Gravity (Hollywood Connections Book 1)

by Renee Porter

  ***

  I counted to ten to calm my rapidly beating heart. My mother stood to my left as we entered The Standard Hotel’s rooftop. The large venue opened up to white lights sparkling across all tables and potted palm trees. Caterers whirled around with flutes of champagne and finger foods and I felt my mother nudge me to get moving. I gave her a nervous chuckle as I stepped in time with her own footsteps.

  The party was already in full swing and we had been thoughtful enough to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Immediately my shoulders relaxed as Elizabeth Tierney turned to us, making a beeline straight for me and my mother.

  “Hi B, Joanna.” She hugged us as we greeted her. “You both look stunning.” My cheeks reddened as I looked down at my red cocktail dress. The publishing company had offered to set me and my mother up with dress fittings as well as makeup, hair and nails. I had originally declined, letting Elizabeth know that we didn’t need any special treatment. When I heard her laugh and say that it was all free and that the companies actually offered to give us the dresses and the other pampering I saw my mother’s eyes light up with excitement. It was that look in her eyes that made me accept the offer. I wanted to give her a little bit of the celebrity treatment, even if it wasn’t really my scene.

  “Thank you, Liz. I appreciate you setting all of this up.” I eyed the surroundings not knowing how to place the compliment. I was just a girl from the valley. I wasn’t a celebrity.

  “There are already some media reporters that would like to talk to you, B.” Liz had said it with caution, knowing that I disliked giving interviews. Even though this was technically my birthday party, I knew that it was also a working event. I wouldn’t be able to get through the night without being questioned about everything and anything.

  “Okay,” I breathed out. My mother placed her hand on my shoulder, giving me some confidence to get through the night.

  “Oh, I see Vanessa and Jared. I’m going to go over and say hi. I’ll bring them by when you’re free, okay?” I nodded as I looked over to where my mother started to walk. Vanessa gave me wave and mouthed ‘Holy Shit!’ to me while looking around her surroundings. I mouthed back ‘I know’ as my mother finally reached them. I wanted to go over there with her but was quickly ushered away by Liz to a group of reporters. Let the games begin.

  “Ms. Montgomery. The movie is already said to have a lot of Oscar buzz around it. Do you have any comments on that?”

  I smiled warmly at the young, vivacious reporter. He held a recorder in his hand and I stared at it trying to place my thoughts into coherent sentences. “I think the whole cast and crew has done a remarkable job at putting together what my story portrays. I’m not surprised at all that they are already talking about Oscar nominations. Everyone who worked on the movie is the best in the business.”

  “How do you respond to the comments that you’ve given Madeline Fields special treatment due to your relationship with her?” I turned my head to a smug woman who looked like she had one too many perms. Her hair was tightly curled and she sported a deep green suede suit. I smiled none the less at her tone and shook my head.

  “Maddie and I have been friends for a very long time. I don’t think there was anything wrong with me wanting to give her a shot to portray Holly. I have always known how talented she is and had no question about her abilities to play this role.” The reporter smiled tightly and I felt my stomach knot up. I had known that there would probably be a few questions on my ‘friendship’ with Maddie so I had already thought of a few answers that I could say that would alleviate any tense situation.

  “And would you say that your relationship is still friendly or something more?” Okay, I hadn’t thought of anything to say to that. I pursed my lips together as the gaggle of reporters around me thrust their recorders in my face.

  “I am not sure I understand your question.”

  “Well, a few sources have said that you two looked very friendly on the set. And that you would visit New York quite often, staying in the same hotel, conjoined rooms even?” I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. How do these people know these things? Did my love life really matter to people I don’t even know? I was going to respond with something like ‘Maddie is just a close friend and I had to go to New York to help with the production’ but a squeal from the reporter stopped me dead in my tracks.

  I furrowed my brows as the reporter’s mouth opened and she shook her leg. A round of laughter ensued as I looked downward toward the floor. Smiling up at me was probably the second most beautiful blonde I had ever seen in my life. I bent down as I laughed at the young puppy golden retriever who sported a bow instead of a collar. She jumped up and licked my face as the reporter jiggled off the pee from her equally deep green suede stiletto. “Hi there, little girl, and who might you be?”

  “Sorry about that. I tried to catch her but she slipped from her collar.” The raspy familiar voice made my heart beat faster. I stood up, taking the puppy with me. She calmed down in my hands as I turned to Maddie who held a shy smile. I shook my head at her, not knowing what she was doing here but so grateful that she was.

  I felt flashes of light behind me as photographers imprinted the memory to film. I was sure that this would be in a dozen magazines tomorrow but I didn’t care how silly my smile looked at that moment.

  “Do you like her?” Maddie walked up closer as she pet the small puppy on the head.

  “Of course! She’s adorable. Whose is she?”

  “Yours of course.” Maddie said simply. I stopped petting the puppy as I faltered with my words.

  “Mine? You…you got me a puppy?” Her face reddened as she tried to stay composed, aware that we were very much in the public eye.

  “Happy birthday?” She said hesitantly not knowing if it was the right present or not. I smiled at her and shook my head.

  “Thank you so much. I love her already.” At the response the little puppy yelped a bark and started to lick my face. The reporters and party goers around me laughed as pure happiness shone through my smile.

  Over the laughter I heard Maddie apologize to the reporter and say that the puppy must have thought her shoes were grass since they were the same color. I watched the reporter stalk off and I thanked Maddie with my eyes. This woman really didn’t know how many times she has saved me.

  The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Star, my new golden retriever puppy, was the hit of the party, successfully taking the spotlight off of me and becoming the center of attention. Ross had dubbed himself her Godfather immediately and paraded her around. I had to laugh at the amount of women he was getting because Star was with him. His eyes glimmered with delight, telling us that he found himself a new wingman.

  A few hours later I sat with a sleeping puppy in my lap and another beautiful blonde to my right, staring out into the lights of Los Angeles. Vanessa and Jared had offered to take my mother home and Maddie offered to drive me back to her place. I turned to her as I lay my head on the backrest of the black limousine. The privacy screen was up and I placed a hand in Maddie’s who immediately responded by lacing our fingers together.

  “You didn’t have to reshoot any scenes did you?” I asked finally. With the amount of people at the party I wasn’t able to ask why she was there. Her eyes glistened as headlights passed us on the road.

  “I was actually on my way to the airport when the pound called, letting me know they had just gotten this little one in. So I went over there and picked her up but the airliner didn’t have an option to ship dogs. Plus I didn’t want her in the crate so I had to charter a private flight so she could fly with me onboard. Sorry I lied but I wanted it to be a surprise.” She smiled at me as a million thoughts ran through my mind.

  “You did this all for me?” She tilted her head wondering what I meant.

  “Of course I did. I remember you telling me that you had a golden retriever when you were younger and how sad you had been when he ran away. I asked your mom to send me a pict
ure of him so I can get you one that looked similar. I know she’s a girl but she was just too cute. Plus I figured that we can get another one in a few months. Maybe a boy so she has a brother to play with?” She was looking at the puppy, petting her head as Star kicked her little paws in her sleep.

  “I love you,” I said simply. She took her eyes off of Star and met my own. She closed the distance and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

  “Happy birthday, B.” My smile widened as I took advantage of the long car ride home, my lips never leaving Maddie’s until the car stopped in front of her house.

  Chapter 20

  January 2016

  “But I don’t know why I have to go. I wasn’t nominated.” Maddie looked up at me as she placed the food down for Star. The puppy had doubled in size since the night of my birthday and it seemed like she was continuing to grow as each minute passed. Maddie chuckled as she flopped down on the couch next to me her knees touching mine as she turned.

  “You know, us mere mortals actually have to pay to go to the Oscars. You were given a free ticket. Let’s face it B. You’re the new it girl. Everyone wants you there.”

  My lips pursed into a thin line. “You know, me coming out as Randle was supposed to die down after a few weeks. But they are still so gung ho about it.” I sighed as I rested my head against Maddie’s couch. She chuckled at my ‘predicament’.

  “You know why it hasn’t died down though. Your story is interesting. People love rag to riches and Cinderella stories.”

  “Yes, okay. I understand that. But why do I have to go?” I asked her honestly. Her smile widened as she shrugged her shoulder.

  “Maybe to support your girlfriend who was nominated for Best Actress?” She smiled slowly and I literally jumped up on the couch in excitement.

  “What? You’re kidding? Oh my gosh how did I not know? You’re serious? Of course you are!” I tackled her down on the couch as she laughed. “When did you find out?”

  “Just a half hour ago. Josh was there for the nominations and called me right away.” Her smile faded quickly as I saw the anxiety bubble up.

  “It’s okay. What do they say? Whether win or lose, it’s an honor just to be nominated?” She smiled at me and rolled her eyes.

  “I just never thought I would be here, you know? It’s all going so well it’s hard for me to believe that something isn’t going to crash and burn.”

  “How about we just think that the universe is finally on our side?” She nodded as she blew out a breath.

  “I wish you could come as my date though.” She placed a hand on my cheek and gave me a brief kiss on the corner of my mouth. We still hadn’t come out publicly. Even though the movie was a huge success and we both knew that there wouldn’t be any more we hadn’t discussed publicizing our relationship. It was bittersweet really. Maddie and I both knew that once it was out we really wouldn’t have much privacy anymore and I think both of us wanted to hold onto the last bit we had left. But soon, we both knew, we had to do it. We just didn’t know when.

  “One day, sweetie.” It was my turn to place a kiss on her lips. I wanted to tell her how unbelievably proud I was of her. Finally her talent was being truly recognized and a part of me still couldn’t believe that this amazing woman loved me. As our kiss grew more heated I felt Maddie grab my hips and pull me into her. I moaned as my body fell into a familiar rhythm with Maddie’s. And then, I felt another equally warm body stepping on my back and I broke our kiss to laugh. Star had decided that she wanted to ‘wrestle’ with her mommies as well and managed to wedge her way in between me and Maddie. We laughed as we took Star in our arms and played with her. We would have more time to celebrate later.

  +

  “Stop fidgeting and open you’re damn eye!” I scowled at Vanessa as she attempted to put the last bit of mascara on my upper eyelid. She paused for a moment and gave me a stern look. Immediately, I opened my eyelid wide, as she applied her finishing touches. “There,” she stated. She turned my chair towards my desk mirror and I blinked to allow my contacts to adjust. I sat there staring, not really believing that the woman in front of me was, well, me.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled almost incoherently. She smiled widely as her pride shone through her eyes.

  “You’re so going to knock them dead.”

  “Who exactly is ‘them’ that I am knocking dead?”

  She regarded me in the mirror with the shrug of a shoulder. “You know, all your bookie fans. The ones that were in love with you even when they thought you were a sixty year old white man who lived in a cabin in the woods.”

  I smacked her shoulder as I breathed out a chuckle. “There is only one person who I care about being in love with me.” Vanessa’s eyes twinkled.

  “You’re so sweet, B. Of course I love you. But not like that. I mean if Jared weren’t in the picture…”

  Again I swatted her shoulder but she deftly moved away from the light smack. “Where is your knight in shining armor anyways?”

  I stared over at Maddie’s closed curtains and huffed a frustrated sigh. “Her agent set her up with hair and makeup and she’s getting ready at the stylist’s.” Vanessa probably heard the sad timber in my voice because then she asked, “You’re upset that you’re not going together?”

  I opened my mouth to respond but instead nodded my head once. “I know it’s stupid. I know she’s with me and that she loves me and I also know that we decided to keep this a secret for a little longer but I wonder if it will always be a secret. And then a part of me doesn’t even want it to come out because I don’t think I’m ready for the backlash of it all.” I pushed back the frustrated tears that were threatening as I dared to look at Vanessa’s eyes.

  “What backlash?” She asked as her brows lowered in confusion. “You mean the bigots who are going to say that being gay is a sin? You’ll get that everywhere you go, B, even if you and Maddie weren’t together.”

  I swallowed thickly as I shook my head. “It’s not just that,” I whispered. The thoughts were running through my mind. “Maddie is gorgeous and talented and popular and she can literally have her pick at anyone to date. And she’s just with me?”

  “Excuse me? Last time I checked you were just as ‘gorgeous’ and ‘talented’ and ‘popular’ than Maddie. Or did you forget that you’re a New York Times Best Selling author of four books and you literally have fans asking you to marry them?”

  “I just…” I shook my head not knowing how to respond. “I know that I’m a novelty right now but what happens when it’s all over? What happens when Maddie keeps climbing and I take a step back?”

  Vanessa bent down slightly and put her hands on my shoulders. “You’re never going to be out of the limelight, B. Even when the hoopla of everything dies down, you’re still the woman who wrote four amazing books and Maddie is still the star that made a name for herself on the big screen. And even if for some reason everyone forgets about you there is still going to be your family and friends that will remember. Isn’t that all that matters in the end?”

  I bit my lip as I conceded with a shrug. I knew Vanessa was right but I wasn’t willing to say it then and there. Not when my mood was so off kilter. “You know I’m right. So, I’ll let you think about that while I reapply the mascara that you messed up with the copious amounts of eye rolls you gave me throughout our little chat.” Vanessa smiled widely and I couldn’t stop the chuckle resounding from deep within me.

  “Okay, fine. Just, not too much this time please. I have a feeling I’ll be crying like a maniac when Maddie wins tonight.” Vanessa turned to me as she started to remove my messed makeup with a q-tip.

  “Believe me, B. We all will be.”

  ***

  You ready?

  I read the text on my phone as my nerves skyrocketed to a point where I almost told the driver to turn around and take me home. We were currently waiting in line to step out of the limo and I squeezed my mother’s hand in comfort. Breathing out, I typed a response with my other hand which
was clutching my phone for dear life.

  Shouldn’t I be asking you that?

  I could hear my mother softly chuckle to my left and I gave her a strained glare. She shook her head as she held onto my hand. “I hope you never get too old for this, you know?” She lifted our clasped hands as the anxiety of what was about to happen finally overflowed. I blinked away watery eyes and my smile faltered.

  “I have no idea why I’m so nervous.” My mother shifted in her seat, her long navy blue dress adjusting with her. She looked beautiful with her hair pulled up in a neat, fashionable bun and makeup that highlighted her eyes.

  “You’re nervous because this means something to you,” she stated simply. I gave her a questioning glance as she looked at me with her own. “What? You don’t think you’re nervous because you’re going to be photographed and walk down that red carpet do you?”

  “That’s exactly why I’m nervous.” My stomach churned as the car crept forward slightly. Three more limos until I would step out into exactly what my mother said.

  “Or you’re nervous because the woman you’ve loved since you were sixteen is going to win her first Oscar tonight.” My mother’s lips turned upward and I shook my head.

  “That doesn’t make me nervous. That makes me proud, and excited.” I paused. “Why would that make me nervous?”

  My mother chuckled gain as we moved up another spot. “Because this sort of determines how things are going to go from here on out.” She continued to explain. “If Maddie wins tonight, and let’s face it, she will, she’s going to have a very long career. With the Oscar and her talent, she’s not going to have to look for parts. Which means that she’ll probably be away from you at times, she’ll most definitely be talked about in the media and in turn your life together isn’t going to be very private anymore.”

  My stomach flipped again but this time we hadn’t moved. The words my mother said were ringing in my ears and I knew at that moment she was right. I didn’t care about the red carpet or the photographers or reporters. This was going to be ten measly minutes of my life. But my life with Maddie, I wanted that to be forever, and that’s what I was so scared about. I looked down at my phone, waiting for Maddie’s response but none came. “I’m so naïve thinking that it wouldn’t change. Everything has been near perfect but I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. What if she realizes that it’s too hard to be in a relationship with her being away for months at a time?”