by Pamela Ann
“Thank you for that.” Sort of.
Barbara Schwartz nodded as we shook hands. “Welcome to Hollywood.” With that, they both strutted out of the house and off to Ohio.
I sat back down and stared at the horizon. I just signed! I WAS IN! All sorts of emotions washed over me. I hoped that I would rock this Angela character because if I didn’t, I didn’t think I would ever be able to forgive myself.
Sighing, I got up and looked for Bass.
“Hey!” Finally, I found him in the kitchen making a protein shake.
“Hey, yourself! Did it go well? I didn’t want to interrupt—that’s why I left you alone out there.”
I didn’t know if it was the time to bring up the sex scenes or not. Maybe I was overreacting; maybe if I weren’t an amateur this would be a piece of cake. The thought of being in the scenes with Bass made my temperature rise.
“It was good. Lots of paperwork.” And lingering thoughts of your hot bod on mine and all sorts of illicit ideas… I didn’t know if I’d be able to handle it.
Bass gave me a dimpled smile. Too hot… he was too hot. “Martin just called to congratulate you, but you were still out on the patio with the ladies. He’d like to meet us for lunch to celebrate. Do you feel like going out?”
“I’d love to, but I have to get back to school. I don’t want to miss class. Can I get a rain check for next week?” Not really, but I wanted to be alone for now. This was a massive deal to me. I needed to make a quick visit to see my parents to tell them about this.
“Sure, that’d be great! Let me know when you want to leave. I’m ready whenever you are,” Bass said as he kissed my forehead.
Gawd! I wanted to hang on to him for another second, but he moved away.
~E~
After class, Lindsey and I agreed to meet up at the coffee shop because she was in between classes and couldn’t wait to get back to our place before I spilled all the details. So, I spilled. Everything.
“One mil? And you have Bass Cole hot on your heels? I hate you!” Lindsey came over and rained me with smacking kisses. “You’re going to kill that role; you know that, right?”
I sure hoped so. “I will try or die trying,” I said sheepishly. Lindsey’s overexcited bubble was contagious.
“There’s a party tonight at Carter’s house. I think we should go and celebrate.
“Um, have you forgotten that your brother despises me?”
“Pft. Yeah, right! He doesn’t despise you, he wants you all to himself. It’s a big party tonight, so you might not even run into him.” That was plausible.
I had planned to drive back to Ojai and see my parents… but… I guessed I could ditch that idea and do it later this weekend.
“All right, but don’t tell anyone, okay? Let’s just keep it between us for now. I’m not ready to be bombarded with questions and gossip.”
Lindsey pinched my cheek. “Your secret is safe with me. Party starts at eleven. We should grab some dinner somewhere fancy-shmancy tonight. I’ll be back by six and we’ll leave at seven. Ta-ta!”
After Lindsey left, I stayed and finished my coffee. I couldn’t help -feeling great! I supposed Bass was right. It was my time to shine.
~E~
“The girls aren’t joining us?” I asked Lindsey as she studied the menu with intensity.
“We’ll meet up with them later on. Tonight’s just our date night. We have so much to catch up on and I doubt you’d appreciate me grilling you about your new movie role with Cece around. Ah, can’t wait to see her reaction when she learns about it!” She gave me an evil smile and went back to studying the menu some more.
“What’s the story between you and Cece, anyway?” I asked after the waiter took our orders.
“Would you be shocked if I told you that Cece and I used to be best friends, but ended our tight knit friendship during freshmen year?” I choked on the little piece of buttered bread I just swallowed.
With a big hefty gulp of water, I asked flabbergasted, “You and Cece were BFFs? That’s like mixing oil and water. I don’t believe you!”
She merely shrugged and looked thoughtful for a moment. “We were—until she slept with the guy I was so in love with.”
Ouch. What a back-stabbing bitch!
“That does sound like good ol’ Cece to me.”
“Yeah, she was always like that, but I didn’t think for a second she would go for mine. I mean, she knew I loved him for so long, you know? And she was my best friend. When rumors flew that they hooked up, I was heartbroken. Not only did I lose my best friend, but I lost my first love, too—unrequited love—but still, it counted to me.”
How stupid could that guy be? He chose Cece over Lindsey? Come. On. That was like choosing good quality over used goods. Gah, men and their stupidity.
“Good riddance to both of them. It’s not like the guy was worth it. In fact, he was downright obnoxious.”
With a strawberry margarita in hand, she smiled at me. “Precisely, that’s why Brody is out of the question.”
Brody sexed it up with Cece over Lindsey? What a douche lord! Maybe he needed to get his eyesight checked.
“Well, color me shocked. I didn’t think good boy Brody cranked his tractor towards whore-aholic women.” Mean of me to say, yeah, but everyone that knew Cece knew how much she got around. I was just calling it like it was.
“Enough about me, let’s talk about you and your exciting life! Have you concocted a plan yet?” I looked at her confused. She smacked my hand that was on the table. “Hello? On how to get him into bed? Don’t tell me you haven’t wanted to? A nun would be tempted to leave her convent for a quick roll in the hay with that fine man.”
“What’s the point? He’s leaving a week from today.” That thought alone sobered me up. No more Bass and his toe-curling smiles. Or his deep husky laugh. Or his smoldering eyes. Yeah, I was going to really miss him.
“Fuck. That seriously sucks! Maybe you two can figure something out, you know?” she enlightened me.
“We’ll see. Let’s not talk anymore about Bass or the movie—”
“Good, idea! It’s already forgotten!” she interjected without letting me finish my sentence. One of the finest things I liked about Lindsey was that she just got me.
So, for the next two and a half hours, we discussed everything else, catching up with each other’s lives and enjoying each other’s company.
By the time we got to Carter’s party, the alcohol in my system was working in full-swing. I was swaying my hips to the loud music before I even managed to get inside. I did have something to celebrate, after all.
“Oh, fucking shit!” Lindsey cursed as I was breaking through the crowd behind her. I stopped as soon as I heard her.
“What?” I asked, looking at her before I followed where her eyes strayed.
Oh fucking shit was just about right.
It was Carter, sitting like a fucking mighty king in his own kingdom while some insipid bitch gave him a lap dance. The music of Pitbull thumped loudly from the speakers and the bitch was moving her ass in the air, jiggling it exaggeratingly. I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or cry. The whole thing was fucking unbelievable! It was, until Carter saw me. While the bitch was humping and grinding herself all over him, Carter’s unwavering eyes were trained on me.
“Let’s go!” Lindsey spoke next to me.
I knew I needed to move, but for some odd reason, I wanted to watch and see how far Carter would take the scene he had going on for everyone to see. “I’m fine. You go and look for the girls. I want to see where your brother will take this nice demonstration of his.”
Lindsey’s jaw hung ajar. “You’re insane!” she hissed. I merely shrugged. When she realized that I was serious, she left me to watch the real Carter in action.
I thought the teeny, tiny skirt was enough display but no, no the woman actually took off her top and skirt and was only wearing her matching fire-engine red bra and thong. She then hooked her flimsy skirt around Carter’
s neck as she pulled him to her breasts. The guys hooted and clapped while the bitch became deliriously excited. Disgusted, I decided to stop looking when the hooker took off her bra.
When I got outside to get air, I received a text message from Bass.
Bass: You may be out of my sight and far from my reach... but you are certainly never out of my mind... Goodnight, my sweet Emma.
Oh, my word. I think I was hyperventilating. Why the hell didn’t I meet him before Carter came along? I would’ve jumped on Bass’s bones in a heartbeat.
“Emma!” I stilled when I heard Carter yell my name. What did he want? If he was looking for a quick lay, he’d be better off with the skank inside.
Without turning around, I asked, “What do you want, Carter? If you’re looking for a lap dance from me, you’re shit out of luck.”
“I followed you out here because I wanted to see you. How are you doing?” Carter inquired.
Was he for real? How am I doing? WTF!
“I am doing fan-freaking-tastic. Now, will you leave me be?” I screeched, immediately walking towards the beach. I knew it was dark and all, and probably not a great idea to walk around alone, but I needed to get away from him. Carter was simply infuriating and I couldn’t stand being so close to him.
“Why do you keep running away from me?” the dense man asked from behind me.
Sigh. Honestly? “You’re an ass. You’re selfish, inconsiderate, cold, infuriating, insensitive and the list goes on and on. Now, will you please go away?”
Carter hurried his stride to catch up, then stood before me, lifted my chin with his forefinger and gently kissed me. Before I had time to think, he pulled away. “If that’s what will make you happy, then I’ll leave you alone, but I am going to watch you from here because it’s dark and I don’t want a bunch of drunkards anywhere around you while you’re all alone, understood?”
I nodded as I considered his suggestion. Carter kept to his promise. He did leave me alone but I could feel his searing gaze from where I sat, staring across the Pacific Ocean.
“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Chapter Sixteen
“Wake up, Emma!” Lindsey shook me. God, how many times did this woman need to wake me up during the week?
“Go pester other people, Linds,” I grumbled against my pillow as I tried to shut her giddy tone out of my mind. Sleep…. please come back to me, I pleaded.
“You’re such a grump! I need a favor and you have no choice but to say YES,” Lindsey Mason demanded in her own cute way.
I ducked under my pillow and yelled, my voice muffled, “You want to borrow my car, go ahead. You need to borrow something from my closet, I don’t care. Honestly, do whatever you like as long as you leave me alone so I can sleep!”
“Sorry, doll face, but my favor will take up your entire weekend. We’re going to Lake Tahoe.”
“Lindsey! Look at me!” I sat up with my eyes barely cracked open as I pointed at my sleepy face. “Do I look like I want to go on a road trip? No? Good because I don’t want to go. Lake Tahoe is like an eight-hour drive. Nothing you could say or do would make me change my mind—well, unless it’s a ‘do or die’ situation, then I just might reconsider.” I flopped back on the bed and sighed as I closed my eyes.
Finally! Sleep! I rejoiced, but it was short-lived.
“I’ve been sleeping with Cooper for the last six months, but I accidentally slept with Brody last night. And all of us are all going to Lake Tahoe, as we’ve been planning for, like, the last three months. I need your help like so badly!” she rambled.
Like, she really loved using that word—wait! Cooper Haze and Brody Thompson? Whoa! Talk about double hotness overkill!
“Like, holy shit, Lindsey Mason! What? What!!! Cooper? Cooper is like even worse than your own brother! Does Carter know? He’s going to murder him. And my God! You slept with Brody? What the hell are you going to do now?” My mind ran through a few scenarios, none of them were any good.
“I know! This is something I wasn’t expecting, Em. I mean, Cooper was just a good lay, but lately he’s been wanting to make it official. He’s even willing to talk to Carter about it. I think that happened because Brody spoke to Carter about wanting to date me and Carter gave Brody his seal of approval. Now Cooper is, like, jealous about it.”
What a holy mess.
“Wow—just wow. I knew there was some inner prowess in there, but I wasn’t prepared for Lady Godiva. Wow, I am in a state of shock, babe.” I really was shocked beyond comprehension. Lindsey Mason and Cooper Haze? Hold up. “Hey, weren’t you the one who said Cooper Haze had the ‘triple ew’ factor?” She rolled her eyes and smacked me with a pillow.
“God, Emma! Come on, let’s admit that Cooper is hot. I was a little tipsy and he just looked way too delicious to refuse and from then on, it just kept going, you know?” Uh- huh. Of course it did.
“Are you in love with Cooper?” Lindsey shook her head no. That was a good sign, right? “Okay, who do you like best then?” I asked as she chewed on her nail. I lightly smacked her hand away from her teeth. I hated the sight of chewed up nails; it was a total pet peeve of mine.
“I don’t know. I’ve always had a crush on Brody, you know. I don’t even remember how old I was exactly when I realized that I loved the man. So, I guess I’ve always loved him. I mean, always—to the point where I threw myself naked at him—but he refused me and told me I was a ‘little girl.’ Now that Cooper wants to see where this is all going, Brody wants to date me, but the whole Cece thing kind of kills it for me. It’s really confusing, Em. I don’t know what to do.” Freakin’ Cece!
“I guess I should say, may the best man win! Ooo, how juicy is this? Your life is officially a soap opera.” Lindsey just rolled her eyes at me. If I had to guess, I bet she was feeling like she really was in a soap opera. Two hard-headed males vying for her, pulling her in all sorts of directions. How hot and frustrating would that be to watch? Uh… sort of sounds like your life, too, right? Shit. I forgot for a second. Ha!
“You’re going with me, right?” Lindsey pouted, looking at me all doe eyed, pleading and begging for me to say yes.
Damn. Those eyes were quite convincing.
“Sure, what are friends for?” I mumbled.
A very long weekend with Carter, how taxing could that be on my sanity?
~E~
“All set, doll?” Amber asked as she took a peek in my room.
“Almost, give me a sec,” I called without looking back to Amber as I folded my clothes and placed them in my small getaway bag.
She threw something and it landed on my bed. “Bass has called, like, twice now. Go pick it up. We’ll be waiting downstairs when you’re ready. Don’t be long though, and oh, tell him I said hi.” Amber winked and left me to get the call.
Picking it up, I spoke, “Hello?”
“All packed and ready?” Bass asked.
I smiled at the sound of his voice. “Yes, you could say that. Are you all packed for Vancouver?” I couldn’t believe he’d be gone for six months. I was saddened knowing I wouldn’t be able to see him for such a long time.
“I’m not leaving until Wednesday, Em. I still have a few days to pack and stuff. Anyway, I just called to say have a safe trip and I will see you before I leave for Vancouver.”
“Great, I’ll see you then. Be safe and have a great weekend.” He would be hitting the Hollywood party circuit, no doubt. Bass got invited everywhere and he’d probably hit it a little hard this weekend before he left for Canada.
“I want to say the same, but I honestly don’t want you to have too much fun with your ex. Just be safe, all right? Do take care, my sweet Emma. Bye.”
“Bye,” I whispered, feeling a little deflated.
I knew it was crazy, I’d known him barely a week, but he seemed to have grown on me. Bass’s approach to life was different and I found it invigorating. He was such a remarkable man.
I grabbed my things and headed out the door. There were about twenty people meeting us in Tahoe. I looked around for Amber, Trista and Cece to ask if I could ride with them so I didn’t have to ride with Carter. They were parked behind Carter’s black Escalade and I could tell that there wouldn’t be any room for me. I guessed I was riding with Carter, Lindsey and her sexy boy toys.
The man himself was in the driver’s seat and the seat next to him was empty. Brody, Lindsey and Cooper sat in the back—all three of them were silent and broody. Ha. I guessed I would be sitting in the front seat then? Sigh.
“Sorry I took so long,” I apologized as I opened the door. Carter immediately got out of the car and took my bag. “Thank you,” I said kindly as he went to the back of the SUV and shoved it in the trunk.
After four hours of a completely silent ride, I knew some serious stuff was brewing in the back. Carter tried to engage Brody or Cooper to talk, but none of them were speaking. After several attempts, Carter cranked the music up to fill the silence. It was better that way, I supposed. He, himself, barely glanced at me.
Still mad, was he? Well, tough.
I could ignore him all the same. Although his nearness was almost killing me, I could pretend that he didn’t bother me one bit.
When my phone vibrated, I was relieved to have something to do. It was a message from Bass. He sent me the picture of us that had been on the cover of the gossip magazines, the one where I’m looking up at him with a huge smile pasted on my face, the one I looked happy in. There was a silly caption underneath it.
Bass: I guess someone is finally ‘star-struck’?
Ha. Sure.
Me: Wishful thinking, aren’t we, Mr. Bass?