To the Moon and Back

by Melissa Brayden

  “Yes, please. Show me your city. I would also kill for some food.”

  “Coming right up. All of it. I hope you like steak and lobster. I know a place.”

  Lauren melted. “You have said all the right words and in a really great order.”

  Carly held up a victorious fist in front of her chest. “Nailed it.”

  As they walked, Lauren stole glances at the paps who trailed them. “Is this normal for you?” she whispered. “All the cameras. I remember you saying they were around, but so close?”

  “Usually not this bad, but they camp out at the airport. Anyone traveling has to come through here, so it’s a good bet they’ll spot someone noteworthy to harass on a daily basis. Today, they found me.” She shrugged.

  “I’m sorry.” Lauren squeezed her hand just as video guy jumped in front of them, walking backward as he filmed. “Is she your girlfriend, Carly?” Carly tossed a don’t worry glance to Lauren, who seemed understandably uncomfortable, but said nothing to the paparazzo. “Does she know you’re washed up in this town? Maybe she wants to jump back on that plane.”

  Carly held tighter to Lauren’s hand. “Could you give us some space, please? I know you’re just trying to make a living, but we’d like to get my friend’s bag and get out of here.”

  “Your friend, huh? Looked like more than that, a minute ago. Hey, I’m making a better living than you are these days, though, right? What do you say to a new line of work? I’ll talk to the boss for you. But you don’t look like you’re smart enough to work a camera.”

  “Why would you say that?” Lauren asked, puzzled.

  “Cause your girlfriend here isn’t doing so well. A washed up has-been who no one cares about.”

  Carly gave Lauren’s arm a gentle tug to rein her in. The worst thing you could do was engage with these guys when their cameras were rolling. It was exactly what they were hoping for. Then you were raking in the views on the TMZ homepage having a meltdown, and no one ever saw what came just before to provoke you.

  “What do you know about anything?” Lauren asked, refusing to back down. To her credit, she spoke with an impressive calm. “You’re a slug with a video camera videotaping strangers in an airport.” He didn’t say anything, probably hoping she’d go on. Lauren sent Carly an apologetic look and went quiet.

  “Oh, I get it. You’re into washed-up women?” the same guy said. “Sad.”

  “Just stop,” Lauren told him.

  He didn’t. “Cause I know a few folks who could show you what a real good time is.” He grabbed himself provocatively with his free hand and laughed. “Wanna have steak and lobster with me instead? I’ll make it worth your while.”

  That did it. Carly saw red. “You sad little asshole. Get the fuck out of our way, you sexually repressed piece of human waste. Do you hear me?” They stopped at the baggage carousel, and thank God, Lauren’s bag was already circulating.

  “No. Can you say it louder? Or are you scared now. I think I see you trembling.” He walked in a circle around Carly, all the while filming. People looked on, clearly disapproving of his actions, but no one stepped in. Typical.

  Lauren grabbed her suitcase, and Carly took the handle, pulling it behind them as they made their way out of the airport. The pap stepped into Carly’s space, filming her from the side as they walked. “You’re upset that your girlfriend knows you’re a dumb loser, huh, Carly?” He stepped in even closer—and now his jibes felt threatening.

  She let go of Lauren’s hand, grabbed the lens of the camera, and gave it a shove. “Stay away from me.” She wasn’t happy with herself, but he’d gotten the best of her.

  “Thanks, Carly,” he said with a smug grin and took off. She’d just bankrolled the lowlife.

  She sighed as self-recrimination swarmed. She knew full well they’d edit her words to go with that shove, making it look like a volatile, unprovoked outburst.

  “I’m so sorry, Carly. You okay?” Lauren asked, once they’d made it to the parking garage alone.

  Carly shook her head. “I wish I hadn’t done that. It’s going to be online the second he sells it.”

  Lauren looked back at the building. “I’ve never seen anything like that. That guy, he was so mean.”

  “They’re like a pack of vultures. The second they sense a sliver of vulnerability, they attack. And I know better, dammit.” Carly shook her head. “Guess I’m just out of practice.”

  Lauren kissed her cheek as they arrived at the car. “It was my fault. I engaged first.”

  “No. You’ve never experienced them before, and actually, you kept a very cool head. Color me impressed, as always.” Carly popped the trunk and loaded them up.

  “Wait.” Lauren stared.

  Carly turned. “You okay? What’s wrong?”

  Lauren took a giant step back. She pointed at the car. “This is it. This is the 911. The luxury vehicle you call when you have one hot emergency.”

  Carly laughed, which took her mind off the airport incident. “Live and in person. Did you just call me hot or the car?”

  “You are the hottest person I’ve ever seen in my life, but this car is something else.”

  Carly touched her heart. “Don’t leave me for a car. How would I explain that?”

  “Between you and the car, you win,” Lauren said, getting closer to Carly’s lips with each word, and ending with the kind of hello kiss they should have been afforded twenty minutes ago. “God, I missed these lips,” Lauren murmured. “Gimme more.”

  “You are such a good kisser,” Carly said. She pulled away briefly. “I will never tire of the way you kiss. Do they teach kissing in stage management school?”

  “Yes,” Lauren said simply, going back in with a dreamy sigh.

  * * *

  Sunshine for days. That’s the best way Lauren could describe Los Angeles that early November. You wouldn’t actually know it was fall unless someone pointed it out to you. The trees still stood tall, vibrant, and green. The blue skies seemed to scream, Spend the day outdoors, you fool. There was a chill in the air, but nothing near as harsh as Minnesota this time of year.

  Lauren had traveled briefly to California when deciding where to pursue her career after college, ultimately deciding on New York City for a while. But this trip felt different. Low stress. Breezy. It was her second day in LA, and she planned to take it all in.

  She woke just past eight, placed a kiss on a sleeping Carly’s cheek, and snuck out of bed. She looked back because she loved the way Carly slept, with a fist tucked just below her chin. Lauren shook her head at the serenity of the image and marveled at how it made her chest squeeze happily. She wanted to bottle and store this moment. Instead, she took a mental snapshot and resisted the urge to climb back into bed with the beautiful naked woman before her. There would be plenty of time for that ahead.

  Carly’s house in the Hollywood Hills was modern, open, and expansive. It swam in natural light, which made the morning feel like a cheerful one. She made herself at home and started a pot of coffee, even though it took her fifteen minutes to figure out how to use the very foreign looking silver coffee machine. Much like she had in Minneapolis, Carly, and the hurricane she could sometimes be, kept a surprisingly neat house. Mail in a stack on the counter. Spices in a line on the rack. Only her refrigerator looked like the Carly she knew, as, for the most part, it sat empty.

  “Are you stalking my groceries?”

  Lauren turned at the sound of Carly’s morning voice. She stood across the white marble countertop wearing a navy T-shirt with the image of a pink lip print across the top. She couldn’t see the bottom half of her, but Lauren would wager that T-shirt was all she was wearing.

  “You might need a few more. It’s true. Good morning.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Grape jelly and pickles make for a great meal.” She came around the counter and wrapped her hands around Lauren’s waist. “Good morning. You’re in my house.”

  Lauren glanced around. “Surreal
.”

  “Isn’t it? I suppose it’s only fair. I’ve been to yours, land of full fridges and mighty pugs.” She kissed Lauren sweetly and released her, heading over to grab a coffee cup from the cute little rack they hung on. “How’s he doing?”

  Lauren smiled. She missed Rocky IV, but he was bunking happily with his buddy, Trip, and she would see him soon enough. “Trip said he snored all night but woke up ready to play.”

  “I can identify,” Carly said with a raised eyebrow as she doctored her coffee. “But you were out of bed before I could capitalize.”

  Lauren was now regretting that decision, especially as she caught sight of Carly’s ass peeking out from the hem of that T-shirt. She squeezed her shoulders together at what it did to her.

  “You have your meeting today?” Carly asked. She turned around, leaned against the counter, and took a sip of her coffee. Carly had amazing legs. And thighs, and—

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  Carly grinned. “Your meeting.”

  “Yes. I have a meeting with my agent at one, and an audition just after that.”

  “An audition on your second day? That’s amazing. What’s it for?”

  “A rental car commercial. Apparently, I look like someone who might be capable of selling a temporary vehicle.” She did her best The Price Is Right impersonation. “Who knew?”

  “Me. You could sell me anything.”

  “Filing away. What do you have going today?” She watched as Carly’s features shifted to blank.

  “Just going to catch my breath, I think. Play hostess to my out-of-town guest. Fluff her pillow.”

  Lauren smiled, but understood she’d struck a sore spot. Carly was still struggling to be seen for the caliber of roles she was used to. “It’s going to take time, you know, to get them to think of you as a viable choice again. But they will.”

  Carly offered a less than convincing smile. “Yeah. I’m sure you’re right.” A pause. “I hope you are.” She set her coffee cup on the counter. “While the executives figure that out, I’m going to hop in the shower.” To illustrate the claim, she freed herself of the T-shirt as she walked. Lauren blinked at her perfect, stark-naked body as she walked through the sunbathed kitchen. Carly turned back casually. “Wanna watch?”

  Lauren decided then and there that she really, really liked Los Angeles.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The Fig and Olive on Melrose was hopping when Carly met Alika for lunch later that week. Luckily, her name was still good for a last-minute reservation. She’d worn her black suit, the sleek one with the pinstripes, paired with a starched white blouse and heels. She’d been told she looked killer in the outfit, and that’s how she wanted to be seen, as a serious commodity. At The Fig and Olive, you never knew what studio movers and shakers you might run into. In fact, she recognized a couple of executives just a few tables down. They’d nodded to her politely as she’d passed.

  “Well, it’s certainly great to see you,” Alika said. Her hair was shorter than the last time they’d met. It suited her and brought out her beautiful brown eyes.

  “It’s great to see you as well. I hope David and the kids are all right.”

  “No one’s killed anyone this week, so we have that working in our favor, and that says a lot with Dynamite Davey in the mix. He’s four and ready to throw down.” It was truly nice to see Alika, and she enjoyed catching up. She also remembered the reason for their meeting, and it was business, but they’d get there. She’d waited while they ordered. She’d participated in small talk. She’d even taken time to admire the newly made-over restaurant decor. The live trees in the middle of the space were certainly breathtaking.

  “So, here’s the state of things.” Alika moved them into the business lane and put Carly out of her misery.

  “I’m ready.” She folded her hands on the table. “In more ways than one.”

  “I know that. Trust me, and I’ve been working hard for you, Carly,” Alika said, just as she was presented with her quail salad. “I have a little something you might be right for, and though the role isn’t as meaty as you’re used to, it’s not a bad opportunity.”

  “Great,” Carly said. Everything in her relaxed. “That sounds promising, right? Tell me. What are we talking about?”

  “Seven days’ work on a Richard Hennessy film. A legal drama. It’s a midbudget outing, but studio backed, so it should have all the bells and whistles marketing-wise. You obviously wouldn’t have top billing, but it’s the role of a key witness in the case, so memorable.”

  “Memorable sounds amazing.” She looked around and lowered her voice. “My star has fallen. I get it. I have to pay my dues before I’m on the poster again. This thing sounds perfect for me. When does it shoot?”

  “In a couple of weeks. This character is the final role they need to cast, and then they move into production mode. How’s that risotto?”

  Carly stared at her plate absently. She’d taken a few bites but had no idea what it tasted like. She was that hyperfocused on the conversation. “Oh, um, fantastic. Here.” She handed Alika a spoonful and watched her melt. “What else?”

  “There is nothing else, unless you want a dog food commercial. That I could probably arrange.”

  “God, I hope we’re not there yet.” Carly set down her fork. “What’s the latest on the Starry Nights transfer? We still have that to work for, right? I really think I’d be a good choice for them.”

  “I didn’t want to have to tell you this, but it’s a no go.”

  “No? How is that possible?” She wouldn’t at least try to set something up? That didn’t make sense. Aha. Maybe the show wouldn’t be transferring to Broadway after all. “The project fell through, didn’t it?”

  Alika shook her head and winced. “It opens in the spring on Broadway. They cast Jenna McGovern as Ashley.”

  Carly closed her eyes. Of course they had. Jenna was fantastic and everyone knew it. Well, wasn’t that just par for the course. “Who else?”

  “Someone unknown. A ballet background, I think?”

  “Dammit.” Her heart sank. She ran her thumb across her napkin several times as the disappointment settled. She was glad she’d downplayed the whole thing to Lauren now that the door had been slammed in their faces. “That’s more than a little heartbreaking.”

  Alika shook her head. “Nah, that’s just show business, and you know it well.”

  “I guess I’ve just never been on the awful end of it for so long.” She raised her eyebrows and dropped them in defeat.

  “Don’t even wallow. What I need you to do,” Alika said, gesturing with her fork like a woman in charge, “is to concentrate on booking this Hennessy film. Think terrified witness. Breathe it. You have an audition on Thursday.”

  That was two days away. “Now that I can do.”

  “Good. Now pass me some of that risotto if you’re just gonna move it around on your plate like a nine-year-old at an adult dinner party. Food here is too good to be wasted on you.”

  Carly laughed and handed Alika the entire portion. Hell, she’d sign over her soul to Alika if it meant she’d book this job. She needed it that badly. Her stomach churned, and her heart raced with thoughts of the uncertain horizon. She stared out the window, nervous, sad, and restless.

  * * *

  Carly took another hit from her wineglass and hit play on her phone to watch the whole god-awful thing again. She yelled at the paparazzo, fury evident in her eyes, and then in a quick edit appeared to grab the camera and shove it. The extra added sound effects made it seem like someone had fallen over and had possibly been hurt. Of course, that had been their goal. The more hellacious her behavior seemed, the more clicks they’d get. Without the actual conversation intact, she looked out of control, a person with anger management issues. Another fabulous image booster.

  When the video hadn’t surfaced in the first forty-eight hours, she’d been naïve enough to think she was in the clear. Seeing it together like this, it looked even worse
than she’d feared.

  She took another gulp of wine, half a bottle in. She hit play again because why the hell not? There was the crazy woman snarling. Oh, wait. That was her. She hit stop. Play again. Her own voice echoed throughout her backyard from the speaker on her phone. “Get the fuck out of our way, you sexually repressed piece of human waste. Do you hear me?” She winced through the shove.

  “Hey. What are you doing out here? Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”

  Lauren. She’d had a full day in Hollywood with three auditions and a lunch meeting with United Talent about her prospects and trajectory, as they’d put it. Carly had expected her home sooner, so that likely meant things had gone well. She turned around to see Lauren in her sweater and boots, hugging herself against the evening cold. It was dark out. Carly must have been out here for at least a couple of hours. Not like she had anywhere else to be.

  “Just watching my new favorite TV show.”

  Lauren peered over her shoulder as Carly hit play. “Oh, God,” she said as the video concluded. “That’s not how it happened at all.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Carly sipped. She set the glass on the table next to her. “My phone’s been blowing up ever since it posted. Alika, Fallon, even my mom. She’s horrified.”

  “You’re not okay. I can tell.”

  “Just part of the game.” Carly shrugged. “A game I can’t seem to win anymore.”

  Lauren looked around the yard helplessly. “What can I do?”

  “Absolutely nothing. It’s a nice night, and I don’t want to think about any of that anymore. Not when you’re here.” She held out her hand to Lauren. “Come here. We can keep each other warm.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice,” Lauren said, allowing Carly to tug her until she sat in her lap, Lauren’s back against her shoulder. “I’m happy to be right here.” Lauren turned Carly’s face up to hers and kissed her softly. “What a crazy day.”