Page 51 of Secrets We Keep
“I have an early call in the morning on set.” I know I’m being abrupt when I don’t need to be.
He nods at me through the mirror before moving his eyes back to the road. Neither of us said a word for the rest of the journey home. Well, this isn’t how I’d envisioned tonight ending after one of the best nights of my life.
Crew members make the space around us busy as I stand in media village waiting for my cue to enter the scene. I’ve been here a couple of hours, and I’ll be out of here unless they need me in Producer mode. I watch as the two younger actors say their lines, and I’m so glad this is a set with no drama. I enter the scene saying my lines, enjoying the back and forth.
“Cut,” shouts the Director, standing up and heading my way from his chair behind all the monitors.
A PA approaches me with my buzzing phone in hand. I look to see Jaxson’s face and name flashing on the screen.
“I need to take this,” I say to this week’s episode Director.
“Hey, Jax,” I hear fire trucks and other street noises, and I know he’s on his way to the office.
“What has your panties up your ass?” he laughs. “I thought you’d be happy we all worked hard getting you that contract. There isn’t much you can do that would put it in jeopardy.”
“What about an unconventional relationship?”
Jax goes quiet on the other end of the line, but I know he’s still there because of the background noise. “How unconventional?” He sounds different.
“I’ve started this thing…”
“Please tell me it’s legal.”
“What the hell, man?”
“You said unconventional.”
“I’ve entered an MFM relationship–a throuple.”
“Fuck!” Jaxson groans. The background noise has changed, so he must have gotten to the office. “Did Gabe not tell you we need you to be drama free? The network is not going to like this. It’s not like the streaming company you’re with. This is a big ass studio, a family-friendly studio at that.”
“How is the fact that I’m in a committed relationship with two people, anyone's business but mine and the people involved?”
“Don’t be naïve, Reid. You’ve been in this industry too long to know this has the potential to be an issue.”
“But, it shouldn’t.”
“Hey, I agree with you, man. Relationships and people’s families are changing all the time, but some people, like the shareholders in companies like the one we’re talking about… don’t like unconventional. It scares the shit out of them.”
“It shouldn’t,” I say, leaning against the wall.
“I agree. What do you want me to do?”
I pause. I’m the definition of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. “I’ve wanted this my whole career.”
“I know.” We both go quiet. “I’ll keep my eyes open and make sure anything gets squashed?” I hear the question.
I know I'm going straight to hell. “Kill any story that comes up.”
“You're going to give them both a heads up, right?” Jax says, sounding concerned.
“I’m going to see Jenna this afternoon.”
29
JENNA
HORNS: BRYCE FOX
