Mike put a hand on Callum’s shoulder. ‘He might be the main character in the show, but that doesn’t make him the one in charge. Not that Riley seems to remember that too often. We all know he’s the reason some of the cast and crew needed to stay for filming. As far as I’m concerned he’s lucky we had already recorded the vast majority of the series, otherwise we would have fired him and replaced him with another actor.’ He frowned and leant slightly closer to them. ‘And that latest drama with him being photographed with someone other than his girlfriend really isn’t the sort of coverage we need to promote our show. I don’t think it’ll do him any harm to feel slightly threatened by having another good-looking man in the photos. If you don’t have a problem being that person, that is?’
‘It’s true,’ Tasha said quietly, glancing over her shoulder, probably to check Riley wasn’t anyway nearby. ‘And if there’s to be another series, then there’s a lot riding on this being launched to as many people as possible.’
Callum was shocked to hear them talking so openly.
He focused on the point the guy was making. ‘But I thought a second series had already been commissioned?’
Mike groaned. ‘Not yet, but we’re all hoping it happens. Whether we like it or not, Riley has a big audience and most people believe he’s the fun, charming chap he likes to portray.’ He glanced at Tasha who was nodding and didn’t seem at all bothered to hear her boss talked about in this way.
‘So, will you agree to do the photos?’ Mike asked, a hopeful tone in his voice.
Callum wasn’t sure what to do for the best. It wasn’t as if he had a career as an actor and needed the promotion. Would it matter that much if he didn’t do it? Would he regret not doing it? Or be glad that he had turned the offer down?
‘Go on, do it,’ Tasha urged. ‘It’ll be fun.’
He wondered whether the fun from her perspective would be in seeing Riley’s reaction. Was she wanting Callum to do this as payback for Riley messing everyone around for the past few months? For behaving so badly that delays were caused, costing the production money and time? Hearing his sister’s voice and Riley’s laughter as he’d left her at the doorway to the trailer, Callum thought of Erin and how Riley’s adverse reaction might affect her.
‘I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do.’
‘What isn’t?’ Riley asked, joining them.
Without thinking, Callum said, ‘For me to agree to join you for the series promotion shots.’
He realised what he had done when Mike’s eyes widened and Tasha cringed.
37
TASHA
Tasha took the moments following Callum’s comment to brace herself for Riley’s onslaught. He looked stunned and didn’t react. Then, shooting her an accusatory look, as if she could do anything to stop this, he glared at Mike.
‘This was your idea, I presume?’ Mike went to answer, but Riley raised a finger in front of the man’s face and shook his head angrily. ‘No. You do not get to do this to me.’
‘Riley, wait—’ Mike began but Riley was having none of it.
‘No. I won’t have this.’ Without looking in Callum’s direction, Riley jerked his thumb towards him. ‘He is a stand-in. For another bit-part actor.’ He forced a laugh. ‘Why would fans of the show want to see him? Tell me that.’
Tasha saw Mike’s face redden and the muscles in his jaw working furiously. He was angrier than she had ever seen him.
‘Firstly, Riley,’ Mike said through clenched teeth, ‘regardless of how you seem to see yourself, this is about enticing as big an audience to the series as possible.’ He shot a glance at Callum who, Tasha could tell, was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his part in the unfolding drama. ‘Callum Preston, whether you like it or not, has the looks, and—’ he nodded, seeming satisfied with himself for choosing him ‘—the presence on screen to appeal to much of our audience.’
Riley’s expression darkened. ‘Are you trying to insinuate that you are using him as some sort of competition?’ He laughed. ‘For me?’
Tasha was surprised to see that was exactly what Mike had been doing. The realisation shocked her too. ‘But Mike, Callum isn’t an actor. He’s a DJ.’ She looked at Callum, hoping he would back her up by agreeing.
‘She’s right,’ Callum said after a brief pause.
Mike scanned the area around them. ‘I think we should take this into my trailer and discuss it further in private.’ Without waiting for any of them to agree, he told the crew to prepare for the next scene while he took a short break.
Tasha knew that their voices had been loud enough for everyone nearby to hear what had been said and was concerned about how this might pan out.
Riley didn’t move, but stood where he was and scowled.
‘Come along,’ Tasha said in a gentle voice. ‘We should go and hear what Mike has to say.’
Riley’s eyes flashed at her, as if he was surprised to see her standing there. ‘What do you mean “we”? This has nothing whatsoever to do with you.’
It was typical of Riley to take his fury out on his staff and this wasn’t the first or even the twentieth time he had turned on her in this way. She might be used to him acting this way but it didn’t hurt any less.
