Red Lines

by T. A. Foster

  “Good. Because he’s going to be a busy man the next three months, and I need your musical brilliance focused right here.” Carly waved her hand in the air for the waitress. “Want another?”

  Haven could already feel the vodka numbing her limbs, but it was welcome after the torture she had felt all day. She nodded. “Yeah, I’ll take another.”

  After the next round of shots, Carly jumped from the booth. “Come on. Let’s dance. I love this band.”

  Haven skipped behind her, letting the crowd close in around them while they swayed their hands in the air, and wiggled their hips to the music.

  She felt a hand glide around her waist, and for a second, forgot she wasn’t out with Evan. She whipped around to see a brown-haired college boy raking her over. She sidestepped his next dance move and pulled Carly with her farther into the mob.

  “Isn’t this awesome?” Carly yelled over the music.

  “Yes.” Haven nodded and got lost in the music again. She let her body take over as the beat consumed the club.

  Two hours later, arm in arm, the duo walked out the front door. As soon as the flashes started going off, Haven realized she had forgotten to text Bud that she was leaving.

  “Shit.”

  “What’s wrong?” Carly asked, smiling and waving at the photographers outside the club. She seemed at ease in front of the reporters. Haven tried to quell the panic that was bubbling and stood behind her friend.

  “I forgot to text Bud.” She searched for her phone, and when she retrieved it, she saw there were five missed calls from Evan. “Double shit.”

  Carly’s driver ushered them into her car before another picture could be snapped. “Just wait it out in here with me until Bud can drive over,” Carly offered. “He’s used to all of this mess with Evan. He’s the best.”

  “You know Bud?” Haven questioned. Carly kept dropping overly familiar hints about Evan’s life. How close were they?

  “Of course I do. Evan never goes anywhere here without him. Go ahead call him. He’ll know what to do.”

  “Ok.” But Haven already felt a sour pit in her stomach. She wasn’t sure if it was too many lemon drops, screwing up the protocol for her first night out, or if because more than anything she wished she was back at the ranch talking to Evan.

  Bud pulled up next to Carly’s limo within minutes. The two drivers exchanged ideas on how to transfer Haven from Carly’s limo to Bud’s car. They simultaneously opened the back doors, creating a shield, and with Haven hunched low, shuttled her into the empty car.

  “See you in the morning,” Carly called.

  Both doors were shut and the cars took off.

  Haven gripped the phone in her hand with the quietness around her. She waited for the city lights to be behind them. It seemed more private that way. She was about to call Evan when she felt the lurch in her stomach.

  “Bud, can you pull over?” she eked just in time.

  The car stopped. She threw open the door and hovered near a bush, hoping Bud couldn’t see the embarrassing mess she was making.

  “You ok?” he asked, not stepping too closely.

  When she thought her stomach was empty, she walked back to the open door. “I’m fine. I just want to go home.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Mortified that she had just thrown up on the side of a Texas highway in front of Evan’s head of security, she slumped down in the seat and closed her eyes, anxious for the coolness of Evan’s bed.

  THE DAMN crickets wouldn’t stop chirping. She slammed the phone with her palm, not caring if the impact cracked the screen or not.

  When she heard the ringing a few seconds later, she jerked the phone off the charger.

  “Hello?”

  “Darlin’, I tried calling you all night. You ok?” Evan sounded panicked. There wasn’t a trace of his easygoing drawl.

  “Yeah, Yeah. What time is it?” Haven rubbed her head where a piercing sensation had taken over.

  “Early. I’m getting ready to start read throughs for the day, but you had me worried. Where were you? I was going to call out the Texas Rangers to look for you.”

  She sat upright, squinting at the sun filtering through the windows. “I went out with Carly and I didn’t hear my phone ring. It was so late when I got home, I didn’t think I should call. Sorry.”

  “Carly, huh?”

  She could hear background noise on the call, but wasn’t sure what the sounds were.

  “Yeah, we had a good time.”

  “I bet. She can party. Hold on.” He covered the phone and mumbled something. “Ok, I’m back, but I won’t be able to talk the rest of the day. The schedule they have us on is crazy. They want to start shooting by the end of the week and that only gives us a few days to get the script down. I was the last one to show up on the set, so I’m behind.”

  “Oh.” She wasn’t alert enough to say anything encouraging.

  “You sure you’re ok?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’m going to take a shower and see if Lenny has any coffee for me.”

  “All right. All right. Gotta go, baby. I’ll call you tonight.”

  “Good luck or break a leg, or what am I supposed to say?” She didn’t know if the stage was the same as the screen.

  “You’ve got it. Bye.”

  Evan hung up, and she wished she had been more awake to talk to him. She looked at the empty covers beside her and lay back on the bed.

  EVAN SHOVED the phone in his back pocket. He didn’t want to walk into rehearsals. Haven didn’t sound like herself. However, he didn’t have a choice. They had called him in three times already. A night out with Carly was probably something she needed. He had left her alone on the ranch, and she hadn’t been in town long enough to make friends. He tried to forget what Carly’s nights out were like. More than one morning he had awakened on her couch with a vicious hangover and a handful of crazy stories.

  The first time he met the singer, she was performing at an open mic night at one of Austin’s dive bars. She was cute, spunky, and damn the girl could sing. After he bought her a beer, it didn’t take long to realize she was more like the little sister he never had. Although, he didn’t know many little sisters who could party like Carly. It was rare to meet a girl who was happy with buddy status. Evan’s celebrity didn’t seem to matter. She had her sights set on singing, not relationships.

  The bar was getting ready to close and Carly slammed her beer on the table. “Come on. I know a place that stays open all night.” She winked at Evan.

  “Hold on, darlin’. Don’t you think it’s past your bedtime?” He glanced at his watch.

  “Bed? You are old!” She giggled and hopped off her barstool.

  “I am not old. Just lookin’ out for you.” She was already headed for the door.

  “Then prove it,” she taunted.

  Evan hesitated. It was 2 a.m. “One more drink?”

  “Whatever.” Carly grabbed him by the hand and led him from the bar. “You can always crash at my place. No big deal.”

  He shook his head. This girl was crazy, but he let her lead him from one hole-in-the-wall bar to another. This was another side of Austin’s nightlife he had never experienced. By six, he was sprawled across Carly’s couch, facedown on a pillow with his boots kicked under the coffee table.

  He vowed one night on the town with her would be the last, but it never seemed to work out that way.

  Evan laughed, hoping Haven’s experience wasn’t like his.

  He strolled into the reading room.

  “You ready this morning?” Emmy chirped. She was sitting at one of the reading tables holding a cup of coffee for him.

  “I was born ready.” He took the coffee and flipped open the first page of the script.

  “I think it’s going to be a long day.” Emmy slid her seat closer to his chair. “How’s the coffee? Did I get it right?”

  He eyed her suspiciously. He had to remind himself what he signed on for. This wasn’t just the biggest mov
ie of his career; it also came with baggage. And that baggage was in the form of a curvy, bright-eyed blonde.

  “Yeah, it’s good.” He pushed it away from his pages. He had hoped one of the set assistants had delivered it.

  “I haven’t forgotten about when we were on that little island, and you remembered how I liked my coffee. I guess, when you wake up with someone, you’re bound to keep those details in your heart.”

  Evan shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  “Let’s get started this morning.” One of the producers closed the door behind her and smiled at the small group gathered to hear Evan and Emmy read. “We’re going to get as far as we can then break for lunch around one.” She smiled at Emmy. “Emmy you’re getting us started. We’ll skip to the third scene where Dexter and Karina are about to go to bed. You know the scene?”

  “Oh yes, I know the one.” Emmy grinned.

  She exhaled, turned toward Evan, and ran her hand along his jaw.

  He looked at her quizzically. “What are you doing? This is only a read through.”

  “I already know all the lines,” she whispered. “I thought I’d start with our connection. It is the most important part of the film.”

  Evan withheld an eye roll, but God help him, he was already on edge about Emmy.

  “Quiet please,” the producer called. She hushed the crowd around them, already buzzing about the closeness between the stars.

  Someone dimmed the lights and Emmy began her lines.

  THE LUNCH break started closer to two. Evan rushed out of the room before Emmy had a chance to corner him into splitting a turkey sandwich. Although, knowing her, it was likely to be half a salad.

  He reached for his phone. Jeff had called, and there were texts from Haven. Dammit, she was in the recording studio with Carly until eight tonight. He ran his hands through his hair. Day one and they were already on opposite schedules.

  He had to get her out here. There was no way he was going to make it three months without being with her.

  He pushed open the exit door and inhaled the California air. At least he had an hour before he had to get back to the script reading. He was going to make the most of a beautiful day.

  It had been awhile since he had been at the studios. The last movie he made was Masquerade, and that had turned into a media circus when Emmy was kidnapped. He liked that they shot on location in New Orleans. Authentic locations were his favorite part of the movie process. He was able to sink into the role, feel the city, and breathe the same air as his character. It added to his transformation in a way that studio films just couldn’t. Red Lines, however, could be filmed anywhere. The sets consisted of fancy penthouse apartments, offices, and a few out-on-the-town shots. There was nothing unusual about the setting, other than it had taken him back to Tinsel Town.

  The movie executives had decided to keep the filming location a secret. The buzz around the movie was so intense that they were worried the cast would be mobbed anywhere else. A studio locale kept everyone under the watchful eye of the movie company.

  He called Jeff to touch base, checked his email, and sent Haven a few texts, letting her know his schedule for the rest of the day. He hoped things were going well with Carly. He picked up a sandwich from one of the stands at the studio entrance and inhaled it before heading back inside. He needed to call Jake, his trainer, and fly him out for some workouts. If the scenes he had read were any indication of what was ahead of him, he only had a few weeks to get in bedroom shape.

  He knew there had never been any complaints and his football physique was still intact, but there was something different about getting ready to be seen almost completely naked by millions of people. He would have to watch his diet, cut back on the beer, and start running every morning. Jake could help with the rest.

  He walked to the reading room, ready to start the second half of the readings for the afternoon. The door opened and Emmy was sitting at the table, two glasses of water in front of her. He shook his head. There was no arguing, she was giving the best performance of her life.

  THE AIR was cool against Evan’s chest. One of the crewmembers spritzed him with water along his back. He felt the droplets collect against his spine. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could stay propped up like this. Yesterday, he had lifted more than he had in six months, and his shoulders were killing him. Jake had been relentless keeping him in shape. Not to mention the grueling lecture on his summer beer consumption. It seemed as if the trainer enjoyed teaching him a lesson.

  He had been on the set for two weeks, and it still didn’t feel natural. He was resistant to Dex’s character.

  “Is this really necessary?” he asked. He was already tired of everyone pawing at him. Someone else was adjusting the sheet around his waist, draping it just below his hipbone. He felt more exposed.

  “Oh, Evan, why are you making such a fuss? I’m the one they are going to see topless.” Emmy giggled underneath him, her blond hair splayed along red satin pillows.

  “Glad you think it’s all funny.” He waited while his hair was ruffled.

  “I can do that, honey.” Emmy spoke to the girl messing with his hair, dismissing her on the spot. She reached up and let her fingers tousle his sandy brown locks. “You look good with this sexed up look. Although, I would have oiled you some, not just watered you down.”

  “Em, this is getting crazy.” They had been in this position for at least fifteen minutes, waiting to start the first sex scene of the movie. They had already been through all of the office scenes. It was time to hit the bedroom.

  “Why? Because we’re in bed with fifty people watching?” She smiled slyly. “Just pretend it’s us in Cabo.” She squirmed underneath him, and he inhaled sharply as he felt her leg brush against his. “You do remember Cabo, don’t you?”

  He hung his head. “Of course I remember that weekend.” He quickly brought his eyes back to hers; he was determined not to check out her perfectly perky breasts.

  “Then why can’t you act like it’s that weekend? You and me—a few margaritas. I don’t think we ever left the room, did we? There was no reason to leave.” He was worried her leg had started to move more intentionally.

  “You know why we can’t go there.” He tried to roll to the side, but if he did, he would take the sheet and everyone would see just how naked Emmy was. The gentleman in him couldn’t do that to her.

  Her eyes raked over his chest. “You don’t think we’re already back there?”

  “This is work.” He huffed. “It’s different.”

  “I don’t think you and I can ever be different,” she whispered.

  Before he could argue about why Cabo was in the past, the lights around them dimmed and a boom mic lowered over their heads.

  “Action!” Archie Preston called. “Wait! Where are the handcuffs? I don’t see them or the vibrator on the nightstand. Come on, people. The first scene in the bedroom and you forget the props?”

  As usual, Archie was fuming at his crew. If nothing else, the director was a perfectionist.

  In an instant, an array of sex toys was deposited next to them. Evan tried to look at them as if they were his usual props like a gun or a high-tech spy watch, not something that was intended to make his co-star writhe in pleasure.

  “Now, action!”

  He tried to clear his head. This was not Emmy under him. It was Karina and he was Dexter. He stared into her eyes and started his lines, only this time Emmy was moaning, her chest was heaving, and she wrapped a leg around his waist.

  By the time the scene wrapped, Evan was exhausted. He didn’t want to admit it was from fighting back physical sensations that kept surfacing. A crew girl brought white terry cloth robes so he and Emmy could make it back to their trailers completely covered. It was enough that everyone had just seen him handcuff her and lick every part of her body.

  He slouched on the couch of his trailer. That was just the beginning, scene one. What had he done by agreeing to this movie? He opened a bottle o
f water and chugged it.

  His phone rang on the table and he picked it up.

  “Hey, darlin’.”

  “Hey, you. How’s it going? I can’t believe I caught you.” Haven sounded happy. “I never get you on the phone in the middle of the day.”

  “Yeah, we just wrapped up a scene, and I’m taking a break. Maybe a nap.” He looked at the couch, knowing his legs would dangle over the end but not caring.

  “I have some news.”

  “What’s going on?” Her calls were his favorite part of the day. They didn’t happen nearly enough. Some days he was lucky if they answered texts within an hour of each other.

  “Carly’s going out on the road for a spontaneous mini-tour. We just finished five more songs, so she thought I should take some time off.”

  “Really? That’s great.” He was off the couch, suddenly feeling energized.

  “Yeah, so can I come out there? I don’t think I can go another day, Evan.”

  Her words pierced his chest. “Of course you can. I’ll call Bud right now and have him get the jet ready, and you can be out here tonight. Does that work?”

  “Yes. I’m already packed.”

  He chuckled. She had already predicted his reaction. “I don’t know how long I’ll be on set tonight, but I’ll make sure you can get into my suite.” The schedule on this movie was never reliable. Some nights they were working until after midnight.

  “Ok, don’t worry about me. I’m so excited that I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. I’ll stay up as long as it takes.”

  “Sounds good, darlin’. I’ll text you when I get everything set up.”

  “I can’t believe I get to wake up with you in the morning.” It came out as a sigh, and Evan couldn’t think of a more beautiful sound.

  “Me too, baby. All right, let me go so I can get you out here. My breaks don’t last forever.”