L.A Love: A Bad Boy Romance Novel

by Chloe Summer

  Day one had seen Jason rent a sailing boat for the two of them to take out on the ocean. Neither of them had actually sailed before, but Jason was willing to pay that little extra to cover insurance.

  ‘Where is this money coming from?’ Liana asked the first day when Jason pulled out a bottle of expensive champagne.

  ‘The movie.’ Jason responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  ‘The…? But you haven’t been paid yet!’ Liana exclaimed, not able to believe how brash and carefree Jason was being.

  ‘Don’t worry about it. It’s all on my credit card. I’ll pay it back when I can.’

  ‘But what if you can’t?’

  ‘But I will.’ He explained. No, not explained. Explaining would imply that the point was in question and he had to justify it. He seemed so certain that everything was going to work out, so sure of himself that it wasn’t even a point worth think of. And for that Liana couldn’t help but admire him.

  In fact, as the days rolled over and the dates become more exuberant, Liana couldn’t believe how much she was changing too. That was what she loved the most about Jason, the way he brought her out of her shell; the way he made her a stronger and better person. That was what she had always heard a relationship was meant to be like. On the fourth day when she was ducking and diving through a paintball obstacle field, dodging live ammunition coming from all around her, she realised that that’s exactly what this relationship was. Two months ago she would have laughed out loud at the idea of going to a paintball range. Yet here she was, having the time of her life.

  Day six was one that Liana had been looking forward to the most. Jason had promised to take her horseback riding, and he even hinted that this would be on the beach…in the sunset. Unfortunately they never got there.

  Liana was lying in Jason’s bed when he came into the room to tell her. ‘Babe, good news.’

  ‘Hmmmm?’

  ‘They cast her. Just now.’ Jason said, falling into the bed next to Liana.

  ‘Cast who?’ She asked, not following what he was saying at all.

  ‘Scarlett…I mean the President’s Daughter. They cast her. It’s going to be played by Scarlett Levine. Can you believe that?’

  ‘What?’ Liana said, quickly sitting up in bed.

  ‘Yeah! Can you believe it?’ Jason exclaimed, not noticing in the least that this wasn’t exactly seen as good news by Liana. ‘So I’m going in tomorrow to start up and --,’

  ‘Wait a minute. Tomorrow?’

  ‘Yeah, tomorrow. This movie is on fast track. They want it into production as soon as possible.’ Falling back onto the bed, Jason pulled Liana down with him, smothering her in kisses.

  Unfortunately for Jason, Liana wasn’t at quite the same place that he was. ‘But horse riding? On the beach…’ She began, trying not to sound too despondent. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin Jason’s big moment.

  ‘What?’ Jason asked in disbelief.

  ‘The…the horses on the beach…’ Liana attempted, struggling to get the words out. But, the moment she started she wished that she hadn’t. Jason, always emotional, became angry very very quickly.

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding me?’ He asked. ‘The horses? You want me to quit because of the fucking horses?’

  ‘No not quit, but…I was just excited for…’

  ‘This is literally the biggest thing that has ever happened to me?’ He said, struggling to keep his voice calm, ‘and you want me to cancel it so I can ride horses with you on the beach?’

  ‘What? No I…I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just surprised that’s all. That it’s happening so fast.’ She offered, trying her best to get him back in a good mood. ‘I’m happy for you. Really.’

  It took a moment, but this seemed to appease Jason, as he fell back in to bed, smiling to himself as if the whole thing had never happened. ‘Can you believe it?’ He said, more to himself than anyone. ‘I’m going to be in a fucking movie…’

  As he laughed to himself, clearly beyond happy, Liana fell back into bed beside him, careful not to give any indication that she was in the mood for anything other than sleep. She was mad at how quickly and effortlessly he had blown her off, and she was even madder that he could suggest that she wasn’t happy for him, after all she had done. But most of all she was mad at how god damn happy he was. Yes, she had seen him happy before, there was no question. But this was a different type of happiness. It was one that someone can only feel when they have truly succeeded at their life’s desires, when everything is going perfectly for them.

  His level of joy only served to remind Liana of her lot in life. It was one filled with uncertainty. She was uncertain about her screenplay and where that stood. And she was uncertain of Jason, and how he really felt about her. She had gone and fallen for the bad boy; there was no doubt about that. But had the bad boy fallen for her?

  --

  It’s amazing in life how quickly everything can change.

  One day you’re racing go karts through the sewers of L.A, and the next you’re sitting around all day, twiddling your thumbs; wondering if your ‘boyfriend’ is going to call. She hated that she had become this girl. Liana would read books and watch movies, even write characters that acted this way. All the while scoffing at how silly they were being. Go out! She would yell at the screen. Do Something! She would mock, knowing that if it were to happen to her, that she would act differently.

  But it wasn’t her fault. She had given up two weeks’ worth of shifts in order to spend more time with Jason, only to have him ditch her halfway through. Well, maybe ditch was a harsh way of looking at it? But still, since he had landed the role he had been busy every day and night for the last nine straight. And with no work and nobody to talk to, Liana was starting to become a little agitated.

  ‘It’s just…I gave up two weeks’ worth of shifts at work to spend more time with you and now…now you’re never around and I’m bored as an old housewife all day.’ She complained after the first five days.

  They were in his bedroom, one which had received a noticeable make-over. Gone was the grungy, bad-boy decor. It was now smartly decorated like something from a magazine.

  ‘What do you want me to do? This is my life. I can’t give it up for…’

  ‘For what?’ Liana prompted, curious where he was going to go with that line of thought. Since he had started the movie he had been sending less and less time with her. This was to the point that she had become convinced that his infatuation with her was waning.

  ‘Nothing.’ He said quickly, realising that he didn’t want to go down that path just yet. ‘Look. I invited you to the set. You’re more than welcome to come down there with me. Once there you can see with satisfaction just how boring it is there too. Trust me.’

  Liana accepted Jason’s offer, deciding to join him on set the next day. Unfortunately this was destined to be an occurrence that only took place the one time. That was ensured the moment that Liana met Scarlett Levine, Jason’s co-lead.

  Liana was more than aware of who Scarlett Levine was. Anybody who owned a television, let alone wanted to literally be in the movie business, knew Scarlett Levine. She was the go-to ‘damsel in distress’ character for stock action films. Always single, always dating young actors, Scarlett was a tabloid darling, constantly looking for that next cover story.

  They managed to bump into the infamous Scarlett almost as soon as they arrived on set.

  It was Liana’s first day on a set and she couldn’t have been more excited. She had never been on set before and had always harboured dreams of being able to go on one, watch the filming, actually contribute towards the film being made. It was magical, and as she dodged animatronic vampires and a posse of zombie cowboys, she knew that this is where she belonged….one day. But of course, that magical feeling didn’t last long.

  Jason was showing Liana around the set when they first saw each other.

  ‘Jason!’ Scarlett yelled from across the busy lo
t, hurrying past a gaggle of crew members as she ran towards Jason and Liana.

  Jason waved her over eagerly, even going so far as to give her a very warm embrace upon meeting. ‘Scar.’ He crooned.

  ‘I’ve been looking for you all morning. I’ve got someone you simply must meet.’ She said, trying to pull him by the arm.

  ‘Would love to, but first I’ve someone who I want you to meet. Scar, this is Liana.’

  Like stepping into an icebox, Liana could feel the cold radiating off Scarlett like she’d just opened a freezer door. Scarlett barely glanced at Liana, offering her a very curt ‘hello,’ before turning her attention back on Jason. ‘Well. Let’s go then.’ She grabbed Jason by the waist this time, pulling him toward her.

  ‘OK, OK. Liana. Are you OK by yourself for a while?’ He asked, allowing himself to be pulled by Scarlett.

  As Liana watched them go, she told herself not to be paranoid. They just worked together.

  But needless to say, Liana decided that she wasn’t going to visit the set again. She couldn’t bear the thought of watching Scarlett and Jason act together. Their scenes, the ones she knew were coming up, would be impossibly hard to watch. She didn’t think she could do it to herself. Out of sight, out of mind.

  And so it was now, nine days since Jason had landed his big break, the role of a lifetime, and Liana was at home, invested in her quest for a movie to watch on Netflix. It was one that she was well trained in by now as, with so much free time and so little to do, it was about all she had been doing for the last three days straight.

  Usually, when presented with free time of any sort, she would write. The funny thing was that as little as two weeks ago she would have killed for this much free time. But ever since she sent her screenplay out to Henry the agent, to whom she has received no reply, she just hadn’t been able to put words to paper. Even the always illuminating passion of Jason couldn’t get her in the mood. Call it a lost muse, but all inspiration had left her.

  In the end, Liana laid it down to stress. The constant questioning of whether her screenplay was any good or not was a debate she played out in her head constantly. At least a dozen times a day over the past ten days she debated with herself; essentially from the very second she sent the screenplay off. And as such it can really be no surprise that she was having this debate again with herself when the familiar ‘beep beep,’ of a newly received email lit up her phone.

  It was an email for none other than Henry Golding:

  Liana. Sorry I took so long getting back. I really wish I had read your screenplay earlier. That way we would be five steps ahead of where we are now and closer to getting this ting made. I loved it. Really really loved it. Please respond when you can so we can arrange a time and place to meet. ASAP. Henry Golding.

  Stunned was perhaps the best way to describe how Liana felt after reading the email. And, twenty minutes later after having read it another fifty times or more, stunned was how she remained. Of course she eventually managed to pull herself together, emailing Henry back and organising to meet the next day for lunch.

  Bursting with excitement, Liana couldn’t believe it. She wanted to scream and shout for joy. She wanted to throw her arms around someone and tell them the good news. But there was no one. She lived alone and Jason was at work and wouldn’t come over until later tonight…that’s if he came over at all?

  Liana fell into a hunch on her bed, conflicting emotions raging inside of her. The excitement from the impending meeting bubbled inside her, threatening to explode; but that feeling of loneliness, when there is literally nobody to talk to, that is impossible to overpower. Even in her joy, Liana was unable to feel truly happy.

  She thought back to Jason and the night that before filming began, that look on his face of pure jubilation. Liana wanted that…But in fairness she hadn’t actually been signed yet. It was just a lunch. Where Jason was so sure of himself, as if he just knew everything was going to work out, Liana wasn’t so sure. She hadn’t come that far yet. Maybe after the meeting? Maybe then, when she had something to actually celebrate, then she would feel that way.

  --

  Henry Golding was as handsome as ever. Seriously. He had arranged to meet her at a local Italian restaurant, one that came highly recommended. The great thing about this restaurant was the outdoor seating, located in a beautifully decorated garden, complete with a magnificent water fountain. So, when Liana turned up, slightly late, Henry was already there, waiting for her. And, just as she remembered, he was a pitch above perfect.

  As if it had all been planned; the water fountain framing him from behind perfectly, the birds singing, the sun, shining down seeming to bathe him in its glory. It was a perfect frame, dominated by Henry as he waved her toward him, gesturing for her to take a seat.

  Liana clumsily sat down as she tried her hardest not to stare. But if she was, Henry didn’t seem to notice, waving a waitress over. ‘Anything?’ He asked Liana.

  ‘Oh right...coke?’

  ‘No.’ Henry shook his head, smirking at the silliness of the suggestion. ‘We’ll have two glasses of your most expensive red thank you.’ It was only when the waitress was out of frame that he focused his attention of Liana. ‘So?’

  ‘So…’ Liana offered, still trying to compose herself. She had forgotten how good looking Henry was. It was impossibly distracting.

  ‘That screenplay.’

  ‘That screenplay…?’

  ‘I loved it Liana. Absolutely, positively fell in love with it. Ah good.’ The exceptionally prompt waitress was back with two glasses and a bottle of red. ‘Seriously, why didn’t you send it to me sooner?’ He asked as the waitress poured their wine. ‘After I left that card I thought I’d be hearing from you in hours, not months.’

  ‘I honestly didn’t think you would remember me.’ Liana said meekly.

  ‘Come now, how could I forget the worst waitress in all of L.A?’ Henry joked, flashing an irresistibly wicked smile.

  Liana burst out laughing, suddenly remembering just how much she had embarrassed herself that day. ‘Oh god, I’m such a dill. The only other person that saw me serves you that day I had to kill.’ Liana joked.

  ‘I’ll have to watch my back.’ Henry quipped, smirking as he took a sip of wine.

  Was he…was he flirting with her? Liana thought to herself as she took a longer than necessary sip of wine. Surely not…

  ‘But hopefully it won’t come to that. Like I said, I really liked your script. I want to sign you, Liana. I’ve invited you down here so I can tell you what my agency can offer you. That’s what this meeting is. It’s not you pitching me. It’s me, pitching you.’

  Liana was still reeling from the shock of what Henry had just told her when the promptness of the waitress, again, caught her off guard.

  ‘Order up. It’s on me.’ Henry said before picking up his menu

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The Bell Of The Ball

  After what could only be described as the perfect meeting, Liana wanted to tell someone. Sure she could have swung past work and gloated to Katy, or she could have picked up a phone and called her mother. But truth be told, there was only one person she really wanted to tell and that was Jason Kobe.

  Ecstatic, Liana rushed over to Jason’s house as soon as the lunch was over, only to find him not at home. Figuring that it was perhaps a little too early, she decided that she could call him later. But, when later came, he didn’t pick up his phone. Nor did he the next day or the day after that.

  For three days Liana didn’t hear from Jason. These three days were a buffet of worry, anger, loathing, fear and contempt as her mood went from being slightly upset that Jason hadn’t called her to downright murderous.

  A writer, and therefore an imaginative person by nature, Liana conjured grotesque images of Jason and Scarlett, in bed together in some trashy hotel room, drinking cheap champagne as they laughed and laughed. This only made her think of ways to exact revenge, her thoughts floating towards Henry Golding and
their previous lunch. He had definitely flirted with here, that much was certain. Perhaps she should call him….and on and on it raged. For three whole days.

  By the time that Jason did call her, Liana was in a terrible mood. Apparently Jason and the crew had been on a location scout. There wasn’t a bar of reception within one hundred miles, a fact he didn’t realise would be the case until it was too late. Now, if that was it and he was calling to apologize, maybe even begging just a little…then Liana would have been fine. Yes, she would have still been angry, but she would have known that in the long run she would be able to forgive him. But that wasn’t why he was finally calling her. In fact, he wasn’t even calling to apologize at all. Instead he had finally called her, after three long days, to tell her that he had a special event on tonight and he wanted, no, he needed her there.