...And Beyond... | To Infinity... Book Two [ON HOLD]

Chapter 2: Shoot The Shield/Catering Talk

Monday March 22, 2021 - Calgary, Canada

3:15 PM

Desi POV

Walking down the hallway, I can feel his eyes on me...still. Dammit, someone gauge his eyes out already.

"Hey Desi, you remember me?" Seth says walking up to my side.
"I know you remember me, I'm unforgettable." Dean says walking up to my other side.
"Yes, I remember both of you idiots." I say with a chuckle.
"How are you guys doin' anyway?"

They shrug and nod and I shrug and nod with them.

"How 'bout you?" Seth asks quietly and I tense up a little.
"Um, you know, I'm managing. Uh, can one of you tell him to stop staring at me? I can feel him staring and I really wish he'd stop."
"I gotchu."

Dean falls back and I soon hear the larger man sigh and the awkward feeling of being watched disappearing from my body. I sigh out in relief and relish in the silence we have until we get to the room with the photo set.

*~*~*~*

Ten minutes into the shoot, it's become apparent to me that these men are naturals in front of a camera, especially you-know-who. He's still beautiful, disrespectfully sexy as Hell; his eyes are naturally puffy looking but he looks more tired than usual. Whatever, the fuck does he have to lose sleep over? I shake my head and continue to get money shot after money shot.

"Damn, I'm gonna have a really hard time picking out the best shots, they're all so good. I can't wait to get these babies into Photoshop." I say enjoying being behind a camera again.
"Yeah, just make sure you're getting my good side." Dean says flipping his damp hair.
"Oh? And what side is that?" I reply snapping another shot.
"All my sides." He turns around and sticks his butt out, turning his torso to duckface at me. Seth and Joe shoot him judging looks and I capture that moment perfectly. Not going to lie right now, Joe gives the best facial expressions...especially his "O" face when he's balls deep in my—ugh, someone lobotomize me.

I laugh as I shake the thought out my head and scroll through the shots, all three men huddling around me to take a look. They all tower above me but a certain Samoan finds himself standing a little closer to me than he really needs to, his vest lightly grazing my shoulder making me sweat slightly from how close he was...or maybe I was getting sick. Yeah, that's it, I was getting sick...sick of the universe playing these sick jokes on me.

"These are really great, Desi; the best we've seen, no joke." Seth says patting my shoulder and smiling at me.
"Yeah, you sure do know how to capture all my fabulousness." Dean says and I laugh while I elbow him in the side.
"What'dya you think, Big Dog? You're looking pretty good here too." He asks and I'm pretty sure Joe has a mini stroke.
"I-I, um, duh, yeah, they're um...hmgh."

I roll my eyes as Dean and Seth snicker.

"Don't expect much from him you guys. When you commit to spewing bullshit from your mouth for a year you forget how to speak like a normal person."

Dean and Seth make quiet "ooouuu" sounds and I hear Joe growl and push them away from us and out the room, Joe shutting door behind them. I get my camera situated back on its tripod as he clears his throat.

"Um, can we talk?" He asks quietly.
"I'm busy."
"Okay, lemme rephrase that: we need to talk."
"No, we don't."
"But we do."
"But we don't."
"Yes, we do."
"We don't."
"Dammit Desi, would you just look at me?"

I roll my eyes and turn to look at him, my arms folded and head tilted. It's the first time that I'm face to...chest with him again and time stands still, our eyes locked but the feelings I once had whenever he looked at me have been buried under the pain and regret that has built up over time; I can't ignore the fact that under all that still lies all the love I have for him and, if given the chance, I would stupidly run back to him...and it makes me sick.