Epilogue #2
“We all have our hard days—even Electra. Especially me. So, I want you all to know that when it’s hard to keep going…” Her voice actually cracks.
While she can still pull one over on me, I’m getting better at figuring out whether she’s actually acting or not. I slip my hand forward and lace my fingers with hers, giving an encouraging squeeze.
She steadies. “It means the absolute world that Electra has been so empowering to so many of you. Your messages at conventions, on social media, through fan mail—I remember every single one. She has been such a pillar and source of strength for me, and getting to share that is… pure magic. Magic that you create when you let these stories into your hearts. I hope today you can see how… it’s okay to falter.
Everyone falls. Heroes pick themselves back up again—because they know they’re never alone. ”
Applause roars through the theater, joined by whistles and cheers.
It’s the sort of thing that would have made my eyes roll into the back of my skull before. I’ll give her shit later, call her cheesy. Make jokes about the magic of friendship for the next couple weeks.
But for now, I just bask in it, beaming up at her with shameless adoration. Sure, she’s impulsive, and cocksure, and completely obnoxious at times. But she’s also sincere, and hard-working, and secretly still dreams she can make the world a better place.
The microphone goes to Haley next. “Jeez, how do I even follow that?”
Warm laughter ripples through the audience.
“You get used to that, actually. Working on-set with Christine. She really is that talented and wonderful to work with. But more than that, she brings out the best in everyone around her, too. I am immensely proud of this film, and what you’ll see up there is my best because of Christine and the whole team supporting me.
And also because it’s only really me half the time. ”
While the audience chuckles again, my cheek heats with a blush. At least I can hide behind Christine.
Haley continues, “Melinoe is intense, complicated, and a complete badass. That last part is thanks to the stunt crew, who worked incredibly hard on some honest-to-goodness old-fashioned stunts to make this movie feel so real. I especially want to thank Alanna, who literally put her body on the line for me, and I’m so glad she could make it tonight. ”
I finally breathe again. If this is about recognizing Alanna, I don’t need to panic.
“I’d also like to specially thank…” Haley reaches back and hooks her arm around mine.
No no no no.
She pulls me into the spotlight between her and Christine. Only my fingers still laced with Christine’s keep my soul from leaving my body as the spotlight floods my vision, blurring the nearly one thousand people staring right at us.
“…my best friend, Mylo Rye. He brought something so special to Melinoe, and she wouldn’t be the same without him. I wouldn’t be the same without him. I have been constantly impressed with Mylo’s bravery and resilience. I’ve never met anyone tougher.”
Oh, god, I think I’m crying.
“And that’s why,” Haley concludes, “tonight, we’ll be doing a special collection for donations to the Omega Resource Center.”
Applause becomes a deafening roar.
I just stand there, stunned, until Christine folds me into a hug. She leans down and whispers, “Surprise.”
My voice unfreezes. “I hate you. I’m never forgiving you for this.”
Her whisper is so quiet, so close, I’m sure only I can hear. “Good. I like how tight you clench around my cock when you’re angry.”
Now that I’m not only embarrassed and horrified but also horny, I am immensely grateful to be ushered off the stage.
“Sorry to spring it on you like that,” Haley says, “but Christine told me that if we said anything to you, you’d probably refuse to go on stage at all.”
“Yeah, probably…”
Christine reaches over and tousles my hair.
I bat her hand away and quickly fix my waves, now that I’m very self-conscious.
She chuckles at me, and I seethe, plotting revenge.
Then the screen comes to life, and the movie begins.
Christine makes it as far as the title sequence—sweeping helicopter shots of the breathtaking New Zealand vistas—before pulling me into her lap.
I gratefully fold into her warmth, and my nerves quickly settle.
Watching myself in movies isn’t so bad, since I don’t have to see my face or hear my voice. It’s always interesting to see how hours of filming distill down into seconds of tight, gripping action or dialogue, and the soundtrack and special effects take everything to the next level.
The crowd gasps and laughs and cheers when they should.
Then my body goes tense before I realize why—Electra leans down for the kiss that sent me panicking, crashing through the trees.
Christine’s hand slides gently over my eyes, and she pulls my head to her chest, pressing firmly.
A sense of profound and complete safety flows from that touch.
Based on the audience’s reaction, the rest of the movie is truly special, but I don’t see it. Even long after Christine’s hand has slid down to my waist, I rest against her chest, eyes shut, listening to the beating of her heart.
Past me would be deeply offended by such… omega behavior.
Present me is… happy. Grateful.
The story my life tells won’t be one of gritty, determined independence in which I triumph over every obstacle placed in front of me, fully transcending every aspect of my biology.
But maybe that’s okay.
The story will be full of laugh-‘till-you’re-sick friendship. Of love that grabs you by the bones and won’t let go. Of peaceful evenings under moonlight, and chaotic wrestling matches to pick the next show to binge.
I wouldn’t give it an Oscar, or anything.
But I still think it’s pretty damn good.
The premiere’s after-party is like the wrap party finale I never got. I think Christine pulled some strings and subsidized some plane tickets to make sure everyone I’d befriended could make it tonight.
Bella’s the one I’m both most excited and most nervous to see. Back during our stay in Santa Barbara, I called Bella shortly after Christine called Lana, wanting to make sure Bella heard it from me first.
She gave me an earful about how stubborn I’d been, and I was sure she’d never want to work with me again. But then she said stubbornness is basically the defining trait of a stunt performer, and I’d proven myself ten times over. So I’m pretty sure we’re okay?
Still, I brace as I find her by the table of appetizers—until she pulls me into a warm hug.
“I hope you’ve been working on the training regimen I sent you,” she says with a grin, clapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll be accepting no excuses for sub-par performance.”
A smile breaks across my face, matching hers. “I really appreciate you arranging the remote coaching. I’m more than ready to hit the ground running.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Andy’s here too—over there, by the drinks.”
Bella waves him over, and a few of the other stunt crew members find us—including Alanna. With her auburn hair swept up in a glamorous bun, our resemblance isn’t so obvious, but our builds are as similar as mine and Haley’s.
She offers her hand immediately, revealing surgery scars on her wrist. “So, this is the legendary Mylo Rye.”
I offer a wry laugh. “That’s quite the allegation.”
“It’s earned,” Alanna says firmly. “I don’t know how you learned it all so fast; I’m just glad you did. That twist, though…” She whistles. “I sure as fuck wish someone had told me kissing Christine Evansworth was on the table.”
A possessive growl rumbles in my chest, and I clear my throat to hide it. Which still sounds a little passive-aggressive. Oh well.
Alanna raises a placating hand. “Kidding, of course! Listen, I know it’s silly, but I was so stuck on why I fucked up my wrist: why here, why now, why when we’re so close? Finding out that it was for romance…” Alanna’s expression turns wistful. “…It softens the blow a little.”
I blush and rub the back of my neck. “Well, I’m glad to hear that.”
“How was that giant plane rig?” She lets a little sadness into her expression.
“It was…” I unconsciously roll the shoulder Christine dislocated during that take, assuring myself it’s fully healed now. I was still quietly mad about that for a while, until I got pissed at Christine—can’t remember why, could’ve been a lot of things—and snapped at her about it.
Her guilt came pouring out. I’d failed to consider that she might also be at the mercy of her own hormones, especially with a scent match. That’s not an excuse, but she groveled thoroughly and then fucked the resentment out of me, so the memory has lost its spark of anger.
“…amazing,” I finish simply.
Alanna sighs. “Yeah. I figured. Congrats on the contract, by the way.”
I hesitate. “Thanks… I don’t want you to feel like—”
Alanna raises a hand and shakes her head. “Don’t worry about it. Clearly, what was meant to happen happened. Rehab’s going great, and I’m sure there’s another role that’s an even better fit for me waiting in the future.”
A slow, sincere smile crosses my face. With an attitude like that, Alanna’s going to be just fine. “Yeah. I’m sure you’re right.”
“At least, as soon as I get a new agent…” Alanna sighs.
“Hey, I could connect you to mine. He’s been looking for a new go-to now that my schedule is…” I glance over my shoulder at Christine, and warmth echoes in my chest. “…spoken for.”
Alanna’s eyes widen. “You’d do that? Please don’t do it out of pity though; I’ll figure it out.”
“I wouldn’t do it out of pity, I promise. The way the crew talks about you… They really enjoyed working with you, too. And I can see why.”
Alanna beams. “Oh, shut up, you’re going to make me cry. I’ll say, ‘It takes one to know one,’ and we can leave it at that.”
I laugh and tap my glass against hers. “Deal.”
We merge into the conversation with the rest of the stunt crew and do all the reminiscing and joshing around I never got to do before, and I hear so many stories from the first part of production that I feel like I was there. Given Alanna’s warm smiles, she feels the same.