Page 39 of Midnight Sun
“It’s not a stalker! It’s just…”
“Someone who follows you everywhere. Someone who tries to scare you and takes pictures of you. Don’t you see how dangerous this person is?”
“No. You still don’t get it. This is my life. I deal with weirdos trying to get a part of me all the fucking time. You should leave if you can’t deal with it. It’s part of the deal. The price of being famous.”
“Who told you all that bullshit? You’re not obligated to endure this.”
Jamie makes a dismissive sound. “You've no idea. If I let them see that it bothers me, it only gets worse. That’s why you don’t call the police. That’s why you deal with this alone.”
Finn takes a deep breath, trying to calm his anger. He wills his voice to stay low and soothing. “But see, you don’t have to deal with this alone anymore.”
Jamie’s eyes widen, and he seems torn between anger and the urge to give in to Finn. He takes a shuddering breath. “No police. We have been over this!”
“Only my brother then.”
“Finn, I don’t think–”
“That’s not negotiable,” Finn cuts him off, and Jamie glares at him.
“Fine. Tell your brother that I’m stalked by an evil sorcerer, after you already dragged him to look at Hrafna’s lodge for absolutely no reason. That’ll add to a great first impression.”
Finn can’t help but laugh at Jamie’s indignant expression.
“You don’t know my brother,Jamie minn. You have no need to be worried about impressions, first or otherwise. He’s not the type who cares.”
“Weirdos, all of you,” Jamie mumbles. “And I highly doubt that anything will come out of your silly little investigation.” Jamie gingerly stands up and offers Finn a hand as he goes. “Can I buy you breakfast? I don’t feel like sitting inside this morning.”
Finn smiles. “Let’s do that. I know a place you might like.”
Hrafna has outdone herself in the choice of locations this time. Filming takes place on a black beach, with rugged mountains rising from its shores. Even better, Finn knows a barely-used trail through the mountains that leads to his cabin on his grandmother’s farmland. The ride there takes two hours, three to four if you take your time, and Finn can’t wait to get Jamie there for the weekend.
Finn is still wearing his costume, leather armor and sword belt, because Edmonton already left to attend an event in London and the scenes they shot today could be done with a stunt double easily enough. Still, Finn can tell that Hrafna isn’t amused. Listening to the skuas’ screams, Finn packs up his equipment. The sun is nearing the horizon, and Finn is looking forward to taking a shower, and then leaving with Jamie as fast as possible. He watches Jamie follow Audrey to the trailer for the costume designers and make-up artists, still wearing his own costume, a light tunic and leather breeches. Finn hopes he can get his hands on Jamie in this get-up some time.
As he makes his way to their shared trailer, he sees Peter lingering in front, balancing their supper in a large plastic carton. Finn rolls his eyes. He can understand Bev’s annoyance with the guy. He’s a dedicated PA for sure, but the way he always sticks a little too close to Jamie, always in earshot when the occasion calls for privacy, grates on Finn’s nerves.
“Hæ, Peter. You can give me that.” Finn gestures toward the packed food.
“Thank you, sir,” Peter hands the box over, looking relieved. “Do you need anything else from me?”
“No, thanks. Also, there’s no need to call me ‘sir’.”
Peter sends him an uncertain smile and looks around as if he fears to be overheard. Finn watches him expectantly.
“Well?”
“It’s not my place to question, but Mister Arden has been on edge lately,” Peter starts, but trails off again.
“And?”
“He’s–umm, snapping at the crew–more than usual–”
Finn has been thinking about it, too. Since they started filming, Jamie has been tense and easily angered. But that doesn’t surprise Finn, given the threat the stalker poses. Plus, working with Edmonton is exhausting, to say the least. Finn has no idea what Hrafna was thinking, hiring him when Finn has to do half the scenes, anyway. Jamie’s antics, on the other hand, Finn finds weirdly attractive.
“It’s not like him to be this harsh. And I thought you might be able to talk to him?” Peter doesn’t meet his gaze, but watches him out of the corner of his eyes, like he’s trying to gauge Finn’s reaction.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, sir.”