a little late as Matt needed a caffeine hit, so we had to stop at Starbucks, where he proceeded to chat up the clerk for fifteen minutes.
But as we walk in, the halls buzz with energy, and everyone seems excited.
Matt takes his coffee and heads off to the viewing area as I go in search of Ria’s dressing room. As I walk toward her room, a medic is walking out. Furrowing my brows, I walk quicker and step in, seeing her pacing back and forth.
“Hey, I just saw a medic leaving. You okay?”
She sniffs like she’s on the verge of tears and smiles too broadly in compensation as she nods. She looks pale. “I’m good. Too much stress, as usual. Felt a little fainty, so Tillie sent a medic in. You know how protective she can be.”
I raise my eyebrow and exhale. “How’d it go with your parents last night?”
She groans while rolling her eyes and flops onto a chair.
“Urgh, they’re frustrating as fuck. Mom’s obviously only staying because she’s worried leaving him will cause another heart attack.
But they’re flat broke and asking me for money, which, of course, I can afford, but it’s all a bit scary, you know? ”
Exhaling, I walk over and place my hands on her shoulders, massaging gently. “It can’t be easy, baby, but you need to look after yourself in this, too. If this is making you sick, you need to step back.”
She sniffs like she’s trying not to cry again as her hand comes up, holding mine on her shoulder. “I’m okay, I’ll be fine. I’m always fine.”
“Ria, we’re ready for you now,” Mindy says as she rushes in, then straight back out like a mad thing.
I chuckle.
“Okay, thanks.” She looks up at me. “We didn’t go through the script.”
“I know,” I reply with pursed lips.
She stands up, facing me. “It’s you… only ever you.”
Mindy comes rushing back. “Ria! Now!”
Ria nods, taking my hand as we head toward the set. I lean in to kiss her, and as her lips meet mine, something feels different—there’s a need, an ache like something between us has shifted. I pull back, studying her as she gives me a faint smile before being hurried off to the set.
Exhaling, I make my way to the viewing area, where Lunar is already sitting, her glare intense enough to cut through steel. I slide in beside her, bracing myself for whatever’s coming next.
Lunar slumps back beside me. “Didn’t think we’d be back here again.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.”
“You prepared this time?” she asks.
I can’t help but laugh.
She looks at me and rolls her eyes. “How come you’re not prepared again, doofus?”
“Her parents got in the way this time.”
“Okay, well, it’s pretty much the same shit, just with fucking lip action this time.”
“Lip action?”
“Neck kissing and nipping, fucking, etcetera.”
“Oh, right, okay, I can handle that.”
“Yeah, I think it’ll be okay. We have each other to keep us in line anyway.”
I smirk. “True story. No bourbon and tequila parties this time.”
“Yeah, none of that.”
I turn in time to see Ria pulling off her robe and stripping down to her panties. The tape is on her nipples, and I close my eyes and slowly open them again, seeing her so exposed.
I fucking hate it.
I hate it even more that my cock is waking up, seeing more of her than I have for two damn months.
Danger walks in, wearing slacks and no shirt, and he gets into the bed.
Memories of the first time this happened come flooding back, and the emotions from then filter in too.
Knowing Danger and Ria are even closer now than last time is weighing down on me as she climbs into bed and gets into position on his lap.
My jaw clenches while waiting for ‘action’ to be called.
Once they’re in position, my heart rate spikes as his hands run up her naked back.
“Action.”
The music starts, and their bodies mold together, working in unison like they’re fucking.
I swallow hard as his fingers dig into her back, her fingers pulling at his hair while they grind into each other.
His mouth connects with her collarbone, kissing her skin, and I tense up completely, my knuckles turning white as she looks like she’s gasping for air.
His tongue darts out, licking up her neck as he moves to her ear and bites on her lobe.
My chest is heaving while I watch him do what I’ve been aching to do for two months. Goddammit! I could burst.
Her head lolls back as she fake moans, and I wince as the director yells, “Cut.” I let out a heavy breath I didn’t know I was holding as they stop rocking back and forth, and she laughs, slapping Danger’s chest playfully.
I’d like to punch his face, but not so playfully.
Lunar reaches out, grabs my hand, and squeezes. “Did you think it would be easier?” she asks, and I shrug.
“I dunno, yeah, I guess. I thought I’d be better prepared, but it seems like I’m worse off this time.”
“I know how you feel. I was prepared, but the chemistry they have now, and that… the way he was with her just then… goddammit! We shouldn’t have to watch this shit again, Nate. We’re fucking amazing partners if you ask me.”
“Quiet, please,” someone calls out, and I know this means we’re going again.
I exhale and take in a deep breath as Ria and Danger get into place.
“Action.”
I turn away, looking down at the floor as my heart pounds in my chest. I don’t even really know why I’m here.
I don’t need to watch this.
It’s only torturing Lunar and me.
Surely Danger and Ria would understand?
But instead of getting up and walking out as I should, I sit here through another day of watching my girl get licked, nipped, and her grinding down on Danger. Lunar isn’t faring well either, and I’m sure we’re both pretty much at breaking point.
“Okay, one last take, guys. Make this one count,” the director says, and I take a relieved sigh that this is the last time I’ll have to witness this shit live and in neon color right before my eyes. I figure it’s my last one, so I’ll try to show my support while watching this take.
“Action,” the director calls.
Danger’s hands slide up Ria’s back as her fingers fist in his hair.
They rock against each other, her chest pressed against his firmly as his mouth connects with her collarbone.
He kisses her harder than the other times.
It’s more primal, and I feel the sexual energy buzzing around the room.
My heart rate spikes. He’s not just kissing her as a friend, he’s kissing her like he’s done it before.
She moves in motion with him differently, like it’s turned from a performance into actual pleasure.
My teeth grind hard as he bites down on her neck, making her back arch and her tits press into his chest further.
His tongue darts out, licking up her neck as his teeth grab hold of her ear.
They rock back and forth together in time with the music.
They’re really going for it this time. The music is about to reach its big crescendo when Danger pulls back, kissing across Ria’s jaw.
Ria’s fingers tighten in Danger’s hair, and she pulls his mouth to hers.
They lock lips in a deeply passionate kiss, bodies rocking back and forth, teeth crashing, lips colliding…
… hearts shattering.
Lunar gasps beside me as I stand, even though my legs feel completely weak.
“And cut…” the director says. “That was perfect. Exactly what we needed, guys. Well done!”
I shake my head slightly as Ria jumps off Danger, and Lunar pushes past me, almost falling over in the process as she runs out of the viewing area, trying to hold back her tears. Immediately, I take off after her as she races in front of me down the hall.
“Lunar,” I call out as she stomps and turns around, tears streaming down her face. I reach her, and instantly, she pushes me hard.
I jolt back, shocked.
“You! This is your fault.”