by Tracy Tegan
He sighed and then we walked hand and hand to the waiting limo.
“How did things go with Ethan and Jennifer last night?” He asked.
I was surprised he didn’t already know. I figured guys bragged about that kind of thing.
“I’m not sure. I mean, well, I think they had a good time. They watched one of his movies.”
My face turned bright red, and I couldn't finish the story. He gave me a knowing look and let the subject drop, thankfully.
“How was your shoot today?”
"Exhausting," he confessed. "We had to reshoot several key scenes because they were afraid there wasn't enough heat between Ava and me."
"Oh, I'm sorry. If you are tired, I can go back home, and you can call it a night. You probably have to be up early tomorrow anyways for your last day of shooting."
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been looking forward to spending time with you all day. It’s the only thing that got me through.”
He put my hand up to his face and kissed the back of it. It was a sweet gesture but for some reason, I decided to take it a step further. I leaned in and kissed him and not a sweet and innocent kiss either. Luckily, we had to stop because we had arrived at the hotel.
As we got into the elevator, I purposely stood as far away from him as possible. My body was raging with lust, and I barely trusted myself not to push him up against the wall and try and have my way with him.
The kisses in the limo made me hunger for him in a way I couldn't explain. But I had to try. I had to speak to him and soon, before dinner. I needed him to understand. This wasn't fair to him. I knew I was sending mixed signals, and he didn't deserve that.
When we got into the room, dinner was there waiting for us.
"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered ahead."
Everything looked so good. He ordered steak, lobster stuffed mushrooms and deviled eggs with caviar on top. If all of that wasn't enough, on the side was a plate of what looked like tiny little tulip flowers but were really small tomatoes stuffed with a crab dip, stuck on top of a long stick. He went all out, the dinner was over the top.
I looked down at the simple sundress I had on. "I feel so under-dressed."
“What? No. Don’t be ridiculous,” he insisted.
“This all looks so fancy.”
Even if he was in a t-shirt and cargo shorts himself, he still looked like he belonged. I suddenly felt awkward and out of place.
“Please Alison, sit down and eat.”
I wasn't starving; we did have a pretty big lunch, but I guess I was hungry enough to sit down and try some of the fancy food. As I picked at it, I finally looked up at him.
“Grayson, can we talk?”
He looked back at me with his mesmerizing silver colored eyes. God, he was so gorgeous. "Sure babe, what's up?"
“I just … well …”
“Alison you don’t have to be nervous. You can say anything to me. Please just say what’s on your mind.”
Okay, here goes nothing.
"Tonight is our last night together, and we are alone, here in your hotel room. I just don't want you to get the wrong idea."
He started to say something, but I cut him off.
“I know I probably sent you all kinds of crazy mixed messages, especially with the kiss in the car and ….”
“I get it Alison. You aren’t that kind of girl. I won’t push you to do something you aren’t ready for. I told you that before.”
The way he said it, so matter-of-factly, like it was no big deal put me at ease.
"So, what movie do you want to watch tonight?"
“I’m not sure Grayson. I’m probably not the one who should be picking. I don’t really watch many movies. I wouldn’t begin to know which ones are good and which ones aren’t.”
He seemed to be thinking about something for a moment and then a big smile came across his face. “How about Twin Zone, have you seen that movie?”
I smiled back at him. “I’ve never even heard of it.”
“You are killing me Ali. How have you not heard of it? It was only the biggest movie of the year, last year. It grossed over $300 million.”
I gave him a blank stare. I really had no idea what the movie was about. I didn’t know who was in it or ever recall even hearing the name.
“Grayson, movies are a luxury I just can’t afford.”
“What does that mean?”
I sighed. "My dad left when my sister and I were young, and that meant my mother had to get two jobs to try and support us, so of course any extras were out. When we got old enough to work ourselves, we contributed, but things were still tight. There was just no way we would spend money on something so frivolous as our own personal entertainment."
“What about when you went on dates? Didn’t you ever go on a date to the movies?”
“Sure, when I got older I did, but now I don’t really date that much. I work, go to school, study, and work out. I told you my life was boring. College is expensive.”
"Okay, fair enough. Well, let me tell you about the movie. It's a sci-fi thriller about two girls, identical twin sisters who are actually cyborgs. They appear normal, like humans, but they are programmed with a deadly mission, to kill the President. My job is to find and capture the girls before they can complete what they set out to do."
“Sounds interesting.”
"It was nominated for six Oscars including best picture, best actor, best supporting actress, best-adapted screenplay, best editing, and best sound."
“That’s amazing. Did you win?”
"No, I didn't win for best actor, but the movie did win for best-adapted screenplay, best editing, and best sound."
“I’m sorry you didn’t win.”
"That's okay. I didn't deserve it. I don't think I put my best into that movie and if I win an award, I want to feel like I earned it. Know what I mean?"
I smiled at him. I really did know what he meant, and I loved that about him. On one hand, he was a movie star, bigger than life, but on the other hand, he was so humble and down to earth, almost like a normal person. That is a normal person who makes bazillions of dollars a year and travels all around the world with millions of devoted fans worshipping him along the way.
He got up from the table and took me by the hand. "Come on, let's watch the movie."
As he got up to start it, I began to wonder what he said about the awards. “Have you ever won an Oscar Grayson?”
“I’ve won an Academy Award for one of the movies I did for Disney as a kid. But as an adult, no. I have won two Golden Globes though and a SAG award.”
“What exactly does SAG mean?”
“It stands for Screen Actors Guild.”
"Oh well, that is pretty cool then. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before you win another Oscar."
The movie started, and he took his seat next to me on the couch.
I had never heard of his co-stars in the movie, the twin girls Mia and Meggan Tanner. He said they were practically unknowns when they got cast in the movie, and the studio had to end up hiring an acting coach and re-shoot several of the scenes that didn't come out so well the first time.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like a science fiction movie but much to my surprise, I ended up loving the movie. Grayson was amazing, and the girl Amy who was nominated for the best-supporting-actress award was really good too. I could see why she was nominated for an award. She played Grayson's love interest in the movie.
“That’s got to be hard,” I said absently as the end credits rolled on the screen.
“What?” He asked.
“Making out on screen. Doesn’t it get, umm … you know?”
“It’s really not as intimate as you might think,” Grayson said.
“I watched you on set today with Ava Bailey. That looked mighty intimate to me.”
“Good. I’m glad it looked that way to you. That means I’m doing my job.”
I giggled.
He picked up the remote a
nd turned off the movie and then leaned over to kiss me.
I pulled back, worried that things might get away from us too quickly, like last time.
“It’s getting late Grayson, and I know you have an early call time.”
He was silent most of the ride back to my house but the whole time, he never stopped holding my hand. Grayson's hand was warm, clasping mine tightly as we slowly walked to my door, every step taking us closer to our final goodbye.
When we got to my door, I reached for his other hand and stared up at him in the moonlight.
“I guess this is it.”
“Maybe for now, but not forever,” he said, almost in a whisper.
He put his hands around my waist and pulled me in for a hug. I rested my cheek on his chest and sighed. I tried hard not to cry. I really did, but I couldn’t help myself. My eyes began to water.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
I pulled back and looked up at him. “That’s so beautiful. What’s that from?”
“I don’t know, some movie or another.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead and then I went inside, sure that would be the last time I would ever lay eyes on my movie star.
Chapter Six
It was a little late by the time I got home, so I was sure Jennifer was in bed sleeping because I knew she had an early class on Friday morning. She hated that class, and complained about it all the time, but it was the only available time for it, and she needed the class to get her degree. So I went to sleep without giving it a second thought.
The next morning when she wasn't there, I also wasn't worried because I knew at that time, she was normally in class. By lunch however, when she wasn't home, and she still hadn't texted me back from the day before I began to get worried. Jennifer could be flighty at times, but she's never gone that long before without calling and checking in or texting me back. It's just not like her. She knew how much I worry.
When the doorbell rang, I couldn't help but hope it was Jennifer, and she just forgot her key. It wasn't her, though – it was a man delivering a huge bouquet of flowers. The card wasn't signed, but I knew who it was from.
“Please think about coming to see me in LA.”
Just as I finished reading it, the doorbell rang again. It was another delivery man with another extravagant bouquet of flowers.
"If you don't say yes, I'll just keep sending you flowers until I wear you down."
I had to laugh when the doorbell rang again, and yet another delivery man stood there with yet another bouquet of flowers.
“I’m serious. I could do this all day. Just say yes already.”
Several more deliveries came, one after the other. Each with an equally adorable plea from Grayson for me to agree to visit him in LA. I was starting to run out of space to put all the flowers when the doorbell rang again.
It wasn't a floral delivery guy, this time; it was Jax, his bodyguard. “Okay, you win. I will agree to think about it.”
Jax gave me a strange look as if he didn't have the slightest clue what I was talking about. "Miss Alison, I need you to come with me to the set. There's been an incident.” He said the last word carefully as if he wasn’t quite sure that was the right word to use or not.
“Is everything okay?”
"Yes, ma'am. Please, we just need to hurry."
I grabbed my purse, ran to the waiting car and was rushed to the set. On the short drive there my mind was awhirl. What could be going on?
“This way ma’am,” Jax said as he led me towards the collection of star trailers.
"Is Grayson okay?" I asked as I tried to keep up with him. I have short legs, so I had to take twice as many steps for every one of his.
He stopped for just a moment. “No, Miss Alison you aren’t here for Mr. Chase. It’s your friend.”
My friend? Who the hell was he talking about? Who would I know that worked on this movie with Grayson? Before I could ask, though, he was dragging me along. We passed Grayson's trailer and stopped in front of one similar in size.
As I read the name on the door, “Ethan Clarke” I heard someone screaming. It was a female’s voice that sounded familiar.
“You have a girlfriend,” the disembodied female voice shouted.
"Yes, but it's not like you think. Please just let me explain." That voice must be Ethan's. I heard a loud thump like someone threw something, then the slamming of a door.
“Oh God, please don’t lock yourself in the bathroom again,” Ethan pleaded. “Just let me explain.”
"What is there to explain? You have a girlfriend, and you slept with me. That makes me the other woman, you sorry piece of shit.”
Oh my goodness, that’s Jennifer in there. Now I get why they needed me.
Grayson came up behind me. “I’m glad you are here. I didn’t want security or even worse, the police to get involved in this. It wouldn’t be good for anyone, especially when the media gets wind of it.”
"So, for now, it's contained, as long as I can get her out of here?"
“You don’t want the media to get ahold of this story Alison. The press will swarm your house, follow you and her everywhere, and make Jennifer out as the bad guy.”
I rolled my eyes and then pushed my way into Ethan’s trailer.
“Get out,” I said forcefully to Ethan. He did as I told him and left the trailer.
“Jennifer, it’s me. Are you okay?”
The bathroom door creaked open and then she ran into my arms, almost knocking me down.
“Oh Alison, I was so stupid. What was I thinking?”
“It’s alright,” I soothed. “You didn’t know. You couldn’t have known. Some men are just assholes like that. It’s not your fault.”
She sobbed uncontrollably for a moment while I lovingly ran my hand over her hair and patted her back.
"I know you are upset Jennifer, and you have every right to be, but we need to get out of here and quick. The longer we stay here, the more risk we run of the press finding out about all of this and trust me when I say, that's the last thing you want."
Jennifer nodded as if she understood.
“Where are your things?” I asked her and she pointed to her overnight bag and purse sitting in the corner.
I grabbed them in one hand while holding her hand in the other before leading her out the door. Thank goodness Ethan and Grayson weren't there when we stepped outside of his trailer. Jax took Jennifer’s bag from me, led us back to the limousine, and then took us back home.
Jennifer went to her room the second we entered the house and cried. I felt horrible. I wished there was something I could do or say to make her feel better, but I knew there wasn't. All I could do was be there for her if she needed me.
Eventually, when I heard her tears start to subside, I went into her bedroom with some tea. I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hand through her hair for comfort.
“Want to talk about it?”
She sniffled.
"How did you even get there? I don't understand. Last I knew, you came home the next morning after our dinner date and that was that."
"While you were out, he called and then sent a car to me. He said he missed me and wanted to know if I wanted to see him on set. How could I say no to that? While he was shooting, I stayed in his trailer and in between we played.”
I put my hand up.
“Okay, you don’t need to give me those specific details.”
I was only teasing, but seriously, I really didn't want all the details of what they did in private.
“How did you find out he had a girlfriend?”
"She called, and when I asked who it was on the phone, he said it was his girlfriend. Can you believe that? Like it was no big deal. Oh hey, it's just my girlfriend calling, don't mind me. Can you believe that shit?"
She started to cry again, and all I could think to do was hug her. The doorbell rang, so I got up to answer it. I only hoped it wasn't another flower delivery. While
it was cute earlier, I wasn't in the mood for his antics now, not with all that was going on with Jennifer.
I flung open the door to see Grayson standing on my porch.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I came to see if Jennifer was okay.”
He didn’t wait for me to invite him in, he just sort of side stepped me and walked on by.
"Of course, she isn't okay Grayson. She's crushed."
“Is she in her room?” He asked as he started walking towards her bedroom door.
“Yes, but I don’t think it’s a good idea that you go in there right now. She’s upset.”
He didn’t listen, just made his way in through her bedroom door. Jennifer sat up on her bed. “What are you doing here? Did he send you to tell me more lies?”
"No, of course not," Grayson said tenderly. "I came to check on you. It was a real dick move on his part to treat you like that, so I just wanted to come by and make sure you were okay before I got on my flight and headed back to LA."
Jennifer sniffled. “I’m fine,” she said. “Well, I will be.”
He leaned over and gave her a hug – a real hug, not one of those fake, barely touch the person hugs. It was a genuinely caring, I hope you are going to be okay kind of hugs.
“I know you will be. You are a great girl Jennifer and any man that can’t see that is a fool.”
“Are you finished making your movie?” Jennifer asked him.
“Yes. My plane is on standby now to take me back to LA. I just wanted to stop by here first and make sure you were going to be okay.”
She sniffled again. "Thank you, Grayson. That was very sweet of you, but you didn't have to do that. I'll be fine, I promise."
She gave him a little smile and in turn, he gave her another hug.
“I have to get going now, but you be strong, okay? Don’t let this get you down. You are better than that.”
“I promise,” she said.
Grayson walked out of her room with me following just behind him.
"I'm sorry I don't have more time to spend with you Alison, but I really do have to get going. I'm running late as it is," Grayson turned to me and said as he was walking out the front door.
“It’s fine. I understand. Have a safe flight.”