Night Beats: Ghost in the Vending Machine

Chapter 8: Heart Beats Slow

Ash shielded her eyes as she looked up from her phone then out at the deserted street they'd shut down for exactly three hours. It was a series of turns that created a track so the drivers could make a continuous loop until the scene was finished.

"That's the fourth time you've looked at your phone in ten minutes." Cassius preened his eyebrows in the visor's mirror as they waited for the camera on Derrick's motorcycle to be checked. "Is something going on?" He lowered the spoolie then moved on to reapplying a tinted balm Fynn had made that matched his lips.

Ash blew some auburn hair from her eyes and tried not to scratch the bothersome itch beneath the 'Jane' wig she was wearing. "Nothing. I'm just waiting on an email."

"Oh?" The cap snapped back in place before it came to rest in a pocket for quick access between takes. "You seem edgy. Is it another gig? I thought you were Night Beats, 'ride or die'."

Ash chuckled quietly and shook her head. "It's not that. It's just some family stuff."

Cass' eyebrows knitted together, a crease forming that remained a little too long after the expression relaxed again. "I hope everything's okay."

"It's fine. I'm just being impatient. What about you?" She tried to change the subject, but had nothing to redirect his attention to.

"What about me?" He flipped the visor back up and gave her his full attention.

"Uh-you're as impatient as me. Have you texted Thor?"

Cass flicked her in the arm. "If you must know, I have."

"So soon?" She applied a scandalized tone, and his expression flattened.

"I am too mature to play games, plus it was the only way I could get him my number." He winked before going on. "I actually asked if he wanted to meet me for drinks with the crew after we wrap the episode. Something casual, surrounded by people we both know and easy enough to make a quick exit. If we hit it off, I'll see if he wants to have dinner."

Ash hummed with interest. "So smooth, I'm impressed."

"I like to keep the pressure off."

"And did he say yes?"

"He did. You'll be there, right?"

"And miss the opportunity to say 'I told you so' when he turns out to be straight?"

"Stop. He's obviously bi."

"So you're telling me there's a chance." Ash gave him a fake smile that he took as real.

"Please. I know your type, and he is not it."

"You don't know nothing."

"I know you like goofy younger guys—guys like Derrick." Cass tilted his head towards the rear view mirror where Derrick could be seen checking one of the clamps on the camera armature.

"You are outta your mind. No. Derrick might as well be a teenager. He's way too young." Ash could feel her face get hot. "We're great friends, but there's literally nothing going on. I can't believe you think that."

"It's not just me."

Ash gasped, and her voice lowered to a whisper. "Are you serious?"

Cassius shrugged, but the conversation dropped as Derrick wandered over to the car. "You guys ready to go?" He leaned with an arm against Ash's open window.

"Uhhhhh—We're—yeah—uh huh." She tripped over her words and Cass chuckled in the passenger seat.

"Okay?" Derrick frowned, the gesture still hidden by his makeup, though his brown eyes were now freed from his contacts. "Well everything's set up, so Steven wanted you to know we're going to be filming in five."