by Marion Myles
“I’d like to read it first,” Rebecca said, taking the pen from his hand and leaning back against the couch cushion.
It was only a single page, but she read it through twice, untangling the legalese until she was satisfied she wasn’t agreeing to give over her first-born child. She signed at the bottom and handed it back to Jack who added his signature on the line as a witness. He slipped the paper into the folder and set it on the small side table between them.
“Remember, anything I tell you now is fully included in the NDA.”
“Of course.” She nodded impatiently. “Even without that, I wouldn’t go around telling people Liam’s personal business, especially medical issues.”
Jack’s smile didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. “I’m sure you wouldn’t under normal circumstances, but the paparazzi pay by the bucket for verified juicy titbits on stars like Liam. It’s hard for anyone to turn down that kind of free cash.”
“It wouldn’t be free, though, would it?” Rebecca insisted. “It would cost a big chunk of my soul, not to mention personal integrity.”
“Yeah, sure.” Jack’s hand swooshed in front of him. “Whatever. All I know is the lawyers want everyone to sign…no matter what.” He paused and shook his head. “Anyway, the thing with Liam is mostly booze. He really likes to drink. But in the last few years, he’s also started dabbling with Vicodin and Percocet. There may be some other stuff in the mix. All you have to do is get him clean and keep him that way until they wrap this movie.”
Rebecca blinked at him. “If he’s developed a dependency on narcotics, it adds another complication. I’m sure you understand I can’t detox him under these conditions. Physically, he may be very ill, unable to work for at least a month. And mentally, every person reacts differently, but I hardly think he’ll be strong enough to continue shooting this movie. I don’t understand what I’m doing here.”
Jack leaned forward once again, pressing his palms down against the tops his thighs. “Okay, here’s the cold, hard truth. We need Liam well enough to work. He was clean when he came out of rehab. That was just under a month ago. I’m pretty sure he can put this slip behind him within a day or so. It’s not his first rodeo, you know. Besides, the studio is putting its foot down. They’ve renegotiated his contract and added a clause stating if he misses one more call or is unfit for work, he’s out. We just signed off on it a few hours ago. So your job is super simple. All you have to do is keep him sober enough to continue filming for the next four weeks. I don’t know about detoxing or whatever. That’s up to you.”
“But…it’s not… Are you insane?” Rebecca said, leaping up from the couch. “You say he’s been sober since the end of rehab but how do you know? He’s an alcoholic and a drug addict. By definition, they’re all liars. If he went straight back on the pills, he’d have built up a pretty big tolerance in the last month. Plus, I know nothing about his medical history or the condition of his organs. I don’t have a clue what his body can take.”
Jack watched as she paced away again then returned to thump back down on the couch. He sighed. “Yeah, I know. It’s a crazy spot to be in, but this is what Liam wants. We talked about it on the plane. He knows he needs someone to police him. What they’re filming out there tonight? That was scheduled for last week except he went off on a bender. It took me four days to track him down to a sleazy back alley club in New York. That’s what we were doing on the plane today. I was literally dragging him back to set.”
Rebecca’s head shook back and forth. “It’s not ethical. I don’t think he’s in any sort of condition to give legal consent to this plan. His judgment is impaired.”
“Maybe it is, but I doubt you’ll find a judge who’ll go down that road with you. If you start saying people who use drugs or alcohol aren’t of sane mind, you’re opening up a pretty big can of worms. Besides, this is how things work in the entertainment industry. It’s just the way it is. At least with you on board, I know someone will be watching over Liam during the next few weeks. Making sure he’s okay. It gives me peace of mind, let me tell you.”
“I can’t guarantee that he’ll be okay.”
Jack waved this away. “Look at it this way. He’ll be better off with you than without. Especially because on his own he’ll go right on using.”
“Listen to me. Liam needs to get himself proper treatment. Now.” She heard her voice rising but couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Surely this movie isn’t worth his life? Or maybe you’re pushing him to do this because you don’t want to lose your cut. He’s probably nothing more than a paycheck to you. Talent. Isn’t that what you people call actors and musicians? They may have a talent, but they’re human beings first, and this plan is despicable. I wish I hadn’t signed that stupid non-disclosure because I’d like to tell everyone what you’re doing to this poor man.”
Rebecca’s breath heaved in and out and her face scorched with heat. The screen door creaked open on her left, and Liam Connors stepped into the trailer. He clapped his hands enthusiastically.
“That was beautiful, Rebecca. My own personal warrior.”
“Liam, don’t,” Jack warned. “She hasn’t agreed yet.”
Rebecca once again sank to the couch, head in her hands. It was almost midnight. She’d barely slept in the last four days. Her mind felt as though it was starting to disintegrate around the edges, and she couldn’t think what to do. The cushion beside her shifted. A warm solidness pressed against her thigh.
“Hey, I wasn’t making fun,” Liam said in a soft voice. His hand stroked across the top of her head. “Most people would just take the money with no questions asked. It’s rare to find someone with so much honor. I appreciate you standing up for me, but Jack’s right, I want you on board. I need to finish this movie, and I think this is the only way.”
She lowered her hands and looked in his eyes. “How’s your arm?”
He grinned and carefully tapped his left elbow. “Sore as a hangover but luckily I’m wearing a jacket in these scenes, so it’s all good. You gonna stay and keep me under control? How about if I sweeten the pot a little? Let’s say I add another fifty grand to lessen the sting.”
“Hey, easy there,” Jack warned.
“It’s not about the money,” she said quickly. “The whole thing makes me feel sick to my stomach.”
“You’ll earn it, trust me,” Liam said. “It’s gonna be long hours, and I can guarantee I’ll probably give you some trouble along the way.”
Rebecca studied his face. The stubble was gone, and his famous jawline was on full display. His eyes were clear and transmitted energy and vitality. It seemed impossible he looked so good when less than twenty-four hours ago he’d been unconscious on the plane, his arm gushing blood. He seemed so normal and together right now. Not at all like an addict.
She thought of her father, always disheveled and bleary-eyed, with moods like the wind and constantly looking for a handout. Her mind flicked through the addicts she’d dealt with in the ER. Terrible hygiene. Usually disoriented and often violent. And all—every last one of them—trying to get more drugs from her.
Finally, she sighed. “This is what you want? Because if I’m in, I’m all the way in. I won’t go easy on you. I won’t back down. I’ll never surrender. I have a lot of Winston Churchill in my soul.”
Liam grinned. “That’s exactly what I need. Good old Winston. I’ll call you WC for short. Nah, that doesn’t suit you. Don’t worry, I’ll find the perfect nickname.”
“So we’re good?” Jack asked, before checking his watch.
“Yeah, I guess we’re good,” Rebecca said.
Jack’s hands slapped together. “Excellent. I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. I’ve gotta hit the road.”
“Okay, thanks, man,” Liam said. “Sorry about your shoes.”
“No worries, they were only Ricci.”
Liam threw back his head and laughed. “It takes more than vomit on a pair of Stefano Ricci’s to come between us, right? Don’t w
orry, I’ll have some sent to you. Size ten, right?”
Jack nodded and slapped Liam on the back. “You know it. Okay, gotta bounce. Keep in touch.”
Rebecca sprang up and followed Jack out of the trailer. “Um…if I have any trouble do I call you?”
“Yep. But it has to be something big because I’m gonna be on the other side of the world with Shoshanna.”
“But…I mean…what if I have problems with Liam cooperating?”
“You’ll figure it out. That’s why we’re paying you the big bucks.” A black Suburban pulled to a stop by the trailers. “Here’s my car. Goodbye, Rebecca. Take good care of my boy.”
“Wait, I want you to tell his inner circle about me. I need them to accept my authority.”
“Okay, I’ll text everyone who needs to know. Good luck.”
Jack turned and all but leaped onto the back seat of the SUV. The driver shut the door then nodded at Rebecca before getting behind the wheel and driving away. Throwing back her head, she stared up at the night sky. Slowly, she turned in a circle. Even with the lights from the set and the nearby store, a few stars were visible.
What the hell was she doing here?
Apparently keeping one of the biggest celebrities in the world from blowing up his career while easing her own shaky financial situation, that’s what.
Just focus on the job, she ordered herself.
Chapter Four
Cindy came bustling along between the trailers, a Starbucks cup in her hand.
“Hey, is Liam still in there?” she asked.
“Far as I know.”
Rebecca followed her back into the trailer. Liam had turned on the large flat screen over the fireplace and was flicking through the channels.
“Here you go. Sorry it took forever. The line was crazy long.”
She handed it to Liam who put down the remote. Clutching the cup in both hands, he took a hearty sip and sighed.
“What’s in it?” Rebecca asked.
“Vanilla latte with a double shot and sweet cream. My fav.” Liam said, taking another drink.
“Just the coffee and nothing else?” she persisted.
“It’s Starbucks,” Cindy said. “What else would be in there?”
“I dunno. Maybe a shot of Jack Daniels.”
Liam snorted, his face splitting into a grin. “I wish. But sadly it’s only caffeine and sugar. Lots and lots of sugar.”
Cindy’s phone pinged in her hand and glancing down, she swiped across the screen then frowned. Her eyes flicked over to rest on Rebecca’s face.
“Jack says you’re Liam’s sober companion. What does that mean?”
“It means no drugs or alcohol for the next four weeks. I’m here to make sure he finishes this movie.”
Liam’s PA pushed a strand of blond hair away from her pretty face. The baby doll blue eyes had gone to moons. “But…wow…okay.” She frowned, clearly unconvinced.
“Hey, I’m not that bad,” Liam said. “Sure, I like to party, but I can stop whenever I want. This is just contract bullshit for the movie people.”
Rebecca’s smile was hard and cold. “Great. Guess that means my job should be a walk in the park. Good to know. But just for form’s sake, I’d like to clear out the trailer. Cindy, maybe you could give me a hand?”
Cindy’s eyes flicked between Rebecca and Liam. “Um…I’m not…”
“I’m guessing Jack’s text said you’re supposed to cooperate with me, right? Come on, let’s get this done.” Rebecca walked over to the kitchen area and began opening cupboards.
“Liam, what do you want me to do?”
“It’s fine, Cin. Help her. I’m not worried.”
Liam returned his gaze to the TV, raised the volume, and sank back into the couch to watch a show on penguins traveling to their nesting grounds.
“Okay, where’s the bar?” Rebecca asked.
Cindy pointed to a row of cupboards on the left of the sink. “Most of it’s in there.”
“Excellent. Get a garbage bag and empty it out.”
Rebecca opened the freezer section of the refrigerator and snagged two bottles of Grey Goose. In the fridge, she found a six-pack of Grolsch beer, another of Guinness, and Crystal champagne. She pulled everything out and put it on the counter. Then she searched every single cupboard and drawer in the compact kitchen and netted a couple more bottles of whiskey.
“But…we’re not just going to throw this out, are we?” Cindy stood wide-eyed and glanced back and forth between the bottles on the counter and the full garbage bag at her feet.
“You can keep it or give it to anyone you like, but it’s not staying here.”
“What about when people drop in? I’ll need to serve them something.”
“Yeah. Water, juice, coffee, tea. From now on, this is an alcohol-free trailer. Let’s get this stuff outside.”
Cindy helped Rebecca carry the bag over to the door. Liam continued sipping his coffee, eyes never leaving the screen as though he hadn’t a care in the world. Once everything was piled up behind the trailer, Rebecca brushed her hands off on her thighs.
Reaching out, she patted Cindy’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m the tough guy here. You still do whatever Liam says except when it comes to drugs and alcohol. And don’t you dare give him anything no matter how much he threatens or begs. If he’s really hassling you, come and tell me. I’ll talk to Jack and make sure it doesn’t impact your job, okay?”
Cindy’s nod was hesitant. “It’s only I have a really good working relationship with Liam, and I don’t want to screw it up, you know?”
Rebecca kept her gaze locked on the other woman. “I know. It’s tough. But remember, you’re doing this for Liam’s own good. He hired me so he must want to do something about his problem. If he doesn’t get this under control, sooner or later, he’s going to blow up his career and maybe even himself. When that happens, you won’t have anyone to work for. It’s really in your best interest to keep him healthy and working, right?”
“Yeah. I guess so. It’s going to be hard though.”
“Maybe, but between the two of us we can make this work.”
Cindy reached for the phone in the back pocket of her jeans. “It’s time to go. He needs to be in makeup in five.”
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
“You’re coming?”
“I go where Liam goes.”
This time when Cindy nodded she smiled. “That’ll make things easier because you can be the one to tell him no.”
“And you can bet your life, I’ll do exactly that.”
* * * * *
Rebecca waited while Cindy went back inside the trailer to get Liam. They came out a few minutes later, Cindy with a backpack, and Liam holding a large loose-leaf book.
“Where’d you park the cart?” Liam asked then, catching sight of Rebecca and flashing his famous smile. “Hey, you’re still here.”
“I’m still here.”
“Give me a sec,” Cindy muttered. “There wasn’t room out here, so I had to park it around the back.”
“I don’t mind the walk,” Liam said.
The three of them made their way around the trailer, and Rebecca saw the golf cart tucked in at the edge of the parking lot beside the fence. Cindy backed it out. Liam hopped on the front seat beside her and gestured for Rebecca to slide on the bench seat in the back.
She’d never actually been on a golf cart before and was amazed at the speed when Cindy skillfully wound her way through the trailers and along the street. Driveways and houses flew by. After a couple of minutes, they turned into an alley and stopped beside another trailer.
This one was decidedly more industrial than Liam’s trailer. A makeshift set of stairs tilted under Rebecca’s feet as she followed him into the brightly lit interior. Music blasted, Bruce Springsteen growling about “Thunder Road,” and voices fought to compete with the volume. Rebecca wondered why they didn’t just turn down the music.
“Liam, you’re cutting it cl
ose,” a woman chastised.
Her multicolored hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun with wisps of blue and pink and green framing her heavily made-up face. She looked to be well into her fifties. Since she was wearing a purple crop top and Neon green yoga pants, Rebecca could easily see she carried a spare tire of fat around her hips and abdomen. Apparently, the woman didn’t care because she wiggled and swayed in time to the music.
“You know what they say, Roz, better late than never.” Liam slid onto the seat in front of the mirror. While swiveling in the chair, he reached out to pat the woman’s arm. “Do you think you can make me all pretty again?”
“With your terrible bone structure and weak chin, I’m not sure what I can do, but I’ll give it my best,” she said, flicking his nose before spinning him back to face the mirror.
She unfolded a large, white square with a hole in the middle. Pulling it apart, she fitted each half around Liam’s neck and carefully tucked it into the collar of his shirt making it look like he was wearing an all-around bib. Then reaching toward the mirror, she hit a switch and the light bulbs on the frame illuminated.
Rebecca stepped to the side and out of the range of the reflection. When Liam flicked open the book—which turned out to be the movie script, and Roz got serious about applying foundation—she realized they might be there for a while and turned in search of a chair.
In the next makeup station, a young woman sat, also reading the script, while her hair was twisted into a French roll. She looked familiar, but Rebecca couldn’t come up with a name. Was she on a TV show maybe?
Continuing along the wall to the far end, Rebecca sank down onto a chair and waited while the two actors continued to be prepped for the scene. Cindy, who had peeled off once they’d arrived at hair and makeup, stepped in, another Starbucks in hand. She passed it to Liam.
“Wait,” Roz grumbled. “Let me blend this first.” Her hands stroked along Liam’s jaw and under his ear.
“Um…Freddie gave me these to give to you. He said they tweaked it some.” Cindy smoothed out several sheets of paper and leaning in, placed them on Liam’s lap on top of the script.