“It’s been weeks, Terry. Why haven’t they made a decision yet?” It was a rare day off, and I was currently pacing the length of my couch while I waited for Terry to explain why the contract renewal discussions with the network were taking so long.
“It’ll be fine, don’t worry about it. This is what you have me for.”
I paused mid-stride, raking a hand through my hair. “I’d feel better knowing that things were leaning in our direction. I want you to take something to them. Wes, Liv, and I were agreed on it. In exchange for the raise, we will all sign on for an additional two seasons, plus agree to a certain percentage of additional marketing appearances to boost promotion for the show, this season included.”
It was something Wes, Liv, and I had started to discuss after Audrey’s comments to me a while back, and it felt like the best compromise for us to make. We were going to have to do a set amount of press anyway, but if we set the terms in the contract, we’d know exactly how much in advance, and that was something we could work with.
“Not a bad offer. They’ve been pushing for the promos in particular. Are you sure you want me to take it to them? You could still get the raise without it.”
“I’m sure. Let them know I’m about to record a live guest spot with the fancast, ‘The Pantheon’ to hype up the new season.”
“Any more surprises you have for me?”
“No.”
“Good. While I appreciate your enthusiasm, J, maybe next time you talk to me about this first.”
“Yeah, Terry. I will. Good luck with the network.”
“Won’t need it. We’ve got this.”
I hoped so. I was never one to count my chickens, but the additional money would go a long way toward paying back my parents, as well as allowing me to start saving for the future.
A future that seemed a hell of a lot closer than it had a few months ago.
All this time, I knew I wanted to get my shit together enough that I would have something to offer when the right person came along, but outside of a stable job and security, both of which were a relative impossibility as an actor, I’d never given any thought as to how my life might have to change to make it work with the right person.
My life right now wasn’t exactly ideal for building a strong relationship. I worked all the time, and before we even finished filming the season, I’d be starting the press circuit, not to mention award season, then when we did finally finish filming, I’d be flying to New York for three months to filmSubversion. Rinse, then repeat.
I could hardly ask Audrey to put up with all that. And what? Wait until things settled down to start a life together?
She deserved better.
Considering what she’d gone through with her ex—and I wished there was a way to erase the doubts he’d sown—it was all the more amazing how compassionate she was. That her kindness and strength had survived years of putting herself aside for someone else.
I wanted to help her celebrate that, show her all the things I saw when I looked at her, protect her from ever doubting herself again, give her something stable to rely on.
Audrey messaged me good luck as I arrived, saying she couldn’t wait to listen to it later. I send back a thank you and spent at least two minutes arguing with myself over whether I should add a kiss emoji before I realized I was being ridiculous and left it off.
Then I sent it because if being in love made me ridiculous, then so be it.
Two friends ran the podcast out of their apartment along the Green Line, and I’d timed it, so I was knocking on their door five minutes early.
Sabine answered the door, Hunter a half step behind her, and their mutual excitement was evident in their expressions.
I shook Hunter’s hand while Sabine directed me over to a round dining table where they’d set up three mics, along with headphones for each of us and the laptop they were recording with.
“Thanks again for reaching out. We’re really excited to have someone from the show.”
“Of course, I’m definitely a fan of the podcast. The recap you did on last season’s finale was hilarious.”
“Wow, thanks! That means a lot,” Hunter said with a smile.
“Yeah,” Sabine added, “I mean, we just started it for ourselves, a way to geek out over different mythology as well as talk about the show, and people liked it enough for us to keep going.”
“Now your mic is already wired up and ready to go, but can I get you some water before we start?”
“Thanks, that’d be great.”
