Free Closer by Morning by Thom Collins Page B

Still, with the constant racket outside, it was easier than delivering dialogue.
    Nevertheless, it was a long, arduous morning.
    â€œI still think we should put out a statement,” he told Elton while they waited for the set to be relit. “A few careful and compassionate words could defuse this whole situation.”
    The stench of stale gin oozing out of Elton was stronger than ever. The old man must have hammered it last night. “Let the PR team handle it. They put out a statement first thing this morning.”
    Dale had read that statement. It was a shallow gesture, absolving the production of responsibility while offering scant compassion for the murdered boys. “It was bullshit. Listen to the noise out there. It obviously did no good. We need to say something.”
    â€œForget about it,” Elton said dismissively. “Your job is here, playing a part. Focus on that.”
    At last, they broke for lunch. Dale’s trailer was on the back of the school building, farthest away from the protestors, but even there he could hear the horns and whistles.
    He had a headache. Hardly surprising. He swallowed two painkillers and turned on the TV, hoping to drown out the noise. There was a talk show on. Four people sat around a table, offering noisy, underdeveloped theories on the correlation between real life violence and what was seen on screen.
    â€œIt’s Roxanne Maxwell who I feel most disappointed by,” the lead mouthpiece said. “That such a wonderful, classy actress would demean herself by appearing in an awful show like this Blood Stone thing.”
    â€œOpinions are like assholes,” Dale said, turning off the TV. Everyone might have one but after a morning from hell, he didn’t want to listen to these loud-mouthed broads.
    There was a knock at the door. Aaron Oxford entered without waiting for an answer. Oh, Aaron—cute, available Aaron. The last thing Dale felt like was sex, which was the only reason Aaron came knocking around lunchtime.
    â€œHell of a day, eh?” Aaron leaned against the kitchen counter, brushing his fingers down the front of his T-shirt. Caressing the taut muscle beneath.
    â€œOnly halfway over.” Dale sighed. He opened the fridge and took out a Diet Coke.
    â€œElton just blew another stack.” Aaron chuckled. “He’s bawling out the sound guys. Like any of this is their fault.”
    â€œHe needs to calm down. He’ll have a stroke if he’s not careful. With all the booze and his temper, he’s a prime candidate.”
    â€œRoxanne hasn’t helped. Cheeky bitch. Leaving everyone else to deal with the backlash.”
    â€œListen, Aaron, I could really do with some time alone right now. My head is killing me and I need to get it together for this afternoon.”
    Aaron’s smile wavered temporarily. He puffed up his chest further and narrowed his sexy eyes. “I know a good stress reliever. Let me take care of you.”
    Dale held up his hands. “Any other time and I would love to. You know I would. But not today.”
    Aaron licked his lips and grinned. “How about a blow job? Just lie there and relax. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll take care of you.”
    Dale shook his head. “Sorry, buddy.”
    Aaron came closer, undeterred. “I love it when you come in my mouth. The force of it. The taste. Don’t deny me that. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
    â€œDude, really. It’s not gonna happen. Take no for an answer, won’t you?”
    Aaron flinched, no longer smiling. Dale felt like the biggest asshole. Shit. He had nothing to be sorry for and yet Aaron was acting as if he were the one in the wrong.
    Aaron shrugged. “Okay, whatever. It’s not like you to say no, that’s all.”
    â€œToday I am. It’s no offense to you. I’m just not in the mood.”
    â€œYou’re always in the mood.”
    â€œNot