Chapter Two

Glasses clinked behind the counter as a soft conversation ensued nearby. An old pop song played over the radio and chairs squeaked across the floor in the background, adding to the relaxed atmosphere of the bar. At the counter sat Josiah mulling over a tattered script. He held it gently between his fingers as if it were precious parchment, worn with age. He turned page after page with a pen perched in his free hand, staring hard at the words on each page.

“He should say something else. That's too forward.”

A glass filled with liquor sat next to his pen hand. He tapped it mindlessly while turning through pages, getting lost in the black text on the creamy white. He tapped his drink twice before pausing.

With a meager glance, he looked up at the small collection of people dotting the bar and the tables behind him. He felt particularly alone tonight. No one had accepted his invitation for a drink after Levi had left. It was odd feeling this way, an unwelcome sensation that he swore wouldn't ever overcome him again.

Yet here he was. Alone. With his script. And a pen.

He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling and yawned.

“Long night?”

Josiah blinked twice. He turned to his right where the voice had come from and immediately frowned, crumpling up a corner of his script. “Hey, Jonathan.”

“You seem rotten tonight. What's up?”

Josiah set down his pen and reached for his drink. He took a sip before replying, “I'm not particularly stoked about you being here.”

“It's a public bar. We were bound to run into each other eventually.”

“I'm not exactly enthralled about it.”

Jonathan sat on the empty stool and set his beer on the counter, leaning against the polished wood. “Come on, Josiah. It's not that bad. We're on the same project so we should at least try to get along.”

“I'm about to leave anyway.”

As Josiah raised his hand to wave the bartender over, Jonathan gently lowered it to the bar.

“Can't we try to be friends?” he asked.

Josiah exhaled loudly. He retracted his hand and set it over his script, smoothing the pages that he had crumpled. After a moment, he closed the script and set his pen on top.

“I guess,” he admitted. “But I don't know.”

“You hired me to be part of your production. I think that means you want to make some sort of amends.”

“I wasn't the one that cheated.”

Jonathan pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, focusing on his beer. “No, you're right. Would it help if I said sorry?”

Josiah shrugged. He turned his head to one side and then the other, savoring the pops that erupted. After that, he rolled his shoulders back and felt part of his shoulder pop. He sighed. “It might help and it might not.”

“Well, I'm sorry I put you through that. I want the best for you and for your production. I mean, we used to be a team. Remember that?”

“Jo and Jo Production. Yeah, I remember.”

“So, let's just go back to that.”

“That was the part where you were sneaking around. I think I'd much rather tab out and avoid it.”

Jonathan rested his hand over Josiah's. That momentary comfort prompted Josiah to lower his gaze, the corners of his lips yanking down into a temporary frown. “It's just hard to get over.”

“I really am sorry, Jo. It wasn't my shining moment. I'll admit that. But I want to make up for it by at least being a friend.”

Josiah nodded. “All right, we'll see how it goes.”

“Can I get you a drink?”

“No, this one is fine.”

“Well, let me know if you need it refilled.”

“Like I said, I'm heading out soon.”

Jonathan nodded and smiled warmly. He placed his hand on the counter and tapped it rhythmically, sitting idly in the dull sounds erupting around them.

“So, how is the production coming along?”

“It's fine. All right, I guess.” Josiah frowned. “Actually, I think it's crap.”

“Oh, come on, now. It can't be that bad.”

“I think Levi was right about getting good actors.”

Jonathan grinned. “Well, you've got me and I'm great.”

“You're great, but the others aren't as great. I think they need more practice to get better. I just don't know.”

“Come on, you do know. If I learned anything about working with you it's that you end up figuring everything out.”

“Yeah, but I just want to know now.”

Jonathan chuckled while raising his beer to his lips. “Always so impatient.”

“You would think I would have learned by now how to be patient.”

“It takes practice.” Jonathan winked. “Anyway, where's this delightfully untalented crew? I thought they would be out with you.”

“No one wanted to come along. I think I'm boring.”

“Far from it. They're probably just busy with their jobs and personal lives.”

“As all indie productions tend to go.”

Jonathan shrugged. “That's just how it is. Take it or leave it.”

“I tried to get Levi to come out, but he was tired.”

“He's the special effects guy, right? I saw his work on your last project. Nice spatter technique.”

“Yeah, he's really got it figured out. His hands are incredible. They can make just about anything happen.”

Jonathan raised a curious brow. “Sounds like you know from personal experience.”

“Not like that.” Josiah chuckled nervously as he raised his glass to his lips and sipped slowly. “I mean, I couldn't do that. He's part of the crew.”

“That doesn't mean he's off limits.”

“Jonathan, it's unprofessional.”

“I'm just saying that this isn't Hollywood. You don't have to be so tense with your cast and crew.”

“We're still a rather small portion of the movie industry. It's a fraction of a percentage, but it still stands. I'd rather be a professional about it. Set an example.”

Jonathan laughed. “But you still need to have some sort of fun. I bet all you do is sit at home and mull over your script.”

“I do no such thing.”

He gestured to the script sitting on the counter. “So, you weren't just mulling?”

“This isn't my house.”

Jonathan burst into laughter and slapped his knee, curling forward as amusement filled him. The energy coming from him infected Josiah and Josiah joined the jovial laughter for a moment. It felt good to get a laugh in. He had been tense all evening and he hadn't realized it until just now.

“God, I just want this to be perfect,” he said with a chuckle.

“It's never going to be perfect. Besides, a little mistake can end up being a huge blessing on film.”

“Not if my actors recite their lines like they're being forced.”

“It's going to take time. You're good at what you do. I'm sure they'll come around.”

“Eh, yeah. I guess you're right.”

“I'm always right.”

Josiah eyed Jonathan viciously. “Let's not dig up that old argument.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes playfully and took another sip of his beer. As he set it on the counter, he waved for the bartender to bring another. “I imagine you've seen someone since we broke up. It's been—what?—two years now?”

“Two-and-a-half. I haven't really had the time outside of script-writing and film-making to make room for any kind of romance.”

“You must have had sex.”

Josiah paused as he thought about the statement. “Maybe once or twice.”

“Good Lord. How do you manage?”

“Well, I'm not a machine like you.”

Jonathan snickered. “Let's not bring up that old argument.”

“I just haven't really been interested.”

“Then, try Levi.”

Josiah shook his head. “You're crazy, Jon. You know how I feel about dating within my productions.”

“Didn't stop you with me.”

Josiah scowled. “That was different.”

“Just...try to have fun sometime soon, eh? You need it. You need to kick back and relax with someone.”

“Why am I listening to dating advice from my ex?” Josiah wondered aloud. He turned to Jonathan and tried to smile. “Not that it's bad. I think you're right about that, too.”

Jonathan knowingly raised his eyebrows. He chugged half of his new beer and set it down before leaning forward. “Just promise me you won't get so lost in this new movie that you forget you have needs.”

“I can't promise that.”

“At least try. For me. For old time's sake, right? Give Levi a shot.”

“I still don't know, but...he does seem interested.”

Jonathan perked up. “Yeah? How?”

“You know, the way he looks at me. It's kind of...like a puppy sometimes waiting for instruction.”

“That makes for a good sub.”

Josiah laughed. “I'm not even into that scene. That's your thing.”

“Oh, I'm well aware. I was just saying. It could be fun.”

“Nah, consider me old-fashioned.”

“Yep, flowers and chocolates. The good stuff.” Jonathan smiled. “Just be cautious about it. Feel out the water.”

“The water looks hot. I still think it's in poor taste on my part. It's such a cliché, too.”

“Who cares? Sometimes that's the appeal of it.”

Josiah focused on the wall of liquor behind the bar, reading each label in turn. Though Jonathan had a point about Josiah having needs, it still felt weird. Besides, he could be misreading the entire situation. Maybe Levi wasn't that interested. Maybe he was just a very willing follower. But the last project wasn't like this. It wasn't tense. It felt...strange.

“What's going on in your head?” Jonathan asked.

“You know, the same old shit.”

“Well, don't think too hard. If you grind those gears too much, they might give out and you'll crack.”

“Oh, I'm well aware.”

Jonathan nodded and lowered his voice. “I know.”

“Listen, I really do have to head home. We have a bit of a day tomorrow. You'll be with us—I think.”

“Nah, that's on Friday. That's the first death scene we cover.”

“Oh, that's right!” Josiah quickly whipped out his phone and opened a few documents. One of them was the schedule. “Shit, I guess tomorrow is an off day. I'll have to tell Levi before he shows up at my house.”

“Or just let him show up at your house.”

Jonathan playfully pushed Josiah's shoulder and chuckled. Josiah tucked his phone away and rolled his eyes.

“Okay, smart guy. Whatever.”

Jonathan grinned. “Well, have a good evening. Call me sometime.”

Josiah procured his wallet and dropped a few bills on the counter. As he gathered his script, he stood up from the stool and tried to give a friendly smile to Jonathan. It came out crooked.

“I will,” he whispered.

“Whatever you need. Just call. My number is still the same.”

Josiah nodded. “Thanks.”

With that, he headed for the door. He waved to the bartender on the way out and swiftly walked to his car, feeling his legs pumping him eagerly toward a more comfortable seat.

Something felt weird. He wasn't exactly sure and he couldn't shake the mental image of Levi looking at him. Part of him enjoyed those golden eyes checking him out if that was what that even was. The intricate levels of gold and brown mixed together almost resembled the eyes of a dog. It really did look like a puppy gaze. Maybe Levi was just a very attentive pupil.

Or maybe he was as interested as he looked.