“Pepper, it’s because of your professionalism that all of us who work behind the scenes are happy you’re part of this season,” Hunter said to her. “Because when it comes to finding professionals? Let’s just say that we haven’t had a lot of luck . . .”
Oh, burn! I thought as I watched the other girls plant their hands on their hips as they shot Hunter with a heated glance.
“Look, we’re not shooting the introduction for another four hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to shower and get ready before we shoot. By now, your bags have been delivered to the bedroom you’ll share with Lexi.”
“Are you still sure you want that to happen?” Pepper asked him with a smile.
“I’m pretty much sure that the world wants that to happen,” Hunter said.
“Good,” Pepper said. “Because I’m totes down with that.”
Before Lexi could respond, Hunter shot her a look over his shoulder, which shut her up at once.
“Start cleaning the kitchen, Lexi. As for the rest of you girls, get to your rooms and make certain that you’re camera ready for the introductory shoot. Have your taglines memorized. Look your best. And be on point when I call on you.”
“Yes, Hunter,” all of them but Lexi said. And then, in unison, they filed out of the room.
When they were gone, Pepper nodded at Hunter and me, and urged us away from the kitchen, likely because she wanted to talk in private without Lexi listening. When we walked into the living room, she turned to us, then she just sighed.
“Just so you know, the acid in that sauce is eating my face raw right now,” she said. “I probably should have a shower STAT.”
“Got it,” Hunter said. “And I’m sorry about the spaghetti, Pepper.”
“It was all caught on camera, wasn’t it?” she asked.
“It was,” he said.
“Perfect,” she said. “I call that a ratings win. I mean, that is what I’m here for, correct?”
“Absolutely,” he said. “But I still wish that hadn’t happened to you. Now, listen, let me call one of my assistants to show you to your room. Take a shower, get your glam on, and be ready for us when we call on you.”
“Four hours from now?” she asked.
“Four hours.”
“Done and done.”
“And listen, Pepper, don’t worry about Lexi ambushing you in the meantime, because she’s got this kitchen to clean, OK?”
When he said that, Pepper leveled him with a look.
“Hunter, I’m not worried about Lexi,” she said. “In fact, this season, it’s my mission to destroy her.”
“You want to destroy her?” he asked in surprise.
“Oh, I do—and how,” she said. “Over the years, Lexi has come at me time and again on social media. She hates me, I despise her, she’s tried again and again to defame me, and so on this show? I’m totally going after her. Payback begins today. I’m so ready to take that bitch down, I probably should tell you now that none of it’s going to be pretty. But trust me on this, Hunter—the fireworks that are about to explode between Lexi and me? They will take the Teens to the next level. Just you wait and see.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I’ve got a good three-hour break before I need to be back here to set up the introductory shoot,” Hunter said to me. “It’s a nice day. Want to take a walk with me? Because after that shitshow, I could use one to blow off some steam.”
“I could use one myself, because what you don’t know is that I had one hell of a morning before I even got here,” I said.
He furrowed his brow at me. “Is everything OK?”
“For the moment? Maybe? But when it comes to tomorrow, next week, or the next month or so?” I just shrugged at him. “I don’t know what’s going to happen then.”
“What does that mean?” he asked in concern. “Julia, what’s this about?”
“My best friend doesn’t come home for another few days,” I said. “But I can’t wait for her. Because I need a friend right now, Hunter.”
“You’ve got one in me. You’re upset. What’s the issue?”
“It has to do with the conversation I had with Pepper this morning,” I whispered to him. “But that’s all I can say here. So, let’s take that walk and I’ll fill you in. Washington Square?”
“Fifteen minutes away,” he said. “Let’s do it.”
We walked down the stairs with his hand pressed against my back, left the building, stepped out into the warm, sunny afternoon with throngs of people on the sidewalk—and as we sliced through them, I felt conflicted. I didn’t want to betray Pepper’s secrets. But in my heart and soul, I knew that I had to look at the big picture in an effort to protect her going forward.
If her mother wound up in rehab, which was a serious possibility, Hunter and I needed to have a plan in place. Because if Savannah did wind up in rehab, Pepper wouldn’t only need our support, she’d need someone in her family to sign on as her legal guardian or she would have to be removed from the show at once, because she couldn’t work underage without a guardian’s supervision. I knew the law—and it terrified me.
Were there ways around the law? Sure. For instance, if Pepper’s deadbeat of a father did the right thing and stepped up to the plate, he could move to the city for the summer, agree to be there for his daughter, and that would take care of everything. On the other hand, if he refused to do that but agreed to give me temporary guardianship over Pepper until filming ended? She could remain on the show.
Would I do that for Pepper? After everything I knew that poor girl had gone through this morning, I absolutely would. But the decision wasn’t mine alone to make, because I wasn’t a free agent. I mean, what would Harper have to say about any of this? What would CAA want me to do? Sooner rather than later, Harper would be giving me new clients to represent, and if the time ever came that I needed to be there legally for Pepper, how would that affect those additional clients if, for instance, I had to suddenly bolt out of a negotiation because Pepper needed me? I felt so overwhelmed at that moment, I actually was kind of relieved to have Hunter at my side. He was a strong man—not just physically, but his presence emanated strength. He’d been through so much in his life, I literally could feel the strength of his character coming off him in protective waves as we walked up Broadway to the park. And as conflicted as I was about him, I fed on his strength at that moment, because I needed it.
Neither of us said much of anything as we walked toward the park, but every now and then Hunter would reach out and put his hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze to let me know that he was there for me.
“Here we are,” he said when we entered the park, which was filled with people, from young mothers with their newborns in strollers to students who gravitated here due to the park’s proximity to NYU. “Choose your bench.”
“How about one that’s in the shade?” I said, trying my best to keep my voice light. “The sun is kind of hot today.”
“How about that one?” he asked, pointing to one of the green iron benches that was across from us and under a tree.
“That’s perfect,” I said. “So long as there aren’t any birds nesting in the tree above it. Because I’ve lived in this city long enough to have sat on one of these benches and have a pigeon shit on me.”
“That did not happen to you.”
“Oh, yes, it did.”
“Nah, you’re too smart for that.”
“I wasn’t six years ago.”
“How old were you then?”
“Twenty-two—and fresh out of UConn.”
“I still don’t see you as a pigeon’s victim,” he said with a smile so winning, it kind of melted my heart.
“Let’s just call it what it was,” I said.
“And what’s that?”
“A flyby pooping.”
“Nailed you on your head, did it?”
Oh, Jesus, now I have to go there . . .
“Well, actually, it didn’t quite strike there,” I s
aid.
“Where then?”
“Does it really matter?”
“OK, now I’m really curious . . .”
“Fine,” I said, and waved a hand beneath my breasts.
“Tough to miss those . . .” he said.
“Friends don’t look at another friend’s breasts.”
He held up his hands in surrender as those ridiculously blue eyes of his connected with mine. More than he knew, I needed the lighthearted exchange we’d just shared. Hunter had the ability to make me smile. I was particularly grateful for that now, especially given all I had to say to him about our potential situation with Pepper.
“You know,” he said after a moment, “I still think that bench might be a good bet, especially if we sit at the far left. Do you see what I mean? The tree to the right doesn’t extend to the left.”
“You’re right!” I said. “Let’s get to it before somebody else does.”
When I said that, he reached for my hand, I felt a jolt of desire and lightning flash through me as the mere touch of his skin seared against mine, and together we jogged over to the bench before anyone else could claim it.
“Done,” he said as we sat next to each other. And when we did, we were sitting so close to one another, his muscular thigh was pressed against mine. “Sorry,” he said as he scooted over a bit. “When I sat down, I should have nailed my ‘friendly’ landing. Because despite that kiss last night? That’s all we are, right? Still just friends . . . ?”
“Oh, my God . . .” I sighed.
“You’re calling out for God now?”
“I am.”
“You know,” he said in a low voice, “if you’d let me, I could make you call out to God all night long.”
“Hunter!”
“I’m just kidding,” he said. And then he shot me a wink. “Well, sort of . . .”
“You’re impossible.”
“All right, so why did you want to call out to God just then?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” I asked. “I mean, come on, Hunter. It’s seriously going to be hard to be just friends with you.”
“Why’s that, Julia?”
“You already know the answer to that question, Hunter.”
“Did you think about me last night?”
Hunter, last night, I almost pulled out my rabbit because of you! And guess what? I probably would have if I hadn’t known that the batteries were dead . . .
“Why would you ask me something like that?”
“Maybe because I had a long, hot think about you?”
“You probably were thinking about someone else,” I said—and then I narrowed my eyes at him in fun. “Like Immaculata!”
He tossed back his head and laughed when I said that.
“Jesus, no. That woman still gives me nightmares. But to be straight with you, Julia, I did think about you last night. I couldn’t get you out of my head after that kiss.”
This shit needs to end, girl. Quash your hormones and get yourself in line . . .
It’s not as easy as that when it comes to him!
Well, you better start making it easy, because you have a job to do, you need to remain focused, and this man? This man could rock your world if you allowed him to—and what the fresh hell would that mean for your career if he broke your heart just when you finally were on the brink of making it in this city? How focused would you be then?
Yeah, not so much . . .
Then quit it with the flirting.
I placed my hand on Hunter’s shoulder as I turned to him.
“Hunter, we’re in business together, and it’s in our best interests to keep that in mind going forward.”
“It’s not that easy for me,” he said.
“And it isn’t for me,” I said. “I’ve already admitted that I’m attracted to you. I’ve come clean. But I also have a new job that comes with some pretty heavy expectations, especially after signing Pepper. In fact, it’s because of her that you and I need to be laser focused right now.”
“Even when I want to kiss you?” he said.
“You can’t talk to me like that . . .”
“But friends tell friends everything, right?”
“Now, you’re just being squirrelly,” I said.
“And you’re holding back on what you really want from me.”
“Hunter, no more flirting, OK?” I said in all seriousness. “Right now, I really need you to listen to me, because it’s important that you do so.”
His face straightened when I said that, then he nodded at me. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to take things too far. I just felt that you’ve had a rough day, and I was trying to lighten the mood for you.” He furrowed his brow at me. “Earlier, you mentioned that something took place between you and Pepper this morning. What happened?”
I told him the lot of it. And by the time I was finished, ten minutes must have passed. I shook my head at him. “That’s what we’re dealing with when it comes to Pepper, Hunter. Worse for Pepper, that’s what she’s dealing with.”
“I had no idea,” he said.
“I’ll admit that when I met Savannah, I knew that she liked her share of martinis, but not enough to warn me off Pepper. I just thought that Savannah was going to be a silly, eccentric handful I’d have to deal with for as long as I repped Pepper. This morning told me differently, which is why I decided to share everything with you now. If things go badly with Savannah, it could affect Pepper, you, and your show.”
“Well, shit,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I wish I’d known sooner.”
He turned to me.
“Julia, Pepper is going to be a star whether her mother sandbags her or not. We both know that.”
“She’s already a star,” I said. “I mean, how many fourteen-year-old girls have seventy-five million people following them on social media? She’s a frigging internet superstar. You, me, Harper, and the network have already recognized that. What she’s accomplished under some pretty dire circumstances is amazing. And yet, despite the odds stacked against her, she still managed to make something of herself, which says everything about her character and her work ethic. But if things go sour when it comes to her mother, how do you and I make sure that girl is still allowed to live out her dreams? She’s using the Teens to build her brand—and good for her! She’s not responsible for her mother’s or father’s behavior. If anything, she’s simply a young woman fighting to get away from them, and you and I both need to make sure that she has the chance to make it.”
“I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure that Pepper remains on the show,” he said. “But, let’s get real here, Julia. If her mother and father don’t get their shit together, Pepper’s future might rest on you like you suggested. If either of them agree to you becoming her guardian, are you sure you want to get into that?”
“I am,” I said. “And I only say that because I’ve come to like Pepper. Yes, she’s your perfect terrible teen, Hunter, but she only became that person because of her shitty upbringing.”
“Isn’t that true for all of my girls?” he asked.
“Probably, but whatever they went through doesn’t minimize what Pepper is going through now. Her fears are real. If Savannah goes into rehab and Pepper’s family turns on her for whatever reason, there’s a good chance that the only reason she’ll remain on your show will be if Savannah or her father allows me to be her temporary guardian.”
“Fuck . . .” Hunter said.
“Right?” I said to him. “I decided to have this talk with you because the situation is that dire. I don’t know which way this is going to go, but please know that I’m prepared to go all in if I need to, provided that Harper and CAA agree. And naturally if Pepper’s parents agree, if everything goes to hell with Savannah.”
“I appreciate that,” he said. “Time will tell, I guess. When are you sharing this with Harper?”
I stood up.
“No time like the present,” I said.
“Keep me informed?”
“Of course,” I said as I placed my hand on his forearm. “And good luck shooting the show’s introduction, OK? Hopefully Lexi and the other girls heard you when you said that everyone on that show is replaceable. Because if that didn’t get them in line, nothing will.”
I checked the time on my wristwatch, but before I could say goodbye to Hunter, he put his hands on his hips and let out a sigh.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“I want you to know something before you leave.”
“OK . . .”
“Julia, it’s not just that find you physically attractive, which I do—more than you know. The reason I can’t get you out of my head is because as I’ve come to know you better, there are so many other things about you that I find attractive, it’s kind of off the charts. You’re smart, you’re driven, you’re kind, you’re funny, you have a seriously big heart, you’re interesting, you can hold an intelligent conversation—you’ve just got it all, and that’s something I’ve never experienced before with another woman, probably because in my past I chose poorly. But my past is my past, and here you are standing before me. If we’re going to be ‘just friends’ for a long time, I hope you know it could be dangerous.”
“You mean that moment when we cross that line into a true friendship?”
“Exactly that.”
“But being friends forever would be pretty great, wouldn’t it?”
“On one level, of course it would. But what if by throwing up walls between us, we miss out on something amazing in the meantime?” His voice softened when he spoke again. “What if we miss out on what each of us is feeling for one another right now?”
Very gently, he dipped his face toward mine. I felt myself falling into those blue eyes of his again, and when my body betrayed me and refused to allow me to resist him, Hunter kissed me for the second time on a sunny day in the park, with a light breeze passing around us as the rest of the world faded away.
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