Love Train

it's complicated.

I felt like I was being called into the principals office.
Kristen and I sat on the chairs outside of Jeff Tremaine's office, waiting to be called in.
I was told beforehand by Bam and Ryan that Jeff is the director of all their movies and shit. He basically runs everything and everyone that's a part of Jackass.
I hope all this shit is over and done with by the end of the day.
I heard the door open and spun around, meeting eyes with who I'd assume was Jeff.
"Hey, Mac," He greeted me and shook my hand, leading me into his office, "I'm Jeff. And this is your friend..."
"Kristen," I heard her mumble behind me.
"Great to meet you."
I sat down and Kristen followed, although she seemed unsure with this guy.
She knew who he was, but after this whole experience, she took that she didn't ACTUALLY know who any of these people really were.
And here I am, literally in the dark about everything.
"So, we know you guys have probably already seen and heard what's going on and obviously we want what you want, which is to shut this shit down," Jeff was a man who was straight to the point, I appreciate that, "We've got a movie coming out in two months, and although this situation doesn't seem like a huge deal, the media has a habit of blowing things out of proportion and influencing people to boycott projects because of those behind said films."
"An affair will do that?" I asked.
"Absolutely. Audiences become convinced that they're supporting this type of behaviour by going to see these films, and so they just avoid it entirely." Jeff said.
"Do you mind if I interrupt you there, Jeff?" Kristen asked in a sickeningly sweet tone. She didn't wait for his approval before she continued, "Where exactly is the man of the hour?"
Jeff paused for a moment, tilted his head at her and smiled, "He's on the phone with his wife. He'll be in shortly."
The room went silent and my eyes fell to my hands in my lap. They were shaking.
I felt fucking awful.
"It is probably best that we wait for him, you have a point there. I'm just gonna go get some water for you two. I'll be back shortly." Jeff said, basically already out the door as he'd finished his sentence.
I turned to my best friend who was typing on her blackberry and avoiding my eye.
"Kris," I said sharply, and her head snapped up, "Could you behave? This is real shit. Not just some petty drama."
"This is his mess too, Mac. The least he could do is sit here and listen." She muttered, eyes back on the keys beneath her fingers.
I couldn't argue with that.
My eyes wandered around the room, which was basically bare, and landed on a cpr poster stuck to a window. I could only make out the words 'security position'-
The door suddenly swung open and in he walked.
I felt my throat tighten as he took a seat over on Jeff's side of the desk. He didn't say a word. He just sat there, aviators hiding his eyes and hands occupied with a styrofoam cup.
He had his whole style thing going on, like he looked like he threw it together but also like he'd thought about it. The stubble on his chin had grown so it was at that uncomfortable stage where he'd scratch or rub his chin every five minutes, and the bags peeping from under his glasses made him look fatigued.
Ew, I'm creeping again.
I looked away as to not embarrass myself further and  sunk into my chair, swivelling side to side.
"Hey Johnny." Kris said, not looking up from her blackberry.
"Kris." He nodded, obviously wanting to steer away from interaction.
"How's your wife?" She said. Johnny choked on his drink.
This was not the time or fucking place. She is not making this ANY easier for me.
"Grow up, Kris." I muttered.
Her eyes widened and she finally looked up from her screen.
"You're gonna let this fuck walk in and act like he didn't do anything?" She spat.
I took a deep breath in and I felt myself just let go.
"I don't even know him, why should I care?"
I do care, and she knows it. I'd talked to her about him, about how funny he was, about how comfortable he made me feel. I talked to her about how he made me feel special; which is so fucking weird, and as much as I'd like to say I hated it, I'd be lying if I did.
All of those feelings and thoughts were so foreign to me. I'd never really found anyone attractive in any case. Which is why it was exciting, and why I fell so hard after I woke up and he wasn't there.
"I'm out," Kristen said, picking her shit up, "Catch you later, Mac."
She slammed the door behind her.
Look, I love Kris, and I wasn't trying to defend Johnny or anything but in an ADULT situation don't act petty or try to start shit. You don't get brownie points, you look immature. As soon as you start acting like that you've lost all respect.
And Johnny needs to learn that I deserve some fucking respect.
"Sorry about that." I say. Here's me being mature.
Johnny shifted in his seat and took a mouthful from his cup, "Thought I was back in middle school for a second."
I let out a weak laugh for his benefit. I nearly felt like continuing the conversation, but that's not what I'm here for.
Jeff came into the room carrying three bottles of water and planted himself down next to Johnny.
"The taps were out or something. Hope you're okay with bottled." He said, pulling some documents out from under his arm and placing them on the table.
"Perfect. Thanks." I smiled.
"Kristen's pulled out," Johnny said before I could even think about it, "Just needed some air."
Embarrassment spared.
"No worries," Jeff said, "Alright, Knox, Mac, we gotta come up with a plan here."
"Tell the press we're related or something." I said.
"There are photographs of you kissing." Jeff said.
"Yeah, but Johnny's from the south so isn't that normal over there?" I try to say seriously.
Johnny let out a sudden snort of laughter and Jeff chuckled.
"I think incest is a lot worse than what we're already looking at." Jeff laughed.
Silence followed as we all thought of genuine ways to sort this out.
"I already have a boyfriend," I blurted, opening my arms out in suggestion.
"You do?" Johnny said, way too quickly. He cleared his throat and flicked through some of the paperwork in front of him, "That's good."
"Yeah; Bam." I said.
Both Johnny and Jeff's eyes shot up at me, and after taking a couple of seconds to process it Jeff pointed at me.
"Perfect." Jeff said shaking his head and smiling, "We'll say the image was photoshopped, and to further prove it, you're also dating Mr. Brandon Margera."
"Since when were you guys dating?" Johnny mumbled, not looking at me.
"PJ," Jeff laughed, "Since TODAY. It's PR mother fucker."
"Oh fuck, right!" Johnny laughed mechanically, his face not even creasing where it was supposed to when he really smiled.
How do I know that?
"If it's not too much of a hassle," Jeff started, flicking through his papers, "I've got an NDA for you to sign. I know you wouldn't tell anyone anyway, but this is just all official stuff we have to do."
"Should we actually speak to Bam first?" I asked.
Johnny scoffed, shaking his head.
"He's been trying to find out your number ever since we met you, Mac. He'll have no problem agreeing to this." He smiled tightly.
I liked seeing him like this. He seemed jealous, which was most likely in my head but I'd settle for delusion over reality any day.
"Alright, so we've got an event on tonight. Just a huge party we're having in celebration of making new friends over here and also for the new movie; we shot the last scene for it a couple days back." Jeff said rubbing his chin, "We've got photographers. Get some photos with Bam and that's it. After tonight that should be all you need to do to put the rumours to rest."
He pushed the NDA towards me and I tilted my head in thought.
Will this have an impact on my future career? Wouldn't think so after a couple of months.
Are people going to hate me? No one even knows who I am, why would they even care to hate me?
Am I going to hate myself for it? Nope, after this I'll just laugh about it.
I picked up the pen and swiftly signed my name "here", "here", "and also here".
"Perfect," Jeff said shoving it back under his arm and standing up, "Thanks for your time and coming out here."
He reached out his hand, and as I shook it I stole a look over at Johnny, who was already up and leaving, his hand flexing in and out of a fist.

I POSTED.
the chapter is finally here, in it's awful glory. hope it's not too unbearable as i am rusty and trying to get back to my creative roots again. the next chapter is gonna be jam packed full of drama so keep an eye out for that, it'll be coming soon.
bare with me as i write these chapters, as i've said before i do take my time because of writers block etc.
i'll be back soon,
continue to take care of yourselves!
- sleep-o