Player in Paradise

by Lewis, Rebecca

  “Shut the fuck up, you little ho,” she jokes.

  “I am not a ho!” I try to stay serious, but a giggle escapes with the words.

  “Oh my God…what was it like?”

  “I’m not talking to you about this! Goodbye Mandy!”

  “No, no wait. Tell me what’s happening with the engagement. Priscilla is super excited; she’s already talking to producers for a wedding reality show.”

  “Ugh, I don’t know. I need to go through the details with Austin, but he’s nowhere to be found. He bolted after breakfast and won’t return my calls, texts or emails.”

  “He’s a moody little fucker, huh?”

  “Yeah, especially when he doesn’t get what he wants.”

  “I thought he got what he wanted…your ass.” She bursts out with an obnoxious laugh.

  “Ok, I’ve had enough teasing! I’ll talk to you later, bitch,” I say sweetly.

  “Fine, whore!”

  I giggle, shaking my head at the phone. “Bye!”

  Oh where oh where could my temperamental hottie actor be? I hope he’s not dumb enough to travel around on his own without his security detail. The last thing I need is a call that he’s hurt, kidnapped, or in the police station for public intoxication.

  I pass the time by reviewing the notes that the wedding director sent me on how the flow of tomorrow night should go. She scheduled a photographer and videographer on standby. Austin’s stylist is shipping a designer outfit for him to wear and Cassidy has the ring. I script some talking points for his engagement speech, something heartfelt, but natural. The words I jot down sound romantic, but knowing what they’ll be used for makes my stomach turn.

  I catch up with Cassidy and her entourage in the lobby after they return from the beach. Austin’s manager and security guard stroll in after them, but Cassidy grabs my arm before I have a moment to ask them if they’ve heard from him recently.

  “Come, we need to talk about tomorrow,” she instructs, pinching my skin a little too tight.

  I follow her to the lounge while her mother trails behind. I don’t mention Austin’s disappearing act as she goes over every minuscule detail of tomorrow’s events. I nod along even though I’m only half listening. I notice Austin’s crew out of the corner of my eye. It looks like they’re leaving. I want to follow them out the door, but I’m stuck here, chained to the chair by Cassidy’s non-stop chatter.

  Her words are blocked out by my thoughts. Images of Austin getting lost in the Hawaiian forest, or taken hostage by some maniacal fans race through my mind.

  “Olivia? Are you getting all of this?” Cassidy waves her hand in front of my face and I snap back to reality.

  “Yes, everything will be fine. Great. Perfect.”

  Her eyes narrow as she leans in closer. “It better be. You remember our deal, right?”

  I nod. “Yes.”

  “Good.” She stands up abruptly and stomps across the room, leaving me in her wake. She may be little and blonde, but damn is she frightening.

  I quickly run out the front door of the hotel, searching for any signs of Austin or his people. Nothing. My fingers tremble as I check my phone for the hundredth time. Still no messages. This boy is going to give me a heart attack.

  It’s nearly dinner and I haven’t heard from him. As a last resort I request a copy of the key to his room to wait for him there.

  “I’m sorry Miss, but Mr. Ford checked out,” the receptionist says.

  My breath is stuck in my chest, and I think I’m about to pass out.

  “What? That can’t be right.”

  She types on her keyboard and reconfirms the status. “Yes, he checked out a few hours ago.”

  Shit. I turn on my heels quickly, running out of the glass doors to the cab stand, and jump in the first one to arrive.

  “Honolulu Airport, as fast as you can.”

  The driver nods and we start our drive. I hope I can catch him. Please God let me catch him. I wish I could get out of the cab and run, but all I can do is tap my feet on the floor and bounce my knee uncontrollably.

  I text him. “Don’t leave.”

  Closing my eyes, I hold the phone tight, waiting for it to vibrate.

  “Can you turn the AC on higher?” I ask the driver. My forehead drips with perspiration and my stomach aches. The anxiety is making me physically sick.

  The driver runs my credit card before we pull up to the gate. I’m assuming Austin’s departing on the same airline we came on.

  I jump out as soon as we come close to the curb and book it to the ticket counter. Out of breath, I accost the security. “Have you seen Austin Ford?”

  “No, Miss, I don’t think so,” the guard says.

  I smack my head with my hand. He’s not here. Fuck.

  I slump to the ground. I’m at my wits end, and all my body knows how to do at this point it shut down and cry.

  “Miss.” There’s a tap on my shoulder. I look up to find another airline security guard, a younger woman. “I overheard you. I did see Austin here this afternoon, and two other men carried his bags in not too long ago.”

  I slowly rise to my feet. She offers a glimmer of hope, a possibility that I won’t go home to unemployment.

  “Thank you. You see, I work with him, and he wasn’t supposed to leave Hawaii yet…and I have no way of contacting him...his phone must be dead.” I show her my business card and scroll through my phone to find personal photos to prove it to her. “I really need to talk to him.”

  She nods. “Do you want me to check which flight he’s on?”

  “Yes, yes, that would be amazing. Thank you.”

  The woman speaks with the ticket counter and writes something down on a piece of paper.

  “It looks like he bought a ticket this afternoon for a flight that leaves later tonight. You’re welcome to look for him around the gate areas, but I’m afraid you can’t get past security without a ticket.”

  “Ok, thank you so much.”

  My worst fear has now come true. He is leaving. I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand and wander around the gate. This is pointless; he’s probably through security by now. I drag my feet along the shiny floor and watch people mill around with their luggage, hugging others goodbye, or giving a final kiss before they depart. I roam around until I stumble upon a coffee shop and head in to get some green tea to calm my nerves.

  I pick up my drink and turn to grab some sugar when I see him in the back corner of the store. Eyes closed, headphones on, sunglasses and hat shading his face. He’s alone at a table for two, with his security and manager at the table in front of him.

  I creep over slowly and pull the empty chair out, taking the seat across from him. I slam my cup on the table, stirring him from his dream.

  I can’t see his eyes behind the dark lenses, but I am willing to bet they are wide open now. He slides the glasses off quickly. “Olivia…”

  “What the hell are you doing?” I want to scream, but keep my voice down so we don’t draw public attention.

  “I’m sorry.” He shoves his glasses back up the bridge of his nose to cover his face.

  “No, you can’t just be sorry. You can’t just leave and run away like a coward. You agreed to do this. You told me you would go through with it.”

  I bite my lip hard to keep it from quivering.

  He flicks the long straw in his empty plastic cup. “I guess I’m not the good guy you thought I was.”

  I’m thankful that he can’t physically see my heart exploding inside my chest, but I know the tears are about to fall again, no matter how hard I try to blink them back.

  “Yes, you are Austin, you are a good guy. You just don’t believe it.”

  He leans across the table to dab one of my tears away with his sweatshirt sleeve. “Please don’t cry.”

  “Just come back with me,” I plead. “You wouldn’t still be at the gate if you were one hundred percent sure about your decision.”

  He stares down at his coffee cup in si
lence. “I gave you a way out earlier.”

  Am I being selfish for not wanting to quit? Is he being selfish for asking me to work for him instead of just going along with the plan? Maybe we’re both just on the wrong side of a twisted situation.

  I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I respond. “So then I’ll see you when I see you, I guess.”

  I grab my drink and push my chair away from the table. His hand reaches for my arm and I let him grab it. My body sways toward him as he pulls me close to his face. I smell his mocha-soaked breath as he whispers. “You’re right, I was undecided about leaving, but now I know for sure that I can’t be with her a minute longer. I’m sorry, Olivia, but I’d rather you hate me then have to pretend that I love her.”

  Our lips touch briefly before he releases his grip. I stand still for a few seconds, shocked by his admission, then turn and walk out.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Crap, what do I do now? I’m too embarrassed to tell Mandy that I screwed up, I’ll have my head chewed off by Priscilla, and Cassidy will drive to the airport and cause enough havoc to ground all flights.

  I head straight to the bar when I get back to the hotel. Memories of flirting with Austin here rush to my mind, and I replay his words over and over in my head. I don’t hate him, I could never hate him, and I don’t want him to marry Cassidy either. I guess he has more guts than I do to strike out on his own.

  I guzzle down a pomegranate martini and am about to order another one when my phone buzzes.

  I’m about to take off. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I hope you can forgive me.

  I stare at the text from Austin. I read it twenty times before I can type a coherent response. Of course I forgive him, but I also don’t want to let him off the hook for running off without telling me first.

  My fingers linger over the keypad. “Have a safe flight.”

  I hit send as warm tears stream down my cheeks. I miss him more than I thought I would, and I like him a hell of a lot more than I thought I did too. I wonder if he feels the same way.

  “Wow, you look like shit.”

  I turn around to find Cassidy walking by.

  “Good evening to you too,” I respond.

  Thankfully, she doesn’t ask why I’m shaken up as she takes the seat next to mine.

  “Do you know that Austin and I used to fuck? Like…a lot.”

  My throat burns as the vodka rises up. “And you’re telling me this because…?”

  “He also banged my co-star in my last movie, and one of her friends, and I think one of the extras on set, yeah…pretty sure they had a good time in my trailer.” She twirls a strand of shiny blonde hair between her fingers.

  I knew he was a player, but it still stings to hear the truth. I stare back, waiting for an explanation to her sudden revelation. “Okay…?”

  “I’m just letting you know that he uses girls and tosses them away like it’s no sweat off his back. Don’t get caught up in his good looks and big dick; underneath it all he’s just a horny asshole.”

  Her mouth really doesn’t match her looks. She’s like a trash talking Barbie doll.

  “Thanks, but I’m fine.” I straighten my posture and place my hands in my lap.

  She narrows her eyes. “You don’t look fine. Just forget him, alright?”

  She must think that we had a lover’s quarrel. I almost wish it were that easy.

  “Then why do you want to be with him?” I ask.

  “Olivia, I know you’re not that stupid.” She rubs her fingers together uncomfortably close to my face. “We earn more as a power couple, duh.”

  “Isn’t being honest and true to yourself worth more than any amount of cash?”

  “Wow, you are new to Hollywood, huh?” She laughs, lifting herself off the stool. “See you tomorrow.”

  Her steps echo away on the tiled floor. I know she’s right about Austin, but for some reason I feel like I’m more than just someone for him to screw. He needs me, and he said it himself. He was lost and I was beginning to help him find his way, or at least I thought I was.

  I ride the elevator alone, and when I get to my floor, I can barely look at the door next to mine. I wish it was still occupied by the most frustrating man in the world.

  Getting ready for bed, I stare at myself in the mirror and notice just how frightening I look. Bloodshot, puffy eyes with black smudges around the corners, a red nose, and tangled hair. It’s not like we’re breaking up, I mean, we’re not even together. I just hope I can put on a good show tomorrow.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I check all the gossip blogs as soon as I wake up. Thank God there are zero paparazzi photos of Austin at LAX. At least he knows how to stay under the radar when he needs to. I haven’t heard from him since he departed last night, and I think it will be easier to go through the day without checking in on him. I just hope that he hasn’t drunk himself into oblivion back home.

  Priscilla emails me to confirm all the arrangements we’ve prepared, from clothing to food to décor and photography. I’m shocked she didn’t fly in herself for the occasion, but I’m proud that she trusts me enough to handle the event on my own. It really sucks that I’m going to have to let her down later.

  I fib and tell her everything’s on schedule and going to plan. I go through the motions with the resort’s wedding director, who acts like she’s the one getting engaged to a movie star. My head swims with details, taking my mind temporarily off the fact that I’m about to have my head blown off by Cassidy in a few short hours.

  Mandy sends me a text letting me know she has the media alert ready for distribution. I feel bad that she’s going to have to stay late in the office for nothing.

  My stomach is in knots, but everyone’s too busy to notice that I haven’t eaten anything all day, nor would they probably care. I compulsively check my phone for any new messages regarding Austin’s whereabouts, but no one seems to be worried about him right now. For today, the attention is all on Cassidy.

  A hair and makeup team arrives on schedule and I usher them into her suite.

  “I know, isn’t it gorgeous?” Cassidy’s mom says, showing off the giant diamond ring to whoever will take a peek at it.

  I pace back and forth with my arms crossed so no one can see me shaking.

  “Don’t you have something you should be doing?” Cassidy asks me as a tall Hawaiian man curls her hair.

  “Um, yeah, of course.” I pull out my phone and start texting to no one.

  “Maybe you should make sure Austin’s getting ready; you know how he gets.” She rolls her eyes.

  “Sure, yeah.” I dash out of the room. Go check on Austin, right.

  I head back to my room and get ready for the night. If I’m going down, then I at least want to go down in style. My fit and flare orange dress looks great with my tan skin, and I put on the shell necklace for good luck, although I’ll probably need a lot more than luck to live through tonight.

  I meet up with the crew at the restaurant and Cassidy joins us in a long, flowing-pink dress. Her high-heeled sandals bring her to nearly six feet and her hair falls in loose ringlets around her perfectly made up face.

  We all chat with the wedding director and make sure all the hotel guests have cleared off the beach.

  “So where’s Austin?” Cassidy’s mother asks me.

  Bile rises up my throat. I’m going to vomit, I know it. I swallow hard to keep the contents down and try to act casual.

  “Um, he should be here any moment. I’ll go check…”

  I run off again, this time to the restroom. I can’t hold it in any longer. The mix of nerves, stress, not eating and Austin crushing my heart to pieces unloads itself into the toilet. I struggle to get up from the hard floor. I hold a towel under the faucet and dab myself with the cold moisture before exiting the bathroom.

  “Olivia!” Kai walks toward me in his hotel uniform. “How goes it?”

  Great, just what I need right now. “Hey, Kai.”


  Before I can wave, he’s already swallowing me up in a tight bear hug.

  “Are you ok? You don’t look so good.”

  “Thanks.” Good to know that I not only feel like shit, I must look like it too. “Yeah, I’m fine…”

  “Maybe you should sit down.” He grabs my arm to steady me. I didn’t notice till now that I was swaying.

  He guides me to the nearest chair and I take a seat. I need to unload before my guilt sends me to the ER, and he seems like the perfect contender. “Austin left.”

  Kai crouches down beside me. “I’m sorry. He was kind of a jerk though, no?”

  I laugh. “Yeah, I guess. But, that’s not the problem. The issue is, he is supposed to propose to Cassidy right now, and well, he’s not here…and my job basically depends on it.”

  His hand creeps closer to my arm. “Oh man, that’s not good. Is there anything I can do?”

  I stand up before he can touch my skin again and pace through a few tables and chairs. Maybe there is something he can do.

  “Is there any way to cause an evacuation of the hotel?”

  “Uh, possibly, but not without getting in a lot of trouble…”

  I stop dead in my tracks. He has an idea? “Really? What can we do?”

  “The only thing I can think of is to pull a fire alarm. But it won’t give you much time since the fire fighters will arrive and know that there isn’t actually a fire here.”

  “What if we actually did start a fire?”

  “Olivia, I hope you’re joking…besides, I’d be out of work if this place burned down.” He rises and places his hands on my shoulders as he looks me in the eye. “I really think you need to get some rest.”

  I wave him off. “I’m fine, promise. Just don’t give me any matches.”

  He flashes a smile, but I think he’s genuinely worried. Maybe he should be.

  “Alright, just have the staff page me if you need me, k?”

  I shake my head. “Uh huh, thanks.”

  Back to reality it is then.

  Although I’m heading into a grave where I’m about to be buried alive, I approach Cassidy’s mother calmly, and break the news as quickly as possible. “I checked everywhere, but I can’t find Austin.”