Page 55 of Camera Stays On

“Ready?” I asked. We exited the room and went to mine. The game of hide-and-seek being played downstairs, paired with my drunk brother naked in the other room, soured the original plans I’d had for Andi and me that night. Quietly, we changed into sleep clothes, me in lounge pants, and her into one of my shirts.

She climbed into the bed, and I put my arm around her.

“Do you think the movie will be good? I’m nervous I’ll be a bad actress.”

I leaned in and kissed her hair. “It’s found footage. All you gotta do is not die.”

Chapter 24

Asher

SOMETIME IN THE night, I felt a shift of weight in my bed. I’d been out heavily. Having her in my bed was just as good as any sleep aid.

“Where are you going?” I asked groggily.

“It’s almost time for everyone to get up. I don’t want Sawyer to find me in here.” She pulled off my shirt, and I gazed longingly at her frame in the dark. My good mood from last night deflated, even though I knew she was right. Eventually, Sawyer would have to know, but it should be handled with care, rather than him finding us entwined in each other.

“You’re right, but you can’t go back to your room.”

She grabbed her clothes and tugged them on. “I know. I’m going downstairs to pretend I slept on the couch. Hopefully, no one crashed down there.”

I checked the time on my phone. My alarm was about to go off. Scrambling out of bed, I slid my jeans back on and grabbed my hat. “I’ll get started on some coffee and breakfast. You still like French toast?”

“Only if we use Texas toast bread.” She grinned.

“Wouldn’t make ’em any other way.”

Together, we slipped downstairs. I paused in the hall and opened her door to check on Sawyer. He was fast asleep, still bare as the day he was born. I shook my head and closed the door, moving on. Heading right to the cast and crew kitchen, I started on coffee and breakfast. Andi headed to the living room. I heard her in there, moving things, presumably picking up after the party last night.

Slowly, the smell of bacon and coffee began to rouse people. One by one, the cast and crew began making an entrance. I offered each of them plates, and they came up to the stove, grabbing food.

“Can we turn another light on?” Andi asked, flicking the switch to the garbage disposal. The loud roar from the sink caused everyone to protest and cover their ears as she quickly turned it back off and apologized. I went to the actual light switch and flicked it on just as Sawyer made his appearance. He glanced around, keeping his eyes low and his voice even lower, looking sheepish.

“Purdy.” He nodded curtly. “Where’d you sleep?” he asked, and I studied him. He didn’t seem accusatory, but rather apologetic. Andi bought it, smiling kindly and patting his back. The bastard wasn’t sorry. He was embarrassed.

“The couch is pretty comfy. Did you sleep good?”

His cheeks reddened, and he nodded quickly.

Everyone but me and Andi seemed to be nursing hangovers. The room was relatively quiet as we ate and had our morning caffeine.

“Where’s Lux?” Mick asked. “We need to start early so we can use as much natural light as possible.”

We all looked around, realizing she was missing.

“I can go knock and see if she’s up yet,” Andi offered. She scooted off her stool and went upstairs, returning a few minutes later, her brows furrowed. “She’s not in her room.”

“Hmm.” Sawyer sat down at the table and took a large gulp of his energy drink. “Maybe she went for a walk or something. She’ll turn up, I’m sure.” His indifference about one of his actors’ absences seemed to relax everyone. Finishing up, they went to shower and prepare for our first shoot day. I was planning on staying down here, but Juliet was back in her assistant director role.

“Bea will clean up breakfast. You, Purdy—Andi, whatever you want to be called—”

“Andi,” she corrected. “My name is Andi.”

Juliet rolled her eyes. “Whatever, all of the actors need to go shower and get ready. You especially, Ash. Today we’re filming you putting up the cameras with your friends before the wedding. Shave, for Christ’s sake.” She scoffed.

I reached up and touched my mustache. “My whole face?” I pouted. I rather enjoyed how I looked with facial hair. Juliet turned to look at Sawyer, the final decision-maker.

“I mean...” His eyes widened as he noticed the attention was on him. “I don’t know, Juliet...”