I nod firmly. “Yeah. Of course.” Nevermind that the small of my back is soaked with sweat from the ride over.
Bella frowns. “Your eyes are red…”
I rub the back of my neck, offering a wry wince. “To be honest, I’m still alittlehungover from last night… but nothing some electrolytes won’t fix.”
Bella’s expression softens, a slight smile pulling across her lips. “Good. I’m glad you were able to have some fun.”
“It’s a really fantastic crew. You’ve brought together some amazing people.”
“I sure have,” Bella says, giving me a pointed look. She continues on, and I fall in step behind her, hoping she doesn’t see too much of my blush.
Or maybe it’s a flush. It feels like the heat is cranked to a hundred in here, even as the AC rumbles, bringing the temperature down as far as possible to offset how hot the lights will get once shooting begins.
I’m about to follow Bella into the room set aside for the stunt performers when June flags me down, blonde braids trailing behind her. “Hey Mylo—we’re gonna have you in Haley’s dressing room, actually.”
“Oh, sure.”
Bella nods with an encouraging smile that says,see, this could be your big break.
I hope my expression shows my gratitude as I follow June a few doors down to a door labeledHaley O’Hare.
“Mylo!” She’s already in her makeup chair, and she waves at me but tries not to move her face as Sharon works. The reason for Haley’s extra-early arrival is clear: she’s getting special effects makeup done—including a nasty gash and splattered blood—for an after-battle scene.
“I don’t envy you today,” I say, settling down into the chair next to her.
Sharon laughs. “Not so fast. Lana wants you done up today too. Your profiles are similar enough that she’d rather not have to do face replacement if she can get away with it.”
“Oh, goodie.”
Sharon gives me a sly look. “What, too manly for makeup?”
I scoff a laugh. “Oh, I’ve done drag. I can cut a crease like nobody’s business. Prosthetics just aren’t my favorite.”
Haley tries to sit still, but her eyes widen. “You’ve done drag?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “I needed to learn how to move more naturally for female characters, and it was a great way to make some extra cash. I only stopped doing it ‘cause I had a messybreakup with my boyfriend at the time, who’d gotten me into it. Just never got around to finding another club to perform at.”
“Oh. So you’re…”
“Lazy?”
“Oh god, now I sound like an arse. I was going to say ‘gay.’”
“Bi. So you’re half-right.”
Haley looks relieved. “Ooh, so you’re all sorts of fluid.”
“Something like that. Though I wasn’t kidding when I said I was lazy.”
“Do you ever dress up girly just for fun?”
I set my backpack by the door and sink into the empty chair next to Haley. “Eh, maybe for Halloween. Usually I need a carrot.”
Sharon flicks her makeup brush toward me. “You have to let me doll you up sometime. Ineedto get my hands on those cheekbones.”
I smile and put up my hands. “Hey, if all I have to do is sit in a chair, I’m game.”
Haley gives an excited gasp. “Could we wear, like, matching dresses?”
