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We wrap early and everyone on set is pumped to get out early. Truth be told, I am thankful to have extra time to get home before my sister calls me instead of waiting for me to do it. She’s a pain like that.
I softly close my office door and I swear I can still smell the lust clinging in the air. It’s like Carter left her crazy witch pheromones on every surface to taunt me. My desk chair is in a weird place, parked where it rolled to after I pushed out of it and into Carter. Fuck, I might never get the memories of her out of this damn office.
The cool water from my bathroom faucet helps take the heat from my face. As I turn to leave the bathroom I notice something strange. My toilet paper. It’s hanging backward. Some people argue that it doesn’t matter how toilet paper hangs but they are liars, everyone has a preference for that shit. Mine is and always will be beard style. Yet my toilet paper seems to be chilling like a mullet, violating alliances.
What the fuck?
I fix it quickly and everything is back to right with the world. Carter was in here earlier, maybe she had to use the bathroom and accidentally changed it. Or is she trying to mess with me? Messing with a grown man's shit paper, what a childish thing to do.
Repositioning my desk chair to at least be near my desk, I remove my memory card and camera battery, each taking refuge in their designated spots. The charging light blinks when the battery clicks into place. My computer quickly uploads all of the images captured from today before wiping itself clean in preparation for tomorrow.
With my end-of-work routine completed, I move to leave when the reflection of light off a screen catches my eye. Wedged between couch cushions is a phone. Not the latest and greatest technological development, but only about two generations behind.
Carter.
Mybrainwasalldoped up on BK and I didn’t realize my phone was missing until I had already walked home. By the time I turned myself around and made it back to set, the doors were locked and there was no light to be seen. Walking home a second time, and without a lifeline to the rest of the world, I stop to grab Chinese takeout, a weekly tradition with Rory.
They don’t recognize me in the shop because I always get it delivered but I don’t mind waiting for my General’s Chicken, lo mein, and a few egg rolls for Rory, they are her favorite. I am untying the bag on the counter when there is a knock on the door. Confusion, panic, more confusion. It’s early afternoon and everyone I know is still chained to their corporate desks right now.
I tiptoe to look out the peephole and when I see BK standing on the other side of the door.Thump.
Graceful, Carter, way to be inconspicuous. I pull open the door, my hand still trying to subdue the ache of my forehead.
“You didn’t have to bash your head against the wall at the sight of me Carter. You don’t hate me that much, do you?” He greets with a sly condescending tone dripping from his glorious lips. Lips that I am dying to have on me again.
My eye roll is accompanied by a fake laugh, like a woman on a bad date. This is obviously not a date. I could never. With him. Absolutely not. What happened in his office was a covert operation and I was forced to fraternize with the enemy so that my attack wasn’t discovered. That’s all it was, just a distraction.
“I found your phone in my office, I figured you might need it. We aren’t shooting tomorrow and I didn’t want you to go forty-eight whole hours without being able to appease your billion friends. This stupid thing hasn’t shut up since I found it.”
I see a list of messages from Lacey and Rory. Crap, I hope they aren’t worrying since I have been radio silent. I check Rory’s messages first:
Rory: Hey boo.
Rory: I’ll be home late tonight so I won’t see you for our Chinese date.
Rory: Have an emergency surgery.
Rory: Don’t worry though, everything will work out fine.
Rory: See you later if you’re not already in bed.
Rory: Lock your door this time!
Rory: Eye roll emoji.
My eyes might roll straight out of my skull if this keeps up.
“Sorry, it’s my friend. She probably kept texting to make sure I heard my phone going off. I can get lost in my head sometimes,” I admit, instantly regretting the window I opened into my soul. I pride myself on being focused. Driven. Determined to make something of myself.
That combination of traits often leads me to daydreams filled with floating pose ideas and a mashup of inspiration all fighting for my attention. My real world tends to fade into the background during my…episodes, I always come back though.
“Oh, Rory is your neighbor, huh? I assumed it was your hunky wrestler boyfriend,” he retorts, his face instantly locking up as if what he said slipped out of his inner monologue without permission.
“I wouldn’t have suc…no, I don’t have a boyfriend,” the confession tumbles out quickly and I am instantly annoyed at myself. I sound eager to admit there is no one waiting for me when I come home at night. I mean, Rory some days, but no man here for me after a long day at work. I might as well just bash my head on the wall again with the way this conversation is going.
He silently nods in understanding, his mind somewhere else.
“Umm, thanks for bringing this over. I guess I will see you at work?” After what happened with BK today, I could use some distance and time away from him.
