Page 44 of Banter & Blushes #1

COLT

S pending the morning with Tiffany gave me plenty of new song ideas.

As soon as she left the beach, I went back to my condo to shower and write down all the lyrics in my head. I sat on the balcony writing and strumming tunes to go with my words for well over an hour. I could’ve gone longer if I didn’t have to shoot the video today.

Some of the lyrics pop up now and again as I move around the beach with my guitar.

Mackenzie has me standing barefoot in the ocean with my jeans rolled up and a guitar strapped across my back.

I drew the line at taking my personal guitar.

It’s one thing to ruin a pair of boots with salt water, but ruining the tool that makes me a living is a deal-breaker.

“Now play something,” Mackenzie directs.

“What part of the song?”

“Doesn’t matter. We’re not using this sound. I want to zoom in on your hands strumming the chords.”

My fingers slide across the strings, but they produce a different chord than the song in the video. It’s the tune of the new song I worked on earlier. Mackenzie smiles, so I go with it.

“You can sing if you want, and I’ll record some wide shots of you singing.”

The words I wrote earlier today flow out like I’ve known them my whole life. Mackenzie smiles wider, and the camera guy nods his head with approval.

I close my eyes and pretend I’m not surrounded by people filming me. Everything is normal now. Well, except that waves keep hitting the backs of my legs, and the tide sucks in around my feet.

I’m not sure how long I sing on the beach, with my eyes either closed or focused on the food truck in the distance. But it doesn’t feel like long enough when Mackenzie calls, “Cut. It’s mealtime.”

I blink back to reality as the crew secures their equipment while we take a break. I’m so focused on the food truck, more for wanting to see Tiffany than to eat, that I walk right past my boots. Not until I hit the hot pavement do I realize I’m still barefoot.

I hurry back to where I left my socks and boots and shove them on. Ignoring the grittiness of sand between my toes best I can, I continue to the truck.

The scent of cheese and peppers mixes with the salty air. Once I’m closer in line, I see that they made us fajitas. My stomach growls. It’s been a while since I had some bacon and eggs when things slowed down this morning.

“Hey, Colt,” Genesis greets me when I reach the window.

“Hey,” I say quickly, then crane my neck to see Tiffany. She’s busy working with her back to the window.

“Steak or chicken?”

I turn my focus back to Genesis. “Steak.”

Tiffany reaches around her and hands me some chocolate cookies. Genesis gives us both a look. I ignore her and thank Tiffany.

“You’re welcome. I didn’t want to run out before you got some.”

I smile until someone pushes behind me, nudging me to move on. Then I head for the tent to find a seat.

Jessica is already seated between two other women, talking loudly. I sigh with relief. I thought I’d left all the nosy people behind in Apple Cart County, Alabama. Boy, was I wrong.

I sit near the camera crew and Mackenzie. They’re more low-key and only talk business. Mackenzie has a clipboard in front of her and her plate off to the side. She makes notes faster than I can manage to stab a piece of steak with my fork.

I’m content sitting a seat away from them, facing the food truck. Tiffany has worked hard all day and mentioned working again at the beach tomorrow before we shoot. I need to take her out to a nice dinner if she’ll let me.

The crew makes casual talk with me here and there in between Mackenzie spouting out something they need to change up when we start back filming.

Whenever they talk work, I do a mental scan through all the nice restaurants I know in the area.

Where would someone who can cook whatever she wants like to go?

The chair between Mackenzie and me slides out, and a girl sits down. Her hair is similar to Tiffany’s, but she’s taller and tanner. Mackenzie stops talking to the crew and focuses on her.

“Hey, perfect timing. Do you want anything to eat?”

“No, I’m good. Jessica just did my makeup,” she answers .

I turn and notice Jessica isn’t under the tent. When I turn back, Mackenzie is smiling at me. “June, this is Colt.”

“Nice to meet you.” The girl holds out a hand.

I shake it. “You as well.”

“She’ll be playing your love interest.”

My eyes widen. That’s not something you hear every day. I glance toward the food truck, where Tiffany is wiping down the countertop. Then I realize I’m still shaking May’s hand. Or was it June? I drop it and force a pleasant face.

I try my best to play it cool as we finish eating, but the idea of having a stranger as a love interest when my real love interest is across the parking lot makes my stomach turn.

Jessica finds me when I’m throwing away my plate. I’d planned on stopping by Tiffany’s for a moment before we started back to work. Instead, Jessica jerks me toward her trailer for a touch-up. “You need a little powder across your shiny nose,” she observes.

I sit in her chair, knowing it’s best to cooperate and get this out of the way.

“Your girlfriend is pretty.”

“Thank you,” I say.

She laughs. “Very tan and tall.”

My stomach sours. I’d stupidly thought of Tiffany when she said that. Not my fake girlfriend for the video. Of course, Tiffany isn’t my real girlfriend anymore, either.

What a mess.

“Why don’t you brush your teeth, and I’ll get you some clear lip gloss.” She winks.

I frown. Kissing was not listed in my contract.