Mainstream

Act Casual

Casual.

The word prevented Waylon from sleeping, haunted his dreams, and woke him up with a feeling of dread. He stumbled into the limousine the next morning with deep bags under his eyes.

"Makeup is going to have their work cut out, today," said Eddie from the other side of the seat. He extended a paper coffee cup and frowned. "This isn't related to what occurred last night, per chance?"

"No," said Waylon, accepting the cup. "I mean, yes, but no. I just, I was nervous and excited. Not like I have a problem with what happened, it's more like I'm curious." Waylon forced himself to take a breath to stem the babbling. "I don't know what 'casual' means to you."

Eddie mouthed a silent ah. Waylon clutched at his cup, the warmth distracting him as he waited.

"As you are aware, there is no sexual requirement in our contract," said Eddie, watching Waylon's fingers instead of his face. "It's something that can stop at any time. I am not paying you for sex, but if you are agreeable, I am open to a casual relationship, but it's not the same as the romantic performance we agreed upon in writing."

"So we're pretend dating, for a contract, and we're for-real dating in private?" asked Waylon.

"We are pretend dating, for a contract, and consensually enjoying one another in other ways, without any promise of commitment."

"But there could be a commitment in the future?" asked Waylon.

"I would rather not enter into anything sexual if you are hoping for something long term. That would be where the 'casual' comes into play."

"What's long term, though?" asked Waylon, fitting his coffee cup in the cupholder with a shaky hand. "I mean, we're almost done shooting the movie, are you gonna throw me out after that? Does the sex stop, too?"

"Waylon, I'm not interested in a romantic relationship, hence the need for the contracts in the first place," said Eddie. "I was open about that during our meeting, and you acknowledged that you understood."

"Yeah, no, I understand, I mean—I do, I just...casual, I don't know what that means to you..."

"You know what casual sex is," said Eddie, tone unimpressed.

"So casual sex, between...coworkers?"

"Precisely," said Eddie, a smile appearing before vanishing. "Unless you've changed your mind? We do not have to do anything—you aren't required at all. The casual relationship stops whenever one party wants it to end—much the same as the formal contracted performance."

"I wanna do it," said Waylon, jaw jutting. "I mean, I can do casual." Waylon leaned over in the limousine. He pushed his face into Eddie's neck, and one hand gripped Eddie's thigh through his blue slacks.

"Waylon," said Eddie, coffee sloshing as he jerked away. "What are you doing?"

Waylon's hand froze, but continued squeezing Eddie's thigh. "Uh, I was initiating some completely casual road head?"

"No," Eddie took a deep breath, holding his coffee with two hands. "Thank you, but, we hve to be performing at work in less than an hour. You need to show a little more restraint, darling."

"Darling," said Waylon, goofy grin appearing. "That's better than sex, really, just call me that, and..."

Eddie gave an irritated sigh, causing Waylon's story to cut off with a laugh.

"I still like you," said Waylon, grinning. "I like that you're grumpy, and a prude, and the way you overthink everything. I really can't resist riling you up. It's too much fun."