Casting Call (Off Screen Book 5)

by J. A. Armstrong

  “Don’t push it, Addy,” Tamara warned.

  Addison laughed. She had a feeling that there was more that Tamara needed or wanted to say. Addison had figured out when Tamara was moving to Vancouver that her best friend often felt more comfortable confiding in Emma about her deeper feelings. She was surprised that the revelation did not hurt her. Somehow, it made sense. Tamara had always been Addison’s protector. That was just how their roles had played out. It was a relationship dynamic that was born out of tragedy. Addison’s mother’s death set those roles in motion and they had never changed. While Tamara loved to tease Addison, she was fiercely protective of her best friend. Addison had come to learn that Tamara felt a sense of pride in that protector role. Emma was different. She didn’t require Tamara’s protection. Emma had her family and Addison for that. Inadvertently, Emma had become Tamara’s confidante. In some ways, Addison noted, Emma had become a motherly figure to Tamara. Addison understood the evolution. Emma was nurturing. She was the listener in their relationship. That was Emma. She was always listening. She was naturally compassionate and nonjudgmental. Addison smiled at her best friend. There was no doubt in her mind that Tamara would be calling or visiting Emma soon.

  “What are you grinning about?” Tamara asked. “I’m not changing diapers. Ask Christie. She’s got nieces.”

  Addison laughed. “Good thing for me you’re an old married lady now, I guess,” Addison commented. Tamara smirked. “Oh, no way! Are you and Christie getting married?”

  Tamara shrugged. “Depends, I guess.”

  “On what?”

  “If she says yes or not.”

  “I don’t believe it!” Addison exclaimed. “You are going to propose? You?”

  “What? Why is that so shocking?”

  “I just figured if you ever did, Christie would have to suggest it,” Addison said.

  “Yeah, and I figured I’d get to make fun of you having to give up beer for nine months and walking like a penguin.”

  “Nice, Tam. You can laugh at Em instead.”

  Tamara groaned. “Not as much fun.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you so much. Did you buy a ring yet?”

  “Nah. I thought I would let you put it on your Platinum card this weekend.”

  Addison laughed. “Figures. When do we leave?”

  “What?”

  “To go get your ring?”

  “Uh…”

  “Cat got your tongue, Tam? Come on, let’s go,” Addison said.

  “Now?” Tamara jumped slightly.

  “No time like the present.” Tamara turned white. Addison laughed. “Second thoughts?”

  “Yes. What if she says no?”

  Addison rolled her eyes. “Come on, you big chicken. Put your money where your mouth is.”

  Tamara followed her friend to the door. “I guess you weren’t listening. The plan is to put your money where my mouth is.”

  Addison held the door for Tamara and shook her head. She watched Tamara head toward the car and laughed. Some things do change.

  ***

  Emma stretched in her chair. She was feeling unusually tired. It had been a long week. Dan had been feeling under the weather and it was impacting the shooting schedule. Emma was sympathetic. She just was drained. They had struggled through take after take of one of their scenes and they just couldn’t seem to fall into it. It was rare for that to happen.

  “Hey,” Dan said softly.

  “Hey. How are you feeling?” Emma asked.

  “Like shit,” he answered truthfully.

  “I’m sorry, “Emma replied. She had some experience with working while feeling terrible physically. She had come down with bronchitis during the second season of Found. It was the most difficult two weeks of her professional life. All she wanted to do was sleep. She would find herself nodding off between takes and counting the minutes until the end of the day.

  “I think I should be the one apologizing,” Dan said.

  Emma laughed. “I’ve been there. I get it.”

  “Dan! Emma!” a voice bellowed.

  “I can’t stand this guy,” Dan groaned.

  Emma nodded her agreement. “The only thing bigger than his talent is his attitude,” she laughed.

  “Or his ego,” Dan chuckled through a cough as they made their way back to the set. “Why is Jeff so dead set on this asshole?”

  Emma shrugged. She did not care for Doug Miller as a person. That was rare. Emma liked almost everyone, even Don Bellson. Bellson could be a blowhard, but he had never been outright rude to anyone. He had a job to do. Underneath his demands and his bravado, Emma was sure that he respected the team, even if he could be a bit misogynistic. Doug Miller made her uneasy. That made her cautious. He was talented, but he was arrogant. She couldn’t figure out why Jeff seemed so dead set on hiring the director for multiple episodes. He had managed to frustrate the cast and crew the first two times he worked on the show. Jeff was typically in tune with the feelings of the cast and crew. It surprised Emma that he seemed to be gung-ho over the director. She shrugged it off. After all, she would only have to endure him three times this season.

  “Who knows?” Emma said.

  “What about Addison?” Dan asked.

  Emma thought for a minute as they approached the set. Addison hadn’t said much at all about Doug Miller. In fact, they had never discussed the man. “I don’t know. She’s so busy with the end of the season and with casting, I don’t think she has paid much attention.”

  “Are you two ready?” Doug asked. Emma smiled and Dan nodded. “Great. Let’s get going.”

  Emma looked at Dan and her smile faded to an apprehensive expression as the cameras began to roll. Now she was Genevieve.

  Genevieve: Dominick, please.

  Dominick: Please? Please, what, Genny?

  Emma grabbed Dan’s hand and forcefully removed the glass he was holding.

  Genevieve: This! Stop this! This is madness. What do you expect it to bring you?

  Dominick: To bring me? Maybe some peace.

  Genevieve: Peace? You think somehow this will resurrect your career? What? Your life? Dominick…

  Dominick: What do you care? What do you know? Your life is an act.

  Emma steps back wounded and sets the glass down.

  Genevieve: Yes, I suppose it is.

  Dan started to deliver his next line and immediately fell into a coughing fit. Emma ran over to help him sit.

  “Cut!” Doug yelled. “Jesus Christ!”

  “Can somebody please get us some water?” Emma asked the crew at large. She looked at Dan who was sweating profusely. “You all right?” she asked gently. Emma helped him take a sip of the glass that was passed to him. “Dan,” she said softly as she placed her hand on his forehead. “Do you really think you can get through this scene?”

  “Well, aren’t you Florence fucking Nightingale,” Doug interrupted.

  Emma looked at Dan and smiled sympathetically before standing and facing the director. “What is your problem, Doug?”

  “I should have this pace disinfected before I come here,” he replied dryly.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Emma asked.

  “Well, it seems someone is always too sick to work. Or, maybe it’s just a ploy so you can look like the doting star.”

  Emma nodded. “Yes, that must be it, Doug. Or, maybe your immense attitude just infects the crew somehow.”

  “Are we finishing or not?” he asked abruptly. Emma looked at Dan.

  “We’re finishing,” Dan answered.

  Emma and Dan watched as Dough shook his head and walked away. “We will be finished if that happens again,” Emma whispered to Dan.

  “No, I’ll get through it, Em. I swear.”

  “Dan…”

  “I don’t want to risk seeing that asshole when I am feeling better Monday,” he said. Emma snickered. “He might find more than his ego reduced.”

  “Are you two ready yet?” Doug called.

 
Emma offered the director a smile laced with sarcasm. “Oh, we are ready.” Asshole.

  ***

  “Hey,” Addison answered her phone. “How are you?”

  Emma sighed. “Tired. Addy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can I ask you something work related?”

  “Sure. Something wrong?” Addison wondered.

  “No. What’s the deal with Doug Miller?”

  “The director?”

  “Yes, silly.”

  “I don’t know. Jeff hired him,” Addison said.

  “I know that. Why is he so hot on this guy?” Emma asked.

  “You don’t like him? I know he was kind of a jerk that day I passed out. You know how it sometimes gets, Em…”

  “Yeah, I do,” Emma said. She’d worked with all kinds of personalities over the years. Something about Miller unsettled her.

  “Em?”

  “I don’t know, Addy. I don’t trust him.”

  “With the show, you mean?” Addison asked.

  “In general. Dan was sick as a dog today. Miller? He was just…”

  “He has no people skills. I get it,” Addison said.

  “I guess,” Emma said skeptically. She decided to change the subject. “So, how did Tam react to the news? Did she shit her pants?”

  Addison laughed. “Nah. She was a little bummed.”

  “Bummed?” Emma asked a bit hurtfully.

  “Yep. That she would not get to make fun of my waddling.”

  Emma laughed. “I see. Should I prepare for target practice?”

  “Nope. Said you aren’t as much fun to pick on.”

  “Oh, boy.”

  “That’s not the best part,” Addison said.

  “It gets better?” Emma asked.

  “Yeah, she bought Christie a ring today.”

  “What? Like an engagement ring?” Emma asked in disbelief.

  “Yep.”

  “Stop. You are kidding me.”

  “No. I am not. I swear,” Addison promised.

  “Wow. I didn’t see that coming.”

  “Neither did I,” Addison admitted.

  “How is she doing?” Emma asked.

  Addison smiled on the other end of the line. Emma was concerned. She could hear it. “I think she’s a little freaked out by everything to be honest.” Addison heard Emma sigh. “She’s okay. I think the reality is finally hitting her that we are grown up.”

  Emma chuckled. “Oh, boy. Well, it happens.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “When are you heading back?” Emma asked.

  “Why? Miss me already?” Addison joked.

  Emma sighed. She did miss Addison. It felt strange in the house without her. Emma traveled often. Addison, while she always missed Emma, had adjusted to being home without the actress. Addison seldom had to travel, and even more rarely did she take a trip without Emma. The house felt empty to Emma without Addison wandering around.

  “Em?”

  “I’m here. Is it weird like this for you?” she asked.

  “What do you mean?” Addison asked.

  “I’m not used to being here without you.”

  “I don’t know if it’s weird. I know I prefer it when you are home with me,” Addison admitted.

  “Hey! You went shopping,” Emma suddenly brightened. “Did you buy me anything?”

  “Nosy. Nosy. Maybe,” Addison teased.

  “I’ll bet it’s black,” Emma laughed.

  “I guess you will have to wait until Sunday night to see.”

  “Give me a hint,” Emma pleaded.

  “It’s not black.”

  “Is it shiny?” Emma wondered.

  Addison burst out laughing. “Maybe. It’s forty-eight hours. You’ll survive. I had to wait over a week last year when you went away. And then, you gave me licorice.”

  “I gave you other things too.”

  “Yes. You did.”

  “See? My gifts keep on giving,” Emma joked.

  “You’ve got me there, Em. I should go. Sounds like Tam is hanging up with Christie.”

  “Okay. See you Sunday. I love you.”

  “Love you too,” Addison said.

  “Shiny?” Emma asked again.

  “Good night, Emma,” Addison laughed.

  Chapter Four

  Emma was stretched out on the sofa with a book. Addison had been hibernating in her office most of the evening, presumably working on the show. Emma didn’t want to think about the show for the next few weeks. In fact, Emma didn’t want to think about anything at all. The pace of filming had been intense. The pace of life had matched it the last three months. Tonight began her mini-hiatus. Two months of disappointments on the baby front. Three months of constant work. Emma just wanted to rest. Addison had suggested they get away for a few days. Emma rejected the idea. She just wanted to be home with no one else’s schedule to keep. The next break would come at Christmas for four weeks. This year was unique. Sandra had scored a role in a feature film that was set to begin shooting at the end of April. Jeff was collaborating on another show. Addison and Jeff worked to accommodate that schedule. It meant they had begun earlier in the year and they would work over the summer. It also meant that they were slated to film the first two episodes of the next season in late March before taking the summer off. Just the thought made Emma tired. She set her book on her chest and closed her eyes. Finally, just some time to relax. Emma ignored the sound of the phone ringing in the distance.

  “Em?” Addison gently shook her wife

  “Hum?”

  “Wake up,” Addison called to her.

  Emma pried one eye open and looked at Addison. “What is it?”

  Addison sat down on the edge of the sofa and took Emma’s hand. “Em, your mom just called.”

  “What?” Emma asked fearfully. “What’s wrong?”

  “Your dad just got rushed to the hospital,” Addison said cautiously. Emma’s eyes glassed over, but she made no response. “Em?”

  “What happened?”

  “Looks like he is having a heart attack.”

  “Is he…”

  “I don’t know,” Addison said softly. “We need to get a flight there.”

  “Addy?”

  Addison pulled Emma into her arms. “Your dad is tough. He’ll be okay.”

  “What if he’s not?” Emma asked, holding onto Addison tightly.

  Addison took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She remembered receiving the call that her mother had passed away vividly. She remembered the shock, the numbness, and then the pain that followed. She knew the hole that the loss of a parent left intimately. “He will be,” she said. Please let him be all right.

  ***

  Addison pulled the rental car into Emma’s parents’ driveway and turned to her wife. “Em?”

  “I’m all right, Addy. Honest,” Emma promised. Emma’s mother had called to let Emma know that her father was expected to recover. The doctors had been able to place a stent in his blocked artery and he was being moved into Intensive Care for the night. She had assured Emma that was standard procedure and was only a precaution. The cardiologist was confident that Tom Bronson would be home in another day or two. Emma smiled when she felt Addison take her hand. “I’m okay. Just tired.”

  Addison nodded her understanding. She had booked them on the first flight she could find out of LAX. That had been almost nine hours ago. “Let’s go.”

  Emma walked into her parent’s home and found her mother at the kitchen table sipping a cup of tea. “Mom?”

  “Emmie,” Sherry made her way to her daughter and enveloped her in a hug.

  “Are you okay?” Emma asked.

  Sherry offered her daughter a tired smile. “I’m all right. You just missed Jackson.”

  “How’s Daddy?”

  “He’s already complaining so I would say that is a very good sign,” Sherry said. Emma looked doubtful. “He was lucky, Emmie. He scared the hell out of me,” she said honestly. “B
ut, he’s going to be fine. I promise. He was asleep when I left. That was after he asked when he could leave.”

  Emma shook her head. It was not surprising that her father would be a disagreeable patient. “I’m sorry that it took us so long to get here.”

  “Nonsense. I told Addison not to rush here.”

  “There was no way we were not coming,” Addison said.

  “I know,” Sherry said. “You could’ve waited until morning.”

  “It is morning,” Addison winked.

  Sherry laughed. “I suppose it is. I’m glad you are here. You two look exhausted. You should go get some sleep for a few hours.”

  “I can’t sleep yet,” Emma said.

  Sherry smiled. “I’ll make you a cup of chamomile tea. Addison?”

  “No, but thanks.”

  Emma turned to Addison. “Why don’t you go get some rest?” she suggested.

  “Em…I…”

  Emma kissed Addison softly. “I’ll be there in a bit.”

  Addison nodded. She didn’t need any further explanation. Emma needed some alone time with her mother. “Okay. If you need me…”

  “I know. I promise I won’t be long,” Emma said.

  “Good night, Sherry,” Addison said.

  “Good night, Addy.”

  “I’m glad Tom is okay,” Addison said. Sherry smiled.

  “I’ll try not to wake you,” Emma told Addison.

  “No, you can wake me up,” Addison said with a kiss.

  Emma turned back to her mother. “Mom, sit down. I’ll get the tea,” she said.

  Sherry sighed but complied and let Emma take over her task. She watched Emma carefully as she navigated the kitchen and finished making her tea. Emma finally collapsed into a chair across the kitchen table from her mother. “Emmie, you look exhausted.”

  “Being up all night does that,” Emma joked. “You need some rest yourself.”

  “Mm. How are you?” Sherry asked.

  “Well, I’m a lot better than I was a few hours ago,” Emma confessed.

  “I know. I probably should have waited to call until I knew more,” Sherry said.

  “No.”

  “Emmie, he really will be all right,” Sherry tried to reassure her daughter. Emma nodded. “I’m more worried about you right now,” Sherry said.

  “Me? Why? I told you, I am just tired,” Emma replied.

  Sherry raised an eyebrow. “I know you are tired and worried. Something tells me this is not your first sleepless night. What is going on?”