Page 16 of Between Takes
Chapter Six
Sunday rolled around quickly, and I was deliriously happy to turn the alarm off when I went to bed the night before. Because Shaun had a day off from set, that meant I had a day off from him. I had plans. So many wonderful plans. I was going to unpack my room, go shopping, read a book, pamper myself. All the things I’d neglected for my first week in the city.
I was going to enjoy a day without the rollercoaster that was Shaun Martin.
So, why then did my phone start buzzing incessantly before I was good and ready to get up?
HotShot: Need U 2 pick up suit from dry cleaners.
HotShot: Interview @ 10. Need it b4.
HotShot: Mona! SOS.
Mona: It’s my day off, get your own suit.
HotShot: U don’t get day off until I do.
Mona: You’re joking with this text talk, right? What are you, 12?
HotShot: Ur hilarious. Now move!
I dropped the phone on my bedside table and rolled over, burying my face in the pillows and cocooning myself in the duvet. It was my day off. He could fend for himself.
Almost instantly, my phone started buzzing again, and this time it was the consistent drone of an incoming call.
I could ignore him. It was my right after six gruelling, nonstop days playing his errand girl. Sleep deprivation was quickly becoming my normal and I did not like it. Sherry had warned me about his mood swings, but would it have killed her to prepare me for the absurd hours? I was getting up crazy early to beat him to set, and he was robbing me of the benefit of early wraps. Then I had to stay up late dealing with his latest crisis.
I hadn’t even ignored the call yet and already I felt guilty. Could I actually enjoy my day off if this was hanging over me?
I should just do it, and then I’d have the entire day to myself…
That thought had some merit.
Sighing, I rolled back towards the annoying sound and answered.
“Yes, slave driver, how can I help you at this ridiculous hour of the morning?”
“Get up. I was being serious about the suit. Audrey Harper is due at ten and my best suit is at the dry cleaners.”
“Why does Audrey Harper need you in a suit at ten AM on a Sunday?”
“You really know bugger all about my world, don’t you?” Shaun scoffed. He didn’t wait for a reply, choosing to give me a screen education – could I call it a screen-a-cation for short? Oh geez, I was definitely too tired if that was popping into my head.
“She’s the top entertainment reporter in the US. The fact she’s flown over to interview me is a big thing. I thought both Sherry and the producers would have mentioned it.”
They hadn’t.
Neither had he, not once in the last week. It also wasn’t on his calendar.
“You couldn’t have planned for this, oh I don’t know, yesterday?”
“I forgot, alright?” His tone was mildly sheepish. Not sheepish enough for me to forgive him for hijacking my day off. My phone buzzed against my ear. “I just texted you the owner’s number. They’re closed today, so you’ll have to sweet-talk him. I know you’re capable of it; I’ve seen you with the crew.”
Wait, was that envy in his voice? I laughed. “Aw, poor Shaun. Doesn’t know the difference between sweet-talking and genuine kindness.”
Shaun growled. “Will you pick up the suit or not?”
“Yes, but that’s it. I drop it off and then I leave. I am not sticking around. No more texts until tomorrow.”
