7 | RGB

We sat in silence throughout the drive to the club. Colt was wearing a neon green suit, with a matching hat. I was a little more mundane, in heels and a party dress.

"You look nice," Colt said out of nowhere as I turned into the carpark. I put the car in park and glanced over at him, a tight-lipped smile on my face. "What's wrong?"

I shrugged, unbuckling my seatbelt and leaning back in the seat. "Doesn't this seem a bit over-kill to you?" Colt furrowed his brows. "I mean... Why can't Gail check on Ryder herself, or send the police?" I pulled my dress down, which was riding up my thighs. "Why do you have to do it?"

Colt leaned his head against the rest with a sigh. "The studio's way over budget." I turned my head to face him and he did the same, staring me in the eyes, from only a few inches away. Colt visibly swallowed. "Gail can't—uh—she can't get the studio or the police involved, because they'll pull out." I sighed in understanding. "I don't want Jody's first film to be her last."

Jody. She had no idea any of this was happening. No idea Ryder was missing. No idea that Colt and I were risking our asses to save her movie. Would she even approve? No, I thought. Jody deserves this. She's worked hard and she believes in me.

Colt was still watching me in silence, waiting for me to reply. I'd been so in my head that I didn't realise I was still staring at him. I shook my head and averted my gaze, a red flush spreading onto my cheeks. Colt chuckled, sitting back up straight and adjusting his hat. "So, what do you say?"

I nodded assuredly. "Let's save Jody's movie."

***

The lights flashed bright and irregularly, accompanied by a pumping bass. I walked behind Colt, a crowd forming around us as we made our way through the throng.

"Oh my god. Is that Tom Ryder?"

Hands reached out and girls screamed in excitement. I rolled my eyes, trying not to lose Colt in the crowd. It was impossible to lose sight of him. He stood out like a sore thumb. But people were getting pretty close and I felt like I was being pulled away.

"Skye." I looked up as Colt stopped walking, causing me to bump into him. "Here." He reached his hand back and I immediately grabbed it, holding onto it for dear life. His fingers intertwined with my own, tightly holding me close as we made our way through the excited clubbers.

"Who's that with Tom?"

"She doesn't look like Iggy?"

"I don't recognise her."

I ducked my head, feeling my face flush self-consciously. Colt gave my hand a firm squeeze as if to say 'ignore them.' It almost worked.

"Stunt man." The crowd parted and we stepped into the centre of the club, where a man sat on the couch, drinking a beer. "Yeah, yeah. Iggy said you were gonna come see me. Sit down, sit down." Colt and I sat down on the sofa opposite the man and I dropped his hand, placing it in my lap. "And who might you be?"

My eyes met his as he stared me up and down, a smirk on his—leopard-print tattooed—face. Must be the infamous Doone. "I'm Skye."

"Skye," Doone repeated. "Just Skye? Very mysterious." He turned to Colt, gesturing towards me with his hand. "You've got yourself a nice piece of ass there, my friend."

I bit my lip, lowering my gaze uncomfortably. Doone and his guys laughed together, but Colt remained silent. I didn't look up at him, worried I might cry or get up and punch Doone in the jaw. This was no place for either.

"Watch it, brother," Colt suddenly said from beside me, causing me to raise my gaze slightly.

Doone's laughter was cut short and he stared at Colt incredulously. "What did you say?"

"I said watch it."

Doone was deadly silent, glaring at Colt as if he had insulted him. Then, like magic, his demeanour changed back to bubbly. "Lighten up, man. I was only making a joke."

"Well, it wasn't funny." I bit my lip to stop the smile that was trying to spread onto my face. No one had ever stood up for me like that before. Let alone someone I had known for only a few days. "Apologise to Skye."

I looked up at Colt, who's eyes were slitted, glaring directly at Doone. Doone looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or scream at Colt. But he opted for the sensible option and turned his head to face me, every emotion but sincerity in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Skye. I didn't mean to offend you."

I nodded briefly, before lowering my gaze once more, trying to sink into the sofa. Doone's goons were all staring at me pitifully and I just wanted to disappear.

"We're looking for Ryder," Colt said, his voice still a little strained. "Have you seen him?"

"Get them each a Shirley Temple," Doone instructed one of his guys, completely ignoring Colt. 

Colt shook his head. "No thanks. We just really need to find Ryder." He stood up and I followed suit.

"How come no one ever wants to chat with the drug dealer?"

Colt glanced over at me and I shrugged, unsure of what to do. Reluctantly, he sat back down, pulling me along with him, by his hand on my arm. "You're right," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. "I mean no disrespect."

He nudged me in the side and I sprung into action. "Yeah, right. We'd love to chat."

"We've had a pretty long day," Colt continued. "Ryder hasn't shown up at work in a while and we're trying to find him—"

"—You do a stunt today?" Doone interrupted as two drinks were placed in front of Colt and I.

"Yeah," Colt replied, startled by the topic change. "Uh... just a car roll."

Doone scoffed. "Just a car roll?" I watched as people around began to cheer. "Just a car roll... You hear how he said that?" People came to pat Colt on the back, acting as if I wasn't even there. "What a stuntman. My man!"

Colt smiled bashfully. "That's what I do."

"See, that's why I like you." Doone pointed accusingly at Colt. "You do all the hard shit. They give Oscars for that?" 

"For stunts? No." Colt shook his head with a chuckle. "Nope."

He glanced over at me. "What about you? You an actor or something?"

I shook my head. "Camera operator." He hummed in acknowledgement. "And no, we don't get Oscars either."

Doone sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. He picked up his drink from the table and raised it urging Colt and I to do the same. "To the unsung heroes."

"I'll drink to that," Colt agreed, raising his glass. I clinked my own with theirs, but didn't take a sip. Something was off. I tried to get Colt's attention but it was futile; he was already downing the drink, like he was a college student on spring break.

I raised the glass to my lips and tilted it up, pretending to take a sip, but not letting any of the liquid into my mouth. I placed it back down, swallowing my own saliva.

"No offence, but i prefer cartoons," Doone said randomly, placing his glass on the table and leaning forward, eyes trained on Colt and I intensely. "See, movies. Always tryna make things real. But it's not real. It's a movie." I glanced over at Colt, who was blinking rapidly, looking around the room. "It's a movie. It's not meant to be real."

"Colt," I whispered, grabbing his bicep and shaking gently. He turned towards me, eyes glazed over and my heartbeat quickened. Shit. 

Suddenly, two arms wrapped around my torso, pulling me back. I shouted out in surprise and two more grabbed Colt. I struggled as I was pulled off the sofa.

"Hey, stuntman, camera girl." I glared at Doone as his mouth spread into a toothy grin. "Why don't you come with us? We'll you get you nice and comfortable up at the hotel, huh..?" 

I shook my head, continuing to struggle in the grip around me, but it was no use. Colt was out of it and I was no match for these brutes on my own. I was about to give up, but suddenly—and much to my surprise—Colt leapt into action, sending the three men holding us to the ground with a few quick, well aimed blows.

I jumped back from the fray, not sure how to help. Colt seemed to be managing pretty well on his own by the looks of it. All of Doone's goons were so preoccupied with Colt, that they paid me no mind as  I made my way over to Doone. I tapped him on the shoulder and his eyes immediately widened in shock when he saw me.

Without warning, he pushed me out of the way and made a run for it. "Colt!" I screamed as he downed the last guy. I sprinted after Doone, hearing Colt, hot on my heels as we fled the club.

***

A/N:  I'm honestly struggling to think of more questions... How about favourite Ryan Gosling film?

I really love The Fall Guy (obviously), but I also love Barbie and Drive. I think The Fall Guy would have to be my favourite, but Drive is a very close second and Barbie is a very close third. I've started watching The Gray Man, but I'll be honest; I'm not that into it so far. But we'll see.

Update: My favourite is La La Land I don't think you could ever change my mind. The Nice Guys is second and The Fall Guy is third... Sorry not sorry.