Counting Stars (Hollywood Connections Book 2)

by Renee Porter

  “Really, I can’t believe that I’m up here right now, especially being nominated with so many beautiful and talented women. We all deserve this and I honestly mean that. I’d like to thank the whole production team at Sony that helped make this movie. Bob, thank you for directing and allowing me to portray this incredibly beautiful and broken character. To my costars, I wouldn’t be up here if you hadn’t given me such amazing talent to work with.” She smiled as her lip twitched. The crowd was silent. “And of course, I have to thank my mother and father, who I know are looking down on me right now. They instilled so much love for this business inside of me and I thank them every day for that.”

  Charlie joined in with the rest of the audience as they clapped. She couldn’t help but feel a pang for the woman up there and drawing a parallel to a young woman give an acceptance speech for her father who was no longer there to accept the award on his own. Charlie watched as Madeline raised her hand to shield her eyes from the bright light and finally her eyes locked with someone in the crowd. Charlie craned her neck to see who it was but couldn’t see anyone. She looked over at Jonathan who gave a shrug of his shoulders as well. Madeline lowered her hand as her eyes started to tear, keeping her eyes on her chosen member of the audience. “And of course I have to thank B Montgomery. If you hadn’t written these amazing stories none of this would be possible.” She took a deep breath as she finally broke her gaze and looked across the crowd.

  “I told a young author once that everyone wants what they can’t have and I’ve wanted this for so long and now I know I can have it.” Madeline gripped the award tightly as she looked down on it. Her eyes raised again as she pointed her eyes again toward the member of the audience. “But even though being up here feels like a dream come true, I would have given it all up just to be with you, B.” She smiled shyly as the crowd started to murmur and Charlie’s eyes opened wide at the proclamation. Again she turned toward Jonathan who held his mouth agape, not daring to look anywhere but at the young actress. “You’re my star and I love you. Even if I didn’t win tonight I’d still consider myself lucky because I have you by my side. Thank you!” Madeline held up the award as she turned from the stage. The crowd was more deafening as she walked off and finally Jonathan met Charlie’s eyes.

  “Well, at least one of you got to give a speech of your lifetime,” Jonathan was still clapping as he shook his head. Charlie had to chuckle at the humor of it all. Here she was, ready to tell the world that she was in love with a woman, and Madeline Fields, one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood did the same thing. What was going on with the world?

  Charlie leaned over to Jonathan as the host came on stage to improvise a line of what just occurred. Between the ruckus laughter of him saying that he wished he had written a few bestselling novels, Charlie turned to Jonathan. “Think Madeline would have a few moments to talk?” Jonathan quirked up an eyebrow. If he had thought that Charlie not winning would shy her away from telling the world about who she really was, he was gravely mistaken. “Well, her agent Josh and I are on friendly terms. What, might I ask, do you have to talk to her about?” Charlie smiled as she joined in the applause for the next bout of celebrities to present the next award. Her eyes twinkled with the realization that her not winning was the last thing on her mind, and her allowing the world to know her love was the first.

  Chapter 20

  Charlie knocked on the door and adjusted her dress. Jonathan made right on his word and was able to get Josh to let her into the Oscar’s Late Night Show. Of course, no one would complain about Charlotte Baker wandering down the halls, but it was the principle of it all. The door opened to an excited Madeline Fields whose smile broke a little when she met Charlie’s blue eyes. Charlie grinned as she was sure she was expecting someone else.

  “Charlotte, hi.” Charlie and Madeline had met a few times before at different functions. Although Madeline was a New York native, they had always seemed to be at the same parties and work events for publicizing different areas of their business. Charlie had always liked the woman and saw an immense talent in her, which was obvious for her winning the Oscar that they were both nominated for. “Josh told me you might stop by. You aren’t here to kick my ass for taking your Oscar are you?” Madeline’s eyes twinkled with the tease and Charlie laughed.

  “No. I wouldn’t think of such a thing. You deserve it, believe me.” Madeline moved to the side to allow Charlie entrance. She briefly eyed the little gold man on the vanity and turned to her friend. “Congratulations,” Charlie said to Madeline. The woman looked so care free but waved off the compliment.

  “I really didn’t think I was going to win,” Madeline huffed out briefly.

  “I wasn’t talking about the Oscar.” Madeline tilted her head, regarding the woman in front of her and gave a stunning bright smile.

  “How long do you think they’ll be talking about it for?” Madeline asked. Charlie seemed to have caught the slight insecurity but waved off the hesitance just as Madeline had waved off Charlie’s compliment.

  “They’ll get over it. I mean it’s not every day that an award winning actress comes out of the closet, but I’d like to think that they’ll eventually let it go and focus on more serious issues, like how the Kardashians are opening a new shop in Miami, or perhaps ending world hunger?” Madeline chuckled at Charlie’s response and nodded her head with praise.

  “I hope so. B spent so much of her life hiding from all of this and I didn’t exactly tell her I was just going to out us. I’m actually hoping she doesn’t leave my ass in the dust because of it.”

  Charlie now understood the woman’s hesitance. “From what it sounds like, Madeline, that won’t be happening.” Charlie tried to be supportive and although she didn’t know the true nature of their relationship, if Madeline had chanced coming out in front of millions of people, then she must love the young author very much.

  “So, enough about me, what’s going on with you? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve always enjoyed your company, but…”

  Charlie shifted uncomfortably but straightened her back. “Well…” Charlie looked over at the small gold man again and smiled, thinking to herself about the time that she had been given a similarly looking one by Ryan. “I just wanted to know if you’d be willing to share some of your thunder tonight.” Charlie finally looked up to a confused looking Madeline.

  “Not sure what you’re getting at.” Madeline stated simply. Charlie chuckled as she shook her head.

  “If I won tonight I was going to come out in my acceptance speech.” Charlie raised her eyebrows at the slight shocked expression on Madeline’s face.

  “Wait, hold on. Not only did I steal your Oscar but I stole your coming out speech? Shit ! , ” Madeline smiled at the tease and Charlie laughed heartily. She liked Madeline’s easy sense of humor and made it a point to try and get together with the woman more often.

  “I guess it would seem that way. I wasn’t going to do it initially but...” Charlie raised her eyes to the ceiling and settled a hand on her stomach as Ryan’s proclamation of love fluttered through her veins. “I don’t want to hide her anymore. My girlfriend deserves more than that. I deserve more than that.” Charlie shifted again, now eyeing a very understanding Madd eline ie . She breathed in deeply. “I don’t want to do anything that will take the spotlight off of you, but I don’t think I can keep it inside any longer.”

  “She totally told you she loved you tonight and you weren’t able to say it back, huh?” Mad eline die bit her bottom lip as Charlie yet again chuckled at her observing nature.

  “Nail on the head,” Charlie stated. Maddie nodded and breathed out.

  “I would be more than happy to share in the miserable media outpour that will surely be sticking to us within the next few weeks.” Madeline smiled, “So how do you want to do this?”

  Charlie tilted her head, weighing her options. There would be only one other venue that would have millions of people watching tonight, and she just so happen
ed to be in the dressing room of someone who would be a part of the show. “How do you think the producers would feel if I walked out on set after a few minutes of your interview?” Madeline seemed to think about it for a moment and then her eyes opened wide.

  “I think it’s brilliant.”

  Charlie nodded as she stepped toward the door. “I’m going to go talk to one of the producers.” She opened the small dressing room door and turned again toward Mad eline die . “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

  Ma deline ddi e shook her head as she looked back into blue eyes. “To be honest, Charlie, the only thing that matters is that I get to go home with B tonight.”

  Charlie nodded her head as the same warmth that reflected in Madeline’s eyes flittered through every cell in her body. “I know the feeling,” with a wave of her hand Charlie stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. She started walking quickly toward the producer’s office.

  ***

  “Is she upset?” Ryan asked through the phone at Jonathan. Jonathan hummed as he thought about the question.

  “She had this really great acceptance speech. I think she’s more upset that she didn’t get to give it rather than actually not winning.”

  Ryan huffed out a loud breath. She had tried to call Charlie a dozen times but her phone had gone straight to voicemail. She wanted to know if she would be okay. If she was planning on coming home early from the after party or if she was just planning on wanting to be alone. Her last thought clenched her stomach tightly. She had told Charlie that she had loved her and had asked her to not say anything. At the time, Ryan had thought it was for the best, so Charlie didn’t have to be concerned about anything other than winning her first Oscar. But now, after hours had passed since she let those words slip from her lips, her self-doubt was rearing its ugly head. What if Charlie didn’t love her? Why wouldn’t she have turned on her phone to say that she was coming home and that she felt the same?

  “Is she there with you? Can I talk to her?” Ryan held her head in her hands as the Late Night show started to play in the background.

  “She was asked to make an appearance on the Late Night Show. I’m waiting right now for her to finish and then we’ll be home.” Ryan let out a deep breath. Just knowing where Charlie was eased her anxiety a little. “You are going to watch it aren’t you?” Jonathan asked then, his voice sounding a little more enthusiastic than it should. Ryan shook her head as she pinned her eyes to the television.

  “I was planning on going home and waiting there, but if she’s going to be on then I guess I’ll just stay and watch.”

  “Good. You should do that,” and then Jonathan asked, “So what did you think of the big coming out speech?” Again Ryan shook her head. To be honest she hadn’t really even been paying attention when the young actress took the stage instead of Charlie. Her stomach had felt sick that Charlie hadn’t won. She had caught the last part, about the young brunette telling the world that she was in love with B Montgomery, and although she thought it was a sweet gesture, so much of her wished it had been Charlie saying those words instead.

  “It was sweet,” Ryan said finally. Jonathan chuckled at her response.

  “I know you’re hurting for Charlie, but believe me, sweetie, she’s going to be fine. And she has you. You shouldn’t worry about it so much. Just watch the show to get your fix until we get home.” Ryan nodded her head and then she realized that Jonathan wouldn’t be able to see her.

  “I told her I love her,” Ryan spurted out. Again Jonathan chuckled.

  “I know.”

  “You do?” Ryan’s eyes widened as they locked onto the television in front of her. The host was giving a monologue, dressed in a nice tuxedo. She wondered if Charlie was backstage right now watching his monologue in person, or if she was thinking about something else, someone else.

  “Yes, she told me as soon as she got in the car,” Jonathan clucked his tongue, waiting for a knowing response from Ryan.

  “What -“ - , Ryan swallowed thickly, “What did she say exactly? ”

  “Now why would I say anything that would give my sweet cousin away?”

  “Because your sweet cousin is dating your equally sweet best friend?” Ryan tried to lay it on thick but all she received from Jonathan was a teasing laugh.

  “Just watch the show, Ryan. All your questions will be answered shortly.” Ryan nodded her head as the monologue ended and the shows intro started playing. She watched as pictures of the winners from tonight danced from scene to scene. They would be guests on tonight’s show, and then suddenly something clicked in her head.

  “Jonathan, why is Charlie going to be on the show tonight if she didn’t win?” Ryan heard Jonathan hum into the phone, considering her question.

  “That’s for me to know and for you to find out…in about ten minutes.” Ryan felt Jonathan’s smile over the line and before she could ask another question to his weird response, he feigned that he had to go and clicked the phone off. Ryan looked down at the black screen and blew a strand of dark hair out of her face. She looked up at the television as the show came back from commercial. Fully intent on not missing Charlie’s piece, she held the remote up to the TV and turned the volume up.

  ***

  “Our next guest won for Best Actress tonight, please give a warm welcome for Madeline Fields!” Maddie glided on stage as she waved her hand back and forth, eyeing the members of the audience. She gave a quick hug to Jimmy and sat down next to three unoccupied chairs. Charlie had just gotten done touching up her makeup as Madeline had finally sat and now watched from backstage as Madeline gave a light hearted jest about Jimmy’s dashing attire. She leaned up against the wall as her eyes darted to a figure standing closer to the entrance of the set but just out of the camera’s eye. The brunette’s laughter shook her as another jab came from Madeline and finally, Charlie had the realization that she was staring at B Montgomery. As if the young author knew that someone had been looking, she turned, her eyes scanning and adjusting to the dimly lit backstage hall and smiled when Charlie’s eyes met her own. Charlie watched as the woman bit her lip and then sidled up next to her.

  “Hi, I’m B,” the brunette whispered and offered a hand and Charlie shook it with a genuine smile.

  “Hi, B. I’m Charlie. Nice to meet you.” She nodded her head to the set and then turned her attention back to the new acquaintance. “I’m really happy for her. For you both, actually.” Charlie smiled when the woman seemed to get a dreamy gaze in her eye.

  “Yeah. She doesn’t know how to do anything less than extraordinary.” Charlie chuckled at the choice of words but then again, B Montgomery was an author so she shouldn’t have been surprised.

  “Are you ready for this?” Charlie asked, knowing the reason why B was backstage. She was sure in just a few minutes she would be asked out on stage to accompany her girlfriend. B’s back seemed to tense but as she heard laughter coming from Maddie on set, she relaxed a little.

  “I think so. I’m just not used to this. I mean, it’s becoming more familiar since I came out as Breakaway’s author, but…” again the brunette chewed on her lip, “it’s going to be a little different now, isn’t it?” B looked up at Charlie’s eyes and it’s then she realized that the woman knew exactly why Charlie was there. Charlie tried not to chuckle at the thought of Maddie letting B know that she would be sharing the stage with her tonight, so instead she offered a nod of her head.

  “It will be. But … ,” Charlie breathed in deeply and then let it go, “it’s totally worth it, don’t you think?” Charlie watched as B just nodded her head in kind.

  “Now it’s my turn to ask,” B looked up at Charlie. “Are you ready for this?” Charlie stared out across the set from backstage, her heart racing with anticipation.

  “I’ve never been so ready for anything in my life.” The words rang so true that Charlie had to stop the pinching of tears that threatened to spill. She didn’t care about coming out on national television. She didn’t
care that this time tomorrow, everyone would know that she preferred women over men. What she did care was that in a few moments, Ryan Stark would know exactly how she felt. She felt a squeeze on her upper arm as B smiled warmly at her.

  “That’s my cue. See you out there?” Charlie nodded as she watched B take a deep breath and step out on stage. The live audience rumbled with applause and as the two women both took each other in a long embrace, Charlie wished more than ever that Ryan was there in that moment as well.

  ***

  Ryan looked as the two women on the screen held each other. She couldn’t stop her smile from forming as the evident love for both women shone in their eyes. She had been pleasantly surprised to find out a few months ago that one of her favorite authors, Randle Gooding, was actually a young woman. Of course, she wouldn’t have been able to place her amongst a crowd, but she couldn’t deny that the two women looked striking together. And the fact that B Montgomery just so happened to fall in love with the woman who was lead actress in the movies that were based off her books? Well, that just seemed like a fairy tale in itself.

  “So, B,” the audience’s applause died down as she turned to Jimmy. B’s hand was held tightly in Maddie’s and she smile widely, waiting for Jimmy to continue. “Tell me, are you dating anybody?” The audience roared again as B shook her head at the jest. Her cheeks turned beet red as she looked over at Maddie with a soft, loving expression.