SPOTLIGHT (Colt Seavers) ✔︎

7 | RGB

We sat in silence throughout the drive to the club. Colt was wearing a neon green suit, with a matching hat. I was a little more mundane, in heels and a party dress.

"You look nice," Colt said out of nowhere as I turned into the carpark. I put the car in park and glanced over at him, a tight-lipped smile on my face. "What's wrong?"

I shrugged, unbuckling my seatbelt and leaning back in the seat. "Doesn't this seem a bit over-kill to you?" Colt furrowed his brows. "I mean... Why can't Gail check on Ryder herself, or send the police?" I pulled my dress down, which was riding up my thighs. "Why do you have to do it?"

Colt leaned his head against the rest with a sigh. "The studio's way over budget." I turned my head to face him and he did the same, staring me in the eyes, from only a few inches away. Colt visibly swallowed. "Gail can't—uh—she can't get the studio or the police involved, because they'll pull out." I sighed in understanding. "I don't want Jody's first film to be her last."

Jody. She had no idea any of this was happening. No idea Ryder was missing. No idea that Colt and I were risking our asses to save her movie. Would she even approve? No, I thought. Jody deserves this. She's worked hard and she believes in me.

Colt was still watching me in silence, waiting for me to reply. I'd been so in my head that I didn't realise I was still staring at him. I shook my head and averted my gaze, a red flush spreading onto my cheeks. Colt chuckled, sitting back up straight and adjusting his hat. "So, what do you say?"

I nodded assuredly. "Let's save Jody's movie."

***

The lights flashed bright and irregularly, accompanied by a pumping bass. I walked behind Colt, a crowd forming around us as we made our way through the throng.

"Oh my god. Is that Tom Ryder?"

Hands reached out and girls screamed in excitement. I rolled my eyes, trying not to lose Colt in the crowd. It was impossible to lose sight of him. He stood out like a sore thumb. But people were getting pretty close and I felt like I was being pulled away.

"Skye." I looked up as Colt stopped walking, causing me to bump into him. "Here." He reached his hand back and I immediately grabbed it, holding onto it for dear life. His fingers intertwined with my own, tightly holding me close as we made our way through the excited clubbers.

"Who's that with Tom?"

"She doesn't look like Iggy?"

"I don't recognise her."

I ducked my head, feeling my face flush self-consciously. Colt gave my hand a firm squeeze as if to say 'ignore them.' It almost worked.

"Stunt man." The crowd parted and we stepped into the centre of the club, where a man sat on the couch, drinking a beer. "Yeah, yeah. Iggy said you were gonna come see me. Sit down, sit down." Colt and I sat down on the sofa opposite the man and I dropped his hand, placing it in my lap. "And who might you be?"

My eyes met his as he stared me up and down, a smirk on his—leopard-print tattooed—face. Must be the infamous Doone. "I'm Skye."

"Skye," Doone repeated. "Just Skye? Very mysterious." He turned to Colt, gesturing towards me with his hand. "You've got yourself a nice piece of ass there, my friend."

I bit my lip, lowering my gaze uncomfortably. Doone and his guys laughed together, but Colt remained silent. I didn't look up at him, worried I might cry or get up and punch Doone in the jaw. This was no place for either.

"Watch it, brother," Colt suddenly said from beside me, causing me to raise my gaze slightly.

Doone's laughter was cut short and he stared at Colt incredulously. "What did you say?"