Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Seeing the happy smile on Nova’s face eases the tension in my body left over from the incident earlier.
I walk to the safety team and wait patiently while they connect a harness to me. Checking all the clips, I make sure they’re secure before giving the team a thumbs-up.
My body is hauled into the air, and when I reach the roof, I climb onto it and jog to the side where I have to start running from.
Sean’s waiting down below to join the scene.
“Ready?” Martin, the new director, asks via the loudspeaker.
I give him a thumbs-up and roll my shoulders as I set my face in a grim expression.
“Action!”
I lunge forward and run to the marker before leaping off the roof. My heart pounds in my chest as I grab hold of the fire escape railing on the side of the other building before swinging my body over the steel rail and jumping down the flight of stairs.
“Motherfucker,” Sean shouts, and when he opens fire on me with blanks, I pretend to dodge live rounds while jumping to the ground and rolling behind a trash can.
“Cut!” Martin shouts. “Sean, we need more rage in your voice. Easton, let’s take it from where you’re about to jump down the stairs.”
I brush dust from my pants before I grab hold of the ladder to climb back up. While I get ready, I glance at Nova, and seeing the look of awe on her face has my chest filling with pride.
I’ll never get enough of her looking at me like that.
We go through the scene again, and when Martin gives the thumbs-up, I walk to a table to grab a bottle of water.
“Easton, Sylvia’s on the line for you,” Amy says, bringing my phone, which she usually holds while I’m filming.
“Thanks.” I take the device and say, “Hey. What’s up?”
“I’m calling to let you know a date has been set for the convention. I think it will be a good time to announce your relationship with Nova.”
“When?”
“The last Saturday of the month. I’ll email you all the details.”
I think for a few seconds, then reply, “Okay. It gives us two to three weeks.”
“Enjoy them.” She lets out a chuckle. “Once everyone finds out about you and Nova, it’s going to unleash a shitstorm of attention.”
“I know,” I sigh. “Talk to you later.”
Ending the call, I hand the device back to Amy and head to where Nova is sitting. Crouching beside her chair, I say, “Sylvia just let me know that we’re announcing our relationship at the convention to promote The Eradicator. You’ll need to be there.”
Her eyes widen. “What will be expected of me?”
“They’ll take a few photos of us, but I’ll answer all the questions so you don’t have to.”
“Okay.” She rubs her hands together before fisting them on her lap. “I might have a nervous breakdown before they get to take the first photo.”
Shaking my head, I lock eyes with her. “You’re going to be fine because I’ll be there with you.”
She nods and lets out a deep breath. “I have a few weeks to prepare.” When she gets up, I rise to my full height. “I’m going to pick up Lainey from school.”
“Give her a hug from me,” I say before I press a kiss to her mouth. “I’ll be home around ten.”
“I’ll miss you until then.”
I watch as she walks away, and only when she’s out of my sight do I turn my attention back to work.
Nova
Holding the smoothie Easton texted me to bring, I walk to where they’re filming.
After spending some time with Lainey this afternoon, I decided to bring Easton a smoothie and a plate of the delicious pot roast Frances made for dinner.
If he’s going to work late, I’m going to make sure he at least has something nice to eat.
This time, nothing goes wrong, and when I reach the set manager, I say, “Hi, Amy. I don’t want to bother Easton. I just brought him something to eat.”
“Hey, Nova. They have one scene to shoot, then Easton will be with you. Take a seat over there.”
I sit down in the chair and rest the Tupperware on my lap. I see Easton where he’s standing with Milla Hamilton, who’s not much older than Lainey. They’re both in makeup, looking like they’ve been through a war, with their clothes ripped and soot covering their arms and faces.
In the movie, Easton’s character has to protect Milla from the villain who wants her dead because she knows something she shouldn’t.
“Ready?” the director calls out.
When Easton and Milla nod, Amy shouts, “Silence on set.”
I watch as Easton closes his eyes for a few seconds before he picks up Milla. He stares at her face as she goes limp in his arms.
“Action!”
Easton takes a few stumbling steps forward, and when intense sadness and shock wash over his features, I hold my breath. He drops to his knees, gripping Milla tightly to him, then he lets out a harrowing shout, “No!”