Behind the Scenes

Chapter 22

HARRY

My fingers tapped angrily on the screen of my phone, my face pulled down into an irritated scowl. The force of my actions was so harsh I was surprised I hadn't cracked my screen, as I sat slouched in my directors chair just off set. Why they always had these stupid things for cast and crew I would never understand, they were fucking uncomfortable as hell. But I was so wrapped up in the conversation in front of me, I barely paid any mind to the ache in my ass or the kink in my back.

Markus: So? You claim victory yet?

That had been the text I had found the moment I returned to my seat after my last scene. I was already sullen, forcing Steven to call out in frustration more than once at my inability to get my shit together and focus on my character, that seeing this message was enough to make me want to throw my phone across the room.

Thankfully, they were redoing the set, giving me some time to get Markus off my back. I had to call and end to this stupid bet, and do it now. Thinking back, I couldn't even figure out why I ever agreed to it. We hadn't set any stakes, no prize for the winner other than bragging rights. It was the most moronic, callous thing we had ever bet on.

Me: About that...

Markus: Oh shit. Did she completely tell you off?

Me: No. Well, yeah. Quite often, actually, but that's not what I mean. I want to call this thing off

Markus: Why?

Me: It's stupid. Me getting to this girl isn't going to prove anything other than you and me are assholes. Which we knew already, so I don't see the point in bringing her into our shit

There was a long pause before he responded.

Markus: She completely shut you down, didn't she?

I groaned, throwing my head back in frustration

Me: No, asshole.

Markus: So she gave it up? Come on man. You're not backing out of this without a reason.

I pursed my lips, trying to figure out a way that would get him to let this go. I couldn't very well tell him the truth; that even though I was supposed to be getting her to fall for me, somehow, the tables had turned and I was completely under her spell. He would never let me live it down, especially since she wanted nothing to do with me. It would be a failure of epic proportions, and I couldn't stand the idea of now only having to live with the fact that the first girl I cared for didn't feel the same, but listening to Markus remind me every damn minute.

I had to find a middle ground, and it had to be now. Considering my answer, I took my time in my reply.

Me: We fooled around last night.

Markus: Finally! Wow, I never thought you would pull this one off. The girl practically hated you.

Me: yeah, well

Markus: I guess you win, you prick. Don't expect me to bow at your feet or anything

I didn't even crack a smile.

Me: So are we done with this?

Markus: Yeah, yeah. We're done. Jeez for a guy who just got laid and proved himself to get any girl he wanted, you sure are cranky.

My fingers hovered over the screen, ready to correct his misconception. We hadn't slept together. Markus had made that assumption, since that was the most logical conclusion based on my track record. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to correct him, instead deciding to leave well enough alone. As long as this bullshit was over, then there was nothing more to talk about as far as it was concerned.

Me: whatever. I gotta go.

Markus: l8r

"Harry," Steven's voice boomed through the room, breaking me from my despondence. "We're ready for you."

Giving him a nod, I pushed out of the horrific chair, stretching the tension in my back as I set my phone on the seat and took my place. The scene was quick, an easy mood to fall in to as Madden was angsty and moody over his feelings for Layke. It would have been comical that the scene mirrored my own pathetic life if I hadn't been expected to do the scene with Hunter standing across from me. Having to confide in him about feelings for a fictional girl, while he was standing toe to toe with me for the affections of a real life girl, was a cosmic shit show.

"Cut! Good job guys. Harry, much better. You've finally got your head back in the game."

I spared Steven a nod, a thin lipped smile of thanks, before heading back to my chair. I stalled in my step to find a tall, leggy blond perched upon it, her smile reminding me of a snake. I approached her just as cautiously, keeping a fair distance between us.

"Great scene," she praised with a flirtatious perk of her brow. "You've really got that love sick puppy thing down."

Fire rolled in my stomach at her words, but I kept my composure. "Thanks."

She leaned back, draping her arms across the chair back, pushing her cleavage forward. It was such an obvious move, I almost scoffed.

"We've got quite the scene to shoot Thursday," she commented casually, examining her nails. "You ready?"

My mind reviewed the schedule in my head, causing me to have to hold in a groan when I realized the scene she was referring to. Again, cosmic shit show at its finest that the scene I would be expected to shoot in less than forty eight hours was a love scene with Madison, only days after the real thing was a massive disaster with the girl I actually cared about.

"As ready as I'm going to be," I replied in a bored tone.

As always, Madison was obviously to my disinterest. Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her crossed legs, pushing her breasts together suggestively. "Well, if you want to get a little practice in before hand, you could swing by my room tonight."

This time, I couldn't stop myself from snorting. A flicker of surprise touched on her face, as she sat up straight.

"I think I will be fine," I replied, looking to the chair next to her for my phone. When they came up empty, they returned to her to find it sitting in her lap. Immediately, I looked up to her face to find her grinning as if I hadn't just shut her down.

"Are you sure?" she purred, picking up my phone to twirl it between her fingers. She toyed with the device, taunting me, before holding out to towards me. "Acting is like anything else. Practice makes perfect. And sometimes practice can be a lot of fun."

I took the phone from her quickly, careful not to touch her as I did, before slipping it directly in the back pocket of my jeans.

"Like I said, I'm sure I will get through it just fine." I said tersely, giving her a final glance before turning away from her. I didn't bother to look back her way to see if she was watching me leave, my desperation to get away from her all consuming.

I was used to girls being forward around me. Hell, they threw bras and panties, phone numbers and room keys at my on stage. It was nothing new to have a beautiful girl throw herself at me, making it clear in no uncertain terms she was down for whatever I wanted.

But this was the first time I didn't even entertain the offer. It was the first time that the idea of being with her actually turned me completely off.

Because it was the first time I actually had someone else I wanted to be with, who meant more than all the meaningless one night stands who came before combined.