SPOTLIGHT (The Fall Guy) ✔︎

12 | Room Tone

"I wanna report a crime!" Colt shouted from the passenger seat, before I had even finished rolling down the window. I grimaced at the weird look the police man gave us, not meeting his eye. "An ice crime!"

"Okay, mate," the officer replied, unsurely, I ducked my head. "Where?"

Colt opened the passenger door. "In the hotel." He got out of the car, turning to me. "You coming?" I shook my head, not meeting his gaze. "Suit yourself."

It was about ten minutes before Colt returned. I silently buckled my seatbelt and put the car in drive, not paying him any mind as he got back into the passenger seat.

"It's gone."

I sighed, pulling out onto the main road. "What's gone, Colt?"

"The body." I almost slammed on the brakes, but managed to keep myself steady. I glanced over at his serious expression. "It was gone. No ice or anything."

"So someone moved it?" Colt nodded. "But, why?"

Colt shrugged. "Obviously, they didn't want anyone to see it—"

"—But we saw it," I interrupted, making a right at the lights. "They didn't care enough to move it before we went up there."

Colt's lips pursed in thought. "I don't know then."

I sighed. "I think we're done for tonight." Colt hummed in agreement. "Where do you want me to drop you off?"

Colt looked at me in confusion. "What?"

"Where do you want me to drop you off?" I repeated, slowing down at the intersection. "Your hotel...?"

"Oh, right," Colt muttered under his breath. "I, uh... I don't have a hotel, yet."

I sighed. "Well, where were you planning to stay?"

Colt shrugged. "I don't know. Probably in Ryder's trailer or something."

"Seriously?" I flicked the indicator and turned right. "You can sleep on my couch." He shot me a grateful smile. "I'm not driving all the way back out to set."

"Thank you, Skye." That was the most sincere I'd ever heard him sound. "I really appreciate it."

I waved him off. "Don't worry about it. Besides, we're filming at the opera house tomorrow, anyways."

***

My apartment was the same as we had left it. I was still pretty upset with Colt, so without a word, I went into my room to grab the spare bedding. He stood by awkwardly as I dumped it onto the couch. "Skye?" I hummed in acknowledgement, chucking the couch cushions onto the floor. "Are you mad?"

I sighed, standing up and turning to face him. He looked uncomfortable, like he didn't know how to stand. He shoved his hands into his neon coat pockets, watching me. "I told you not to talk to the police." Colt lowered his gaze. "Why didn't you listen?"

"But it was fine—"

"—Only because whoever killed that guy didn't want the police to see." I made my way over to the balcony, pulling the glass door aside and stepping out into the cold air. Colt followed, leaning his elbows on the banister. "I get that you're high out of your mind right now, but I thought you'd listen to me." I mimicked his position, turning to look at him. He met my gaze. "We've been through so much tonight. I thought maybe you would trust my judgement."

Colt sighed guiltily. "i'm sorry, Skye."

"I guess..." I took a deep breath, redirecting my gaze to the Harbour Bridge, just visible in the sliver between two buildings. "I guess I feel like you didn't really care about how it would affect me." Colt narrowed his eyes. "We could've gotten into serious trouble."

"I'm sorry." I glanced up at him, his eyes full of sincerity. "I was being selfish. I should've thought about you."

I nodded. "Okay." We returned our gazes to the view before us, and I couldn't help but notice Colt moving ever-so-slightly closer to me. I almost thought I was imagining it, until his shoulder bumped my own. I glanced up at him. His face was only inches away from my own. My breath caught in my throat. "What are you doing?"

He chuckled breathily and my stomach fluttered at the sound. "I have no idea." I searched his eyes. They were no longer glazed over; he wasn't high anymore. I bit my lip nervously and he noticed, a smile spreading onto his face. "Am I making you nervous?"

I scoffed, trying to hide how much of an affect the closeness was having on me. It clearly didn't work. "I just..." Colt's smile softened and he retreated slightly. Then suddenly, with no warning, his long toned arms wrapped around my shoulders, embracing me in a warm, tight hug.

I melted into him, my own arms immediately wrapping around his waist as I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in. "It's gonna be okay." I nodded into his chest, feeling his heartbeat begin to slow down. "I'll keep looking for Ryder. You don't have to be involved anymore."

I tilted my head up at him, my chin resting on his chest and his own tucked to look down at me. "I still want to help."

Colt looked confused. "But, I thought..."

"I'm not letting you do this by yourself," I explained, removing my arms from his waist. He loosened his grip ever-so-slightly. The position was quite awkward, so I put my hands on his shoulders instead. "I want to help. I just want you to promise me that you won't act rashly again." I let out a sigh. "This whole situation is really weird..."

Colt nodded. "Okay." I smiled up at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and turning my head to rest my cheek back against his chest. "Who knows? Maybe Ryder will show up to set tomorrow, and we won't have to do anything."

He chuckled and I felt it rumble in his chest. "Wouldn't that be nice." I tightened my grip around Colt's neck, pulling him closer so that his chin was resting on my shoulder. This felt right, despite us having known each other for mere days. I didn't really want to let go. But, much to my dismay, Colt did exactly that.

"It's getting cold," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist and escorting me inside my own apartment. "Six a.m. call time, remember?"

I groaned, reluctantly pulling away as he closed the door behind us. "How could I forget?"

***

A/N: My question for today is: what do you think of the pace of this story so far?

I'm trying to take it slow, but I also understand that people want stuff to happen and aren't going to keep reading if it doesn't happen. So let me know your thoughts. After all this book is for you guys.