Child Star: Part 2

by J. J. McAvoy

  “Morning,” I replied with a smile, mentally preparing myself for what he was going to say.

  He inhaled deeply, opened his mouth to speak, but then just handed me a small duffle bag, along with my heels. “I’ll wait out here for you.”

  “Ollie—”

  “Try to hurry up, please. After yesterday, you can’t afford to be late. You have a busy day today,” he continued, backing away from the door like it was the gates of hell.

  “I’ll be right out.” I frowned, closing the door.

  Walking back into the bedroom, I stopped for a moment when I heard Noah start to sing “Livin’ on a Prayer” in the shower like he was a rock star. The grin on my face spread so wide my cheeks hurt. He was absolutely horrible, yet I didn’t want him to stop.

  “Whoa-oa!” I started to sing along as I dressed in the bright yellow cocktail dress Ollie had brought me, though I wasn’t sure why since I was just going to change once I got on set.

  Hearing the door open behind me, I turned to find him stepping out of the bathroom, a wall of steam behind him. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, allowing me to watch as drops of water dripped down his hard abs.

  “Were you singing?” he asked as his eyebrow raised and the corners of his lips turned up.

  “What? No,” I lied, turning back around to grab my heels.

  “Liar,” he said, chuckling. “How was your talk with Oliver?”

  “There wasn’t one,” I replied, tying my hair into a bun. “He’s waiting for me, so I’ll see you there.”

  He nodded, and I kissed his cheek. I made a move to rush toward the doors when he took hold of my wrist, pulling me back slightly. Lifting my chin, he kissed me deeply, and as I leaned into him, he broke away.

  “See you later.”

  The butterflies in my stomach made it impossible for me to speak, but I couldn’t stop grinning. I felt sixteen again. Nodding, I spun around, heading to the doors, where Oliver was still waiting in the same exact same spot, scrolling through his smartphone.

  “I’m ready.”

  “Are you, though?”

  “Ollie.”

  He shook his head at me, handing me a thick pink script and heading down the hall toward a pair of elevators.

  “Ollie, I know you’re pissed—” I started.

  “Why, Amelia?” he asked when we got on the elevator. “Of all the men in the world, why on earth would you go back to Noah Sloan? Weeks ago, you couldn’t even say his name without become enraged. You’re better than him, and I shouldn’t even have to say it because he proves it time and time again. The only thing you’ve ever gotten out of being in a relationship with him is pain. He is a mess, and he’ll drag you down with him—”

  “I don’t need a lecture, Ollie! Especially when you don’t know what you’re talking about. You have no idea what it’s like to be him, and I’m not a child anymore. Who I do or do not date isn’t your business.”

  “It is when it messes with your performance or your own reputation. The Amelia London I know would have never just disappeared for a whole day without even calling or at the very least apologizing.”

  I couldn’t get out of the elevator fast enough and didn’t bother to wait for him as I moved toward the doors. Luckily, the excitement had died down since production had started, and no one was on the street anymore. Parked out front, right under the archway of the hotel, was a familiar black Escalade. The driver, dressed in a dark suit, held the door open for me when I stepped out.

  “Amelia!” my mother called, waving at me with a bright smile on her face.

  It felt like someone had punched me in the gut. All the air in my lungs left my body, and my heart started to pound as I—for a split second—thought of running. This morning, I was able to push her to the corner of my mind, and now here she was.

  Oh no. No. Please, no.

  “Beloved 15-year-old child star Skylar DeGray … was involved in a horrible accident.” The reporter’s voice haunted the back of my mind.

  “Amelia? What’s wrong?”

  Nothing happened. Act. Like. Nothing. Happened. It was simple enough, yet my chest burned just looking at her, the woman with the same round face and blue eyes as mine.

  She repeated herself. “Ame—”

  “Sorry! I’m just having a moment. What are you doing here?” I tried to recover, sliding into the leather seat beside her, noticing she was dressed in a silver floor-length dress and a sunhat. “Don’t you think your outfit is a bit much?” I asked.

  “Always dress in an outfit you don’t mind dying in, sweetie. Now, you said you’re having a moment? What happened?”

  “Ollie…never mind. So again, what are you doing here?” I leaned back, trying to remember how I usually acted around her. Most times I was annoyed and did my best not to show it. However there were times, as few and far between as they were, where I really thought she was a good mom.

  I was wrong.

  “Some moms got to drop their kids off at school. I’ve always enjoyed dropping you off at work...”

  “Mom—” I tried to cut her off.

  “Plus, I really want to talk to your director.”

  “Mom, please, no!”

  “You don’t even know what I’m going to say,” she said.

  I sighed, resting my head against the seat. “That you are a fan of his work, and then you are going to get flirty. You don’t have the best track records with directors. Besides, you told me to smack you if you ever tried to go out on date with another one.”

  “I wasn’t being serious.”

  “Mom.”

  “Fine. Fine.” She threw up her hands in defeat before reaching over and grabbing hold of my hand, and it took all I had not to yank it away from her. “So how are you?” she asked.

  Before I could answer, Ollie opened the front door to take his seat.

  “Esther,” he said, nodding to her.

  “Oh, Oliver, you’re here. Did you clear her schedule for this evening?” She asked him as if I wasn’t even there.

  “I’m sorry. What’s happening this evening?” I asked.

  “Ray Mallory is throwing his 63rd birthday party this evening, and what better date to bring than my famous daughter, the Amelia London.”

  “Mom, I don’t think I can—”

  “What? Why?” Turning to Ollie, she said, “Oliver, I thought you said she was free.”

  “Sorry ma’am. She might be with her boyfriend tonight.” He frowned as he met my gaze through the mirror. I wanted nothing more than to smack him over the head.

  Slowly, she turned to face me with a look of total confusion, “Noah Sloan?”

  “Yes.”

  A grin spread across her lips. “Amelia, this is perfect. Have him come with you to Ray Mallory’s party. The more people talking, the more exposure. After this movie, you’ll be a household name again.”

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Ollie clench his tablet so tightly, the veins in his hands strained. Obviously, this wasn’t what he expected my mother to say to me. But he should have known better. As long as I was the biggest star in the sky, she would do or say anything.

  “Amelia?” my mother said.

  “Huh?” My eyes shifted quickly back to her.

  She gave my hand a little squeeze. “Dating is fine, but remember, you are the most important person in the relationship…not Noah.”

  “Thanks,” I said, squeezing her hands back as I realized why none of her relationships ever worked. The most important person in a relationship was always the other person.

  So you can take your ‘advice’ and shove it, Mother.

  ***

  “And, action!”

  Every part of me was waxed.

  My hair was curled and makeup done.

  My stilettos clicked on the marble floor as I made my way through the lobby of the Van Gooden Hotel. I looked at no one, rolling my briefcase behind me. Stopping at the elevator, I felt the man next to me stand up straighter, and I fought the urg
e to smirk.

  “I thought I told you not to wear that dress?” Damon’s voice spoke firmly in the microphone in my ear.

  I glanced back to him in the lobby. He was dressed in a dark navy suit and shiny black shoes, sitting casually in a chair and not even looking at me as he drank his tea.

  “After you.” The man beside me allowed me to enter, and I let one of my bracelets to fall off, forcing me to bend down slowly to pick it up.

  “Payback will be a bitch, sweetheart,” Damon said in the earpiece.

  Ignoring him, I stepped inside the elevator along with the man beside me and the camera guy who kept panning between both of our faces. From the reflection in the glass, I could see that the extra’s eyes were still focused on my ass.

  “Which floor?” the man asked, his hands already hovering over the buttons.

  “She’s out of your league, my friend,” Damon said even though the man couldn’t hear him, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

  I said nothing, pressing the button for the penthouse, proving Damon’s point and shutting him up. It was a small action, but it had to hurt his ego as he pressed the number fourteen instead. The gap between his floor and mine was more than clear. The Van Gooden was one of the most expensive hotels in the city, which meant everyone here operated on one thing—money. It’s how they measured their self-worth. As was clear in the way his shoulders deflated like he had already given up, it was also his way to attract women.

  When he stepped out, he paused for a moment, obviously thinking about whether he should say anything. The camera guy turned back to capture his face, while another camera was already waiting on the floor, focused on me.

  “Hey—”

  “Too slow,” I said as the doors closed on his face.

  “What floor did he get off on?” Damon questioned.

  “I wish I could see your face. You’re sexy when you’re jealous.”

  “I’m always sexy, baby,” he retorted.

  “And cocky.”

  “Yeah, I’ve got one of those, too.”

  Snickering, I shook my head and stood up straighter when the automatic voice announced, “Penthouse Suite.”

  The doors opened, revealing two large double doors just a few feet from the elevators.

  I checked my phone for the code again. However, when I took a step closer, I realized the door was already open.

  “Hello?” I called out when I stepped in. “Wow.”

  I had been to the Van Gooden before, but never the penthouse. In front of me was nothing but a narrow floor-to-ceiling window overlooking all of Chicago. The interior of the room was classic, but with a modern edge in tones of silver, white, and navy. A fire roared to the right of me where I left my suitcase and jacket. To my left, there was a large, circular luxury aquarium tank filled with dozens of fishes of all sizes. The aquarium went up the second floor, the staircase wrapping around it. I wasn’t sure where to look: it was like interior design porn. I wandered over to the aquarium, and like a child, I put my hand on the glass as the script suggested. After I tapped the glass once, the fish all swam away from me.

  The camera crew and the director were already in the penthouse, silently watching. The fact that the director hadn’t called “cut” already meant that he wasn’t worried about the angles yet, though my spots were marked on the ground.

  Hearing a soft cough, I turned back to him. There stood a short man with thick, curly brown hair and thick-rimmed black glasses. His eyes widened as he glanced up the length of my body in the fitted red dress I wore.

  “Mr. Gooden?” I asked.

  He nodded slowly.

  “Is he a mute?” Damon questioned.

  Ignoring him, I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m guessing you’ve never done this before?”

  “Ugh…no. No,” he said with assurance. “My friend just turned me on to escorts. I mean, he told me about them, not that he turns me on. I’m not gay. Not that there is anything wrong with being gay. I actually have a gay cousin…” he backpedaled.

  “I take it back. How the hell do you make him shut up?” Damon muttered.

  “Breathe, Mr. Gooden,” I giggled. “I don’t bite…not unless you want me to, that is.”

  “I want you to,” Damon commented again.

  Meanwhile, Mr. Gooden just stared at me, both nervous and lustful.

  “Would you happen to have any wine? To make us both comfortable?” I asked him.

  “Yes, of course. I just had them bring up some of my favorite. White or red?”

  “White, please, Daddy,” I said with a smile, and he looked like he was ready to come in his pants.

  “You’re trying too hard,” Damon stated.

  “Am I? Or are you still jealous?” I muttered when Mr. Gooden headed for the kitchen. While he was gone, I tried to spot anything that would look like camera. He had two obvious ones by the door and at least one in the living room.

  “Here you go,” Mr. Gooden said, handing me a glass.

  “Thank you,” I replied before taking his hand and leading him over to the couch in front of the massive windows.

  Kicking off my shoes, I curled up beside him and held my glass up for a toast.

  “To a memorable evening,” I said, then drank the whole thing, watching him from the corner of my eye as he did the same.

  Leaning forward, I placed the glass on the table before us and rose to my feet, my back to him as I reached for the zipper of my dress, slowly working it down…

  “Umm…” I paused, turning back to him completely. “I just noticed the cameras. Do you mind?”

  “Of course, sorry.” He jumped, almost tripping as he reached for a tablet on the side table. He shook his head once, squinting as he tried to focus on the screen. “Done.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, moving back to him and cupping his cheek. I allowed my thumb to rub across his bottom lip. “You seem like a good guy, Mr. Gooden. Good guys shouldn’t pay for sex. You never know who you’ll meet.”

  “What?” he drifted off as the drugs kicked in.

  Ring.

  Grinning as I walked around his furniture back to the door, I opened it to see Damon standing stony-faced, his eyes traveling up and down my body.

  “Right on time,” I said.

  “Take off the dress,” he demanded. I took a step back, allowing him to enter the suite.

  “No.”

  Frowning, he reached out to grab my waist and press me against his hard body. I could feel the bulge of him against me.

  “Take it off, Blair, before I do.”

  “We have a job to do, Damon.”

  “Yeah, and six hours before the drug wears off. More than enough time for me to pay you back,” he whispered while one of his hands slid up my dress. My hands already were working on the buttons of his shirt as his eyes filled with lust, and he licked his lips without even realizing it.

  “Damon—” I moaned into his kiss as he grabbed my thighs, lifting me up and moving me to the glass windows, in perfect view of Mr. Gooden. I shivered, feeling the slick glass on my back as he pulled down the top half of my dress. Pulling my breasts from my bra, he took one of my nipples into his mouth. My mouth dropped open as I gripped his hair.

  “Yes…” I hissed, biting my lip.

  He undid his pants with ease, allowing them and his boxers to give a perfect view of his ass to the camera.

  “Fuck…” I gasped. My eyes widened when he thrust forward, his hard dick slamming into my pussy.

  His eyes met mine, shining mischievously. We weren’t actually supposed to be having sex, but apparently he didn’t care—and that excited me even more.

  “Harder,” I demanded when his lips covered mine.

  This was one of my favorite sex scenes of the movie.

  There was no foreplay. The screen direction simply read, “Damon fucks Blair in front of sleeping Mr. Gooden.”

  I gripped his shoulders as his mouth traveled from my lips to my jaw.

  “
Oh!” I moaned, my legs wrapped around him as he held me in place, ramming himself deeper into me. The glass rocked and creaked behind us, but neither of us cared. We were in total sync, my breasts bouncing freely against me.

  Biting my ear, he didn’t slow down. He fucked me so hard I couldn’t even make complete sentences. Just as I felt the tension building in the pit of my stomach, he came.

  “No,” I whimpered when he pulled out of me. My legs were too weak to stand on my own, so I slowly slid to the ground.

  “You … fucking … bastard,” I said, glaring at him and inhaling deeply through my nose as he adjusted himself.

  “I said payback would be a bitch, didn’t I?” He said with absolutely no fucking shame. “As hot as you look, baby, you’re going to need to get up. We have a job to do.”

  To that, I just flipped him off.

  “Cut! Brilliant.” Director Zane came over to us as I lifted my bra and sleeve back up. Noah extended his hand for me but I refused it—I couldn’t touch him right now. My body was still hot and shaking. “I’m not sure what happened yesterday. But, your performance today was amazing. Just a few small notes, Amelia. I need you to try and make more eye contact with us. As for you, Noah, right now your improvising is great, but keep it to a minimum, if you know what I mean.”

  They stared each other down for a moment before Noah simply nodded.

  “All right, everyone,” Zane said, turning back to the crew. “We’ll break for two hours before bringing in the extra for the street run.”

  When Zane was gone, Noah faced me. “We didn’t get a chance to talk this morning, when you came in with your mother? Are you okay?”