VIP

by Jackie D.

  “Uh-huh,” Audrey said. “Just a bruise.”

  There was no reason for Harlow to continue to hang on to her, especially with a million eyes on them, so she regretfully released her arm. “I’m really looking forward to next Thursday. Do you have any objections to taking a road trip to Monterey with me?”

  Audrey took a deep breath, and her cheeks turned a slight shade of red. “No, that sounds great.”

  “I guess our invitations got lost in the mail,” Casper said as he walked up and pointed to Kylie and then himself. “That’s fine.”

  Harlow rolled her eyes. “I always go up there before I go on tour. Nothing new.”

  Casper crossed his arms. “True. But you usually go alone.”

  “Do you two want to come?” Harlow’s attempt at nonchalance was a poor one by the expression on Casper’s face.

  He rolled his shoulders, probably to irritate her and make it seem as if he was thinking about it. “No, I have other things to do here.” He put his arm around Harlow and squeezed her waist. “I appreciate the genuine invite, though.” He dipped his head slightly. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  She’d been looking forward to talking to Audrey since it seemed like forever since she’d seen her, but the look on Casper’s face told her it was serious. She glanced over at Audrey and noticed the disappointed look in her eyes. She’d intended to pull her into a corner and spend as much time as either of them could spare together. She’d imagined asking about her day and hearing all the little details she missed out on consistently. She wanted to spend every bit of the ten minutes she had before the director had her back up on stage. But none of that was possible at the moment.

  Harlow reached over and squeezed Audrey’s hand. “Can I call you later?”

  Audrey smiled and nodded, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Sure, no problem.”

  It hurt to let go of Audrey’s fingers, but she did. She waited until Audrey and Kylie had walked away, and she turned her attention to Casper. “What’s up?”

  “Mom says she’ll leave, but she wants a hundred thousand. Normally, I would push back, but with the tour coming up—”

  “Just give her the money.” Harlow pulled her blouse from the restraints of her waistband. “I don’t want to deal with her.”

  “Are you sure? This may never end.”

  “Did you see her?” Harlow wasn’t sure where the question came from. She usually didn’t want to know the whereabouts of their mother.

  Casper sighed. “Yes, I just came back from seeing her.”

  “How did she seem? Do you think she’s on something?”

  Casper looked surprised. “I don’t think so. That’s not how she seemed to me, anyway.”

  Harlow nodded. “She’s just needed more money than normal lately. I was just curious about what the hell she’s spending it on.” She wrapped her arm around Casper’s waist. “I trust you. Do what you need to do to keep her away from the press.” She let go of him and headed toward her dressing room.

  “Harlow, I—”

  She turned and looked at him. “Yeah?”

  His hands were on his hips, and he was looking at the ground. “Nothing. Forget it.”

  She was going to push but decided against it. Casper would tell her whatever was bothering him in his own time. He always did. What she wanted to focus on now was getting through the next few days. The thought of spending four days with Audrey had been helping her through the lengthy tediousness of preparing for the tour, and now that it was almost here, she could barely think of anything else.

  Chapter Ten

  Audrey held the chilled glass in her hand and tried to focus on the man in front of her. This would usually be an easy task, but tonight she was falling short. He was an up-and-coming director, and Audrey was bored with the repetitiveness of the story. It was nauseating. Men in this town were given opportunities like people handed stickers to toddlers. He thought he landed the new film because of his talent. She knew better. He may very well be talented, but he also shared the last name of one of the most famous studio executives Hollywood had ever seen.

  “I think you’d be perfect for the part,” he said.

  Audrey nodded and put on her best smile. “Please, send the script over to my agent, and I’ll take a look.”

  “You could do a private reading for me now if you have time.” One of his manicured eyebrows rose at his innuendo, and Audrey had to keep herself from tossing her drink in his face.

  Audrey had starred in twelve major pictures, and this man insinuating that she should do a private reading was not only unprofessional, it was also ludicrous.

  “Shane? It is Shane, right?” She didn’t give him a chance to answer. “I’m not sure what you heard, but that’s not how I operate. If you’d like me to read for a part, you’ll need to go through the proper channels. I will not read for you in private or play a role in whatever little fantasy you’ve concocted in your head. You better hope that I find myself in a better mood at the end of the night than I am right now, or I’ll make sure to pass a message along to every actor and actress I’ve ever worked with. This isn’t Weinstein’s Hollywood anymore.”

  He blew air out through his nostrils and took a step closer. “You dumb, dyke bitch. Do you know who I am?”

  “I know exactly who you are,” she whispered. “You’ve made the mistake of not knowing who I am.”

  He took a step back and studied her. “You’re too old for the part anyway.”

  She raised her glass in acknowledgment and watched him walk away.

  Kylie leaned into her. “Who was that guy?”

  Audrey rolled her eyes. “He was no one.”

  Kylie stepped in front of her and was staring at someone behind her. “Well, I hate to do this to you, but Tia is here.”

  Audrey sighed. “For fuck’s sake.”

  “Yeah, and she’s coming this way.”

  “Perfect.” Her nerves were frayed, and she was exhausted. The shooting schedule had been one of the most intense she’d ever experienced, and it was taking everything she had to keep herself upright. The last thing she wanted to do was suffer through a painful and pointless conversation with her estranged ex. She wasn’t sure she had the mental bandwidth to endure her passive-aggressive comments, but there wasn’t another way out at this point without drawing attention.

  Audrey felt a tap on her shoulder, and she reluctantly turned around to face the inevitable. “Tia, hi. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Tia crossed her arms. “Because I’m not as famous as you?”

  “No.” Audrey paused. She wasn’t sure where that came from. She’d never made Tia feel like that. “Because you hate industry parties.”

  Tia shrugged with her left shoulder, seeming to try to ignore the truth of that statement. “It was hard going to them with you. I don’t have anything against them for myself.”

  Audrey wanted this conversation to be over. She didn’t need to hear for the millionth time how Tia felt about their careers in comparison.

  “Is there something I can do for you, Tia?” She gave her best fake smile.

  “I’m going to be on the set of your movie tomorrow, and I didn’t want it to be awkward.”

  “It won’t be. We don’t have any scenes together. We don’t even have to talk,” Audrey said. She still wasn’t sure of the point of the conversation. Tia knew she was a professional. She gave herself credit for not pointing out that Tia’s part only consisted of four lines in two scenes. She was a secondary, and forgettable, character.

  Tia looked unsure of herself, which wasn’t like her. “Can I get you a drink?”

  Audrey looked at the glass in her hand and then back at Tia. “I already have one.”

  Tia scrunched her nose. “There’s something different about you.”

  Audrey sighed. “I’m exactly who I’ve always been. But you’ve never really known me, have you?” She hadn’t considered it until it came out of her mouth, but it was true, and it fel
t good to acknowledge it.

  “I don’t recognize this version of you. Bitter isn’t a good look.”

  Audrey almost spit out her drink. “I’m not bitter, Tia. I’m just not here to stroke your ego anymore. You’re used to me bending to your every need and whim. You’ll need to look somewhere else if you want that. I’m not interested.”

  “Is there someone new?” Tia didn’t seem deterred.

  “Yes, there is. Me. I’m watching out for myself now. That’s what’s new.”

  Audrey turned to leave, but Tia grabbed her arm. “I like the new you. It’s hot.”

  How many times had those words stopped Audrey in her tracks? How many times did she give in during an argument because Tia had ended it with sex? How many times had Audrey put herself last to put Tia first?

  Tia smiled. “What are you thinking?”

  Audrey pulled her arm away. “That I can’t believe I ever fell for any of that. You never cared about what I thought or what I wanted. You never considered me. You shut down every thought or feeling I ever had. You used sex to put a Band-Aid on everything, and I let you.” She handed Tia her empty glass. “Good night, Tia. Good luck tomorrow, and with finding someone else to put up with your shit from now on.”

  Kylie caught up with her after a few steps. “Wow! Where did that come from?”

  Audrey thought back to the conversation she’d had with Harlow while pushed up against her car. “Inspiration from a friend.”

  Kylie bumped her. “I like it.”

  “Me too.” Audrey looked down at her dress. She was uncomfortable, and her heels were killing her. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Kylie smiled so brightly her eyes sparkled. “I love that idea.”

  * * *

  Harlow looked over to see Shauna lose her footing and hit the ground. “Are you okay?”

  Shauna rubbed her ankle. “I think I’m just tired.”

  The choreographer stopped the music. “We need to do it again.”

  Everyone was exhausted. The dancers looked defeated, and it was almost one in the morning. The tour was going to be a long one, and they needed practice. But Harlow had been doing this long enough to know that they were past the point of learning anything.

  “I think we should call it a night,” she said when she walked over to him.

  “Your tour starts in two weeks, and there are five weeks’ worth of work to do.”

  “We aren’t getting anywhere else tonight. We’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

  He threw his hands up in defeat. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you when it all falls apart on stage.”

  “Noted.”

  He turned and faced the room. “Be back here at seven.”

  Some of the dancers had moved Shauna over to a bench by the time Harlow got to her. “You okay?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She winced when she tried to move her ankle in a circle.

  Harlow handed her a bottle of water and sat down next to her. “You remind me of me at your age.”

  Shauna gulped down the water. “You’d already had three albums out at my age,” she said breathlessly.

  Harlow laughed. “I was also relentlessly determined and underestimated.”

  Shauna blushed and put her head down. “Thank you for saying that. Sometimes it all feels so daunting, and then it’s thrilling, and then something happens, and it feels daunting all over again.”

  Harlow patted her on the back and stood. “Can you make it to your car?”

  Shauna tried to stand and then fell back onto the bench. “I’m not sure.”

  Harlow helped her up and put her arm around her waist. “Do you live close enough to get ice on it soon?”

  Shauna nodded. “I’m only about ten minutes from here.”

  Harlow led her out of the studio and down toward the parking lot. She opened the driver’s door and helped her into her seat. Fortunately, the ankle she injured was her left and wouldn’t hinder her from driving.

  Harlow shut the door and leaned her forearms in the open window. “Text me when you get home, so I don’t have to worry about you.”

  Shauna pulled her seat belt over her shoulder and buckled it. “You aren’t what I thought you’d be.”

  “What did you think I’d be?”

  Shauna shrugged and smiled, her face blushing. “More of a diva, I guess.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  Shauna was staring at her intently. “It was definitely a pleasant surprise. I’ve heard so many things about you, and I’ve never been sure which are true.” She leaned forward and kissed her.

  Harlow pulled back and stared, partly in shock and partly confused. “Shauna, I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like that about you.”

  Shauna turned an even darker shade of red and put the keys in the ignition. “I don’t know what came over me. I’m so sorry. I’d heard that you were—”

  Harlow put her hand over Shauna’s on the steering wheel. “It’s okay. Please don’t be embarrassed.”

  Shauna stared at Harlow’s hand. “Am I just not your type?”

  Harlow heard the clicks of the cameras before she saw anyone. Then came the incessant shouting of questions.

  “Harlow, are you dating Shauna?”

  “Harlow, is that your girlfriend?”

  She squeezed Shauna’s hand. “Get out of here. You don’t need this.”

  Shauna looked mortified. “I’m so sorry.” She started her car and drove away.

  Harlow walked to her car, ignoring the questions from the paparazzi who followed closely behind. She was accustomed to this kind of scrutiny and used to avoiding the questions she didn’t want to answer, but Shauna wasn’t. She didn’t want her budding career eclipsed by an alleged relationship with her. She needed to get away.

  She got in her car and called Casper, but there was no answer. She tried several more times with the same result. Fuck. She pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. Luckily, no one followed her. But she knew within a matter of minutes, there would be people waiting outside the gate to her house. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she did the only thing that felt right. She headed to Audrey’s.

  Chapter Eleven

  Audrey was curled up on her couch with Kylie, trying to find something to watch on Netflix. The next three days would consist of all-night shooting, and she was trying to adjust her internal clock accordingly.

  “Please don’t make me watch another serial killer documentary. I’m begging you.” Kylie flung her head back for dramatic effect.

  “I’m pretty sure I could get away with murder now.” Audrey shook her finger at Kylie. “We’ll have to warn your next boyfriend.”

  “I’ll mention it on the first date.” Kylie stuffed her mouth with a handful of popcorn. “Thanks again for letting me stay here. I didn’t want to stay in the apartment after Luke and I officially ended things. I want a fresh start.”

  “You’re welcome to stay for as long as you need. It’s nice having someone here with me.” Audrey’s phone buzzed, and she practically flew out of her chair. “My security cameras just turned on. Someone is here.” She squinted at her phone screen. “Okay, not just someone. Harlow.”

  “It’s two in the morning. Did you have a booty call arranged and not tell me?”

  Audrey looked down at her flannel cat pajamas. “Yeah, you caught me. That’s why I put on my lingerie.” She groaned. “I look ridiculous.”

  Kylie munched on her popcorn. “It’s interesting that you’re more worried about how you look than you are alarmed as to why she’s here at this hour.”

  Audrey walked to the door, partially to meet Harlow and partly so she didn’t have to comment on Kylie’s observation. She opened it before Harlow had a chance to knock. She looked upset.

  “I’m sorry. Jesus, I didn’t realize how late it was. It’s just that I—can I come in?”

  Audrey stepped aside. “Of course. Is everything okay?”

  Harlow was wearing spandex pants and a s
ports bra, with no jacket. Either something was really wrong, or she had a minimal wardrobe. Audrey figured it was the former.

  Harlow stepped into the living room. “I’m ruining your evening.” She waved to Kylie. “I didn’t know what else to do or where to go.”

  Audrey sat her down on the couch. “Just start from the beginning.”

  Audrey listened as Harlow relived her evening. She was surprised by the fierce jolt of jealousy that shot through her at the mention of Shauna kissing her. She did her best to stay focused and not reveal her discomfort. Harlow was clearly upset, and she wanted to do whatever she could to help.

  Kylie grabbed her laptop from the coffee table. “Let me shake some branches and see what falls loose.”

  Audrey rubbed Harlow’s leg. “Are you upset they saw you kissing someone, or is it something else?”

  Harlow ran her hands over her face. “I’ve done my best to keep my private life out of the public eye simply because that’s who I am, but it’s not that. Shauna is so new to this world. She’s right on the brink of making a name for herself. Not to mention, she’s about to go on a year-long tour with me. If this becomes the story, it will never be about her talent. They’ll say she slept her way to the top, or whatever contrarian bullshit they decide to spin. She’ll have to beat back those stories along with her budding career. Combine that with my reputation, and it won’t be good for her.”

  Audrey chose her next words carefully, unsure where things stood. It wasn’t like they were exclusive in any way. Hell, they weren’t anything, yet. “Well, if you two really care about each other, maybe it’s a challenge she’s willing to take on.”

  Harlow looked dumbfounded. “I don’t care about Shauna. I mean, I care about her, but not like that. I wanted to help her. I wanted her to get her name out there. I don’t want to date her. Christ, she’s way too young for me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Audrey said. “I guess my feelings are a little all over the place right now, which isn’t fair. This isn’t about me at all. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  Harlow took her hand and kissed it. “What have I told you about apologizing for your feelings?” She smiled.