Chapter seven
The first day backon set was nerve-wracking. He'd known very well that they were getting rid of him, and he'd faced that sorrow and disappointment. Now, unexpectedly, he was back.
It felt good—triumph!—and very familiar. His hotel room was just down the hall from his previous one, and almost identical. Maybe he'd get used to where the bathroom was, after all.His earlier daydreams of quickly getting an apartment and settling into the surrounding community, maybe taking up hiking and posting selfies as a rugged outdoorsy guy instead of a beach boy, had faded. Back then, he'd had far too rosy a view about what working on the show would entail, and the politics and hostilities he'd face. This time, he went into it knowing full well that he could be cutloose at any moment and probably would be.
If Singh finds any alternative to me that the producers like—or maybe if Lincoln puts his foot down and threatens to walk.
He didn't think Lincoln was that sort of difficult actor. There weren't a lot of horror stories of him being a shithead to costars or throwing his weight around. Still, he was the big name here, and he was likely to be even lessthrilled with Coop after he'd gotten more lines in the press.
That first day, though, arriving back on set felt like a walk of victory, a feeling that was so good, it almost gave him a hard-on. Actor pride was very much one of his faults; he got off on being admired, and successful, and appreciated. It was wonderful to see all eyes on him as he approached the stage, including the intent gazeof Jimmy, the hot security guard.
Would he be interested in me now that my star's rising? Eh, he's probably straight.
But he'd been very kind to Coop that last day, and Coop would never forget that. The man had been generous enough to ask for his autograph, which was very flattering, and had said such kind words as well. That didn't make him gay and interested, though it did make Coop athirsty bitch for letting that be his first thought about the hot guy.
He gave Jimmy a nod as he passed him, and swear to god, the guy smiled back—with dimples.Fwoar. He was hotter than Shane. That body with that smile. Damn.
Behave yourself, Coop! Don't fuck your way through the staff. And don't go after the first guy who smiles at you.
The director greeted him as if this was perfectlynormal, as if Coop had been expected back all the time, not acknowledging the silent truth of the matter: they'd been casting his replacement, he'd been out on his ear, they'd wanted him gone. Well, if they could pretend, he could, too.
Lincoln didn't even say hello. He stayed in his larger, better-appointed trailer as much as possible, avoiding Coop like the disgusting scene-stealing wormhe no doubt viewed Coop as. It was going to be tough, acting up against that brick wall. Lincoln wasn't going to give him an inch, even less than before. Maybe they'd be able to bury the hatchet in time, but it was more likely that Lincoln would try to get him removed from the project for good.
It'll be interesting to see if he succeeds. Somehow, that thought didn't devastate Cooper as itonce would have. He'd been crushed last time; this time, he had a kill fee and a certain hardened outlook on interactions with his costar.
Believe me, I won't be buddying up to you anytime soon, either, pal. You can pout in your trailer all you want.
It would be easier to act with someone who could stand the sight of him, but, hell, he was back by popular demand. He would act his heartout, no matter what obstruction he might face from his costar.
Besides, he still loved this character he was playing. Might as well relish every minute of his prime-time success, and the best opportunity of his acting life so far.
#
Jimmy was nervous aboutit, but he'd promised his dad. Dad was rarely so insistent about anything, so it felt extra-serious. He wanted Jimmy or Hope toinvite Cooper Hayes round for a meal sometime, to meet the pack.
Hope had immediately pushed the responsibility onto Jimmy's back, with the comment that she didn't like talking to actors. She'd looked dubious at best about Dad's idea, but she hadn't said anything against it, which probably meant the problem was her personal dislike of mixing work and her private life. In her view, thingswere supposed to stay separate, and even Jimmy's asking for an autograph (which had now been seen and passed around by all) was a bit crass.
