Off Script

by Anna Paige

  “I don’t have to think about it. I’m going to handle my shit, that’s what I’m going to do. Do exactly what’s best for me. Walk away without a word. Because at the end of the day, I don’t need them. I’m not the same person they abandoned and I have no intention of going back.”

  I smiled as I looked over at Gavin—who was clearly stunned by the news of my parents resurfacing. Evie, bless her, was holding onto his arm… just in case. I gave him a reassuring look and continued. “The first time I met Gavin—after I threw him out and he came right back for more—I told him something that, at the time, I truly meant. I told him I thought actors and actresses were brave to walk out on stage and slip into someone else’s skin, into someone else’s head, and become those characters. Now, though, I know that was wrong. It’s not brave to pretend to be someone else—it’s brave to step up and be exactly who you are without giving a fuck what anyone else thinks. And that’s precisely what I intend to do; be unapologetically and authentically who I am. And who I am is a woman who has no use for drama that isn’t from a script. Not from my parents, not from that video, and not from people like yourself who seem to conjure it from thin air for the sake of headlines.” I offered Dahlia a final smile. “I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out this morning. Thank you for conducting my first—and last—personal interview. I’ll gladly talk all day about Savages but my story is my own, and I won’t be explaining myself to anyone again. From this point forward, what you see is what you get.”

  Dahlia gave me what I thought was a genuine smile and stood, offering her hand. “You’re quite something, Ms. Oliver. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you.”

  I shook her hand briskly and handed back the small mic that had been clipped to my top, eager to move past her to return to my friends. The same way I was moving past the bullshit and getting on with my life. “Likewise. I’ll have someone come and see you out. And please apologize to whoever is stuck having to bleep out my sentence enhancers. They’ll be working on it for a while.”

  She chuckled as I walked away. “I’m betting they’ll be smiling the whole time.”

  “Will you autograph my butt?” Michael chuckled, pretending to fanboy as he tugged the back of his jeans down. Gavin promptly kicked him in the ass, but not as hard as he might have a week ago.

  “Fuck off, I get the first autograph.” He narrowed his eyes at Michael.

  “And where would you like it?” I leaned into Gavin’s side and pinched his butt as we walked down the hall toward the common area.

  He smirked down at me. “What are my options?”

  Michael scoffed. “If you’re trying for your cock, she’s gonna need a shorter name or it won’t fit.”

  Gavin tripped him.

  As Michael caught himself on the wall, he glared back over his shoulder and Gavin chuckled. “Sorry, forgot to tuck this monster into my sock this morning and it got loose. I’ll wrap it around my leg or something so it doesn’t trip you again.”

  “You’re so full of shit.” Michael rolled his eyes, quickening his pace so Gavin couldn’t sweep his foot again.

  “Actually, it’s not much of an exaggeration.” I mused loud enough for them both to hear.

  Gavin laughed. Michael made a retching noise as he increased the gap between us.

  Everyone else was loitering near the conference room or otherwise occupied—like Joey and Evie, who both went MIA shortly after the interview.

  Skylar had offered me a nod as I passed her on my way out and I did the same. Feeling generous, I threw in a small smile, which she quickly returned.

  It was the only acknowledgment we gave to the shift in our relationship, but it was enough for the time being.

  Maybe we’d get past all the bullshit and actually be something resembling friends. Maybe not, but we were done being rivals—seeing each other as competition—and I was glad of it.

  Sighing, I wrapped my arm around Gavin’s and leaned into his side as we walked. “Can you believe the day is just starting? It feels like it’s been a week since we rolled out of your bed and headed down here.”

  “It’s definitely been an eventful morning,” he agreed softly. “How are you handling everything?”

  I nuzzled his shoulder, the smell of his cologne relaxing me further. “I’m better than I thought I’d be. It’s been a crappy few days but I think I’m on the other side of it now.”

  “What about your folks?”

  I blew out a breath, feeling tired but content. “I asked Joey to have them removed from the property with a warning that a camera crew was headed that way and would be thrilled to make their abject abandonment of TV’s newest star their next viral story.”

  He laughed softly. “So, you finally admit you’re a star?”

  I scoffed. “Not even close, but it served a purpose to make them think that. I’m willing to bet my so-called parents hauled ass. Again.”

  “And you’re sure you don’t want to know why they were here?”

  “Nope,” I chirped, almost happily. “I got what I wanted. I got to choose to live without them the same way they chose to live without me.”

  “But, baby, you’ve been living without them all this time.” He sounded confused, so I stopped us, pulling him around to face me.

  “Yes, but until today, it was their choice that dictated that, not mine. Now, I’m in charge of who is and isn’t in my life. And I don’t choose them. I have all the family I need.”

  He smiled, nodding. “You covered a lot of ground today didn’t you, new girl? How’s it feel to tell pretty much the entire world to fuck off?”

  I chuckled and gave him a huge grin. “Almost better than sex.”

  He raised a brow. “As long as you said almost, I guess we’re still okay.”

  “Oh, we’re so far beyond okay, Hollywood.” I rose up on my tiptoes and kissed his chin. “Too bad we can’t make good on that hooky idea, because I’d love to take you to the beach and help you get sand in unfortunate places.”

  Just then, Evie came skipping down the hall toward us, all smiles. “Let’s hit the beaches, bitches.”

  Gavin and I both groaned.

  Adulting sucks.

  I pouted as I said, “We can’t. We’ve got scenes to get done today and I already torched Bryce’s microwave—I doubt he’s in the mood to give anyone a pass.”

  She shook her head, all smiles and sunlight. “Well, something must have changed his mind because he hit Joey up on his radio and said to send everyone home for the day. Sounded like Bryce had somewhere to go or something.”

  Gavin and I shared a bewildered look.

  “Really?” he asked, frowning. “He’s only shut down the set a couple of times in all the years Savages has been in production—and both times it took major hurricanes to get him to do it.”

  Evie shrugged. “Something came up and he’s already gone for the day. He told Joey to have everyone here insanely early tomorrow, though, so we better get our asses to the beach so we can milk every second of fun we can out of today.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.” Gavin shrugged.

  I wrapped an arm around his waist and smiled. “I get to tell the world to fuck off and lay on a private beach with my favorite people? Best. Day. Ever.”

  Gavin

  When we arrived the next morning, dawn was still a couple of hours away and the whole set was abuzz. People were whispering in small groups and the normal blur of activity was in hyperdrive. I heard several ‘good mornings’ but the voices belonged to such quickly moving bodies that I couldn’t pinpoint sources.

  Kaiti stood by my side, a faint frown on her face as she took it all in. “Why am I having flashbacks to the time Evie had a huge party at her place and her parents decided to come home early? This is what it was like—the two of us twirling around the room like twin Tasmanian devils cleaning up the empty beer bottles and stale chips, trying to race the clock.”

  “You think this is a mad dash to get the set straight?” I eyed th
e runners who were actually running and the PAs who were talking rapid-fire into their headsets.

  “I don’t know what it is. Let’s find Bryce and see what the hell is going on.” Kaiti tugged my hand as she bobbed and weaved through the cluster of crew members.

  When we got to Bryce’s door, it was closed. And locked. Kaiti knocked but no one answered.

  We stood there for a minute, wondering what the hell was going on. Bryce should have been here by now. Especially after shutting down production the day before.

  “Something’s up. Something big,” I muttered, squeezing Kaiti’s hand.

  She cast a worried look in my direction and nodded. “Yeah. I think you’re right. If this is about your video, or my interview, or any of the shit that’s gone down over the last few days, just promise me it won’t affect us. We’re going to be good no matter what, right?”

  I offered her a reassuring smile.

  “You two, get in here!” Bryce called from the other end of the hall.

  We looked up and found him sticking his head out one of the larger offices that were only used when the execs were around.

  Fuck.

  I’m so fired.

  I threaded my fingers through Kaiti’s and lifted our joined hands to my lips. “No matter what, Kaiti-girl.”

  She nodded and squared her shoulders like the badass she was, and we marched down the hall toward an uncertain future, knowing the only thing they couldn’t take from us was each other.

  And that was all that mattered.

  “You what?” I looked over at Bryce, my mouth dropping open. “You’re not serious.”

  “Deadly,” he confirmed, as relaxed as I’d ever seen him. More relaxed than he should have been given the bombshell he’d just dropped.

  I looked to Stuart—Stuart Clancy, the executive producer, basically the be all and end all of decision-makers for the show—and he nodded in agreement.

  “Are you fucking crazy?” I looked between them, too stupefied to care about censoring myself.

  Stuart shrugged. “Probably. But we’re also right. This is what’s best for the show and I suggest you get on board because opportunities like these don’t come around every day, son.”

  Kaiti was sitting at my side, mouth agape as her eyes darted around the table. Clearly, she was as stunned as me.

  “And what about Kaiti?” I finally thought to ask.

  Bryce and Stuart both glanced her way before returning their attention to me. “What about her?”

  She swallowed loudly and spoke up. “I think he’s wondering if I’m on your shit list. Basically, am I getting axed because of all the drama?”

  Stuart smiled and shook his head. “Nah. We’re used to drama from the talent. You aren’t a true star until you have some sort of scandal under your belt. And you handled yourself quite well, under the circumstances.”

  “Um…thanks?” she said, clearly not believing that neither of us was in trouble.

  Hell, not only that, but I’d just been offered a huge promotion.

  Taking Bryce’s place as director.

  I’d always thought about going into directing but with the crazy shooting schedule, I knew I’d never have the time to dedicate to directing my own production. I’d told Bryce as much on several occasions, back when we’d hung out a lot.

  He held my eye when I looked over at him. I realized then exactly what he’d done, what he’d just sacrificed—for me.

  “Bryce, you’ve been directing this show from the beginning…” I hated how choked up I sounded, but goddammit I was. He’d taken a huge step back from his own career to give mine a boost and I wanted to hug him and choke him in equal measures.

  “I have. And now I think I need some time away from it all. I love this show. It’s partially my creation, but it’s not my life. It’s time I hand over control so I can focus on the things that matter.” He offered me a sad smile. “Like repairing old friendships and nurturing new ones.” His eyes darted to Kaiti as he said the last before resettling on mine. “You’ll absolutely kill it as director. Anything you need help with, Joey will be right there beside you to fill you in.”

  “Joey?” My eyes widened in surprise.

  “Yep. He’s earned it. He’ll be taking over as associate director as soon as he can find a suitable replacement to take over with casting. I think he has one more hire to make before he hands the position over, though.” Bryce looked at Kaiti, giving her a warm smile. “He’s been itching to bring on that friend of yours to help out in makeup, so I’m sure you’ll be seeing her around here soon.”

  By the time we left Stuart’s office, we were both stunned silent.

  Everything had happened so fast. One minute we’d thought one—or both—of us was about to get the ax, and the next, I was the new director and Kaiti was pretty much guaranteed an extended contract. Bryce and Stuart had sworn us to secrecy, of course, but it was confirmed that Tia Savage was about to get killed off.

  Tia would be going out with a bang, literally, after being revealed as the person who’d caused the deaths of the founding four, though she’d been aiming to only kill her—and Tyler’s—absentee father at the time. It was going to be an epic season finale, that was for sure.

  Kaiti almost looked disappointed at the news that Skylar was leaving the show, and I really wanted to kiss her for that. For her compassionate heart, the one that had endured so much but never turned cold. She continually amazed me.

  Before we left the meeting, she’d hugged Bryce and whispered in his ear until he nodded and looked down at her in wonder.

  Yeah, she was something special, my Kaiti-girl. And I was so incredibly fortunate to have found her.

  Once we both snapped out of our stupors, she slapped me on the ass and started walking down the hall ahead of me, a saucy sway in her hips. “Come on, Hollywood Director. I want to measure that new chair of yours to see if it will fit in your trunk.”

  I chuckled, reaching out to cup her ass when I caught up. “Why would it need to fit in my trunk?”

  She stopped and waited until I was pressed against her back to look over her shoulder and wink. “Because we’re taking it back to our place and testing it to see if it will hold us both. Naked.”

  God, I fucking love this woman.

  Epilogue

  Kaiti

  One year later…

  The red carpet was much redder in person than on TV. I’d watched these pre-awards shows for years, listening to the interviews and candid conversations with my favorite celebrities, thinking how cool some of them were and how I knew we’d be great friends if I ever got the chance to meet them.

  And here I was, smiling and chatting with some of those very people—who actually knew me by name and treated me like I was one of them. It was so surreal I kept asking Gavin to pinch me, which he gladly did.

  My ass was going to be so bruised in the morning, but I didn’t stop asking. Mostly because I needed the reminder that this was really happening and partially because I liked it when he pinched my ass. What could I say? A little sting can be a good thing.

  We made our way through the crowd, stopping to talk here and there, being asked repeatedly who we were wearing—which I thought was creepy and sounded like something you’d ask that guy from The Silence of the Lambs. I almost kissed the one reporter who asked, “Who designed your gown?” instead. Seriously. Buffalo Bill was going to be haunting my dreams in flesh-colored Dior.

  When we were nearly inside, we ran into Skylar. She looked amazing, her skin was dewy and tan, her makeup and gown flawless, and her smile was genuine when she spotted us and waved us over. We hugged, careful not to smear each other’s makeup, and I watched with not one iota of jealousy as she and Gavin embraced.

  She introduced us to her date—a charming and completely gorgeous man who was quick to mention that he wasn’t in the business and watched Savages religiously. The way she looked at him spoke volumes and I gave her a nod of approval, liking him instantly.

&nbs
p; The fact that she was so clearly enamored with someone who wasn’t a Hollywood player showed how much she’d changed.

  All of us had changed, actually.

  It had been an eventful year, to say the least.

  Evie now worked in makeup, so it was no time before she, Jenna, and I were inseparable on the set. The three of us frequently spent time together outside of work, as well.

  It took some time, of course, but Skylar and I not only made our peace, we developed an actual friendship by the time we finished out the season. No more animosity, no more scheming, and no more unnecessary drama. That was for the writing department to conjure, not us.

  Sky had even taken part in some of our girl’s night adventures before her new leading role had forced her to move to New York.

  Michael and Gavin had somehow evolved into friends, though both would deny it if asked. They still butted heads, but it was in that weird way that guys usually did where they ended up totally fine after a few minutes. It was kind of fun to watch.

  Our favorite so-called villain was currently shooting a film where he played the dashing hero, and all the buzz around town said he was nailing it.

  Evie and Joey were living together in Gavin’s old apartment—and it definitely felt like more of a home with the two of them in it. I’d ordered them their very own booby trap cross-stitch as a house-warming gift. I’d even thrown in several more said, ‘we had sex in here’ and thoughtfully hung them in every room of the apartment.

  Joey had definitely come out of his shell, a change that he attributed to watching Gavin and me take charge of our lives. I believed Evie had a lot to do with it too.

  Gavin was officially living with me at my place, though we spent our down time between seasons at his beach house in California.

  The last time I’d talked to Sky before today—aside from the occasional text and an email or two—was when I’d approached her to support a charity I’d founded that helped provide food to school-age children during summer months when they didn’t have the option of eating at school. I supported several charities that provided food to children but this one—the one I started myself—was the closest to my heart for obvious reasons.