Chapter 2 – Henrik
Chapter Two
Henrik
I had no idea what this girl's issue was. Since the moment we met, Bryn Bright has been giving me the cold shoulder and the iciest smiles. I feel like I have fucking frostbite every time I leave her presence.
She was good at hiding her dislike of me when we were surrounded by other cast members and crew, but when it’s just us, I need an extra layer of protection against her cutting stares.
I needed to get her alone. Ask her what the issue was and how we could get past it. The last thing I wanted was to jeopardize the show because of some misunderstanding.
Maybe she had a thing against rockstars. I’d run into that a few times–not a lot since the majority of women threw themselves at me instead of dashing in the other direction–but everyone had their quirky tastes.
Maybe I’d taken the trailer lot she wanted. Or mistakenly drank her unlabeled kombucha. Who knows? Our first scene was being filmed tomorrow so we needed to hash this shit out before then. The tension we needed to depict was of forbidden lovers torn apart. Not a serial killer stalking her next victim.
Her dislike of me would probably be great fuel for our characters' enemies-to-lovers plotline but our first scene was a lusty one. She needed to act like she wanted me desperately tomorrow. More than anything in this world. Not give off vibes that she desperately wanted me anywhere but near her.
“Alright Henrik, how does that feel now?” Looking at myself in the mirror I give my body a wiggle. Eren’s costume is a heavy motherfucker with all its dark fabric and lace but shit do I look good.
“Jaimie love, it’s fucking perfect. The collar feels a ton better.”
“Great,” she claps her hands. “Now carefully take it off and hang it over there. I’ll steam it and get it ready for tomorrow.”
Giving her a thumbs-up, I head back into the curtained area and change back into my regular clothes.
There wasn’t much difference between being a rock performer and an actor. You still had rehearsals. Still had to test lighting and sound and know where your marks were. Still had to wear hot and heavy clothing. People still shouted at you from all angles.
The biggest difference that had taken me a bit to get used to was the pace. Usually, when on tour or recording in the studio, you did your thing and then you had a little time to rest. Recover and rejig. Not on set.
One day you’re doing a table read and being whisked away for a fitting and the next day you’re on set for hours, legit filming something that won’t air until episode six. I have great stamina, but it was tested.
No joke, one day after rehearsal I went back to my temporary apartment and took an ice bath. Straight up filled the tub with ice cubes and soaked my sore body for as long as I could.
The mental and physical sides I can handle–I live for the challenge. What I can’t deal with is having my co-star hate me for no reason at all. Her and I needed to have a come-to-Jesus moment and it needed to happen soon.
With a quick look in the mirror and a shake of my hair to get it falling just the way I like it, I gather up my costume and carefully place it on the hanging rack. Giving Jaimie a nod as I leave, I stroll out of the building and towards my trailer. I need to pick up some stuff before I leave for the day.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the director, Cameron, speaking with Bryn. For a moment, I think about avoiding them.
With the way Bryn was glaring at me, giving her a wide berth was wise. If I got too close, I was sure drama was the only outcome.
“Henrik! Just the guy I was looking for.”
My steps falter. Damn it. I was a step away from being hidden from them and making my escape unseen. What was up with my luck lately? Maybe I needed to meditate a bit longer tomorrow and put some good vibes out in the universe for myself.
Reluctantly, I turn to Cameron and wave. Taking a deep breath that I hope neither of them catch, I turn and head towards them.
“Cameron,” Bryn whispers to him, anger in her voice. “I do not need a babysitter.”
He either doesn’t hear her or is ignoring her plea because Cameron continues to smile at me as I approach.
“Henrik, do you have any plans tonight?”
Surprised at the question, I shake my head. “Not that I know of. I can ask my assistant though.”
“Cameron,” Bryn seethes.
“We’re in a bit of a tight spot and I was wondering if you could help us.”
My gaze darts back and forth from Bryn’s fury filled face to Cameron’s calm grin.
“Sure man. How can I help?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I’d taken a beat to assess the situation. Deep in my gut I know Cameron’s us is really her . Bryn.
“Bryn needs a date for the charity event tonight.”
“I do not need a date,” Bryn barks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Sorry. You’re right. Not a date, but a friend to go with her tonight. The team thinks it would be good PR if you two attended together.”
If not by her body language then by the look of pure dread on her face, I know Bryn is not into this idea. I bet she would rather go with anyone else than me…but this may be the opportunity I was looking for to speak with her.
Not in front of the cameras but maybe when I picked her up.
She was a ticking time bomb. If I didn’t play this right I could do even more harm to our relationship than good. Honestly, if she hated me more, I wouldn’t put murder past her.
“You cool with me attending with you Bryn?”
As if in slow motion, I watch as Bryn takes a deep breath, her tongue gliding along her front teeth as she formulates her next steps. For a moment, I believe she’s going to fight Cameron on this request. There’s a stubbornness to the set of her shoulders that both turns me the fuck on and sends shivers down my spine.
She’s a firecracker.
“Yes. Fine. I’m fine with it,” she finally says, unfisting her hands and dropping them to her sides. “Pick me up at seven. I’m wearing a sapphire blue dress–don’t wear something that won’t compliment that color. Got it? Can you handle that rockstar?”
The way she says rockstar makes it sound like an insult, but it bounces right off of me. I’ve been called worse things. Names that her delicate sensibilities couldn’t even fathom.
Meeting her eyes, I give her a defiant smirk. If this was how she was going to play it, game on. I could handle her attitude.
“Yeah Princess. I got it.”
We stare at each other in silence. Waiting for the other to break. I’d never noticed before but Bryn’s eyes are the darkest blue I have ever seen. They’re hypnotic. I could lose myself in the shades and depths of them.
“Okay,” Cameron claps as he says the word, breaking our showdown. “Now that that’s settled, have fun tonight. See you both on set in two days.”
Bryn is the first to leave. Spinning on her heels and marching for the end of the lot where her trailer is.
“Good luck man. I think you’re going to need it tonight.”
I nod, walking away.
It’s not luck I need tonight.
It’s a damn miracle.