Here All Along by Crista McHugh Read Free Book Online Page A

He glanced once more at the picture, disgusted with himself. He wouldn’t have put it past Mackinzie to have planted a photographer there in the club to capture him in his moment of weakness just so she could get her name in the tabloids once again. “Any chance you can make it look like someone Photoshopped my head in?”
    Jason paused and chewed on the pencil before pulling it out of his mouth to speak. “Maybe, but I’d have to change your clothing a bit, too, since you wore that coat for the magazine article.”
    Shit, shit, shit, shit!
    “Do what you can.”
    “Ten-four, boss.” The pencil went back in Jason’s mouth, and he pulled the photo into some editing software.
    Gideon made his way back to his room and cast a longing glance at the bathtub one more time before opting for a quick shower. He had to be on the set in less than an hour, and he’d already stirred up enough trouble for one day.
    ***
    Sarah arrived at the set at noon with Gideon’s lunch and afternoon smoothie. He insisted on eating almost the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and snack every day, and splurged at dinner. The consistent balance of protein, fats, and carbs helped keep his body lean and muscular. And after being his assistant for three years, she had his system down to an art.
    A warm rush of nostalgia enveloped her as she made her way through the tangled forest of lights, cords, boom mics, and crew. From the age of seven, she had spent more time on a set than at home. It didn’t matter if it was for a movie or a TV show—they all had the same hustle and bustle of a city street at rush hour, and it felt like home for her. The shouts and bumps and groans and creaks all blended together into a wild cacophony that sounded more like home to her than any house she’d ever lived in. And she dreaded the day when she’d have to walk away from it all.
    Stay focused. If you can get into costume design, you’ll still have access to the set.
    The thought comforted her enough to keep her on course with Operation Independence.
    She found Gideon sitting in a chair on the fringes of the set, reading over the script. He didn’t look up as she approached, but Gabe waved at her from ten feet away. She hesitated and returned the greeting with an awkward yet cautious wave of her own. She didn’t want to piss him off and have him blab her identity to everyone on the set. At least, not until she had a chance to confront him first.
    She tapped Gideon on the shoulder and set the soft insulated cooler on his lap. “Lunch time, Kid.”
    “Thank you, Red.” He stood to place a kiss on her cheek and opened the zipper. “What kind of salad did you make for me today?”
    The base of the salad was almost always the same: a mix of lettuces, spinach, and kale. It was topped off by lean steak, chicken breast, or fish. Then she was allowed to add in extras to enhance the flavor as long as she stayed within the designated ratios. “Grilled salmon, mixed berries, low-fat goat cheese, toasted almonds, and champagne vinaigrette.”
    “Sounds awesome!” He found the salad container and dug in. “And tastes even better than it looks.”
    “How’s shooting going?”
    “Good.” Gideon swallowed the mouthful of food before continuing. “You came at a good time. We’re on hold until Mackinzie gets here.”
    “Poor girl,” Sarah said with extra sarcasm. “You kept her out too late last night, didn’t you?”
    He looked up at her, a hint of anger simmering in his eyes. “Don’t start, Red.”
    “Fine, I won’t.” She opened up her water bottle and took a sip, her attention wandering to his co-star. “Did you have a chance to speak to Gabe yet?”
    “Nope. Too busy trying to get these scenes done.” He stuffed another bite of salad into his mouth and chewed it. “What’s for dinner?”
    “I made reservations for Guy Savoy.”
    The famous French restaurant always held a special place in her heart. She’d taken Gideon there for his twenty-first