Casting Call (Off Screen Book 5)

by J. A. Armstrong

  “Dan,” Emma called softly. “Don’t. It’s okay.”

  “The hell it’s okay.”

  “I see. The defender, Dan? Is that your real role here? This is the most unprofessional group I have ever seen. The show should be call Off Kilter.” Dan started to move toward the director.

  Sandra caught the anger in Dan’s eyes and grabbed hold of Laurie’s hand. “Go get Addison,” she said. “This is going south fast.” Laurie nodded and sprinted off. Sandra approached her co-stars and the director. “Come on, why don’t we just take a break for a bit? Everyone is tired,” she tried to suggest.

  “Tired?” Miller asked. “I’m starting to think the real story if right here.”

  Emma put her face in her hands. She took a deep breath and stood up. “Enough,” she said firmly.

  “Enough? Does that mean you are ready to work now?” Miller asked her directly.

  “No, she isn’t, you asshole,” Dan shot.

  Emma gently took hold of Dan’s arm. “Dan,” she tried to soothe him. She looked back at the director. “I’ve had enough of this now,” she said calmly.

  “Enough of what? We have a schedule,” Miller said. “And, we are behind.”

  “So what?” Emma said. “That’s life. We always pull it off. What is your problem anyway?” she finally asked.

  “My problem?” Miller asked.

  Emma remained silent. The stress, the close quarters, and her anger were threatening to send her running again. Or, maybe she would just throw up on his shoes. That is if she had anything to offer. She took a deep breath and shook her head. Sandra stepped in and put her hand on Emma’s back.

  “Come on,” Sandra said. “Emma, please. Just sit down, please.”

  “Jesus!” Miller yelled. “Should I get tested for something? Is this shit contagious?”

  Addison and Jeff were moving at a brisk pace toward the sound of heated voices. She saw Sandra take hold of Emma and increased her speed. “What the hell is going on?” Addison bellowed uncharacteristically.

  “Oh, here comes the cavalry,” Miller laughed. “Can you do something about this McManus?” he looked a Jeff.

  “Em?” Addison looked at her wife. Emma smiled and raised an eyebrow and Addison immediately understood what had triggered the latest temper tantrum from the director. “Sit down,” Addison said. Emma sighed but did as Addison asked.

  “Terrific,” Miller groaned.

  Addison turned and faced the director. “That is enough.”

  “Is everyone always sick here or just love sick?” he asked.

  “Shut up!” Dan barked.

  “Defending the diva? How sweet, Starr.”

  “I said, that’s enough,” Addison said as calmly as she could manage. Emma was looking green around the gills and Sandra sat down beside her.

  “You should just tape this, Blake,” Miller said.

  Addison moved closer to the director. Emma looked up and realized that Doug Miller had just pressed too far. Addison was done. Miller was finished. “I said—enough.”

  Miller laughed and looked at Jeff. “You allow this? Well, what would I expect from a set full of dykes and what are you… fairies? This should be a fantasy show.”

  “Get off of my set,” Addison warned the man. Miller looked at Jeff and then back at Addison and smirked. “I said, get the fuck off my set—now.”

  Emma popped up and grabbed hold of Addison’s arm. “Addy, don’t.”

  “Well? McManus?” Miller looked at Jeff.

  “Get out of here, Miller,” Jeff said in disgust.

  “What? You going to direct this one yourself?” he asked. “Fine.” Miller looked at Addison and then at Emma. “Such a waste,” he looked at Emma appraisingly.

  Emma felt Addison as she clenched her fist. “Addy.”

  Miller winked at Emma. “I’d be sick too,” he said.

  That did it. Addison pulled free of Emma’s grip. She was ready to connect her fist to the director’s face when Dan beat her to the punch—literally. Miller hit the ground. “Get up!” Dan yelled. Sandra grabbed hold of Dan and Emma grabbed hold of Addison again.

  “I will sue your ass, Blake! You are through. Both of you,” Miller yelled.

  Jeff grabbed Doug Miller and escorted him to the door. “Shut up, Doug.”

  “You too, McManus. Wait until Bellson hears…”

  “Just go,” Jeff said with a shake of his head.

  Emma was shaking. The entire scene had completely unnerved her. She took Addison’s hand. “Addy?”

  Addison turned to Emma and sighed regretfully. “I’m sorry, Em.” Emma leaned into Addison and closed her eyes.

  “Sorry, Addison,” Dan apologized. “I can’t work with that asshole,” he said. Addison nodded. Dan looked at Emma. “You okay?”

  Emma looked up at Addison and lifted her brow. Addison understood. She waited a minute until Jeff and returned. The crew was clearly upset. Jeff looked like he was about to be sick. Addison looked at Emma again. “You sure you want to do this now?” Emma smiled. “Okay. Listen up, everybody. Miller is gone. I promise you he will not be back.”

  “You can bet he’ll be flapping his gums,” Dan commented.

  “Well, that may be. So, let’s end today on a happier note,” Addison said. Jeff and Sandra both smiled in anticipation of Addison’s announcement. She looked at Emma and back at the crew. “We had thought we would wait a few more weeks, but I think now is the right time.”

  “What’s up?” Laurie asked.

  Emma smiled and leaned closer to Addison as Addison’s arm went around her. “Well,” Addison said. “Seems we will be welcoming a new addition here next season.” She watched as frustrated expressions were replaced with curious glances. Emma chuckled. “Maybe not what you are thinking,” Addison chuckled too. “Emma and I are expecting.”

  “Like a baby?” Laurie asked.

  “I certainly hope so,” Emma laughed. “Although, about twenty minutes ago I would have bet the farm is was an alien.” Addison laughed at Emma’s admission.

  “So, enough for today,” Addison said.

  “What about tomorrow?” someone asked.

  Addison shrugged. “Tomorrow is another day. Pack it up.”

  Emma looked up at Addison. “You know, he is going to make trouble for you.”

  Addison was unfazed. “Let him.”

  Chapter Seven

  Addison watched the television screen silently. Her face was twisted with tension and anger.

  “A lawsuit against one of the most famous couples in television. Claims of physical abuse against actor Dan Starr. We are weighing in on the on set drama at Off Screen.”

  “Asshole,” Addison groaned.

  “Asshole or not, we have a serious issue, Blake,” Bellson said.

  Addison nodded. “What do you want me to do?” she asked. “He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Christ, Don, we have him on tape.”

  “We can’t use that and you know it. Even if we leaked it. It’s too risky,” he told her.

  “Are you suggesting we settle with this guy?” Addison asked.

  Bellson shook his head. “Not necessarily. We need to turn this tide.”

  Addison rubbed her face and sighed. “You want Emma and me to make an announcement.” Bellson made no reply. “That’s not totally my decision,” she said. She didn’t want to tell Bellson that she and Emma were surprised no one from the crew had leaked their news.

  “Addison,” Bellson said. “Someone will leak it.” Addison knew it was a matter of time. “I suggest we leak it first,” he said.

  “I need to talk to Emma.”

  “Fine. Let’s call her up here now,” he said. Addison agreed.

  The next fifteen minutes passed painfully slowly until Emma arrived. Addison looked at her and tried to smile. Emma laughed. “So, who are we calling?” she asked Don Bellson.

  Bellson smiled genuinely. Addison tested his patience at times. Emma was the consummate professional. He expected no less
from her. He watched the actress sit down beside her wife. “I’m sorry,” he told the pair. Addison’s shock was evident. “Miller is a prick,” he said. Emma laughed. “His brother has friends,” Bellson explained. “It’s why I pressed Jeff to hire him.”

  “So? Who gets the story?” Emma asked.

  “That is up to you,” Bellson said.

  Emma nodded. “Have Laurie email a few bloggers.” Bellson nodded. Emma understood the press as well as any actor her had ever known.

  “Em?” Addison asked.

  Emma smiled at Addison. “Let the rumor mill burn for a week or two, Addy. Oldest trick in the book. Let them speculate.”

  “Don’t you think it would be better to just say something?” Addison asked.

  Emma shook her head. “No.” She looked at Bellson. “Laurie can handle it. Trust me.” He nodded and Emma turned back to Addison. “I know what you are thinking. Trust me on this one. It buys us a few weeks to finish shooting. It gets us press, and when we finally step out, we can explain why we were cautious. People will sympathize. Trust me. It will make him look like the buffoon he is.”

  “What about the lawsuit?” Addison asked Bellson.

  “Let’s see how this goes,” he said. “I have a few other irons in the fire. You worry about the show, Blake.” Addison was surprised at Bellson’s attitude. He smiled at her. “I don’t look so bad compared to that jackass, do I?” he asked her.

  Emma snickered. “And, that is saying something,” Addison couldn’t resist the opportunity.

  Bellson laughed. “Get the hell out of my office, Blake.”

  Addison grabbed Emma’s hand and did just that. “What is up with him?” she asked Emma outside the door.

  “He knows the drill, Addy. Making an enemy of you on this one will bite him in the ass. He knows it,” Emma said.

  “Are you okay with this?” Addison asked.

  “It isn’t ideal. It is a reality. At least, it’s ours.”

  “I’m sorry I lost my cool,” Addison said.

  “He deserved it—all of it.”

  “You didn’t lose your cool,” Addison observed.

  “Um. Well, I was sorry I hadn’t eaten lunch.”

  “Why?” Addison asked.

  “Because, I really would have enjoyed letting it go on his shoes.”

  Addison laughed. “Nice, Em.” Emma shrugged. “I need to call Tam,” Addison said.

  “Yep. She hears this from Perez Hilton and Doug Miller will be the least of our problems.”

  Addison groaned. “I hate that guy.”

  Emma laughed. “Come on, feed me, Seymour.”

  Addison nodded. Emma had been feeling better the last few days. It seemed she was making up for lost time with the ability to eat whenever and whatever she chose. Addison tried not to smirk. Emma’s appetite appeared to have become a ravenous monster overnight. Seymour, the man-eating plant. Oh, boy, I’m in trouble.

  ***

  “Hello? Best friend charter! How do I not know this already?” Tamara asked Addison.

  Addison sighed through the phone line. “We wanted to tell you and Christie Saturday when you were here. It just looks like it’s going to break before that.”

  “Did Dan really punch that guy?” Tamara asked.

  “Yeah, before I could.”

  Tamara started cackling. “You were going to hit him?”

  “I was mid-swing.”

  “Ha! Who knew you were so butch!” Tamara laughed

  “Nice, Tam.”

  “Listen, Addy…Since I have you on the phone. How would you feel if Christie and I came right after Christmas instead of this weekend? It’s only a couple of weeks.”

  “Well, sure. We’ll be back from Kansas by New Years. Just curious, why? Everything okay?”

  Addison listened to the tone of Tamara’s voice carefully as she answered. “Yeah. I just sort of have something I want to do. Not sure how I’m going to do it but…”

  “You are going ask Christie to marry you,” Addison surmised.

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Wow. You are really doing it. That ring finally burned a hole in your pocket, huh?” Addison joked.

  “Something like that.”

  “You okay, Tam?”

  “Yeah. Addy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Is Emma there?” Tamara asked quietly.

  Addison couldn’t help but giggle. “Yeah, she’s in the kitchen. Which is not surprising.”

  “Huh?” Tamara was confused.

  “Nothing. You want to harass my wife now about her future waddling?”

  “Nah, I just need to ask her something.”

  “Hold on,” Addison said. She made her way into the kitchen where Emma was reading and drinking a cup of herbal tea. “Someone wants to talk to you.”

  Emma looked up and pursed her lips. “Should I get on my battle gear?” she wondered. Addison shook her head. “Oh,” Emma said. She took the phone from Addison. “Hey, Tam.”

  “I should be mad at you,” Tamara said. Emma tried not to laugh. “I should, but I will forgive you.”

  “Well, thanks for that,” Emma said. “What’s up? You need directions? Don’t remember how to get here after so long?”

  “Yeah…Emma, I asked Addy if it would be okay if we postponed this weekend.”

  “Everything all right?” Emma heard Tamara’s deep sigh. “Tam? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just…It’s the first weekend Christie and I have had in a couple of months. I sort of was thinking that I might take the …”

  “You want to propose.”

  “Yeah,” Tamara said.

  “So? Just ask her,” Emma said.

  “Just ask her? Emma! Just ask her! I can’t just ask her!” Tamara panicked.

  “You sort of have to if you want an answer,” Emma pointed out.

  “Ha-ha. I wonder if your kid will be as funny.”

  “Funnier,” Emma replied. “Seriously, Tam, just ask her.”

  “Well, what do I do? Get down on one knee for real? I mean, I’m supposed to slip the ring in a glass of champagne or something, right?’

  Emma fought to contain her amusement. “Not unless you want her to drink it. Do what we did. Have an argument.”

  “What?” Tamara asked.

  “Addy never told you that, huh?”

  “No.”

  “Just relax, Tam. Follow your heart. You’ll be fine,” Emma assured her friend. “If you are that nervous, why don’t you come here? You could always take her to that burger place she loves by the beach.”

  “What?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  “What if I put her on the spot and she wants to say no?” Tamara asked.

  “Tam, I really don’t think that is going to happen.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. And, besides, I think Addy could use to see you. I could use to see you too,” Emma confessed. “And Christie.”

  “Really?”

  Emma laughed. “Yes, Tam—really.”

  Tamara waffled for a second. “Are you sure?”

  “Tam, you have to do what feels best for you. I just wish you would trust me.”

  “I do,” Tamara admitted softly.

  “Then get your ass on that plane Friday and I will see you for dinner.”

  Tamara laughed. “Yes, Mom.”

  “Good answer,” Emma replied.

  ***

  Christie could no longer hold back. She grabbed Tamara’s hand and leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “What is going on with you?” she asked. Tamara flinched slightly and Christie laughed. “It’s just Emma and Addy for heaven’s sake. What is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing,” Tamara answered unconvincingly.

  Christie shook her head. “She’s pregnant, Tam. It’s not the plague,” she laughed some more.

  “What?” Tamara turned to her girlfriend. “You think I’m scared to be around Emma?” she asked. Christie smiled. “I am not afraid of Emma.”


  “Who’s afraid of me?” Emma asked as she entered the living room.

  “Not me,” Tamara said.

  Emma looked at her friends suspiciously. “Why do I think there is something that I am missing?” she asked them. Tamara shrugged and Christie laughed.

  “What are we missing?” Addison asked as she made her way into the room. Emma looked at her and shrugged. “Uh-huh,” Addison commented and looked at her best friend. “What are you up to, Tam?”

  “Me?” Tamara choked slightly.

  Christie looked at her girlfriend and then to their friends. “What are you all up to?” she asked them.

  Addison smiled and took Emma’s hand. “There is something we wanted to talk you both about.”

  “What?” Tamara asked almost fearfully.

  Emma tried not to giggle. She and Addison took a seat on the love seat across from their friends. After Emma’s brief conversation with Tamara earlier that week, she had approached Addison with an idea. Tamara was, in every way that mattered, family. She was Addison’s family, and Addison was hers. Tamara was different from Addison outwardly. Inwardly, Emma had grown to understand that Addison and Tamara were very similar. They were both passionate and they were both sensitive. Family was an element that both had lacked at a young age. Emma was sure that as much as Tamara loved Christie, and as much as Addison lover her, Addison and Tamara both felt a void in the distance that now separated them. Emma wanted to close that gap if not physically, emotionally.

  Emma clasped Addison’s hand a little tighter and looked at Tamara and Christie. “You know, we had hoped to tell you our news in person.”

  “We know that,” Christie said. “We’re both happy for you guys.”

  “Thanks,” Addison said. She looked at Tamara. “I really hadn’t planned to tell you on the phone,” she said honestly.

  Tamara nodded. “Addy, don’t worry about it. Seriously.”

  “Well, we do worry about it,” Emma interjected. “It’s kind of funny. So much has been happening, we haven’t actually even talked much with each other about the baby.”

  Tamara smiled. Part of her did not want Addison to know how excited she was about her best friend’s news. Being a mom, having a family was always Addison’s daydream. Addison wanted to write and she wanted a house with a white picket fence, a wife, and a couple of kids. That was Addison. Tamara had never thought that way. Even now, she was not on that page entirely. She hoped she might have a wife, but white picket fences and babies “creeped” her out as she explained to Addison just a few days ago. That didn’t change the fact that Tamara wanted everything for Addison.