Wild on the Red Carpet (The Hollywood Showmance Chronicles Book 3)

by Olivia Jaymes

  “Because that’s what you’ve always done for me,” she whispered softly but loud enough for him to hear. “You can’t fix this.”

  He’d stepped closer and could now see her tear-stained face by the sliver of moonlight. Something clenched tightly at his chest and he had to concentrate to take his next breath. He didn’t like it when Billie was unhappy. He felt…powerless and small. As if he failed her in some way. He lifted a hand to wipe the tears away but she jerked away from him as if she expected a slap instead of a tender caress.

  What the fuck have I ever done to deserve that reaction?

  His heart hurt where she’d shoved a virtual knife. Intellectually he knew that her reaction probably had more to do with her than him but his emotions were a different story. It hurt not to be trusted.

  Dropping his arm to his side, he didn’t budge an inch from where he was standing, crowding her personal space.

  “Try me. I bet I can. Give me a chance.”

  Straightening, she shook her head, rubbing at her cheeks with the back of her hand.

  “Not this time. Just let it go.”

  He wished he could but that was something he couldn’t do. Not again. It felt like lately he’d been letting everything go and it couldn’t continue.

  “Because the problem is me. You know, babe, I might actually be the one person you should talk to. Seems like the best person to solve an issue with me would be…me.”

  “It’s not you, it’s me.”

  Realizing what she’d said, they both started laughing and the knot in his chest loosened slightly. If they could laugh together, it wasn’t all bad.

  “God, that was so trite,” Billie giggled. “I can’t believe I actually said that.”

  Tyler had to help her believe that not all things had changed.

  “You can still talk to me. Who I am as a person hasn’t changed.”

  Except that he kind of had changed since putting that ring on her finger. He felt different. Maybe more like a prospective husband, thinking about Billie and the future. It wasn’t unpleasant, just surprising.

  Finally she looked up at him, the conflict she was feeling clearly expressed in her eyes. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her that he would take care of everything.

  Terrified she’d run away again, he didn’t move a muscle, simply letting her speak her mind.

  “I’ve changed. That frightens me far more.”

  Unless she didn’t care about him anymore. She might think he was more trouble than he was worth.

  “You’re still the same stubborn Billie I’ve known for the last five years.”

  She placed her hand on his chest right over his heart. “I want to talk to you. I’ve missed that.”

  He spread his arms wide. “I’ve got all night. Let’s grab a pizza and hunker down for a slumber party. You talk and I’ll listen.”

  “You have to be up early in the morning,” she reminded him with a gentle smile. “You have a big day and it’s not a good idea to go into looking like one of the zombies from ‘The Walking Dead’.”

  She was putting him off, trying to delay the conversation. “Nothing is more import–”

  Trying to silence him, Billie pressed her fingertips to his lips which he in turn kissed, an action that surprised them both. But it felt right to do it.

  “It can wait.”

  He wrapped his much larger hand around her smaller one, entwining the fingers.

  “Tomorrow night. We’ll order room service and hang out. Just the two of us. We’ll talk.”

  “We’re supposed to go a party given by that liquor company, remember?”

  “I remember, baby girl, I just don’t care. Fuck ’em. We’ll tell them I’m coming down with a cold. No one wants cootie germs. So promise me. Tomorrow night?”

  “Tomorrow night,” she promised. “Thank you for not pushing me on this. Now I have some time to sort of gather my thoughts.”

  Tyler might need some time to figure out his own. If Billie wanted out of the agreement, he didn’t know what he would do. He had grown to like the idea of marrying her and being her husband. Dare he say it?

  He was looking forward to it.

  If he was honest with himself – and it was long past time for that – he needed her for far more than a movie role. Tyler needed Billie. Period.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Another awkward night sharing a bed with Tyler. When they’d returned to the hotel suite Billie had quickly taken off her makeup, brushed her teeth, and then slid into bed. All the way to the opposite side as far as she could get from Tyler. She was afraid that in her sleep she’d automatically reach out for his warmth and comfort.

  After a fitful night’s sleep, she’d slid out of bed as the sun was coming up and straight into the shower as Tyler slept on. She hoped to be put together and in control when she spoke to him next. She needed to tell him what she was feeling because going on like this wasn’t an option. He’d challenged her to be “all in” and now that she was going back wasn’t going to happen. They could only move forward. Together.

  Applying a touch of blush with a big, fluffy brush she grabbed her phone off of the bathroom vanity when it rang, not wanting to wake Tyler. He needed his rest for the day ahead.

  “Connie, it’s good to hear from you. Is everything okay with Sierra?”

  Billie had been working from the assumption that no news was good news.

  “Things are really starting to look up for Sierra, Billie, and she has you to thank for that. The attorney filed for divorce along with a temporary order for support until they can go to court.”

  Pffft. Waste of time.

  “Brian’s never had a pot to piss in his entire life,” Billie scoffed. “He’s not going to give Sierra a dime. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if he sued her for support. She was the one who kept food on the table with her waitressing jobs.”

  Worthless piece of skin.

  “Your sister said something to that affect as well but the attorney said it’s standard. Brian has assets he could liquidate. A truck and a boat.”

  “That sounds like an excellent idea. I’d pay for the lawyer to get those papers ready.”

  “I doubt he’d ever sign them,” Connie sighed heavily.

  The bastard was never going to give Billie’s sister a day’s peace.

  “He doesn’t know where she’s living, does he?”

  “I don’t think so. With your money she was able to get a nice one bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood. Once the divorce is final she can look for a more permanent solution. The social worker said it was important right now to be able to move quickly if Brian figured out where she was.”

  There was something in Connie’s tone. Something she wasn’t saying out loud.

  “The son of a bitch is out of jail, isn’t he?”

  “Yes,” Connie admitted, her voice hesitant. “I think a couple of his buddies bailed him out.”

  That’s just dandy. Shit and fuck.

  Brian’s mom and dad had washed their hands of him years ago so it certainly wasn’t them, nor was it his brother who had once popped Brian right in the solar plexus when he’d verbally ripped into Sierra in front of the family one day. With his nasty temper, he’d pushed away most people in his life so Billie was surprised to hear he even had friends still.

  “So how is Sierra staying safe? What if he finds her?”

  “She’s in another town completely over two hundred miles from here under an assumed name. The social worker arranged it. She also recommended that Sierra change her name officially, and when the divorce is final leave the state.”

  If Sierra was willing to relocate maybe she could move to California. The guest house was too small but comfortable. In fact…

  “Connie, I need to talk to Sierra. I think she should just move out here with me.”

  If she asked, she knew Tyler would hire security for her sister until Brian was dealt with. The stalker laws were also strict in California due to
the number of celebrities.

  More silence.

  “Connie?” Billie prompted, her heart skipping a beat in panic. “There is something wrong, isn’t there?”

  “No,” Connie finally piped up. “I’m telling the truth here. Things are looking up for Sierra. It’s just…”

  “Just…?”

  “Sierra isn’t ready to talk to you, Billie. I told her she should when she got her new cell phone. I told her she needed to call you and thank you for what you’ve done but she said no. She needs time, honey.”

  “Time for what?” Billie asked, a bitter taste on her tongue. “She doesn’t want to talk to me? That’s fine. Let her know the offer is open.”

  “Honey,” Connie said softly. “Don’t be like that. Sierra wants to talk to you desperately. I could see it in her eyes, but she’s ashamed that you had to bail her out of the mess she’s made of her life. She’s embarrassed and there’s a part of her that isn’t quite ready to admit what you’ve been saying all along. Give her some time.”

  Shame was something that Billie could understand. She had her share of it. Damn, she and Sierra were a freaking mess.

  “Just…just let her know that I want her to come live here with us. We can keep her safe. She doesn’t need to admit anything to me and I’ll wrestle myself to the ground before I say I told you so. It won’t be easy but I’ll shut up.”

  That made Connie laugh. “This I’d like to see. But I will give her the message, honey. You just need to let her get settled in a bit and then I’m sure she’ll call you.”

  “She doesn’t have to. The money doesn’t come with strings.”

  Billie hated shit like that. Obligation and guilt. Neither were productive.

  “She wants to,” Connie said again. “She has a few things to work out first. She’s seeing a counselor and hopefully that will help. She knows she has a lot of work to do. She knows she pushed you and pretty much everyone away.”

  Billie’s eyes welled with tears as she thought of all the times she’d tried to reach out to Sierra only to be rebuffed. Eventually she’d given up. That had been a mistake. “He made her do it. He wanted to isolate her.”

  She’d been so focused on the call she hadn’t heard Tyler come up behind her until his large hand came down on her shoulder, comforting and strong. This time she couldn’t stop herself from leaning her cheek against his arm, wanting – no, needing – to soak up his strength. When it came to her family she wasn’t the strong person she wanted to be.

  “She knows that now, honey. She’s getting stronger. You’ll hear from her soon. I know it, so don’t give up on her, okay? She needs you.”

  Billie thanked Connie and then placed the phone back down on the vanity as a few stray tears slipped down her cheeks. The last few days had been so full of emotion. It was a good thing they had a jam-packed schedule today. With any luck, she wouldn’t have time to dwell on her problems.

  “Who was that, baby girl? Want to talk about it?”

  It wasn’t asked in a pushy way. It was all up to her but she’d long ago decided to be honest with Tyler about her family situation.

  “That was my friend Connie back home about my sister Sierra. She’s out of the hospital and relocated far from her asshole husband. The attorney has filed for divorce so things are in motion.”

  Kneeling next to her, he rubbed the backs of his knuckles against her cheek. “That’s good news. Is there anything else they need? Anything at all?”

  This was why Tyler was so precious to her. He might act like an idiot sometimes but he had a heart the size of the Pacific Ocean. Which was good when she told him what she’d offered.

  “Well…I kind of told Connie that Sierra should move out here to California. That we could keep her safe here. I was even thinking she could stay in the guest cottage for awhile.”

  There was certainly room in the main house but Sierra would probably want some independence.

  Cautiously she watched Tyler’s expression and breathed a sigh of relief when his eyes lit up and a grin bloomed across his too handsome face.

  “Babe, that’s a fan-fucking-tastic idea. And I have tons of contacts that can help her get a job. You wouldn’t let me help you but will you let me help her?”

  Carding her fingers through his sleep-tousled hair she gave him her best smile. “I will let you help her but she’s not ready to talk to me yet. Connie said I need to give her time.”

  His smile dimmed slightly at her reply. “That’s fine, I guess. But…she doesn’t want to talk to you?”

  “The last time we saw each other we didn’t end on the best of terms, remember? Brian didn’t want her to be in touch with family and I left Wisconsin.”

  “And you feel guilty about that.”

  Sometimes Tyler was too perceptive by far. As an actor, he studied people for a living.

  “If I hadn’t–”

  “Don’t even go there.” Tyler waved away her objections. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t help someone that doesn’t want it.”

  “That’s true but I didn’t have to be so goddamn relieved about it. There was a big part of me that was happy when she told me she never wanted to speak to me again unless I was nice to her husband. She gave me the out I was looking for. Her life was messy and I didn’t want to deal with it. I’m a terrible person.”

  Lifting her into his arms, he sat down on the edge of the massive bathtub, placing her on his lap. His hand stroked up and down her spine in a soothing motion. “You’re not an awful person. You’re human. You were frustrated that you couldn’t help your sister and that she wouldn’t listen. I’ve been there too, although the situation wasn’t as dire. Tina was dating a real douchebag back in high school and she just wouldn’t listen to me no matter what I said. Long story short? She ended up with a broken heart.”

  Tina was Tyler’s older sister by eleven months and that had to have driven him crazy that she wouldn’t listen to him.

  “Did you say I told you so? Because I think Sierra believes I’m going to say it to her.”

  Tyler chuckled and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Hell yes, I did and let me give you some advice. That’s a sure way to fuck up a sibling relationship for awhile. Don’t do it.”

  “I wasn’t going to, although I’d want to. But I am happy that she’s getting better even if I don’t get to talk to her. I don’t want to make this about me.”

  “I have an idea.”

  Tyler had that dangerous look on his face. The last time he’d worn it they’d ended up on a road trip to the Grand Canyon because he was bored and in between movies. It was the best vacation they’d ever taken though. The pictures of him riding a donkey were priceless. If she ever had an inkling to retire young she could probably sell them for big money to any of the tabloids worldwide.

  Groaning, Billie tried to wriggle off of his lap and run away. “Oh no. An idea. I cringe at the mere thought.”

  “Just simmer down.” His hold on her tightened and his grin turned wicked. “Let’s make tonight about more than just talking. Let’s make it a celebration too. Celebrate your sister getting better. Hopefully she’ll join us out here eventually and we can have a real party.”

  “You love anything with champagne,” Billie teased, her tears long gone. “But I think that’s a lovely idea.”

  When they were like this, it was as if nothing had changed. Billie felt so close to Tyler at this moment. If only she could wrap this up and keep it for those times when she felt lost and alone.

  For that time in the future when Tyler moved on and away from her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Later that morning Billie, Tyler, and Curtis along with a large bodyguard arrived at the convention center and were led through a crush of costumed attendees that appeared to be having the time of their lives. Their outfits were imaginative and elaborate and Billie couldn’t help but be impressed. These people didn’t do anything halfway and that was a trait she’d always admired. Tyler ha
d it too.

  Lately there were many things she admired about her husband to be. Today it was how his jeans fit. After last night she was hyper-aware of every little thing that made him Tyler. His easy grin. That dimple in his cheek. The way his hair sometimes fell over his forehead, or even how he used his hands when he spoke. The tension between them was high but she was determined to act as casually as possible today. This was business.

  “Tell me again why the Thunder movies come to these events?” she asked Tyler as they turned a corner and saw a group of superheroes getting their photo taken. “It’s not based on a comic book.”

  Tyler shrugged as a flash from a camera temporarily blinded both of them. “More than comic book movies come to these things. Any type of theme movie or series come here to debut their trailers, especially if the movie has characters that are unique or interesting. Just wait, you’re going to love it. It’s really fun.”

  Billie would have described what she was seeing as organized chaos but it all seemed to work for the most part. There appeared to be a line for everything. Autographs. Pictures. Panels. Souvenirs. Food and drinks.

  The massive security guy ushered them into a small room where Sam, Nate, Max, and Kirby were already waiting. “It will only be a moment and you can go through those doors and out to your panel. If you need anything, please help yourself.”

  There was a table of snack foods, water, and soda. The bodyguard had disappeared somewhere, leaving them with a chatty and rather hyper young man who appeared to work there.

  “Okay, you’re going out in just a minute,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “Now are the ladies going to stay back here or would you like them seated in the audience?”

  Good question. What was she supposed to do while Tyler was working?

  “If it’s alright with the ladies they can watch from the wings,” Sam stated with authority.

  Nate nodded. “Right, I don’t want Paige out in the audience without security.”

  Billie’s brows shot up. Why on earth would Paige need security?