My Life With The Movie Star

by Hoffmann, Meaghan

  “You do realize that Wisconsin is much cooler than LA. Even in the summer,” I told him. “Make sure to bring sweatshirts and jackets for at night.”

  “I’m not worried about that,” Gray said smoothly. “I have you to keep me warm.” His voice was smooth and velvety again. I wished I could see the expression on his face. I felt my cheeks turning bright red and was glad he couldn’t see my reaction. It had been several years since a guy had flirted with me. I was sure Gray went on lots of dates, so I tried desperately to keep calm and collected.

  “I should probably be getting to bed,” I said. “It’s getting late, and I have to get up and go to work tomorrow.” I was fighting back yawns at this point, and besides, I didn’t want Gray to think I was desperate or something.

  “Sleep well,” he said.

  “You too, Gray.” “Hey Gray one last thing. Crystal Caldron was an incredible movie. You have to tell me about it sometime.”

  That night I laid in my bed, thinking about what had transpired. A famous actor was coming to take me to Fish Day. The thought seemed absurd. I couldn’t wait to fill Lisa in on the details. I would need her help. I need outfits and Oh My God, the house! I loved my house, but it was severely out of date. Where was he going to sleep? I would certainly need Lisa’s advice on that one.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, I was still thinking about our phone call. I got up earlier than normal and decided to do some cyber snooping. First I did a Google search on him. Next, I moved on to IMDB. I wasn’t able to dig up anything too juicy just a list of the various movies and TV shows he had appeared in. Texas High was his first starring role, and Crystal Caldron had been his big break. That movie had been an enormous success, and I had seen it when it came out. I made a note to myself to pick up a copy at Best Buy, so I could see what role he played.

  After I was finished with my snooping, I got dressed and made my way to the office. I wouldn’t be able to call Lisa for a while, so I decided to give Melanie a call instead. I couldn’t believe that she hadn’t recognized him either.

  “Good morning” Melanie said cheerfully after picking up the phone.

  “Good morning. You will never guess what happened yesterday,” I said. I’m sure she could tell something significant had happened by the upbeat tone of my voice.

  “What?”

  “Gray sent me flowers!” I exclaimed.

  “Oh Abby, that’s great!” Melanie wanted me to get out and date more. I’m sure at this point Melanie had me walking down the aisle with him.

  “Oh, I also found out what he does for a living,” I said, teasing her.

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s an actor,” I said excitedly

  “An actor?” Melanie asked confused.

  “Yup. He’s the star of the new Texas High movie.”

  “You’re kidding! I can’t believe we didn’t recognize him!”

  “I know, and you have a teenage daughter! You should have recognized him! My friend Lisa knew right away. But I’m kind of glad I didn’t know he was a movie star. I would never have had the guts to talk to him.”

  “This will be so good for you, Abby,” Melanie said. “This will force you to see what a beauty you are.”

  “Thanks,” I said, blushing. “You will also be proud that I invited him to Wisconsin next month.”

  “Wow! I’m so jealous! I told you it wouldn’t matter where he lived.”

  “I guess you were right.” I said. “I’m just nervous about the trip. And about where he will stay.”

  “Won’t he stay with you?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I told him not to rent a car because I could pick him up at the airport. I just don’t want him to think I’m a sure thing,” I said, teasing.

  “You have a guestroom, right? Just put his things in there when you bring him over to the house.”

  “That’s a great idea. Thanks!”

  “Well, I should get back to work.” I could hear Melanie start to shuffle paper-work on her desk. I quickly ended the call.

  Maybe this will be okay, I thought. I still had a lot of things to plan out, like where would I take him Thursday and Friday night. I loved my quaint town, but would he want to eat at a dive bar? I would have to start looking at restaurants in Milwaukee. That posed another set of problems. If I took him out to a local hot spot, he might get recognized, and that could make him uncomfortable. I guess I could always cook. That might be the best option, I decided. If my cooking doesn’t scare him off, nothing will. All these considerations. I would have to make sure to enjoy myself and not have a panic attack in the middle of his visit. I just needed to enjoy the moment.

  It had been almost four years since my first and last serious relationship, and that had ended with my heart broken. His name was John. We had met in college biology class, in our freshman year of college. He was tall and had blond hair and blue eyes. He was extremely popular, and most of my college memories have John in them some way or another. All the parties we went to and all the football games.

  When we graduated, I got my job in Wisconsin, John followed me. I thought it was just a matter of time before he proposed to me. It didn’t take him long to find a job in Milwaukee and settle in. Several weeks after he started, he was sent on a business trip. When he got back, I knew that something had changed.

  It turned out that he had suddenly fallen for a girl who was on the trip with him. I was crushed. It took me months to get back to almost normal, and not walk around like I was in a coma. I had never dated much in high school, and John was my first love. I had pictured us getting married, buying a charming house, having the 2.5 kids and a dog. After he left, I made sure that all my dreams weren’t lost. I was able to provide the house for myself, but had been longing for a plus one to go along with my new life.

  I now realized that I might be putting my heart in harm’s way again. I knew that I needed to give Gray a chance, but he could end up hurting me more than John had. Nevertheless, I had to brush away my feelings about John and put the past in the past. I hoped this weekend in July would help me to move on from my memories.

  I had the sudden urge to escape the office. My cube seemed much smaller than normal, and I began to feel extremely claustrophobic. I was glad it was lunch time.

  Outside, as I walked down to Jimmy John’s Subs, I felt better. The sun felt so nice and warm and soothing, and I suddenly had the feeling that everything was going to be okay.

  40

  My Life With The Movie Star

  Chapter 6

  My work day drummed on at a slow pace. Lisa texted me several times, insisting that we go see Texas High that night. I knew her well enough that she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

  I fought the rush-hour traffic just in time to get home, and let Thor out. I got changed before leaving to meet up with her at the theater. We got in line to buy our tickets; I could tell Lisa was thinking about something.

  “I wonder if we tell the theater manager that your boyfriend is Grayson Edwards if they would let us in for free,” Lisa asked wistfully.

  “Like they would believe me,” I said sarcastically.

  “Don’t all these teenage girls think that he’s their boyfriend?”

  “I guess you’re right,” Lisa agreed. “What if you hate the movie?”

  “Even if I hate it, I still get to look at him all night,” I said. It hadn’t actually crossed my mind that I may not like Texas High. I knew that Grayson Edwards would act in more films and that this was just his first leading role. Even if I didn’t like it, it wouldn’t matter.

  “It’s good. I shouldn’t worry you about anything else,” Lisa stated.

  “Thanks.”

  We made it through the line and were lucky to find two seats next to each other. I could not believe how many girls were out on a Tuesday night.

&
nbsp; “Hey,” Lisa whispered, “are you going to let me meet him?”

  “Of course I am. You need to find a date so we can double on that Friday night.” I could see that Lisa was pleased with my answer and, was going through her check-list of men to find a suitable date.

  The movie was certainly not my style: a sappy high-school romance full of teenage hormones and angst, but I could see why the world loved Grayson Edwards. He seemed so honest in his performance. Exactly what any high-school girl would want her boyfriend to be like and look like. I hated to admit it, but I was falling for him.

  After the movie, I spent the rest of my night watching my cell phone, wondering if Gray was going to call. First, I carefully placed the phone on the kitchen counter. I tried to flitter around the kitchen, tidying things, trying to pass the time. When that didn’t work, I moved to the den where I tried to find something to watch, all the while holding onto my phone. I did this for about an hour and, eventually started debating whether or not to give up and call him. Who had called who last? I couldn’t remember, but I was sure he was busy with his life. I didn’t want to be a bother to him. I genuinely wanted to be an escape from his hectic life.

  I started to think about how glamorous and fun his life must be. I started thinking about the leading lady in the movie, who’s real name was Holly. She was so beautiful, and she got to hug and kiss Gray and hold him close. All I could do was wonder what that would be like. I was thinking like every other teenage groupie. I checked my watch and saw it was almost midnight. I decided to give up for the night. Maybe, I would have the guts to call him tomorrow. I was on my way to bed when the phone finally rang.

  “Hello?” I said, trying to keep my voice normal and light. Silently I jumped up and down in my victory dance. Thor just watched me, dumbfounded. He wasn’t sure what to make of my new-found happiness.

  “Hi, Abby, it’s Gray.”

  “Oh hi, Gray,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm and collected.

  “I just booked my flight to Milwaukee. I’m going to email you my flight information,”

  “Thanks!” I said. “I’m really looking forward to your visit.”

  “Me too. I have been reading through scripts all day. My next movie is about a circus. I have been going over the authors notes. It will be nice to have a break.”

  “Speaking of scripts,” I said, “I saw Texas High tonight with my friend Lisa.”

  “Oh no,” he groaned. “I couldn’t stand to watch it at the premiere. I left after about twenty minutes. My mom had to stay and watch it for me.”

  “I enjoyed it,” I said. I was lying on my bed, letting my feet dangle so they almost touched the ground.

  “You’re just being nice,” He replied.

  “No I’m not. The theater was sold out, and all the girls were in tears at the end when you had to say good bye.”

  “Thanks,” he said. “I just hate watching myself. I guess I am my worst critic.”

  “Then why on earth did you become an actor?”

  “Well,” Gray said with a sigh. “My mom wanted me to be an actor so she could retire. So that’s what I went for.”

  “Oh,” I said, not sure how to reply.

  “I started out modeling. My parents had a friend who was a photographer. I did some small local work, but it was very dull to me.”

  I sat quietly and let Gray go on. I got the feeling that he didn’t share this particularly often, and I felt privileged that he could open up to me.

  “Have you ever seen Crystal Caldron?” he asked

  “Yes,” I replied. It was another teenage movie about a group of teenage wizards and their war. It had seemed childish to me at the time, but most people loved the books and movies.

  “It was filming on location in London. They held an open casting call. My mom thought it might be good for me to get some experience acting, so we went. I never expected to get a supporting role. That’s when my life changed. All of a sudden, I was in a huge block-buster movie, I started getting recognized, and then the paparazzi started following me.”

  I sat and listened to his story. I always think that actors and movie starts wanted to be famous and have fans and the life. It seemed to me that Gray might have chosen a different life, if he could have.

  “If it were up to me, I would be happy just doing little parts here and there, just enough to pay the bills but still allow me time to lead a normal life, so I could still go out to pubs and stores. I’m much more of a bookworm than an actor. I hope I haven’t dashed your idea of Grayson Edwards.”

  “No, Gray. I really have no idea what to expect,” I said. “All I know is how nice, and sweet and down to earth you seem.”

  “Enough about me,” he said. “How did you get your job?”

  “The normal way, I guess. I went to college got interested in computers, and when I finished I mailed out my resume, and my company was the first to call.”

  “Do you like your job?”

  “I love my job,” I replied. “I love helping customers learn how to use our system, or help them figure a problem out.”

  “It must be nice to love your job.” Gray replied.

  “What? You don’t love being a movie star?”

  “It’s a very lonely life,” he replied. “You have to watch your back. When I meet people, I always have to wonder if they really want to meet Gray or Grayson Edwards.”

  “I see,” I said. It does seem to be a hard life, not knowing who you could trust or who wanted to use you for their own gain. I had never looked at celebrities that way before.

  “That’s why it was so refreshing to meet you. I could tell you had no idea who I was,” Grayson stated.

  I started to think about the lonely life Gray had painted a life of constantly looking over your shoulder. I started to appreciate my ordinary life. I began to relax about Gray’s visit. He might like Port Washington more than I had thought. No paparazzi here!

  Gray and I talked a while longer and then said our goodnights. I laid back in my bed, thinking about what a sweet and sensitive guy he was. Funny how protective of Grayson I want to be. I want to help him hide from all the unpleasant parts of his life. Being friends with Gray had started to give me a brand new outlook on what being a celebrity actually meant.

  Chapter 7

  The next few weeks were a blur. I had plenty of things to do. Lisa gladly went shopping with me and was able to help me find a bunch of fantastic new outfits to wear. Lisa was pleased when she hit my limit on my credit card. She assured me that I would look fabulous. I also had hair appointments and nail appointments. I hated the fake nails Lisa made me put on, but she pointed out how thin they made my hands look. I had never seriously thought about whether my hands looked fat or not. The fake nails made it almost impossible to type at work, which drove me nuts.

  Finally, my momentous day arrived. I arrived at the airport about an hour early. I paced around nervously, waiting for his plane to arrive. I think I looked at the monitor over one hundred times. At last my patience paid off; his flight was showing up as arrived. I hurried over to the TSA exit and waited for him to come.

  One by one, I scanned the crowd for any sign of him. Had he changed his mind but not call me? That would be my luck. Then I could see him in the far back of the crowd walking towards the exit. He was wearing blue jeans and a gray T-shirt. Sunglasses covered his eyes, and he had on a baseball cap again.

  He saw me waiting and shot me one of his perfect smiles. I smiled back, my heart racing. I could only hope that I would still be able to speak to him normally. We had formed a strong relationship over the phone the past couple weeks. I had found him so easy to talk to, but in person, it would be different. Over the phone, he was just Gray, but in person, he was Grayson Edwards’s star of Texas High. He was so out of my league that I wasn’t sure how to act around him. I also did not know if he thought of me as any
thing but a friend. I guess I would find that out over the weekend. Before I knew it, he had reached me dropped his backpack and put his arms around me for a big hug.

  “Hi,” I said shyly.

  “Hi there,” He said in his smooth voice.

  I let him hug me for a whole minute and wondered if I should kiss him. Just as I was wondering what to do, we were interrupted by a shy girl who looked about nine years old. She was too scared to speak to Gray but came up to me.

  “Excuse me,” the girl said. “Is he Grayson Edwards?” Her voice shook as she spoke. I wondered how she had recognized him, but I guess sunglasses and a baseball cap just can’t hide his smile.

  “Yes, I am,” said Gray politely. When he crouched down beside her, her eyes welled up with tears, and she started to shake. Gray reached into his backpack and pulled out an 8.5 x 11 glossy headshot and a pen. “What’s your name, darling?” He crooned.

  The girl could barely speak. “Sssmantha.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you Samantha,” Gray said as he quickly jotted his signature on the picture and gave it to her.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I love you.”

  Gray gave the girl a hug and looked for her parents. He briefly signaled them. They thanked Gray and apologized for the interruption, pulling the girl away with them.

  “Wow! Do I get an autograph?” I teased.

  “Only if you’re good,” Gray said and gave me his sexy smile.

  “Let’s go find your bags before any more fans come out of the woodwork.” I said.

  “Sounds great.” He put his arm over my shoulder as we walked towards baggage claim. My mind flashed back to Texas High and how he had put his arm around the girl in the movie the same way. This made me feel so unique, as if he had made a secret claim on me.