Page 49 of Camera Stays On

“Come on, Gav? Ash?”

Asher studied his brother, but Darius stood instead.

“I could use a stretch.”

Gavin, Sawyer, and Darius headed out, and I faked a yawn, glancing at Asher.

“I might go to bed. It’s been a long day.” I started to get up, but Sawyer stopped and turned.

“Hell no, Purdy Doll. You can sleep later. Juliet—watch her. Why don’t you women get to know each other? Play one of those party games or something. We’ll be back!” he called as they left. I sat back down. Staying a little longer wouldn’t kill me. Bea turned the TV up, filling the room with loud country music. She stood and began to dance by herself.

“You’re already drunk?” Juliet smirked, shooting Bea a dirty look.

“No, but I’m liking the idea of a real party. Especially if I’m not the one paying for the booze.” Bea bounded toward the kitchen, then she brought back a six-pack. She offered everyone a can, and when she got to me, I politely refused.

“Trying to keep my wits about me,” I said.

“Why? Come on, have some fun.” Lux groaned between kisses with Mick. “Or can you not handle your liquor?”

I swallowed, and my eyes found Ash’s. He smirked, and I knew he was thinking about the last time I’d gotten drunk. I hadn’t handled my liquor well that night at all. Although...

“Having one sober person is a good idea. I’ll drink for both of us tonight,” Ash said, popping the tab on his beer and slamming it. He tossed the empty can onto the coffee table and opened a second. Juliet stood and began dancing with Bea, and slowly, as the alcohol took over and Mick and Lux left and came back—faces flushed and straightening their clothes—the party really began.

Shortly after Lux and Mick’s return, the guys came back from the liquor store carrying bags of goodies. I politely declined all offers of alcohol and forced myself to smile and pretend to be having fun with everyone. Sawyer’s scowl grew deeper each time I turned down a drink, but after he got a few beers in and started on liquor, the anger began to lift and turn into indifference. I was finally ready to make my exit when I accidentally made eye contact with him. He came over and plopped down beside me, lifting his bottle of Crown Royal.

“When you left me at the altar, this was my heartache medication. I could make a tuxedo with all the purple bags I collected.” He laughed and put his arm around me. “Don’t matter, though. You’re back, and soon...” He took a swig, and I stood before he could finish his sentence and irritate me. I started out, adding another red flag to the mental list I was continuing to ignore.

“Where you goin’?” he whined. “Don’t go to bed yet.”

“Exploring. I want to see the other side of the house where we’re gonna be filming.” I made brief eye contact with Ash, who, despite drinking, was going slower than everyone else.

“All right,” Sawyer muttered, settling deeper into the couch. “There are signs. Don’t go on the other side of the house, and don’t go playing with stuff. I’ve already set props.”

Juliet, having overheard, rushed over, taking my seat on the couch and putting her hands on Sawyer’s arm. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What if she damages things before we even start? You have a vision.”

“I’ll go with her.” Asher stood. “I know what she can touch and what she can’t.”

His eyes blazed as he stared at me, making my breathing hitch.

“See? There.” Sawyer nodded his approval. “He’ll keep her out of trouble.” He took another swig, and Juliet said something to him, pulling his attention away long enough for Asher and me to slip out.

“You know what I can touch and what I can’t?” I smirked as we started toward the other side of the house, the music and chatter fading with each step.

“I do. You care to take a guess what’s off-limits?” We stopped in front of a large door labeled Production Area. Ash pulled out his keys, found the correct one, and unlocked the door. We went inside, and I found the light switch, flicking it on. Asher leaned over me and quickly flipped it back off and shut the door behind us, locking it again and drowning us in darkness.

“Why did you do that?”

“Because there are things I’m not ready to say in the light.”

My heart sped up in time with the butterflies in my belly.

“Like what?” I said, looking around as my eyes adjusted.

“We had such a fun time today.” Ash slid his hand through mine, and we began to navigate the room. “Didn’t we, just the two of us?”

“Of course we did. It was the most fun I’ve had since I got here. Why do you ask?” I ran my hand along the table. The decor wasn’t anything crazy. Since it was a found-footage slasher movie, it had a contemporary set. Every room was set up like a normal house, albeit stark. It was an open floor from the living room to dining room, but a door separated the kitchen from the rest of it. Heading through it, he shut us inside and pressed me to the wall.

“This is killing me, Andi.”