Limelight (Hollywood Stardust)

by Kim Carmichael

  With Logan’s career effectively ruined, since then Ryder and Erin paid him a percentage of their earnings, as long as he handled all Hollywood Stardust dealings so no mistakes were ever made, no slips of the tongue. However, now in love, engaged, and with a movie to make, Logan wanted a fresh start and the contract over.

  The contract was also the last straw before Drew’s back broke. Before the ink dried he decided to get out there and Isaac Abrams was born. Once Logan was released from the rehabilitation center when he didn’t need any rehabilitating, Drew disappeared and Isaac left for college.

  “Aren’t you glad to finally have it over?” Drew shook his head.

  “I am and I don’t need to go into the other room to discuss it.” Erin blurted out the words and her hand trembled, vibrating on his leg.

  Drew exhaled, hoping her words weren’t an act, actually hoping this whole thing wasn’t an act. Still, he couldn’t stop from rubbing his hand across her back.

  “I suppose Logan has no reason to cross us. I’m sure confidentiality will be in the dissolution agreement.” Ryder turned away.

  “Why would he say anything?” Erin dug her nails into his pants. “He has a movie he wants to make and a new life. He would look just as ridiculous as us and even more so. He took the money. In all truth, we are the victims and he should be terrified we don’t talk.”

  And there was the bare truth in its most raw and simple form. She had everything, men literally falling at her feet, fame, beauty, and she considered herself the victim. Though she was the instrumental person behind the entire contract, she was the one doing the drugs, she was the one who wanted out of the sequel. But having to pay the piper was the toughest on her, and she suffered no matter what.

  “Yes, this is the way things should be. We celebrated a major milestone, so the timing is right to end something such as the contract, and have a renewal with the sequel. Hopefully this will all bode well for my own movie.” Ryder almost seemed to take a cleansing breath. “This is right.”

  Not the actor the other two were, Drew had to make a huge effort not to wrinkle his nose as Ryder spewed his rhetoric. Some things never changed.

  “I agree. Now that we have Drew back, I think we need to start over with everything.” She took his hand. “I still can’t believe you’re here, or I’m here. I carried around this hole in my chest everyday and for the first time in twenty years I woke up and it wasn’t there.”

  Like all things with Erin, there was always the other side. The way she gazed at him with glossed over eyes and the smile she only reserved for real life, not the camera, shining across her face.

  True to his nature, he couldn’t stop himself from squeezing her hand, though he knew deep down even though she eviscerated him twenty years ago, she considered herself the victim there too.

  “Just don’t disappear again.” She intertwined their fingers.

  Then again, maybe he gave her all the right reasons. Somehow he ended up right back where he started, only two decades older.

  HOLLYWOOD STARBURST

  FADE IN:

  EXT. HOLLYWOOD, CA – OUTSIDE HOLLYWOOD STARDUST THEATRE – LATE NIGHT.

  The place is now a construction site, with warning signs and a chicken wire fence around the theatre. The ruckus of Hollywood surrounds the area.

  ROXY stares out at the theatre, her fingers interlaced in the chicken wire.

  A gang of women and men dressed in leather and rough attire come up to her.

  GIRL IN GANG

  Oh, look what we have here, another little starlet looking at a dream. She’s going to end up just like that building getting ready to be torn apart.

  ROXY tightens her grip on the fence and presses her lips together.

  GIRL IN GANG gets right up in ROXY’S face.

  GIRL IN GANG

  Do you think I’m going to hurt you?

  ROXY swallows and shakes her head.

  The others in the gang surround Roxy.

  GIRL IN GANG

  Then why don’t you talk? Say something princess. What are you, too good to talk to us? What are you doing?

  ROXY faces the girl in a sudden move.

  ROXY

  I’m playing a role.

  GIRL IN GANG leans back.

  GIRL IN GANG

  What kind of role?

  ROXY

  The girl who wants to be an actress. You know, the one who drove across the country with three boys just to see a theatre and then thought I could stay. You know, the one who abandoned her friends and family and now her parents won’t talk to her cause she ruined her life.

  ROXY steps closer to the girl and then takes her time to look around all the other gang members.

  The men in the gang smile and come closer, the other girls frown, one puts her hand on a knife.

  ROXY

  Yes, I am playing a role. Everything is an act. The truth is no one really knows anyone, right?

  One of the girls lifts the knife.

  ROXY

  You may see a princess staring at a theatre not sure what to do with her life, but maybe in reality I have nothing more to lose and I don’t care.

  Roxy swipes her own knife out of her pocket and flips up the blade.

  The group stands around, no one speaks.

  ROXY

  What? Are you scared of me? Think I’m going to hurt you? Am I too good for you?

  Behind Roxy, a cop car slowly rolls down the street.

  GIRL IN THE GANG backs up, elbowing a couple of the other gang members.

  GIRL IN THE GANG

  (Laughs)

  You need to go take more acting lessons, princess. Come on, let’s go.

  ROXY stands straight up and watches the gang leave. Once alone, she turns to the Hollywood Stardust theatre.

  ROXY

  (Whispers)

  I’m the girl who tried to play a role. It just didn’t work.

  Chapter Five

  DRIPPING IN EVERY DESIGNER LABEL she could put on her person, Erin felt her heartbeat increase the moment she and Drew got within a mile of Logan’s brother’s bar. She pulled the visor down and glanced in the mirror. No matter how many times she looked, it didn’t get any better.

  “The last time I was here was for the opening party, and I could have sworn I felt you there.” She wrung her hands together.

  “I heard the ruckus when they announced you and Ryder had arrived, and I snuck out the back door.” Drew turned down a side street.

  “Well, I always thought we were connected, I felt your energy.” It wasn’t the best night in the world. Paparazzi had followed her and Ryder, she and Brian were fighting, and when the photographers asked her and Logan to recreate the dance from the movie, he insisted on performing it with his now fiancée.

  “It’s possible.”

  She chewed the inside of her mouth. Of all of them, she had to be doing the worst. How did that happen? For the last two decades it was her and Ryder on the race to the top, with Logan coming up behind them keeping things tidy. Drew was gone. Now she was truly alone with no agent, no significant other or even an other who wasn’t significant, and no jobs. Wait, one of those items she could fix before they ever walked inside. “Drew, we have something to discuss before we go inside.”

  He entered the small parking lot behind the bar and stopped the car. “All right.”

  “I told you I would give you an answer about your project this morning, and I wanted to let you know that I’ve decided to be the spokesperson for your Hollywood Glow line.” She nodded. Even with the sequel, she needed to have something in the works.

  “Don’t you have to talk to Brian before you decide that?”

  Yes, Brian. He finally directly mentioned her agent or whatever title he once held. One more time she pulled down the visor and caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror.

  She opened her mouth, about to lie, telling him she spoke to Brian already, but stopped and shut her eyes. Drew gave her a second chance, and he knew she u
sed to be with Brian. Maybe that’s why he wouldn’t make any move forward. Plus, Ryder and Logan would find out, if they didn’t know already. “I can make my own decisions. I’m not with Brian anymore on any level. I had to make some changes about a lot of things. Maybe Ryder was right about timing and such. I didn’t say anything last night because it seemed like a lot to drop on you, since I already dropped myself on you.”

  “So, at last you’re an independent woman, completely free.” He chuckled.

  She faced him. “Not entirely, I heard I’m associated with the number one nutraceutical laboratory in the United States. They want to put out an amazing line and use me as the spokesperson. That’s a big responsibility.” As an added bonus, it would tie her to Drew and his life.

  “Well, then I guess you’re taken.” With the words out, he exited the car.

  Her stomach twisted, but in a good way, and she no sooner put her hand on the door handle than Drew darted around the car and opened the door. “Oh, I’m not used to a gentleman.”

  “Then you’ve been with the wrong people.” He stood back to let her out.

  She supposed she deserved his teasing and flirting, and truthfully she was enjoying it, she only prayed it paid off. “Well, I guess we’re going in.”

  “I’m here. You’ll be fine.” He closed the door and put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the rear entrance. She sort of wished it was the other way around and he put his hand on her rear. At her own joke she managed to at least crack a smile by the time they entered through the kitchen and were slapped right in the face with the soon to be bride and groom.

  "It's a miraculous day." Logan lifted his chin in Erin’s direction and held out a glass of champagne. "I'm engaged, I get to call my best friend by his name, Ryder is already here and Erin is early. Seriously, I am blessed."

  “Thank you for everything.” Logan’s fiancée, Ivy, went right to Drew and gave him a hug.

  “All in a day’s work.” Drew gave her a kiss on the cheek and then grabbed her hand. “Now, that looks even better on you than it did in the box.”

  Ivy’s brand new diamond ring sparkled, practically blinded Erin, but she couldn’t stop studying the pear shaped diamond surrounded by a multitude of smaller diamonds. The stone itself was large enough one could take a bite out of it and she bet it tasted much better than the fruit.

  Every time she witnessed someone she knew get engaged or married, a strange emptiness overtook her. It was hard to celebrate when her personal life was never up to par. She knew she better say something and forced herself over to Ivy. “The ring is magnificent, congratulations.” With the champagne glass held out of the way, she gave Logan’s fiancée a light embrace.

  “Thank you.” Ivy returned the gesture. “We didn’t mean to take over yesterday’s event, it sort of just happened.”

  Erin pulled back and assessed the woman in front of her in a stunning blue 1950s form fitting designer dress. Ivy was an interesting choice for Logan, a bit quirky with her vintage clothing, extremely smart with her degrees, and beautiful in a good girl way. Then again, maybe she was the perfect choice for the presumed bad boy of their bunch. “Well, between you and Logan and then Drew, we certainly got the media coverage.”

  Wanting to finish her rounds as fast as possible, she side-stepped over to Logan. She leaned in and hugged him as well. There was no woman alive who wouldn’t envy the position Ivy now possessed. Gorgeous in a naughty way with his dark blond hair pulled back in a pony tail and a bit of scruff, he always seemed as if he were ready to get into trouble.

  Between his appearances on Ivy’s webcasts, his engagement and the movie, he would now be redeemed from the past she and Ryder had created for him. “I really am happy for you.”

  “Looks like we both won last night.” He gave her a wink.

  “It’s getting there.” She kept her smile, turned to Ryder and paused. Oh, Ryder Scott, the unattainable man. Stock photo leading man, he was charming on the outside, jerk and manipulator on the inside. The public loved him, but then again they didn’t know him. Most women were terrified of him, and they had every reason. With his black hair that covered up a mind that absorbed everything and never forgot, clear blue eyes that observed the world and looks that didn’t even seem real, women flocked to him like a drug until they realized they couldn’t handle him.

  More than Logan, at one point she thought Ryder was the one. Though younger than her by six months, Logan was always the big brother, but Ryder was the catch.

  “Long time no see,” she said.

  He leaned down to her ear. “We are going to come out of this on top.”

  If that’s what Ryder deemed, then it would be so. She patted him.

  “Everyone grab your glass and let’s go into the main room. We have a lot of business to take care of.” Logan made his announcement, took his queen by the hand and left the kitchen.

  With a shake of his head, Ryder followed.

  She turned back to Drew.

  Drew.

  Maybe she didn’t have enough time to reflect on him. Everything happened so fast. Unlike the bad boy and the leading man, in the movie that played out in her mind, Drew was the superhero. The best friend by day who would change his identity to turn into anything he wanted and no one would ever be the wiser, and she supposed that's exactly what he accomplished.

  Drew was the man who silently took over. The actor who played the sidekick, but was the one who would ultimately save the day and in his own way would take over the movie.

  "Shall we?" He motioned forward.

  "I suppose." She went through the door, but looked behind her to make sure Drew stayed with her, something she should have done long ago.

  They entered the bar done up like a classy 1920s speakeasy. The place might belong to his brother, but the vibe had Logan written all over it.

  "Before we get down to business, I propose a toast." Logan stood in the middle of the room and held up his glass.

  They all gathered around in a circle.

  "To thrilling beginnings, breathless endings, and stories that need to be continued." He kissed Ivy first, tapped his glass to hers, and then they all proceeded to complete the ritual, clinking their glasses, saying cheers and sipping their drinks.

  "We've already covered the thrilling beginnings." Logan motioned toward a table already set up with platters of food, note pads and pens.

  The five of them took their seats. For the first time since she could remember, she had Drew next to her.

  "Let's get on to endings. I think we’ll all agree this one is ready to go away." Logan passed her and Ryder documents. "This will effectively dissolve our arrangement, but keep intact all the confidentiality agreements we have. That’s our story and it’s over and unlike other things it doesn't need a sequel. Take some time and read it over."

  Through all the years and in all the contracts she signed, she always had someone by her side to read them. Her mouth went dry. This paper ended a huge part of her life. No longer would she have Logan to lean on. She and Ryder would no longer have that bond no one else understood from their past, what they went through together or their reasoning. The words on the paper blurred together, and she put her hand to her forehead. "Drew."

  "Are you all right?" Drew whispered in her ear.

  "Will you read this for me?" She pushed the document toward him.

  "Of course." He took the pages.

  “I don’t know why we’re bothering with confidentiality.” Ryder flipped through the papers. “Who cares if the three of us don’t say anything? Why would we?”

  “Are you implying something?” Logan stared Ryder down.

  She clenched her fist. How easily they all fell back into their old habits.

  “Yeah, I am. We need to cover our backs.” Ryder leaned forward.

  “Good, for once you are thinking.” Logan smiled and tossed Drew a paper. “My love already signed her confidentiality agreement this morning, and I even made Brian sign one.
”

  Ryder broke out into laughter, and the men shook hands.

  She shuddered at her ex-agent’s, ex-significant other’s, ex-everything’s name.

  Drew scanned the confidentiality agreement, signed it and slid it over to Logan. Then he resumed reading her contract.

  After several minutes and flipping back and forth through the pages a couple of times, he leaned over to her. “Everything here is standard. It just states that any debt is paid in full, and of course, the confidentiality clause.” He pointed to the different sections. “Basically you are all three free entities.”

  “Somehow this feels like a divorce.” With mixed emotions, she swiped the pen out of Drew’s hand and signed her name.

  Ryder did the same, and they all signed each other’s copies.

  For all the times she cursed the contract, having to pay Logan and everything to do with the situation, a strange emptiness consumed her at the ending. At least Logan and Ryder had the class to not begin cheering or high-fiving. In fact, they all remained rather silent for a moment as if each caught in their own reflections.

  Of course, the contract was the final act that drove Drew away, and it seemed fitting that the end coincided with his return. She turned to him. “Thank you.”

  He nodded and put his hand around the back of her chair, leaving it there.