by T Gephart
Travis sat up straighter, suddenly more alert. “You went there and didn’t bring me anything? I’d kill for some of Miss Holly’s cobbler right now.”
“It was excellent. The best I’ve ever had.” Dave leaned in, grinning and baiting my brother.
Travis pegged him with a stare. “Listen here, Hollywood. I didn’t say anything about you dating my sister but you best believe you start making moves on my cobbler and we’re going to have words.”
Dave put his arm around my shoulders pulling me closer, barely containing his laughter. “Anytime you get the itch, Travis, you let me know. But don’t expect either of those things to stop anytime soon.”
My heart stopped, his words making me shiver as my fingers linked with his. Even if it was all a lie, I was going to let myself believe it, wanting to live in the fantasy at least for now. Because I’d never had it before, and truthfully, wasn’t sure I’d have it again.
“Aww,” Amy sighed. “You guys are just too adorable for words and even sweeter than Miss Holly’s cobbler.”
Travis whipped around facing his girlfriend. “Ain’t nothing sweeter than Miss Holly’s cobbler. To even pretend is sacrilegious.”
I was about to argue just to see how upset we could make Travis when I felt a tap on my shoulder, forcing me to turn around.
“Hi.” Darla waved, a petite brunette standing beside her. “We missed out on saying hello before, so I figured I’d come on over now.” She shot Dave a smile. “I hope you enjoyed Elvis.”
“Elvis?” Travis asked, confused. “You been sniffing moonshine again, Darla?”
Her smile dropped, thinning her lips into a tight line. “The statue downtown, you idiot.”
Darla wasn’t a big fan of my brother. She’d once had a crush on him—yes, dating cousins, how fucking cliché—but he’d told her there’d be a cold day in Hell before he’d go out with her. It didn’t matter how far removed, kin was still kin, and sleeping with someone you had to share holidays with wasn’t a good plan. Since then, they have taken great pleasure in flinging verbal insults at each other, their current conversation no exception.
He shook his head and laughed. “Now, now, no need to be name calling. If I didn’t know how much you liked me, I might take it personal.”
“Anyway,” she did her best to ignore him. “As I mentioned back at the hotel, my friend Suzie wanted to meet Dave.” She gestured to the woman beside her. “She’s a big fan.”
“Darla.” Suzie groaned, her cheeks flushing pink. “Don’t embarrass me.”
Darla patted Suzie’s arm like a proud parent showing off her debutant. “Oh please, we’re all friends here. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Why, I bet Dave has women fawning over him all the time. Isn’t that right?” She looked to him for confirmation.
“I wouldn’t say that, but thanks for the compliment.” He stood, extending his hand. “And always happy to meet new people.”
Suzie almost combusted, her face flaming as she tried to compose herself. I had serious doubts the woman could act her way out of a paper bag let alone be in a movie, but I was probably just being bitchy.
“Hi, Suzie.” I sidled up to Dave, staking my claim like the jealous girlfriend I had no right to be. “So, Darla tells us you’re working on a movie? How exciting for you.”
Suzie’s eyes hit the floor, wincing as they lifted back to mine. “I’m just a walk on extra, I don’t have any lines. But I’m taking classes, and my teacher thinks I have natural talent.”
It was funny that in my line of work I’d heard those exact words a lot. I’m taking classes, I’m a natural talent—blah, blah, blah. None of it counted for shit. But I wasn’t going to stomp on her dreams and be completely evil. That pleasure would belong to the hundreds if not thousands of agents and directors she would meet. Assuming her dream of being something other than window dressing was legit. I still wasn’t sure to be honest. I’d once said I wanted to climb Mount Everest, but I’d gotten altitude sickness just from being in Denver, so it probably wasn’t a good idea.
“What’s the movie?” Dave asked, folding his arms around me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Blue Oasis, Bill Casey is playing the lead.” Suzie almost levitated, clearly so excited about being asked a question she had to contain a full body shimmer. Or she had a nervous twitch, her hands jerking at her side.
Must be all that natural talent, eye roll.
Dave’s smile widened, this time showing real interest. “I know Bill. He made a movie with my brother a few years ago. When you see him make sure you tell him I said hello.”
Let me be clear, Dave was being kind. Bill Casey was a solid A-lister and lived in a massive house in Bel Air. And while we didn’t represent him, I’d met him at least a dozen times and had multiple conversations with him. Dave’s brother, Eric, had not only starred with the man, but considered him a friend. So if Dave were so compelled to offer his greetings and salutations, he wouldn’t need Suzie-I’m-a-walk-on-extra to deliver them.
But it seemed that fact was overlooked by Suzie. Her eyes illuminated, sitting up at attention like a well-trained retriever looking for a treat.
“I would be honored to,” she crooned, acting like the responsibility of saying hello to Bill had given her life meaning. “Or you could come by the set and tell him yourself if you wanted to. There’s security, but you could walk on with me. And they probably have exceptions to the rules for people who are already movie stars.”
My head turned so quick it made the chick from the exorcist look like she’d been slacking.
“Thanks, but we’re not in town for long. We’re leaving Sunday afternoon and tomorrow we’re tied up with the wedding.” I smoothed down the front of Dave’s shirt, the contact both deliberate and territorial. I liked it better when Suzie Q was all gosh-dah-gum, maybe she was a better actress than I gave her credit for.
Dave kissed the top of my head, and—hopefully acting—sounded genuinely disappointed. “Thanks Suzie, I would have loved to but Jess is right, we’re flying out Sunday afternoon.”
“What about Sunday morning then?” She perked up, ignoring the slamming door and forcing open a window. “We start shooting at five a.m. because the director has a thing about catching the sun coming up. You could come see Bill and be back in time for breakfast.”
Hope shone in her eyes, batting her mascaraed lashes as she stuck out her boobs. She wasn’t ugly either, her lithe body probably appealing if you were into thin girls with perky breasts.
“Early shoot, huh?” He tilted his head like he was considering it.
The She-Devil—I mean, Suzie—bit her lip seductively. “It would only be for a little while, and I could introduce you to the whole crew. Kate West is there too, didn’t you guys do a Calvin Klein campaign a year ago?”
“Yeah, we did.” Dave folded his arms across his chest. “I had no idea she’d gone into acting.”
“Well, it seems like the perfect opportunity.” She smiled like it was a done deal. “I’m positive they’d love to see you, and I promise you’ll have a good time.”
You know what, Suzie, no. You do not invite a man you don’t know to meet you for a rendezvous at five in the morning. It’s actually the opposite of what you should do. So take your offer and shove it up your—
“Sure, why not,” Dave agreed, the words making me tense beside him.
Why not?
I had a million reasons, how much time did he have?
My own acting skills were put to the test, laughing like I wasn’t about to claw Suzie’s eyes out. “Wow, five o’clock is so early. I’m not sure I could be convinced to leave my nice cozy bed.”
It was a point I hoped he’d come to on his own, especially not knowing if once we were in that bed there’d be a repeat of last night. Not that I wanted him leaving me either way, I didn’t even care how irrational it sounded.
“Oh, that’s so great.” She completely ignored me, beaming at his acceptance. “I ca
n give you my number if you like.”
He kept his hands on me the whole time, almost as if to reassure me that he knew I was there. “That’s okay, why don’t you just tell me where to meet you.”
“Sure, I can do that.” Her bubble deflated slightly, possibly disappointed she wasn’t acquiring his number. “We’re shooting at Cross Lake; they still have all the trailers set up so you can’t miss it.”
“I’ll see you then.” He tipped his chin goodbye before kissing my forehead.
She took the hint, backing away slowly like she was saying farewell to a king and couldn’t turn her back. At least Darla left with her, both of them scampering off while the unsettled feeling inside of me remained.
“Well, that was fun,” Travis announced, barely bothering to lower his voice. “Who even invited her? She’s from Dad’s family, not Mom’s.”
I looked at my brother and shook my head. “Lana and Darla were in the same year at high school. I’m assuming even the doctor who delivered her is going to be there tomorrow.”
“Sounds like it’s going to be quite the event. You want something else to drink?” Dave pointed to the empty glass sitting in front of me. “A beer, or another wine?”
“Maybe just a soda.” I tried to smile, the restlessness churning in my gut. I wasn’t feeling so festive now, but didn’t want to dull the feeling with alcohol. I needed to keep myself sharp in order to process the bucket load of emotions that had been tossed in my lap.
Dave leaned across giving me a soft kiss on the lips. “Of course, anyone else?”
“Hey, if you’re making the trip I’ll take another beer.” Travis held up his almost empty bottle.
“No problem.” Dave nodded. “I’ll be back soon.”
Him leaving just stoked the feeling, my skin prickling in warning as I watched him walk away. I had no idea if it was all in my head or he’d sensed it too.
“That girl wants in his pants.” Amy smiled, nodding to the direction they both disappeared.
Travis laughed, grabbing Amy and planting a big kiss on her lips. “I told you, baby, she can want all she wants. I wasn’t interested in her then, and I’m sure as shit not interested in her now.”
“Not you.” Amy shoved him, rolling her eyes. “Dave, Suzie wants Dave.”
A shallow victory bubbled inside me knowing I hadn’t been imagining it and someone else had picked up on the vibe. I’d assumed my feelings of jealousy were irrational, brought on by a hormone imbalance or something. But no, the need for me to mark my territory had been for reasons that weren’t in my own head.
Travis rubbed his jaw, his brow creased in confusion. “How do you figure? Just because she wants him to say hello to her friend?”
“God you can be dumb, Travis.” Amy sighed. “If you think that invitation had anything to do with Dave saying hello to her friend, then there’s no hope left for you.”
He looked at Amy, then to me, finally the penny dropping. “Oooooh, I get it now. She’s hoping that she gets him out there alone and he’s going to give her an autograph of a different kind.”
“Well, regardless of what she wants.” I tried to not sound as insecure as I felt. “She’s not going to get that, Dave wouldn’t cheat on me.”
That was complete bullshit of course, because in order for him to cheat, we’d have to be in a relationship—which we weren’t. There was nothing stopping him from hooking up with Suzie, Kate—model come actress—or anyone else he wanted, and not feeling guilty about it. After all, in two days our little charade would be over and he’d be free to publically date five women at a time if that’s what he chose to do. So I had no idea if her invitation was something he’d like to RSVP to, or if he was just trying to be friendly. Most of all I hated the uncertainty of it all, the thought of him even kissing her making me want to puke.
Travis held up his hand, his voice turning serious. “Look, Jess, I’m not saying you’re wrong, but women here are different to how they are in L.A. They don’t just flick their hair over their shoulder and hope you notice. Darla locked us in a closet when we were teenagers and tried to stick her tongue down my throat.”
“Travis.” I screwed up my face in disgust. “I did not need to know that.”
He waved his hand, continuing with his story. “I’m just telling you so you see how it is. Now, if Suzie has feelings that are similar, I wouldn’t put it past her to try something. I mean, it’s Cross Lake, people go out there and make out all the time.”
“I hate to admit it, but Travis is right,” Amy agreed, wrapping her arm around my brother. “Especially if she thinks this is her one time to try something. Might as well go for broke, right?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” I reassured them, not willing to admit that I had concerns.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between us. The noise and the laughter from the party irked me while I sat with the thought hanging in the air.
“Maybe go with him,” Travis offered, trying to be helpful. “She probably won’t do anything if you’re there.”
Amy nodded. “Yes, go with him.”
I shook my head, even though the thought of him going there alone made my skin crawl. “And what will that prove if I go? That he can only be faithful when I’m around? He won’t do anything, Dave isn’t like that.”
My voice had been harsher than I’d intended it to be, saying words I knew I had no right to say.
Amy reached out, her hand sympathetically placed on my knee. “You’re right. He’s not like that, and he’s totally devoted to you. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see how much he adores you, right Trav?”
Travis shrugged, using his mouth to finish the last of his beer rather than add anything to the commentary. Probably for the best because I imagined he wasn’t convinced Amy was right.
“What did I miss?” Dave returned, his hands gripping a couple of sodas and a beer for my brother. “You guys look like you were discussing something serious.”
“We were just debating whether or not Lana is going to stick with traditional vows tomorrow or if she wrote her own. She has been Pinteresting this wedding for at least twelve months,” I lied, not willing to tell him we were debating his future fidelity.
A look of understanding passed between Amy and I as she added, “I think she is going to go completely traditional. Love, honor and obey. She’s a crier, I bet she’ll barely be able to choke out I do, let alone add anything else.”
Dave sat next to me, enjoying his soda as we continued the stupid conversation. His hand rested on my back, listening as we changed the subject to something else, and watched the crowd thin out.
“We should probably go.” Amy yawned, checking the time. “I have a hair and makeup appointment early in the morning and I promised to help Melanie get Anna ready.”
I stood up, giving her a hug. “Drive carefully and call me if Melanie needs an extra pair of hands.”
“Bye, sis.” Travis grabbed me in a one-arm tackle. “Let me know if you need anything.” His eyes conveying exactly what he meant.
The undertone was subtle considering the source, and I was thankful my brother was acting so sweet. I didn’t doubt that if I’d ask him to, he would wake up early Sunday, tail Dave, and then report back any suspicious activity. But I wouldn’t do that, even if the offer was tempting.
Amy and Travis said goodbye to Dave and then went to go find my parents. It was probably something we should do too, the fatigue from the day making me feel tired.
“You want to go?” he asked, reading my mind.
I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him gently on the mouth. “Yeah, I want to go.”
He grinned, kissing me back. “Good, I think we both have unfinished business back at the hotel.”
“Sounds good to me.” I looped my arm around his. “Let’s say our goodbyes, you just have to keep looking devoted for a little while longer.”
He frowned but didn’t say anything, dutifully guiding me through the guests that were left as we
hugged, kissed and smiled our way out the door. He didn’t ask, popping open the passenger’s side and waiting for me to get in.
“Are you sure you are okay to drive?” I hesitated at the door. He’d only had three beers over the course of a few hours, there was no way he was anywhere close to being over the limit. I was just looking for a distraction, and being the one behind the wheel seemed like a good one.
He grinned, kissing me again even though there was no one to see. “I’m more than okay, stop trying to usurp the car and get in.”
Closing my eyes, I pressed my lips against his, loving the way they felt. He was a great kisser and I could easily spend the night lip locked with him. Which is what I’d decided in that moment to do.
“Let’s get back to the hotel.” I gripped his shirt tighter. “I hope you aren’t sleepy, I have plans that involve you being awake.”
He leaned closer, the ridge of his hard-on pressing against me. “Sleep is for the weak and I’m not even close to being done for the night.”
I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be done.
Shit.
That was so not how I’d planned it.
WE’D BARELY GOTTEN INTO THE room when he pressed me up against the wall and kissed me. I dropped my purse as he tossed the keys, our hands finding better purposes as they explored each other.
“I’ve been thinking about this since the trampoline park.” He pulled off his shirt before helping me out of mine. “I want you naked and underneath me. I’m so glad you revised your decision on us not having sex again.”
It was probably for the wrong reasons, wanting the connection with him to validate feelings he had no idea about was probably not helping my cause. But I didn’t care, willing to take him anyway I could get him, while ignoring he probably didn’t see me the same way.
I laughed, arching against him as his fingers flicked off my bra, his hands circling my breasts as his lips moved across my neck.
“These are fucking perfect.” His mouth moved to my nipple, sucking it into a firm peak. “I was barely able to see them in the dark this morning, and I wasn’t about to make the same mistake tonight.”