After a weird start to my morning I left to run an errand for my dad and returned to set shortly later. I was helping the architect who builds the sets when I heard "PA?" called from the stage. I knew it was Zach, I heard him, but ignored his call. "PA," Zach repeated. I sighed and waved Zach off.
The architect smiled down at me. "Go ahead and take care of our star. I'll be stage left when you're done if you'd like to come back and help. I smiled gratefully then trotted over to Zach. "What?" I asked somewhat impatiently.
Zach said, "Who's that?"
"What do you need? I'm busy."
"You're my assistant." Zach turned his bright gaze from the young architect guy to me.
"Uh, no, I'm not."
He waved a hand in the air. "How long is he going to be here?"
I lifted my gaze from the architect and raided my raised eyebrows at Zach. Was he jealous? I simply liked the job, not the guy who's in charge of it. "Look, do you need something or not?"
"Yes." Zach paused and looked upward as if thinking. "I need to run lines, and my microphone is off, and no one put snacks in my trailer, and—" I crossed my arms over my chest. "You don't let anyone in your trailer." The architect moved some partitions and tapped on the walls, making my wonder what he was checking. "And I want—"
Turning back to the needy, I said, "How about this. You leave me alone all the rest of the morning to work with him, and I'll make sure you have way better snacks in your trailer than the crap provided by the caterer." Zach flicked a gaze at the architect. Oh he was jealous.
"He'll be gone this afternoon?" I nodded. "Good. He's annoying." I gave him a look to say 'as if' Zach doesn't even talk to him.
"Good snacks?" Zach asked.
"Yes."
"And you'll run lines with me?"
"Can't you run them with your guy friend on the set?" His friend, Garrett, who was not a spy but seemed to be a Hollywood friend of Zach's, had a supporting role that kept him on the set about once a week, and he was here today. "He's garbage at reading the girl parts." I just rolled my eyes. Zach said, "And you have a nice voice, rich and sweet, but with a kick."
"Flattering only works on normal people and girls who seem to fawn over you. Sorry, I'm neither."
"Okay..." he took a step closer to me and whispered in my ear, "Please Gallagher Girl?" God why is he like this? Is sweet tone of voice felt like sugar being brushed against my ear.
I kept a poker face and said "Fine."
They broke early that afternoon, and I was eager to get back to school to work out with Macey and catch her up on things. Maybe after that I'll cook dinner, or go into town. I haven't done that in awhile. On the way back to my house I'll have to stop at the grocery store at the edge of town, closest to the set to pick up ingredients to make Zach's snacks.
I just finished winding the last, and heavy cable, hung it on the wall and rolled my shoulders. Time to go home.
Zach stood not too far away, arguing with his tall agent, and the concerned-looking assistant director hovered nearby. Yikes. Wonder what that's about. If I was actually curious and nosey I could listen in or check some phones and laptops with out people knowing, but I don't use my spy knowledge for being simply nosey...not counting what happened with Josh my sophomore year.
I kept my gaze on the exit and walked with fast steps, Zach snagged my arm when I passed, pulling me into the conversation. His agent said, "They promised an artistic photo shoot, and you agreed to pose." She patted her pocket as if looking for a cigarette. People still smoke these days?
Zach shook his head. "I agreed to do press after filming, not during. I should be concentrating on my next scene, practicing my lines." His agent shrugged and tapped her foot. "You signed the contract. You're committed." She handed me her coffee cup. I stared down at the smelly, empty container, what a bitch. I'm not the Help around here. I'd love to use this stupid empty coffee cup to make her pass out. But the spy in me has to stay undercover. The assistant director bounced on the balls of his feet, and looked between Zach and his pathetic agent. "We've wrapped for today. You do what you need to do, and we'll send someone to run lines with you."
When photo opportunities came about, Tina seemed to have amazing hearing. She waved at us from her spot on the stage and strolled over. Her ruby belt rolled lower against her hips with each step. "I can be there. I'm already made up, and I have a great relationship with most photographers in town. Only last week, I shot with Marshall Hansey, you know Marshall, right, Marshall is famous,
of course, anyway I—" I wiggled the coffee cup at Zach and smirked. "PA." Zach quirked an eyebrow. "Go with me." What?! No! That's not what I wanted. J wanted out! To go home! I shook my head in refusal. I had a ton of things to do other than babysit him. Plus he'll come home to annoy me at night anyway. Tina pouted and curled against Zach's side. She batted her eyelashes until she caught sight of her reflection in a pole, then she went over to the makeup mirror to smooth her hair. Idiot.
Zach didn't seem to mind that Tins left. Talkative and ditzy must not be his type, I wondered if he had a type. Why do I care? I don't. Maybe if he had a girlfriend around to cater to some of his whims, I would have more time to help other crew. I loved being a part of the crew on set, however I know better that Zach could never have a normal girlfriend to distract him since she wouldn't understand the spy life.
On a different note, I was quickly getting a reputation as Zach's Personal Assistant. Although the title wasn't winning me any friends of other PAs. "Couldn't Ashley—" I started.
The assistant director said, "Ashley, over here." Ashley practically threw her small frame across the room, over to us, swinging a hammer in her hand. "How can I help?"
Zach shook his head. "Cammie's got this." The assistant director let out a forceful breath. He shoved a script at me. "Pull the car around." The man obviously saved his coddling sweet tone for the actors. Zach's agent looked between Ashley and myself, "I really need that coffee." Her voice was apologetic but insistent. The assistant director snagged the cup from me and handed it to Ashley. "Get her a fresh one. Then go help out on set B. The mobile toilet's acting up again." Ashley put her head down and beelined for the coffee cart. I let out a scoff and started to walk away with Zach, when we were finally away from his rude agent and the assistant director, I swatted Zach with the rolled script.
"Hey! What was that for?"
"You're making me take you to some photoshoot, that I didn't even want to go to! Plus! I had plans! Now I have to babysit you!"
"Oh come on Gallagher Girl, you like spending your time with me." He looked st me with some cocky smirk.
I just rolled my eyes and said "Hardly, plus if I wanted to spend time with you, you could just walk up to my room in my house, now drag me around with you at work. Now wait here, I'm going to get the car."
I steered my Audi R8 up to the front of the warehouse and rolled down my window. There was no way Zach, his stupid agent, plus whomever else was tagging along would fit in my two-seater. They'd have to use a larger car with a studio driver. The studio provided drivers for all the stars, which was smart because actors were notorious for their drunk-driving incidents. Not that I have seen Zach drunk, but the studio was smart to play it safe. Artistic didn't go hand in hand with reliable. But Zach technically didn't have a driver so I suppose that duty feel on me, even though he does drive himself to the set. The agent stood outside of the building next to Zach, she cradling her new coffee cup and cell phone in the same hand. She eyed the lack of a backseat of my with a frown and more toe-tapping. She knew the back seat was nonexistent. Oh well, guess Zach and his little entourage would have to go separately.
I tried my best to conceal a grin, I spoke through the open window. "Meet y'all there."
"No," Zach said, and went around to the passenger side. The agent sighed and handed me a card with the photographer's address. "I need him there right away."
"Okay," I said to the agent's narrow back as she walked off. I handed the card to Zach,"Can you put this into Google Maps on my phone."
Zach did as I asked typed on the upper right hand of the screen, and a feminine voice came on telling them to proceed to the route and take a right.
"So let's see if Miss Gallagher Girl over here likes any decent music," Zach said as he preceded to turn on the radio to see what station it was on. "Today's Country?"His expression made her grin.
"Yeah, lately I've been in a country mood. Gotta problem?"
He gave me some side eye and cracked a smirk, "Well, I'm pleasantly surprised. Usually I'm a classic rock guy myself but I like country. Some of these newer guys are pretty good. I guess sometime we'll have to go undercover at a square dance..." then he mumbled something under his breath. I'm sure he just wants to see me in a short jean skirt and a plaid small crop top...
The ride didn't take long, and we reached the photography studio without trouble. I grabbed Zach's script and followed him into the sleek, white, modern studio. The only pop of color came from the smelly eucalyptus plant at the end of the white couch. His agent bent and smashed a cigarette butt into its mossy base. Classy. Zach gave me a side eye glance and crinkled his nose, he wasn't impressed either.
His agent was there alone, no Tina or Ashley in sight. The agent shoved her phone in her pocket as Zach drew near, and when they stood within two feet of her, I definitely could tell by the smell that she'd had more than one cigarette with her coffee on the drive over. His agent said, "The shoot's going to be really tasteful."
"Black and white?" Zach asked. The agent nodded and looked at the receptionist with raised eyebrows and a glance at her watch. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and wondered why artists thought color was tacky. I liked color photos, gives away more, during post operations you can look back and evaluate who was guilty by the smallest of details. Besides, his eyes were a pretty shade of deep blue wasted on black and white. Wait what? I can't think that. It's just Zach...
The receptionist rose from behind a long white half-moon desk and joined them. She stood at least six feet tall, just a few inches shorter than Zach. "Mr. Goode, we're expecting you. Please proceed to studio two." The receptionist gestured toward the hallway with a slender arm, but her gaze never left Zach. Back off, he's eighteen, she's probably like thirty seven. However when she directed us the right way Zach ushered me in front of him, by placing a hang lightly on the small of my back.
Studio two had been divided into three areas: technical equipment, makeup, and shooting. Some weird music boomed from speakers mounted in the corners, and a photographer yelled directions over the noise. "Set that up. We need sheets." Within the makeup area, a tattoo-covered masseuse leaned against a privacy screen that obscured a massage table. She shook a bottle of baby oil at Zach and said, "Over here, cutie. We'll get you prepped for the photo."
I could feel eyes widen; "It looks like they're going in a less artistic direction." I said, I know it annoyed Zach's agent. Her mouth twisted at my words and Zach stiffened next to me. The agent shrugged an apology. "It's their right, per the agreement you signed." Zach looked pissed. The photographer, who was adjusting lenses on set, yelled, "Cover his torso with oil." Zach didn't move. In fact, he looked like he was one minute from walking out.
The agent patted her jacket for another cigarette. "Come on, Zach, this is important to the film. Besides, you have photo approval. Just do it." The agent stared at Zach for a moment. Her gaze flickered between him and the door then landed on me.
She smirked. "His assistant will massage him. Give her the baby oil." The tattooed masseuse looked disappointed, but she gestured toward the table with an open palm, clearly used to the vagaries of stars. "Coat him waist up." She dropped the bottle of baby oil on the table and followed after Zach's agent. "You know, I'm not just a masseuse, I act too.."
Moving over to the table, I lifted the transparent bottle and shook it. The clear gel slid within the container. Zach, who still looked ready to run, nonetheless pulled off his shirt, climbed up to the table, and lay face down.
Holy hell, let me take a took a good look. He was so lean; I hadn't thought he'd be this muscular without his shirt. The director should work in some shirtless scenes to help sell tickets. Zach's fingers gripped the side of the table and every muscle in his back and arms looked tense. I opened the lid of the baby oil with a click. I sniffed the contents. "You're going to smell like a new diaper." I said as I squirted a blob of oil onto the middle of his back and gave his skin a few tentative slaps. He wasn't tan at all, but his complexion was nice. "I'm sorry your mad." He said nothing. I smacked a little harder across his shoulders. They felt as hard as a rock. Sliding an oily hand down his spine, I said with a laugh, "This is like basting a giant turkey." Under my hand, he stiffened even more. "I'm thirsty. Don't go anywhere, and I'll try to find some water. Want any?" His head still facing down he slightly shook his head no. So I smeared my hand against the side of his arm to lose some of the oil then scooted around the table and out of the screened section. Spotting the agent right away, I asked about drinks. Motioning toward the set's assistant, the agent said, "We need water and a coffee." It was fun to see someone else scurry for a change, since I was the assistant on set for the movie. Zach's agent blew out a breath and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'm so glad I got him to sign this contract while he was distracted, or he'd have never agreed to this shoot." She shot me a conspiratorial look. "Sometimes they need a little push in the right direction. You don't tell them all the details." What? That bitch! That was so not right, agents are was supposed to have your back, not trick you. This goes for spy world and Hollywood. The assistant rushed back with some water, saving me the need to reply. I held out my hand, but the assistant tried to hurry past me and around the screen. I stepped in front of her, causing her to come to an abrupt stop before running into me. "It's for Mr. Goode! I shall personally deliver it to him. The assistant hovered near the privacy curtain, eyeing over my shoulder.
"I'm the one who asked for him, I got it from here. Thank you." With that I look the water bottle and the bottle of black cold brew coffee and left.
I walked back behind the curtain to Zach still laying stomach down. He heard me come in and lifted his head some. "Cold brew black?"
"Thanks" he mumbled. I took a drink of water and after swallowing, I set both bottles on the floor. Needed to finish oiling his back I opened the bottle again and squirted the oil into my hands. Running my hands together making the oil warm. This time I rubbed in the oil with a smooth, pressing motion. I felt his muscles loosen after a few strokes. It was kind of nice in a way. Zach had nice skin, warm, smooth. I flexed my fingers then pushed at his arm. "Over." Zach obeyed and flipped but kept his eyes shut. I was about to put some oil on his chest but I had to pause. He had really defined muscles. The only chest I'd ever touched before had been her last boyfriend, and Josh wasn't six-pack material, and there hadn't been this much touching. I put some of the oil on her palms and rubbed them together to warm the liquid again. I laid her fingers against his abdomen. His eyes flew open. My fingers stilled, they almost felt glued to his skin. They tingled where they met his skin, and I met his gaze, feeling my face heat. I mouth opened then shut again. All of a sudden, this felt intimate. I no longer heard the music or the technicians. It was only me cocooned in this small area with Zach, caught in his gaze.
"I heard you tell the assistant you could bring in the drinks yourself." He whispered.
"Ummhmm" was all I answered.
"Gallagher Girl...Cammie.." he whispered, as he said my name even softer. He closed his eyes and licked his lips. "Cammie...I..." he never finished what he was saying because suddenly we head the click of heals walking towards the curtain. We both went from inches from each other's face to about two feet. His agent came around the privacy screen. "How's the prep going?"
Withdrawing my hands quickly, realizing I never finished the oil on the front of him. Zach just shrugged at the agent and didn't say anything. He spread the rest of the oil over his torso and arms.
Good then. They're ready for you." The agent rolled her eyes at his silence and went back to the set. I grabbed a near by hand towel to get all the oil off my hands. I put my hand against his jean-clad knee and handed him a my water bottle. "I know this sucks but just think, the least you can do is go out there in your baby oil costume and give all the teenage girls out there a sexy look. That beats running from the circle in sweat and dirt." She tugged at the seam that ran along the side of his jeans. "Hey! It's not like you have to remove your jeans. I'd have your back they tried to make you strip." Zach didn't smile, but his mouth twitched a little, and he hopped down from the table. He turned and looked back at me and pressed his lips into a thin line, came close and whispered in my ear, "Thanks Gallagher Girl." And ever so lightly, I think me kissed my ear. I couldn't even register if he did or not because as soon as he leaned in he was already back away from me walking towards the set.
A hairstylist and makeup artist took a few minutes to touch him up, then he was ready to go. I stayed in the background and watched my first live photo shoot. At first, Zach just stood and stared toward the camera, a shiny image of gorgeous. Clicking away, the photographer shouted out, "Great, now pout for us. Excellent. Now show us hot." His voice escalated. "Hotter, hotter, make my lens steam. Yes, that's the expression. Now on the bed, drop against the pillows." I guess the photographer was lucky that Zach's annoyed looks made him appear sexy; otherwise, it would have been a waste of good film. I guess I kind of got it now, how actors could get reputations for being difficult. Zach got blindsided about this photoshoot and it really being just for sec appeal. He was obviously not happy and then on top of that he was told to smile. Life didn't work that way, but Zach handled the situation better than I would have.
