Hollywood Rush

by Rhonda Laurel

  John cleared his throat and played with his tie.

  Kate knew that look. “Someone I know?”

  John turned his head again, barely audible. “Yes.”

  Kate rubbed her temples. “Who the hell was it this time?”

  “Lana McNeal. We’ve been spending time together. I’ve been working with her on this new sexy sound she wants.”

  A sharp pain shot up Kate’s neck. “Lana McNeal? You’re old enough to be her father. Please don’t tell me you’ve succumbed to the cliché of getting involved with the talent.”

  “I’m offended. I’m only twelve years older than her.” John sank back down into the chair.

  “Human years or dog years?” Kate quipped. “Please tell me you weren’t doing her on my desk.”

  “It was just a kiss. Kind of a hot kiss, but nothing else, and Sabrina came bursting through the door with a message.”

  “I’m serious John. No more canoodling with Lana. I’ll cut off your balls and make Italian wedding soup with them.” Kate threw her planner at him.

  “It won’t happen again.”

  “I wish I could get you neutered,” Kate mumbled.

  * * *

  Kate gingerly stepped into Andre’s office. He was nowhere in sight, so she called out to him. “Mr. White, you wanted to see me?”

  “Ms. Garrison…or is it Mrs. Cavanaugh now?” Andre’s deep voice emanated from his private bathroom.

  “You know, I haven’t thought about it.” She laughed.

  Andre appeared in the doorway. “Typical modern woman. Who needs a man’s last name?”

  Kate stopped mid stride, surprised by his statement. “Wow. I didn’t take you for the traditional type.”

  “I think it’s nice when a woman wants to commit herself wholeheartedly.”

  “You never seem to run out of surprises for me, do you?”

  “I wouldn’t want you to get bored with me.” He walked over to his desk and handed her a folder. “I’m afraid I have another one for you.”

  Kate flipped through the folder, taking in the information.

  “Sit. I’ll make you a drink,” he said, motioning to the barstool.

  She grimaced. “It’s too early for me.”

  “Ginger ale mixed with club soda and a lemon twist. I think you called it a clean, dirty martini?” He placed the drink in front of her.

  Kate smiled. He remembered. “Thanks.” She took a sip of her drink and skimmed the contents of the file. “Henry’s been a busy boy.”

  “My guy says he left rehab, against the counselor’s advice.”

  “Assessment?”

  “Marvin funneled a monthly allotment to him but that stopped when he died. The house Henry lives in is paid for but other than that, he’s going to have to find another means of support.”

  Kate blinked. She didn’t know Marvin had still been giving his son money. “Do you think I should start up his allowance again?”

  “Why would you want to?” Andre sipped on his drink.

  “I don’t want him bothering Clara.”

  “Now that his father is dead, I don’t think five grand a month is going to pacify Henry. Cutting him out of his will was a big slap in the face. If he can’t get what he thinks is rightfully his, he’ll be more interested in vengeance than a token allowance.”

  Kate grimaced. That was all she needed.

  “No worries. My people are still on him.”

  “Thanks, Andre.”

  He winked at her. “That’s what I’m here for.”

  * * *

  Chris took a break from tuning his bike in the newly renovated four-car garage. His work area was lined with workbenches, every mechanic’s tool imaginable, a few rich black leather couches, a refrigerator, and a retro soda machine. He grabbed a soda and sunk into one of the couches to look over the new pages of the script that had been delivered to him this morning.

  The revised pages of Malediction included a new love scene with his costar and ex-girlfriend, Allison Pratt. Allison was playing the part of Cherie Taylor, the down-on-her-luck waitress who was drawn to his drifter character, Edison. He knew there was supposed to be a taut chemistry between the two of them, but he’d had no idea they were going to do a super nova love scene to prove it. Each page he turned became more graphic, leading up to a monster orgasm against a dirty mechanic’s garage wall. His ass would be the only thing showing in the scene, thank goodness.

  I’m working with CC, how cool is that? That was the latest media blurb she’d posted on her personal page. His publicist had a team of interns that scoured social media daily for any mention of his clients. According to their reports, she told a daily entertainment news show that she was excited to be working with him.

  This would be his first love scene as a married man—and with someone he’d actually screwed. He knew it was part of the job, and he was a professional. But how would Kate feel about him groping someone else, even in simulation? The goal was to make it believable…would she find it too believable? The idea of intimacy, real or fabricated for the big screen, with someone else other than his wife left a bad taste in his mouth.

  He tossed the pages onto the sofa and got up. He had to clear his head.

  * * *

  Chris strolled around the farmer’s market looking for a pineapple and some decent mangos. He was going to surprise Kate with a fruit salad reminiscent of the delectable eats they’d had on their honeymoon. Making love to her and eating good food was all he needed in life. These days the possibilities were endless—there were loads of tantalizing scripts, most of them in the action genre, that were bound to give him the kind of A-list exposure he’d been seeking for years. Assuming he made it through the casting process, he could conceivably be busy for the next three years. Travel, career expansion, and making money appealed to him. Being taken away from Kate to achieve it—not so much.

  His fear that something would muck up their happiness was very real. He’d witnessed many couples in the business give it a go while pursuing their individual dreams. But after a while, statements like “growing apart” and “constant separation due to work” were indicators that distance was deadly in a relationship.

  The Bonanza ringtone emanated from his jeans pocket. It was his agent, Stan.

  “Hey, Stan, what’s up?”

  “How was the honeymoon?”

  “I got to see my wife in a bikini every day. It was fantastic.” He took a bite out of an apple.

  “You better treat that woman right. She’s one in a million. So keep that zipper of yours welded shut when you’re not at home,” Stan barked into the phone.

  Chris shut his eyes. Stan had given him the talking to of a lifetime about fidelity at the wedding reception. “I will, Stan. I promise.”

  “I hope so, because I’d hate to have to kick your ass,” Stan barked. “You’re a good kid. You’ve got the looks and the talent. All you need is a little discipline and you’ll be on your way. I’ve seen you mature the last few months.”

  “Thanks.” Chris smiled. “I’ve been reading through the scripts you sent over to the house.”

  “Good. How about you come by the office this week?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Chris got in line to pay for his fruit. He smiled at the cashier, who was giving him a jaw breaking grin, as he juggled to get the wallet out of his back pocket.

  “Are you Chris Cavanaugh?” Her hand shook a little bit when she took the fifty-dollar bill in his hand.

  “Yes, I am. And you are?”

  “Pamela. I am such a great fan of yours! I’ve seen every movie you’ve ever made! You are awesome!” She paced behind the stand.

  “Thank you, Pamela. It’s very nice to meet you.” Chris shook her hand. His heart went out to her. She looked like she was going to pass out.

  “The Knock Around Boys was a nice change for you. The depth you brought to Danny was great. Did falling in love with Kate Garrison while you were filming have something to do with
it?”

  “Being in a real relationship opened me up in a way that enhanced my performance for that role.” There. He’d just spilled his guts to a total stranger at a farmer’s market.

  “Awesome. Thank you for the wonderful films you’ve done. I know you’re going to win an Oscar soon.” She beamed.

  “Thanks, Pamela.” Chris walked away with his bag of fruit, wondering if he should have offered to give her an autograph or something. He wanted to thank her for the encouraging words. Hearing positive reinforcement from a fan made up for all the times he saw a scathing review about himself. She’d even noticed how his acting had matured in The Knock Around Boys.

  Winning an Oscar? That was always everyone’s dream, but Chris sincerely hoped it wasn’t totally out of his reach.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “…Here’s a juicy tidbit from Hotline Tabloid News. Is there trouble in paradise already for Chrate? Sources say newlyweds Chris Cavanaugh and Kate Garrison spent most of their time apart on the honeymoon. Chris has reportedly been unhappy with Kate’s controlling ways now that she’s his boss over at Pinnacle Studios. Insiders at Pinnacle say that since taking her new position at the studio, Kate has been pressuring the powers that be to put Chris in more starring roles. And the infamous Don Juan of Hollywood will begin production Malediction with the ex-love of his life, Allison Baxter. Ally B has been blowing up every social media account she has, gushing about spending time with Cavanaugh in their hot new roles. Looks like Chrate is getting off to a rocky marital start.”

  Kate stabbed at the remote control, trying to get the hideous gossip show off her screen. Much to her annoyance, she and Chris were still juicy fodder for the media despite being very low key and having a great honeymoon. She tried to take comfort in the fact that the report was complete garbage, but it burned her just the same.

  Sabrina knocked once then opened the door. “I thought you swore off listening to gossip. You know it makes your blood pressure rise.”

  “I can’t help it. It’s like looking at a car wreck. Your mind says no, but your eyes are glued to the carnage. And they seem to like talking about Allison Baxter and her social media love letters to Chris.”

  Sabrina sat on the edge of the desk and picked up the conch shell Kate had brought back from their honeymoon. “Being the ex of Chris Cavanaugh is more notable than being the current girlfriend of that guy on that sitcom. What a sting it must be to have your ex explode to stardom while you’re still a nobody.”

  “I think that was a serious relationship for him, but he doesn’t talk about it.” Kate bit her lip. It shouldn’t have bothered her, but they’d never really talked about all the women he’d dated in Hollywood.

  “Chris keeping his trap shut about the past is a good thing,” Sabrina said. “The minute a guy wants to talk about old flames and uses phrases like ‘the one that got away,’ I drop him. He’s practically admitting he’s going to leave you the minute an ex-girlfriend gives him a second chance.”

  “Sabrina.”

  “Don’t fall into that trap of being the understanding woman. You’re not his mother. If he wants to confide deep dark secrets, send him to a therapist.”

  Kate shook her head, but her friend did have a point. The past should stay in the past.

  Sabrina placed the shell back down on the desk. “Back to real reason I barged in on you. Hannah from DeGaffen Jewelers called. Chris’s cufflinks are ready. Do you want me to send someone over to get them?”

  “It’s almost lunch time. How about we grab a bite at Bellow’s then swing by the jewelers?” Kate pushed off from her desk.

  “Sure, if we can get a table this century. But I foresee us eating at the Taco Taco food truck down the street.” Sabrina gave her a devious grin. “So…when do I get all the juicy details of your honeymoon?”

  Kate gave her an equally sly smile. “Never.”

  * * *

  Kate didn’t know what she was thinking, trying to get a table without a reservation, but Bellows had great food, and Marvin had always raved about it. There were some pretty heavy hitters dining today and the waiting area was packed as well. Sabrina might have been right about that food truck.

  She waded through the crowd until she reached the hostess podium, where she saw Raymond Whitland, the other majority shareholder in Pinnacle, entering the restaurant. Raymond offered to buy her shares after Marvin’s funeral, but she flat out refused. Because she wouldn’t give him what he wanted, he avoided her at Pinnacle like the plague, and every time she asked her secretary Virginia to schedule a meeting with him, he was conveniently unavailable.

  And according to the look on his face, he was clearly wishing he’d opted for Taco Taco.

  “Kate, so nice to see you,” he said through his teeth.

  “Raymond, this is one way of getting you to see me,” Kate replied.

  “I’m sorry about that. I’ve been so busy. You would think I could just stay home and collect a fat paycheck, but I like to be involved in every aspect of my business.”

  “I know how you feel. That’s why I’ve been spending time at Pinnacle. I look forward to being involved in day-to-day operations.”

  Raymond looked past her, as if hoping for the hostess to magically appear and rescue him. “To be honest with you, when I learned Marvin had made such an uncharacteristic move like leaving you his shares, I thought you would cash in and live the good life in Hollywood. I didn’t anticipate you sticking around Pinnacle to make sure your husband’s career flourished. How is Chris these days? Getting ready to go on location for Malediction?”

  “Marvin had the foresight to leave his legacy in the hands of someone who would nurture it, not snort it up their nose or whatever drugs your godson Henry does these days. As for my husband, he does just fine on his own.” Kate tucked a loose lock of her hair behind her ear.

  Raymond stepped closer to her. “Don’t you have enough on your plate with your record label and Blue Vinyl? Something will suffer and it won’t be my studio.”

  She looked him straight in the eye. “What I have on my plate is none of your concern. And it’s not your studio. I own thirty-seven percent just like you do. Change is coming, Raymond. Embrace it or it may swallow you whole.”

  The hostess appeared before them. “I apologize for making you wait. Your table is ready.”

  “No problem, Petra. It seems to be busy this afternoon,” Raymond drawled.

  Petra gave him a gorgeous smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Whitland. I was speaking to Mrs. Cavanaugh.”

  The look of exasperation on Raymond’s face was priceless. Kate and Sabrina followed the hostess to a small private room away from the main dining area. As soon as the sliding doors closed, the chatty noise of the other patrons in the larger room disappeared. Two waiters appeared, one with a wine list and the other with a small tray with the chef’s specials. A manager appeared and insisted Kate taste a few of the dishes. Once she and Sabrina settled on a diablo shrimp pasta dish in red sauce, the two waiters were off to get their drinks. The manager tried to excuse himself, but Kate stopped him.

  “Excuse me, the service is lovely, but I’m afraid you have me confused with someone else.” She smiled, trying to ignore Sabrina kicking her shin under the table.

  “No, Mrs. Cavanaugh, it’s the least we can do.” The manager gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry for the delay today with your seating. It will never happen again.”

  Kate nodded. “Thank you.”

  “I have to go out to lunch with you more often, Mrs. Cavanaugh,” Sabrina snickered after the manager left.

  “What do you think is going on?” Kate asked.

  “Let’s find out.” Sabrina stood and went in search of answers.

  Mrs. Cavanaugh. Kate had to admit it had a nice ring to it. She reached into her purse and pulled out her smartphone. Her first order of business was to bring some sanity into her life by merging Atlantis and Blue Vinyl. She been talking with Tru Davies, Blue Vinyl’s President, the last few months and h
e was apprehensive about the merger. He voiced his concerns that Blue Vinyl’s classic reputation would be somehow damaged. Kate smiled and listened, but she really wanted to punch the guy out. Tru had so much as called Atlantis a flash in the pan that didn’t deserve to occupy the same air space as Blue Vinyl.

  She’d been disappointed. She’d thought he was as progressive and insightful as Marvin. But after coddling him for months, she put her foot down. She told him the two record labels were merging and she totally understood if he tendered his resignation. He then backpedaled and offered to host the announcement party at his mansion.

  She knew it was a calculated offer. Inheriting Marvin’s legacy had created a whole new list of people who wanted to see her fail.

  Sabrina returned to the table with a satisfied smile on her face. “So here’s the skinny. The waiter Rodolfo said word around town was that heads will roll if you don’t get the star treatment.”

  Kate chuckled. “Well that’s kind of difficult in a town filled with stars.”

  “Rodolfo showed me Bellow’s tiered chart.” Sabrina rocked back in her chair and fanned herself with her linen napkin.

  Kate joined in with her napkin, afraid her assistant was going to have a meltdown. “Calm down. What’s on this chart?”

  “First of all, you’d be surprised how many stars aren’t at the top. Rodolfo says popularity means nothing to the owners. They’re kind of old school. So being famous for being famous only gets you penalized. They add an additional month wait time if you call for a reservation. Some of the A-Listers only rate a B-Horror Movie status. They get a two-week wait on their reservation. It was nuts.”

  “And where do I come into play?”

  “It looks like they’ve transferred Marvin’s Hollywood clout to you. They crossed out his name when he died and wrote yours in its place.”

  Kate shivered. Is that what happened when you died in this town? Your name gets crossed off and someone else assumes your place?