Tired and depressed, I headed out of the office into the deserted soundstages. When shooting wrapped, everyone cleared out of the soundstage and headed home pronto. The crew worked hard enough with their long hours; there was no extra credit for staying late. I passed the dark row of dressing rooms and trailers, stopping short when I realized I was in front of Nicole’s wardrobe trailer. She had told me the doors remained unlocked until security came around late and sealed everything up. I hesitated at the door and checked to see if anyone was watching. The street was deserted. I cautiously reached for the door, and the handle turned in my hand and the door swung outward. I checked again to see if the coast was clear before stepping inside. Nicole wasn’t the only one who knew how to use a needle and thread.

The next morning, I weaved my way between the desks toward my office, keeping on my shades to shield my bloodshot eyes from the staff. This was one of those mornings where I woke up and got out of bed, and my face would wake up a couple of hours later.

Azita waved to me from the far side of the office when I got close. “Hey, mama, perfect timing. I got a call for you.”

“Okay, put it in my office.” I felt a little overstimulated; I wasn’t even at my desk and I was being hit with someone who wanted something from me.

“Hello, it’s Dani.”

“Hey, beautiful.” It was JP, so I exhaled, relieved. He’d make me laugh and get the day off on the right foot. “How you doing?”

“I’m great, JP. What’s up?”

“Well, I’m calling on behalf of my buddy Jay.”

“Yeah?” I had no idea where he was going with this.

“Jay called to say that Troy called him and that Troy gave him the green light.”

“What green light?” I asked.

“Yeah, I guess things weren’t working out with you guys, and so Troy gave him the green light that he could make his move.”

I was speechless. Jay got the news that Troy and I weren’t working out. I wished I had gotten that message. I was still processing the spanking. Troy had finally sent me a text message last night explaining that he had been busy at work.

“So Jay is cool having Troy’s sloppy seconds?” I felt the fight rising in me.

“No, it’s not like that. C’mon Dani, you know how it is. Jay thinks you’re hot and wants to call you up.”

Cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear I stared a hole into the wall, furious.

“Just tell him I’m giving him the red light, okay?” I slammed the phone down. Fuck Jay, fuck JP, and fuck Troy. The whole thing was so very high school.