Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Yes.
I almost scream the word, but if I do, I might as well end this audition here and now.
I can always change my mind later, right?
“No, I don’t have any problem with that,” I say quietly.
“Fabulous. That’s where I spend most of my time, too. I could introduce you to so many people. Directors, fellow casting agents, producers. Parties in the Hollywood Hills. Premiers.”
“That sounds…amazing.”
“You have no idea.” He goes back to looking at his list. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
My fingers jolt in my lap. “Why is that relevant?”
He looks at me like I’m nuts. “Obviously, it’s relevant. Actresses with boyfriends? Especially when they are starting out in the business? It’s always messy. He gets jealous of her sudden rise to fame. Or he doesn’t like all the time she’s spending on set. Or making connections. When it comes to an actress’s career, boyfriends are a distraction.”
All right.
This guy is full of bologna.
It’s time to admit to myself that this is a casting couch situation.
I’ve been duped.
He might very well still give me the part if I sleep with him, but he wants to exact payment first. And there isn’t a chance on God’s green earth that I’m letting this slimeball touch me. No way. I won’t let this man abuse his power over me. I don’t want to get the role this way.
While I’m being honest with myself…I don’t think I want the role at all anymore.
I want to go home to Dusty.
To the farm.
“I’m a great actress, Mr. Cannon.” I glance at the couch. “But I’m not that good.” I stand up and give him one last million-dollar smile. “Take your role and shove it up your ass.”
Dusty
Five minutes earlier
I tried to let Bianca go to the audition alone. I really did.
But when she left the building, I was watching her through the window and when I say every single man on the street turned to watch her pass, I’m not exaggerating. I had my pants, shoes and jacket on in a flash, following her to the underground train where I’m forced to climb over the turnstile, since I don’t have one of those cards to swipe. It wasn’t easy to remain inconspicuous, especially because I didn’t have time to put a shirt on beneath the suit jacket and probably look deranged, but so be it.
I need to make sure she gets to her audition safely.
I need to make sure she gets everywhere safely for the rest of her life.
If this means I need to relocate to Los Angeles, that’s what I’ll do. I can’t be waking up every morning wondering if she’s going to get hit by a car, if she’s cold or if some man is going to take liberties with her. Uh-uh. No sir.
Someone left a newspaper on the seat of the train, so I used it to cover my face, all while watching her through the dirty glass into the next car. I got off at the same stop and followed her three blocks to a large building. Bigger than any that I’ve ever seen. When I go inside, I see Bianca vanish into one of the elevators and now is when I should stop trailing her. She’s gotten here safely, right? My mission is complete.
What about the trip home, though?
I’ll wait.
Except, I don’t wait. Some sixth sense has me following her to the elevators.
A guard behind a desk calls out to me. “Uh, excuse me, sir?”
“What?”
He stands up, visibly unnerved by our size difference. “Holy hell.”
“I get that a lot.”
“Right.” He swallows hard again. “Well, you need to be on the appointment list to get upstairs. It’s protocol.”
I point at the ceiling. “My girlfriend is up there.”
He raises an eyebrow. “The hot blonde that just came in?”
I plant my hands on the desk and let him see his own death take place in my eyes.
“In hindsight, I can see describing her that way was a mistake.”
“Tell me which floor she is on and I might let you live.”
“Twenty-seven.”
I don’t waste a second striding to the elevators and punching the button. It opens right away and I step in. There’s a weird tightness at the back of my neck, like an intuition telling me Bianca needs me. Or maybe I just need her? God, yes. I feel sick without her in my arms. I should have told her I’ll come to California. I should have given her that assurance before her big audition that means so much to her.
The elevator doors open to reveal an empty hallway. At first, I think the security guard must have given me the wrong floor, but then I hear a male voice. I follow, stopping outside of the door and I listen.
“Do you have any problem relocating to Los Angeles?”
“No, I don’t have any problem with that,” Bianca responds, making my chest sting.