Aras shrugged off Jake’s hands. “It’s…complicated.” He hated using such a cliche line, but that was the most succinct option. “He works on the show. It’s Dane. That lighting grip with the red mohawk?”
Jake’s face broke into a smile. “Oh, he’s a cutie. Good for you.”
“Thanks. But it’s not clear howpermanentthis is right now.” Aras took a step back. A little more distance. “But we’ve been hanging out. Talking. Watching TV together every night. He’s…comfortable.”
Jake’s smile faded. Not in disappointment or sadness or anything. Simply from beaming ecstasy to something approaching contentment. “You deserve someone comfortable.”
Aras shifted in place a little bit. “Let’s focus on work. Like you said, I need to be drunk if we’re going to play all sentimental.” Aras slapped the back of the nearest shelves. “We know where all of these go? Can we start bringing some of them in? The space you’ve left all looks good to me, but can’t do too much of it until we get them in place.”
Thankfully, Jake took the change of subject in stride. Even though he kept tossing smiling glances at Aras while they collected up the contractors and hauled shelving units inside and to the display room.I can think of worse responses. He was already dreading when Evander or Ozzy found out. He’d never get a moment’s peace.
Chapter twenty-nine
Dane
Theywerewindingdownfilming, and Dane was already considering what to do for dinner. He would probably be better to wait and ask Aras if he had any brilliant plans.
“Dane!” Kyle strode over, back straight and shoulders back. “You have a minute?”
“Of course. You need some help?”
“Just talking.” He gestured toward a couple of chairs over by craft services. Or what had been craft services, before everything got packed up. Dane headed over with him, but his stomach tightened as they got closer.
When they sat, he had to ask. “Feels like I’m being let go, Kyle. Not going to lie. If I screwed something up, I can try to fix it.”
“Screwed up? Hell no.” Kyle leaned forward, hands clasped in front of his chest. “The opposite, actually. I’m pretty tied up on this project, but you’ve been a hell of a workhorse. Got word of another show that Homescapes is going to be filming for their streaming service. They were asking if I could spare anyone off the production here. Obviously you’re under contract, so they’d have to work that out with you, but they didn’t seem to think it would be a problem.”
Dane blinked a couple times, trying to work his brain around what Kyle was talking about. It…didn’t work. “Okay, can you explain so my stupid brain can understand?”
“I guess I’m rambling a little bit. It would help this all make sense if Homescapes wasn’t trying to save a buck, just shuffling people around instead of hiring new production staff.” He sighed. “New show. You’re a good grip, know what you’re doing. It could be a good opportunity for you to get a bit more of a foot in the door, if you wanted it.” He pointed forward with both hands. “Which, well, I’ve overheard you bring up that youdowant that. Get more attention and try to get into a creative role.”
Dane nodded, though he wasn’t fully conscious of it. “Right. I mean, yeah.”
Kyle leaned back as though he’d made his point masterfully. “Not to mention, if they’re moving you around like that, you’d probably get a nice little bonus on your paycheck for the trouble.”
“Leave the show.”Leave Aras. Dane drummed his fingers on his knee and tried to keep his head on straight. His brain was working right and he understood, now, but he was caught in a swirl of emotions, and he couldn’t let that rule over everything. He needed a minute. And he needed more information. “What’s the job?”
“Not fully clued in, obviously. I’m sticking around here. But it’s another home design show, except they have some kind of budget limit. Got different numbers thrown out for how much. Someone said it’s a hundred dollars to redesign a room. Someone else said three-hundred. Someone tried to tell me it was a competition show and the goal was to make the best room for the lowest price.” Kyle shrugged. “Not really sure.”
“I don’t think I could leave you in the middle of a job. If I’m that good—”
“Hey. I’d love to keep you.” Kyle smiled in a shockingly fatherly way. “Like I said, you’re good. But you’re young, and you’re pretty new to the union. It’s a good opportunity. I got one like this when I was starting out. Now I’m where I am.” He spread his arms wide. “Not glamorous, but Idohave a Rolex and a ‘66 Impala back at home.”
Leaving Pine Point Fixer-Uppers could get him more money, more opportunity…and less Aras. Less connection and good times. Dane’s stomach lurched and whirled. He still needed to buy time. “A Rolex?”
“Well, that was a gift. Helps to sell the point I was making. But I got the car off my salary.”
Dane nodded. His heart, his dick, his nerves, they all screamed at him to turn this down. But his head and his wallet and the apartment back home he split with a roommate were ready to smack the crap out of him if he turned down a free offer to better his position and his finances. Plus, as much as his heart longed for Aras, there was a big chunk of it attached to his own pursuits. If this could get him a little more attention… “When do they need an answer?”
Kyle raised one eyebrow, but didn’t question beyond that expression. “If they don’t hear back in a couple days, I’d imagine they’ll go looking somewhere else.” He rose and leaned on the back of the chair. “Listen, I’m not here to tell you what to do or try to take control of your life or anything, but my opinion? You’d be pretty stupid not to take this opportunity when it’s in your lap.” He shrugged. “I’m not going to pretend I’m some kingmaker or anything, but they asked me for a recommendation for a reason.” He patted his hand on the back of the chair and stood up straight. “I’ll let you get packed up and back to the hotel. And…well, no offense, but I hope this is our last job together for the foreseeable future.” He pulled out his phone and typed on it, then Dane’s buzzed against his hip. “Just sent you the details I have.”
Then he walked away. Dane sat, cracking his knuckles over and over again, even though they stopped making any sound after the first couple rounds.Not like being a lighting grip is my life’s ambition. But working in TV and movies was. Vague images of himself on set, on the red carpet, watchinghismovie in a real theater danced through his thoughts.
This isn’t some guarantee that I’ll make any real progress. That kind of guarantee didn’t exist, though, and this was as good a chance to move in the right direction as any.
I have a good thing going here with Aras. Except that was, as they agreed on, temporary, just to see how things worked out. All this would do was potentially move up the time table on figuring that out.
I don’t want it to be temporary. And at the end of the day, if it had any real staying power, then going off on another job wouldn’t kill the relationship.
