by Kahlen Aymes
She looked into my face, bit her lip and nodded. "Yeah, but you know..."
"Yeah, I do know. And you should know, too. That's all I'm getting at."
I lifted her off her feet and kissed her mouth before pulling back the sheets and putting her in bed.
"You're wasting your time, you know," her lips turned up at the corners.
"What? Wasting my time, how?"
"You know.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve still got to brush my teeth.”
I let her up and followed Brook reluctantly back into the bathroom, then filled my own brush with toothpaste. She grabbed the tube from my hand.
“Whatever you say…” she said, following suit.
We both finished and I grabbed her hand and I walked out of the bathroom pulling her behind me. She was so sexy, soft and warm and I was chastising myself for what I was about to do. I turned the light off in the bathroom and then the one beside the bed.
"Whatever I say, hmmm?" I whispered as my hands cupped her breasts and I moaned against her neck as the nipples hardened in my hands. "I love the sound of that, Brook, because what I say is I want you."
My mouth hovered over hers as I lowered her to the bed.
"I'm all yours..." she said. "Always yours."
I PACED AROUND MY room, waiting impatiently for Jeanne to answer her phone. It was Cade's birthday and I was fidgeting. I wanted everything to be perfect. He was in wardrobe and I was going to the makeup trailer before we filmed with Jennifer, Leah, Gavin, Sarah and the rest of the cast. I didn't have many moments without him lately, and it made getting the arrangements made more difficult, so I was making the most of this one. I had to rely on Jeanne and Ethan to help me with the big stuff.
"Hello?" Jeanne finally answered and my hand tightened around the phone.
"Oh, Jeanne! You had me worried. I haven't gotten the bracelet yet. Are you sure it's been shipped?"
"Jesus, Brook, I'm running my ass off trying to get hotels and rides done for Cade’s parents, and you're concerned about the bracelet?"
I let out an exaggerated sigh. "I ordered the damn thing a month ago, so yeah, I'm frustrated!"
"I'm sure it will be fine. Denise is helping with that. She's calling FedEx as we speak to check on the tracking, and Cade’s driver is on his way to the airport to get Lillian and Carter. Did you want me to get them checked in and then bring them to the set?"
"Yes. I thought they might enjoy watching us work for a while, and then Cade can go back to their hotel with them. I'll go to the dinner with Jennifer, and meet them back at the hotel later. It's really important to me to get that bracelet in time, so will you text and let me know if you and Denise track it down, please?" I bit my lower lip and chewed on it as I walked toward my trailer. My hand closed around the knob to yank it open before I stepped in to find Mickey smiling in my direction and pointing with a waving hand at the chair in front of him.
"Brook, you know Cade won't care if it's a day or two late." Jeanne‘s voice took on the calming tone she always used when she wanted me to relax. "All he cares about is being with you."
I was sure she was right, but I was still anxious. Cade had made two of my birthdays amazing and it was my turn to surprise him.
"It's important to me, Jeanne. So, just please find it if you can, okay? I'm running late, so I'll talk to you later." I hung up my phone and flung myself down in the makeup chair in front of the mirrors. Mickey was milling around organizing his station. He cocked his eyebrow at me, and I braced myself for the grilling that was to come, no matter how hilarious it would be.
"Hey, Mickey. What's up?" I offered up a coy smile.
"Oh, honey, that depends! Where's my boyfriend? Didn't you bring him with you?" He started to run his hands through my hair and grinned at me in the mirror.
"Hmmm. Well, I think he's in wardrobe," I laughed. "He’ll be here soon."
"Girl, mmmm, mmm, mmmm! He is one yummy man. He does all sorts of things to my insides!"
"Yeah, I know the feeling."
Mickey stopped messing with my hair and reached for a brush from the drawers in front of him and to my right, stopping dead in his tracks at my comment. Both eyebrows shot up.
"Was that an admission, missy?" He smirked slyly.
I just rolled my eyes and grinned back. "If you really want to drool, check out those photos online from the GQ shoot he did for last month's issue." My mind flashed to the pictures of him in those tight jeans and the black leather jacket. Jesus, he was gorgeous. "He looks amazing." I pursed my lips derisively. “They make him look all messy and he’s still so hot. It’s not fair. If they did that to me, I’d look like a drowned rat.”
"Have I seen them? You must be kidding! I saw them before that mag even hit the stands. And when doesn’t Caden Carlisle look amazing?" He paused, dramatically fanning himself and then looked at me as something dawned on him. He pointed a finger in my direction. "Wait. You didn’t just turn into a fan girl, did you?"
"Hmmph!" I expelled my breath and shook my head in self-admonishment.
Shit. I hated being lumped in with the fans that screamed and fainted whenever he was within a hundred yards or went to see his movies twenty-five times each.
"Um... Well, Mick, you have, that's for sure!"
"You have to tell me everything. What's he taste like? He looks so flippin’ delish. I want all the details! Oh my God, I'm so jealous that you get to be so close to him, kiss him, touch him!" He started to brush my hair as my eyes widened, when I saw the trailer door open and Cade walk in. I bit my lip to hide my smile and dropped my head to shield my expression from the object of our discussion as he came to me. “It gives me the goosies just thinking about it!”
"Uh... Now isn't a good time to tell you, Sorry," I said as I lost the fight with the laughter as it burst from my chest.
Cade took the chair beside me and looked over in my direction, up at Mickey and then back at me again. Clearly, there was a question in his dark blue eyes. "What?" he asked, his brows rose as he spoke.
I shrugged and shook my head, trying to wipe the smile from my face and failing miserably. He kept looking at me like he wasn't buying it. Heat rose underneath my skin and a blush flooded my face. Cade's mouth twitched in amusement, but he just stared forward into the mirror.
Sally, the head hair stylist, came in and stood behind me. It took me ten seconds to realize she'd be working on me and Mickey was going to work on Cade.
Oh boy. This should be good.
A huge ass smile split across Mickey's face and he winked at me. I could see Cade visibly tense in his seat. He sat up a little taller, and brought his hands to grasp around the arms of his chair when it dawned on him who’d be working on him today.
"In honor of your birthday, I get a present, Mr. Hottie," Mickey said and started laying paper towels on Cade's lap to keep makeup from soiling his costume. "I get to do you today."
Cade's horrified expression was priceless, as he quickly took the towels from Mickey's hands and laid them over his pants himself.
"Uh... thanks," he murmured stiffly, "I'll do that."
We all knew that doing Cade was, as in makeup and hair, but that Mickey wished it were something else entirely.
I thought I was going to die laughing and brought a hand to my mouth to contain it, but my shoulders started shaking with the force of my amusement. Cade shot me a dirty look that said he didn't find the situation in the least bit amusing. He was straighter than straight, and the attention of a gay man was bound to make him squirm.
His costume was standard aquamarine scrubs, but it was a V-neck so he would need some body makeup down his neck and onto his chest. Mickey was going to have a hay day.
Cade glared at me in the mirror, eyes wide, and mouthed the words "Help me," which only made it harder for me to keep a straight face. I just cocked my head to one side and jutted out my lower lip in a sympathetic pout to tease him even more.
"So, Cade-ilicious; what are you doing for your bi
rthday?" Mickey began to put the makeup on his chest, clearly reveling in the ability to finally get his hands on the object of his obsession.
Cade's mouth just dropped open as he searched for words. He sat up straighter in his chair again to move as far back as possible. I felt so bad for him, but it was fucking hilarious and I couldn't help egging him on further.
"Yeah, Cade-ilicious...” I echoed Mickey’s words devilishly. “What ya got going on tonight?" I smirked at him and unable to curb it a second longer, finally burst out laughing.
"You are so going to get it later, Halloway," he growled under his breath. "You're having way too much fun with this."
Mickey stopped what he was doing and stared at me to emphasize his words, shaking his head.
"You are one lucky, lucky, bitch,” Mickey stated emphatically and smiled; winking at me in the mirror as he continued his work.
I smiled as I glanced mischievously at Cade and wagged my eyebrows at him wildly in exaggeration.
"Yeah, I know. You have no idea, Mickey. The boy has skills," I said dryly. Even Cade laughed in surprise. His eyes shot to mine and his face flushed as his head snapped around. I met his gaze steadily and licked my lips. "Serious skills."
"Oh fuck, don't tease me," Mickey begged. "I can't stand it!"
Cade put the heels of his hands over his eyes, but his shoulders were shaking as he finally laughed out loud.
"You guys are killing me," Sally dissolved into laughter with us as she started working on my hair. "Mick, concentrate on what you're doing and leave the poor guy alone. If we don't have them on set in twenty minutes, they'll have my ass."
"Spoilsport," Mickey retorted.
I glanced at Cade in the mirror and he was smiling back at me. "Love you," I mouthed to his reflection.
"I know," he said out loud. "Miracles do happen."
Sally had my makeup finished before Mickey was done with Cade, so I excused myself and went to find Martin. He was working on the lighting with the production manager on a cover set of the hospital room.
I talked to him a few days previously to let him know I was inviting Cade's parents to the set today and he’d been great about it.
"Hey Brook, when will Cade's parents get here? I want to make sure to have some filming left so I'll stall a little if needed."
"Thanks. You've been so nice about this. We sent Cade's driver to get them about two hours ago, so I expect them any minute. They're great people and they'll love you, Martin. I hope you'll come to dinner tonight. Ethan couldn't come, but he arranged it at the Glowball Grill at 8:30."
"Wouldn't miss it." He smiled as he went back to work.
Jeff Jackson, who would play Spencer Black, was there and overheard our conversation. He looked so different in his costume and makeup. He was so boyish in real life, but he looked completely stiff all made up as the boorish psychologist. From what I'd seen so far of his acting, he was going to deliver a great performance.
He smiled and walked up closer to me, his dark eyes flirting with me. "So it's Caden's birthday, eh?"
"Er... yes. Ethan planned a surprise for him tonight at the Glowball Grill. You're welcome to join us if you'd like. The others, too. We should make sure to invite everyone." I looked at my feet nervously as I saw Cade walking toward us out of the corner of my eye.
"Yeah, I'll spread the word," he said softly. "See you in there." He moved off toward the other actors to let them know about the party.
Cade's eyes narrowed a little as he came to stand next to me. He was calm, but his eyes were sharper and threw daggers at the other man’s retreating back.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
I crossed my arms and looked up at him; a smile dancing around my mouth.
"Don't go getting your panties all in a bunch, Ryan. He just wanted to know some good places to get dinner tonight. Just small talk. Nothing really." I punched him in the arm playfully.
"Well, you'd better be careful or your panties might end up in a bunch," he said with a grin. "You're being very saucy today, and then leaving me at Mickey's mercy like that was unforgivable. What's gotten into you?" His eyes were warm as his hand moved to my lower back and his fingers ran up to my shoulders and back down. My skin tingled through my shirt at his touch.
"Well, maybe I'm really happy today and it’s fun teasing you. Happy Birthday, babe," I said softly so no one else could hear.
"Mmmm... I'm really looking forward to my, um, presents. What did you get me?" His eyes were alive with devilish teasing, the blue depths gleaming.
"I thought you didn't want me to buy you presents."
His brows went up and he let his breath out. "Hmmph! Who said anything about buying me anything?"
I wanted to reach up, wind my hand around the back of his neck and pull that beautiful mouth down to mine, but all I could do was stare at it and then look into his eyes. I could tell by his expression that he knew what I was thinking as his gaze fell to my mouth as well.
"Hmmph!" He let out his breath again.
There was a movement at the side stage door and I saw Carter and Lillian coming toward us, being led by Mark, the production assistant that had gotten me roses for my birthday, two months before. Cade was facing me and didn't see them. I waited until they were just about to us and then I put my hand on his arm to get him to look into my face.
"Here comes one of them now." I nodded in the direction I wanted him to glance. "Thanks, Mark," I said as they reached us.
He turned around and his mother opened her arms to him.
"Bloody Hell!" he said, stunned, as his mother enfolded him in an embrace and his dad patted him on the shoulder.
"There's my baby," Lillian said. "I'm so glad to see you, darling."
"Happy Birthday, son," Carter said warmly, a smile spreading out on his gentle face.
"Mum, Dad... how?" Cade's face was incredulous as his mother gathered him close again. Even shocked, he was so beautiful he took my breath away.
"Hello, Brook," Carter said, then scooped me up into huge hug that left my feet dangled off of the floor. The familiarity of the contact didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the cast and crew, but I didn't care.
My arms automatically wrapped around his shoulders as I hugged him back. "I'm so glad you came." Tears welled in my eyes. "Look at me getting all sappy. The makeup people will be all over me if I ruin their hard work."
"You're gorgeous!" He set me down and turned to Cade. "Son, it's so good to see you. You're looking a little pale, though," he laughed as the two men embraced.
“I think he’s too thin,” his mother put in.
"Hello, Lillian, you look beautiful," I said, and she hugged me before placing a soft kiss on my cheek. She always smelled of lilacs and French perfume.
"Thank you for inviting us dear. We're so happy to be here. Have you been taking good care of my boy? He looks so wonderfully happy, even if he’s skipping a few meals."
I nodded in answer. "I think so."
"“Mum, I’m not!” Cade protested. “We just work hard, and I get sick of hotel food. We don’t get out much. What are you doing here? I mean...” He shook his head in wonder.
His mother lowered her voice. "Brook invited us. Layla and Oliver as well, but they couldn't get away. They've sent gifts with their regrets that they couldn’t attend."
Cade reached out to take my hand. "Thank you, love. This was extremely thoughtful. You’re perfect."
I blushed and gave his hand a little squeeze before pulling back as the rest of the cast and Martin came over. Lillian and Carter exchanged a look, and I could only interpret it as pride and happiness for the two of us.
"Are you going to watch us film, then?" Cade's eyes lit up at the prospect. He’d told me in one of our overnight talks that he rarely let his family visit the set. I’d been having issues with my mother’s impromptu visits to set on the first film. Mostly, I just didn’t want my time with Cade interrupted, and I knew she’d be able to tell I was in love with him just by
looking at my face, and I didn’t want to deal with it. Like now, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was so bad, my face hurt.
"Yes, Brook arranged it with your director. You don't mind do you, my boy?" Carter asked.
"Not at all. I'm so happy to have you both here!"
Cade’s strong arm slid around my waist, and he pulled me close to his side. Glancing up into his face; I could see the love radiating from his eyes. "You're amazing."
"Awww, shucks," I teased him. "I just love you; that's all."
His arms went around my shoulders and he pulled me close into a full-on hug. "Cade, the crew...”
"I don't care. I love you. You're so good to me."
My arms slid around his waist, and I hugged him back. Closing my eyes, I inhaled his scent and wished I could kiss him as my hands splayed out on his back pressed him closer.
“They know, anyway,” he whispered into the hair above my ear.
After introductions were made to the rest of the crew, his parents were settled into their chairs off to the side while we ran a quick rehearsal to get the blocking and camera angles down. After the technical stuff was completed we ran through the scene once without film and then finally, we began shooting.
They watched the filming of the first part of the scene where Aaron and Jenna, Ellie and Harris have dinner with Ryan and Julia the first night she comes home from the hospital, and they were questioning why Ryan couldn’t just tell Julia about the past. Things were filmed out of sequence so most of the others could leave, and then I sat with Cade’s parents as he filmed a scene with Jeff. It was easy to get completely lost in the scene, letting myself feel the possibility of forgetting Cade.
We didn't get all of the apartment scenes finished and would be filming them over the next few days before they would strike the set. They were more involved and had several segments to them which all had to be set up and filmed separately, then edited together later in post-production. There were a lot of emotional scenes and the love scenes would be filmed on a closed set, at Cade’s request.