It’s hard for me not to grin as I head to my trailer. My hand feels empty without Kim’s in it, and I wish we were sharing a trailer so we could spend time together while we get ready for today’s shoot, but I’m just so glad to be with her again—and publicly, even—that it softens the sting.
Troy is talking with some of the set people outside my trailer, probably because he wants to catch me as soon as I arrive.They all eye me as I approach, and I’m glad that, if nothing else, it’s me he’s going to chew out about our stunt yesterday and not Kim.
“Ready to work today?”Troy asks.
“Ready,” I say. “I’m sorry about yesterday, and I appreciate your patience with us.”
Troy gives me a look that says that patience had nothing to do with it, which is fair. “Pull a move like that again on my set, and you’re gone. I don’t care who you are. I will replace you.”
I meet his eyes. I doubt he really could, but he can sure make our lives on set miserable, and I can’t let him put that kind of pressure on Kim. “We’re professionals, but we’re also people. You knew when you signed on to make this movie that there was likely going to be some drama between us. It’s a hard situation for everyone, and we’re going to need you to cut us some slack.”
“I cut you a whole day of filming,”Troy says. “Are there going to be any further interruptions?”
The truth is, I don’t know. “We’re going to do everything we can to be there when you need us. I can’t speak for acts of god, but—”
Troy folds his arms. “I just don’t want to hear about any more acts of god destroying my costumes and interrupting my shoots. Keep your acts of god to your off times, all right? I’ve got my hands full trying to keep the press out, and we’ve got a movie to make.”
I want to punchTroy in the face for trivializing what’s happening and for suggesting that the paparazzi is our fault, though I’m realizing now thatTroy is probably pissed we didn’t consult him before making our announcement. And probably for not waiting until a time deemed appropriate by the marketing department.
“We’re all on the same team,” I tell him. “We won’t let personal stuff interfere with doing our jobs again.”
“Good. I’m counting on you to be part of the team.” He stalks off, and the beleaguered set people who had skirted away to give us a wide berth trail after him.
I hope Kim isn’t going to get that same speech. Pressure from directors tends to get in her head a lot faster than mine, and even I’m feeling the heat.
Kelsey is waiting for me with some new additions to my costume—which has either been thoroughly cleaned or is an entirely new set. She raises her eyebrows at me like she expects a story, and I break into a grin. EvenTroy’s anger can’t ruin today, because I’m back with Kim, and everyone knows it.
“Someone’s happy this morning,” Kelsey says.
My idiot-grin widens. “Hell yes, I am.”
“I read your announcement. When you guys left set yesterday, I assumed it was just exes hooking up, but I know you really wanted this. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I say, then grimace. “I’m so sorry about what I did to the costume.”
“It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever seen an actor do to their costume. But if you guys are going to hook up on set, could you please gently remove your costume pieces first? You guys got fake blood in the weirdest places.”
I suppose I should be embarrassed about that, but I’m too happy to do anything but laugh. “Noted.”
“Okay, so I’ve made some alterations to your sleeves, hoping to make them easier to get on and off without letting them move around too much on camera. Put these on and let me know what you think. And while you do that, tell me everything. I definitely need to hear the Watterpless dirt.”
Kelsey perches on a stool and looks at me expectantly. I take off my shirt and slip into the piece that goes under Farpoint’s sleeveless vest. She’s right. It is a lot easier to put on.
“There’s not a lot of dirt that isn’t public,” I say. “At least that I can talk about.” I’m now one of two people in Kim’s life aside from medical professionals who know about her OCD. I’m not about to share that with anyone else. “Oh, here’s something. Actually I could use your advice.” We’ve already established Kelsey is closer to my daughter’s age than mine, so maybe she’ll have some perspective.
“Shoot,” Kelsey says.
“This isn’t public, but when we told our kids, my daughter kind of flipped out.”
“Really? Not happy to have Mom and Dad getting along?”
That’s an understatement. “No. She was already pretty mad at us before, and now, apparently, we’re ruining her life.”
Kelsey smirks. “I bet she’s a daddy’s girl, huh?”
“Yeah, we’ve always been close. And I get that it’s sudden for her. Hell, it’s sudden for us too. Ivy’s never been big on change.”
“She probably doesn’t want to share you,” Kelsey says with a shrug.
