A scratchy material rubs against my arm and I turn away from it swiftly. Dalton has come up beside me, his uniform jacket held out as a peace offering. “I thought you’d be outside with the rest of your team,” I state, taking the coat and pulling it over my shoulders.
“I was, but sometimes it feels weird hanging out with them as their boss.”
I nod in understanding. There’d been plenty of interns and assistants that I’d really liked in the past few years but couldn’t find it within myself to hang out with them, especially while on the clock.
“Well, it might not be much more fun in here. They’re honestly almost done.” As I’ve said it, Trenton fumbles the take and the director yells for a cut.
“Sorry everybody.” Trenton smirks.
Nobody from the film crew makes a sound, but Mae slides up beside him and coddles his misstep.
“One more take and then we’ll move to the individual shots!” the director yells.
The rest of the set fades away as Trenton and Mae take yet another moment to themselves, completely holdingup production. My anxiety spikes when I see an annoyed cameraman sit back into his chair and pull out his phone. The embarrassment is nearly enough for me to bury my face in my hands. Nearly.
Since no one here is willing to break them up, I shrug the jacket from my shoulders and hand it back to Dalton before marching forward. “Hey, are you guys ready for another take? The studio is paying for our time, and Trenton has a tour planning meeting later. Let’s try and minimize the chit chat, yeah?”
Mae’s face falls, and she’s quick to straighten and make an effort to move to her starting mark. Trenton isn’t so quick to obey my wishes. “First commercial shoot, Raleigh?” he asks with a condescending laugh. I cross my arms and turn to go. “It’s okay to have a little fun, tight-ass.”
“Trenton!” Mae gasps.
The rage that courses through me at his comment sends me hurling myself around. Mae’s mouth has fallen open and the set is deathly quiet. The old me would have crossed the floor and slapped him across the face, but the new me, the me in a pantsuit, can't afford to. Clicking my tongue, I let my fists relax. “I’m really going to pretend you didn’t say that in front of so many professionals.”
Trenton just laughs. “It’s just a joke, Ral.” What the hell kind of nickname is that? “We all know you can have fun. I’ve got the pic—”
“Hey, Trenton, it’s probably time to shut up.” I hadn't realized it, but Dalton has stepped up beside me.
Trenton’s face twists into one of his signature smirks. “Oh hey, Dalton. Haven’t seen you in a while. Hope my girls are treating you well.”
“We’re not yours, Trenton. Sorry to break it to you.” I should really keep my mouth shut but someone needed to say it, and sadly, I know Mae would never.
“And, we’re done here,” Dalton says, gathering me up so fast I can’t react. “Mae, I’m taking Raleigh out to give her some space. If this idiot tries anything that makes you uncomfortable, you can come join us and I’ll take you both home.” I’m whisked away after that precise instruction.
“You should probably stay with her. I think I may have set him off,” I say through gritted teeth. I make my best effort to not turn around as I begrudgingly let Dalton steer me toward the exit. Mae needs to think that I’m stomping off in a disappointed temper and not fighting instinct to turn and gather her up as well.
“She’s a grown girl, she can make her own decisions, besides I’m done here for the day.” I wish I had the heart to admit to him that she can’t, not when Trenton’s around.
The heat outside is still somehow cooling. I’d gotten so worked up over Trenton’s work ethic that it made me see red. The rest of the security crew must see my anger because they all raise their brows before turning away, giving me space.
“Take a breath,” Dalton instructs sternly. “Then we can talk about what you want to do.”
I don’t know at what point in all of this that I started taking orders from him and not fighting it, but I do as he asks. With one steady breath in and one out, some of the tension ceases. Here is a man who is willing to listen to me about an issue I’ve been fighting by myself for so long, and I can’t find my damn words.
Rolling up my ponytail into a bun, I hold fast to it and try to coax myself back into a professional state. A million things I could bring up flash before me. I could tell Dalton about how Mae is a completely different person when she’s entwined with her man, how she lets her professionalism and manners slide,how I’ve had to watch her lose the grit she came into this industry with. She’s losing that tough skin, and I’m worried that it’s going to start hurting more when things don’t go to plan. I could tell Dalton how frustrated I’ve been, seeing her behave the way she does and how her friends and fans would be beside themselves if they saw the effect Trenton has on her.
But that’s not fair to Mae. It’s a conversation I need to have with her first.
With another deep breath, I let my shoulders release. “Take me home please?”
I think my request surprises him, but he moves to open the door to the main car before disappearing from my view to coordinate with his team.
Surely I’ll be getting an earful from someone regarding my quick getaway. I’m not proud about it, but one more moment in the face of that small man would have me resorting to something lower than a quick getaway. At least this way, I’m the only one who gets in trouble.
Out of the lot and back on the interstate toward downtown, Dalton finally speaks. “You’re sure you’re alright? Haven’t seen you step in to direct Trenton in that way before.”
“I just couldn’t handle the way they were acting together,” I say exasperated. My phone lights up, and I see Mae’s name. She’s inquiring after me, and I simply can’t get too detailed without getting angry again. I shoot her a text promising that I’m okay and just didn’t feel well. It’s a lie she’ll see right through, but in a way, I’m fine with that. In some messed up way. I want her to sit in the hurt for a bit.
“Anything else? It’s okay, you can tell me. I’m not a Trenton Travers fan by any stretch.” His comment causes me to smirk. If he’s telling the truth, this will be the first time I’ve truly had someone in Mae’s corner with me.
