Don't do this. Don't do this. Don't do this. The mantra keeps repeating in his mind like a broken record. He's obsessing again, he knows it. But somehow he can't stop himself from thinking about her. They had a moment that night, he's sure he didn't imagine it. He's seen her almost every day since then, and she's barely spoken to him. He just shows up on set, and he's Jesse, and she's Beca, and they film the scene and go their separate ways.
Anna has always been serious about her job, because to her acting is just that, a job. She's a professional, and he respects the hell out of that, but that spark, that warmth he felt when she looked at him seems like it suddenly disappeared, and he has no idea why.
He's filming a scene with Ben and the other Trebles. He knows he's distracted. He hasn't seen her on set today or had the opportunity to talk to her and it is driving him crazy. "Cut!" Elizabeth's yell snaps him out of his reverie. "Skylar! Adam!" she shouts, "Come on guys. Take five and then let's get this right!"
He grabs a bottle of water and sits in his chair to rest. Ben comes and sits next to him, staring at him quizzically.
"What?" he asks his friend as he rubs his temples.
"What's with you man?" Ben questions, and Skylar shakes his head. Ben doesn't say anything for a while, just observing the others on the set. He turns to Skylar, "Look, you're my friend, and friends tell each other the truth, right?"
"Right," Skylar replies, his attention now fully on Ben.
Ben sighs, "Because I can't help but notice how every time you film a scene with me or with anyone else, there's all this prep work. Who's going to say what, where everyone is going to stand. It's like you want a run through before we do it. And then with Kendrick? Nothing. You just go and do it. And it's perfect, every time. So why now are you having such a hard time now?"
Skylar blinks at his friend, "I don't know," he replies honestly.
"Well you better figure it out," Ben answers, "Because you're talented, especially when you can get out of your head long enough to be yourself."
"Do you think it's possible for onscreen chemistry to turn into something real?" Skylar blurts.
"Only if it's based on something real to begin with, like mutual attraction or affection," Ben replies, "Then yes, absolutely. Plenty of actors have been in movies together and then ended up together. Look at you and Camp."
"Yeah," Skylar says sullenly. Just then, Kendrick walks on set and passes by in front of them, giving Ben a fist bump as she goes by while politely nodding at Skylar. Skylar's eyes track her from the moment he first spots her until the moment she disappears from view, and Ben sits in rapt attention, observing the pair.
"No," Ben says, shaking his head. "No. Dude, no."
"What?" Skylar feigns innocence.
"I know you," Ben answers, "I know what you're thinking. It's all in your head because you're playing her love interest. And well, she's amazing, there's no arguing that, but she has a boyfriend, and you have a girlfriend. And just no!"
"Ok, ok, I got it," Skylar snaps. "You don't think I'm good enough for her."
"I didn't say that," Ben clarifies, "I honestly don't think you're her type, that's all."
It's that thought that keeps him grounded for the rest of the filming. He and Kendrick are polite, professional, and friendly to each other, but he doesn't have any more private moments with her. He can't help but notice the ease with which she speaks to almost everyone else. She's always joking around and laughing with Ben and the girls, merely giving him a courteous hello. She's always so professional though, an edge of seriousness behind the comic banter.
When the movie wraps, he gives her a friendly hug goodbye, and they go their separate ways as if nothing special happened between them. He resumes his life with Camp and their dog and they are happy for the most part. He even has the possibility of another TV pilot on the horizon. It's impossible to ignore that Kendrick's fame and career are exploding, and it seems like everywhere he looks she's there. Magazine covers, talk shows, lip sync battles, news articles, and it seems like she has the Midas touch, everything she touches turns to gold.
It isn't until the movie premiere of Pitch Perfect 2 that he sees her in person again. He knows she's been all over the world promoting the movie in the weeks leading up to now, and she looks gorgeous as she emerges from her limo, alone, he notes. Camp's arm is linked through his as people shout at them to pose for photos, and he loses track of her as they are ushered into the theater to see the movie.
He's disappointed that a few of his scenes were trimmed or cut entirely, but all in all the movie is extremely funny and entertaining and he's proud of it. He and Camp make their way into the party after the screening, and they are busy making their greetings and catching up with all their friends. Every now and then he does a quick scan of the room to find Kendrick, and he always finds her, smiling and making whoever she's talking to double over in laughter, and suddenly his stomach constricts.
Why hasn't she acknowledged him or Camp? Why does she seem like she's best friends with everyone here but him? Why isn't him that she's smiling at and joking around with?
"Babe, what's the matter?" Camp asks him, a look of concern on her face.
"Nothing, maybe I just had one too many," he says, pointing to his drink. "I'm going to get some air for a bit, I'll be back." He heads to the private back door of the venue, away from the paparazzi and fans, and steps into the evening air. He's taken several soothing breaths when the door opens and Anna Kendrick darts out, heading quickly in the direction of a waiting limousine. And before he can stop himself, and before he even knows what he's doing, he follows her.
The chauffer opens the door and she slides onto the leather seat as Skylar rounds the vehicle, opens the opposite door, and gets in beside her.
"What the fuck are you doing?" she shouts, startled by his presence.
"I need to talk to you," he replies.
"Give me a minute, please," Anna tells the chauffer, and he closes the door to give them some privacy. She turns back to Skylar, "So talk."
"I don't get it!" he nearly explodes, the effects of the alcohol dulling his resolve, "You're all touchy and flirty with me, and we had that moment together in the parking lot where I'm pretty sure you said you have feelings for me, and now nothing! You won't even talk to me! You barely look at me! It's just show up on set, all business from there, and then you disappear! What the fuck, Anna! I think I deserve some kind of explanation here!"
"You deserve an explanation?" she laughs bitterly. "You? Are you kidding me? I don't owe you anything! You're with Camp, I'm with Ben. Period. End of story."
"That's not the end of the story and we both know it," Skylar says quietly, trying to control his anger.
"Yes it is," she answers. "You are not Jesse Swanson, I am not Beca Mitchell, and we are not in love. We were just playing characters, Skylar. That's our job."
"But there's more to it than that," he insists.
"No, there isn't," she replies as she looks away from him out the window. "Now go back to Camp and leave me alone."
"No," he replies stubbornly, "I won't go until you tell me why you're so angry with me."
She doesn't say anything for a long time. "Maybe I just don't like you," she says finally.
"Why not?" he asks.
Again, silence while she thinks it over. She sighs heavily, "You're right, you really don't get it. I was friends with Camp and her husband, Michael. We were close. And then you came along and threw yourself at anything with blonde hair and legs, acting all charming and sexy, and then suddenly that's all over. And I'm supposed to like you? You wrecked their marriage! And now you're with her and you're mad because you can't have me too? No!"
"It wasn't like that," he splutters.
"Then how was it exactly?" she wonders, "Maybe you took advantage of a woman who was vulnerable for selfish reasons so you could propel your fame and parade her around like some kind of trophy. Leave me alone! I'm with someone and he's kind, and he treats me right. He's not some playboy home wrecker looking for his next conquest."
"Ouch!" he recoils a little at that. "Alright, maybe I deserve that a little. You're angry with me, and I get that. And maybe this is all in my head, but I have to know."
"Have to know what?" she turns and looks him in the eyes.
"If this is real, or just another conquest," he replies bitterly.
"If what's real?" she asks again, her eyes narrowing in confusion.
"This," he whispers, and his mouth is on hers. She resists at first, and then he feels her relax into the kiss. They've kissed many times on screen before, but this time is different. She sighs softly into his mouth, and it only sets all of his senses on fire. He runs his tongue on the seam of her lips and she parts them slightly, allowing him entrance. His hands move to run through her hair and hers slide up his arms and around his neck, anchoring his mouth to hers. As the kiss grows in intensity she suddenly pulls back, sliding across the seat until she's as far away from him as she can get in the confines of the car. They're both breathing heavily and her lipstick is smeared all over his mouth. Inadvertently, he licks his lips as he dares to look over at her, his gaze expectant.
"Fuck," she breathes out, her voice laden with desire. They stare at each other for another moment. "Go, you need to go," she manages to say between breaths.
"I can't," he grits out, and he closes the distance between them once more. His hands are everywhere, hiking up her skirt, and pressing her body into his. She moans into the kiss, only fueling his fire.
"No, stop," she finally says, pulling away and leaning her forehead against his. "Anna," she reminds him.
"I'm looking at her," he replies cheekily and she almost laughs even though it isn't funny.
"We can't," she answers. "Not here, not now."
"Not yet?" he asks, his tone hopeful.
"Not ever," she answers, "I just, I can't."
"You can't tell me this doesn't mean anything," his voice is desperate, "Anna please."
"It's not right," she says, but her voice cracks.
"If this isn't right, than I don't know what is," he replies, giving her another soft kiss on the lips. She closes her eyes as he lingers there, his mouth ghosting over hers. He opens the limo door and steps out, his hair disheveled and his lips swollen, before he leans back once more. "This isn't over," he tells her before closing the door.
The limousine pulls away and he stands there for a long while, thinking of how her mouth felt moving against his. He raises his hand to touch his lips briefly, lost in thought when the sound of his name snaps him back to the present. He looks up to see his girlfriend standing there.
"Skylar?" her voice is thick with emotion and hurt as she takes in his appearance.
Fuck.
