Bad Boy Brody(41)

I was doing the math. I could run home and head out for a “run” if I needed to find Morgan, but when I headed back for Gayle’s car, Kara stopped me.

“What are you doing tonight?”

She picked up her pace to match mine.

I was ready for the pick-up line or the sultry smiles, but neither came. She’d also been professional the whole day of shooting.

“I was planning on heading back and going for a run.”

Her eyebrow rose. She smoothed a hand down her hair, flicking out a piece of grass. “The crew and I were heading to Juan’s. It’s a Mexican restaurant in town. They have good chips and salsa. Want to come?”

I started to decline, but there was an extra look in her eyes. It wasn’t one that I’d seen before, and it gave me pause. I wanted to see Morgan, but having good relationships with co-workers was another leaf I should turn over.

I flashed her a grin. “No bar?”

She ducked her head, the back of her neck reddening as she shrugged. “We’re trying to be supportive of you.”

I had to go.

“Yeah, I’m down.” I turned to Gayle, who joined our conversation. “How about it, boss?”

She barked out a laugh. “Ha!”

“You can have a margarita. I won’t be tempted.” I winked at her. “Promise.”

Her laughter faded. She grew more serious, the old hawk-like look entering her eyes. “Okay. But if you start craving some booze, you tell me right away. I’ll leave with you.”

The only thing I’d be craving was Morgan. “I’ll be fine.”

Her elbow playfully nudged my side. “All right. Let’s head to town.”

Kara asked, “Could I get a ride with you guys?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Gayle waved toward the car. She hollered back, “We can take one or two more!”

And in the end, the actress who played Peter’s sister, one of the production assistants, and Kara rode with us. They’d sectioned off a private area in the back of the restaurant, and when I stepped inside, I felt like a thankful asshole.

Thank God I had come, and an asshole because this whole thing was for me.

A large sign that read Welcome Back, Brody hung from the ceiling against the far wall. Most of the crew was already there, and when they spotted us, they started clapping and whistling.

“You guys.” A large smile spread over my face. I couldn’t take this in. “This was planned for me?”

One of the actors came forward. “If you didn’t come, we were just going to pull the sign down. It was a last-minute idea.” He nodded to Kara.

I turned to her. “Yours?”

An almost shy smile peeked out. “I just wanted to be supportive.”

“Yeah!” A camera guy held up his glass. “All water.”

I laughed and then waved my hands. “You guys, this is amazing, but please, for the love of my sanity, drink. I was drinking too much to deal with my brother’s death, but I’ll be fine. Really.”

Gayle stepped around me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “He really is doing better. He’s been glowing every time I checked on him the past week.”

“Were you actually resting for the week, or you were jacking off the whole time?” the water guy asked with a wink.

“No comment. How about that?”

They all laughed as we sat. I was at the end with Gayle, Kara, and the girl playing Peter’s sister. At one point during the conversation, Gayle leaned in and said, “Her real name is Kelly.”

“Ah. Thank you.”

Then I remembered I did know. I’d forgotten, but Gayle patted my arm. “Don’t feel bad. You’re at the top. They just have to know your name.”

I lowered my voice. “That makes me sound like an elitist asshole.”

Gayle shrugged. “It is what it is. I guarantee that in your first role, the lead roles didn’t know your name.”

It didn’t matter. I wasn’t above these guys. I just had more lines and got a bigger check. We were all together in this project, and I hadn’t been pulling my weight. Feeling a good dose of humility, I signaled one of the waitresses down. “At the end of the night, make sure I get the bill?”

Her eyes darted around. “We were told to bill the director.”

I looked too. “And she isn’t here, so it’s on me.”

She nodded. “Okay.” She gestured to my empty glass. “Would you like anything stronger than water?”

“Yes.”

Gayle stilled, overhearing.

I added, “I’ll take a soda.”

Gayle glared. “Jerk.”

As the waitress left, I grinned. “That’s what you get for eavesdropping.”

“That’s my job. I eavesdrop on you in general. Haven’t you figured that out?”

“Shit.” I’d never thought of it that way. “You’re right, you do.”

“And I’m good at my job.”

I saluted her with my empty glass. “Cheers to you for being my own personal busybody.”

She laughed and then rolled her eyes. “You aren’t that bad of a client.”

I grinned lazily at her. I was a hot mess when she took me on, and she knew it. “Really. Thank you.”