So, he was toying with me -- I get it. Big Hollywood hotshot comes to town and wants to wreak havoc with the locals to pass the time on location -- but he'd had me fooled --I had really thought he was different -- not some contrived image of a Hollywood player.....damn him.
I explained my theory to Mandy over lunch.
She looked at me with an incredulous expression. "You really can't be that dense....can you?" she asked me.
I got a little defensive at this point, "excuse me? Dense?"
"Yes, dense....the guy clearly likes you -- but you're not available...so he's exploring his other options -- "
"Okay, one would have to be dense AND naive to believe he actually liked me -- he doesn't even know me! Maybe he gets a kick out of seeing if he can get a girl to break up with her boyfriend..."
"I really don't think Hayden's like that," Mandy said thoughtfully, taking a bite of her sandwich.
I rolled my eyes. "It doesn't really matter anyway -- I am with Aaron....and I'm not going to give up a long term relationship for the chance to be a some cheap fling for a celebrity..."
Mandy nearly choked on her sandwich, "what are you even talking about? Ya know -- for someone who 'doesn't care,' you spend way too much time and energy analyzing the situation...."
I decided at that moment to keep my mouth shut-- I knew I had completely given myself away. Yes, I was intrigued by Hayden -- very intrigued. If I didn't have a boyfriend I would be most willing to pursue where this could go, even if only temporarily....but there was a third party involved - an innocent third party who didn't deserve any of this....and now from the looks of it, Hayden had brought in a fourth party -- turning this sick and twisted quasi-triangle into a square.
We made our way back to set, knowing it could be a long evening -- it was the Friday evening before our long weekend which usually meant working as long as possible to make up for the time off. Cast and crew were breaking for the holiday on Monday -- allowing for a nice day of much needed rest and relaxation. Josh had mentioned flying to Vancouver but had finally decided to spend the weekend here in town. Hayden was obviously staying here in town with Katherine and Charlie was flying out to L.A. Saturday morning and coming back late Monday afternoon.
I was thinking that perhaps Aaron and I could take this time to reconnect....we hadn't spent any real time together in weeks....
We finally wrapped a little after 10:00PM -- not bad by a long shot...
After wrap, we were packing things up and I grabbed a quick cup of water from craft service.
I felt a nudge against my arm and turned to see Hayden.
"Oh, excuse me," he said, his eyes glinting with a hint of flirtation.
I looked at him, "its fine..."
He looked at me for a second, sensing I wasn't in the mood for jokes, "what's the matter?"
"I just don't feel like being your little play thing with your girlfriend giving me the evil eye," I said, making a subtle gesture to where Katherine stood, throwing daggers at me with her eyes.
"Play thing, huh?" Hayden laughed. "Ah, don't pay any attention to her giving you the evil stare-- she can't stand it when I give any female attention," Hayden said.
"Yeah, well if that's what you are into...do you enjoy pissing her off?" I asked, looking away.
"No- I could care less if it pisses her off....but do you see it stopping me?" Hayden said, looking me in the eye.
There it was again -- that dangerous look.
Where had this come from? Gone was the sensitive shy guy I had met before - replaced with man who possessed an air of arrogance and attitude. I couldn't decide if I hated it or loved it.
I just looked at him, trying to remain defiant despite his confidence.
"Well, you have a good weekend...and tell that boyfriend of yours I send my best," he said, that glint in his eye again.
I gaped at him in shock.
He walked away, leaving me there in silence -- shocked and getting angrier by the second.
I was embroiled in some sick game with him now -- it was just a matter of whether I would let myself play along in this game....
I packed up my bags and without another word, headed out the door behind Mandy, pretending not to see Hayden standing nearby with Katherine (who was loudly complaining that she was bored in this 'stupid town') --
Mandy and I headed to our cars, wishing one another a good weekend and talking about meeting up to go shopping on Sunday.
I drove the distance to my apartment trying to focus on Aaron and forget about Hayden and the effect he was having on my mind and senses.
When I arrived at my apartment, I was somewhat surprised to see a strange car in one of our spaces. I chalked it up to being one of Aaron's work buddies who must be over watching the basketball game.
I walked up the stairs, opened the door and was met with a such a shock, it nearly bowled me over.
Tangled on my couch in my apartment was my boyfriend with another woman.