The Callback

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Thank you.” At least she smiled, but she really wanted a paper bag to pull over her head.

  Her smile evaporated. “Why do you look so sad?”

  Closing her eyes, Leona shook her head.

  “Oh, that cute actor…is he really a jerk?”

  A laugh bubbled up. “Oh no, not at all. Filming starts tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you live in New York?”

  “Yeah, but I was on vacation.”

  Smiling, she nodded. “Does that mean you’re with him?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t discuss my personal life.” That was a fair answer.

  “Oh, sorry.” She covered her mouth, then stuck her hand out. “I’m Holly. Your biggest fan. Never thought I’d be sitting next to you.”

  “It’s okay, it happens. I make it a point to keep my private life private.”

  “You made front page of the SASS News. There was definitely chemistry between you two.”

  Stage and Screen Stars News, the worst of the tabloids, as far as she was concerned.

  Leona lifted a shoulder. “I don’t think tabloids ever get the story right.”

  “I’m just talking about the picture. I don’t actually pick them up to read, but those pictures show one hot couple ready to explode.”

  Blinking, Leona shook her head. “I honestly don’t know what you’re taking about.” So far, she had managed to avoid the pictures. She knew they were out there, but she hadn’t seen them.

  “How have you missed it? You were here in LA this whole time, right?”

  “Been busy,” she answered sheepishly.

  “Oh my, you should really tell me anything so I stop imagining the two of you together.”

  Laughing, Leona rubbed the back of her neck and glanced out the window.

  Holly’s grin got wider. “You’re blushing. Yeah, you two have something.”

  “Not discussing this.”

  “Sorry, oh God, I can’t shut up, can I?”

  “Why don’t you read?”

  Now Holly blushed. “I’ve read it a dozen times, at least. I love this series. I hear that’s why you were in LA.”

  She nodded.

  “That how you met him. Luke Chance, right? Man, I never remember movie star names.”

  She tipped her head side to side.

  “Right, not talking about him. Should take a chance on him.” Holly nudged her.

  God, this was awkward. “I’ll keep it in mind. I’m just going to put my earbuds in and write while we’re in the air.”

  “Oh, what book are you working on?”

  “I haven’t announced it yet. Sorry. No spoilers.”

  “Did you tell him?”

  Shaking her head, she settled in with her notebook and pen. “Haven’t told anyone.” Okay, she did confirm who to Luke, and she told Mona about the story, but that was it so far.

  “Not ready to leave him?”

  Nope, not at all. “I’m sorry. I’m not going anywhere near there, Holly. I did meet him, but that’s all I’ll say.”

  Someone leaned across the aisle. “They were making out in front of the gate.”

  Blushing, Leona put the earbuds in, cranked up the music, and focused on writing.

  A while later, Holly shook her shoulder and shoved a phone in her face. A video played of her last kiss with Luke.

  Leona lifted a shoulder and made the motion of zipping her lips.

  Holly shook her again and nodded to the woman across the aisle. “She says your husband is trying to get you back.”

  “Not talking anything personal, but for the record, my ex-husband left me. That’s the end of that conversation. Now really, I don’t mean to be rude, but I like to keep my private life private.”

  She focused back on writing while Holly and the woman across from her argued about her personal life.

  As soon as the stewardess came over, Leona looked up and ordered a bourbon on the rocks. Thank God for first class.

  Chapter 25

  Finally landing, Leona shoved her phone in her pocket and pretended like hell Holly and the lady across the aisle weren’t still talking about her. That was a hell of a lot harder to do than she imagined, but she managed.

  She walked off the plane, letting the music fill her ears, and made her way to the baggage claim as she dialed Mona, who answered immediately.

  “Leona, you off the plane?”

  “Yup, making my way to baggage claim.”

  “You sound stressed.”

  A laugh bubbled up. “Yeah, I’ll tell you in the car. What number are my bags going to?”

  “Twelve. See you soon.” She hung up and Leona sent a quick text to Luke.

  Leona - Headed to baggage claim. My flight was safe. Hope to hear from you when you land.

  As she stepped off the escalator on the baggage claim floor, she ran into a solid body and looked up as he grabbed her arms. Russell leaned down like he was going to kiss her.

  She jerked out of his grasp. “Oh, we are not doing this.” She went to walk past and he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

  “We need to talk,” he insisted.

  “Nope, now let me go.”

  “You really want to give up?”

  “You’re the one who served me the divorce papers and immediately moved in with another woman. Then I found out about your affair with her. You burned that bridge.”

  She slipped past him and found Mona.

  Leona’s brow arched as she jerked her head back toward asswipe and mouthed, No warning?

  Shaking her head, Mona crossed her arms over her chest. “Not even sure how he knew to find you here today.”

  “I’m afraid to ask.”

  Russell walked toward them, and Leona slipped past Mona to grab the first security guard. “My ex is following me. Can you get him to leave the airport, please?”

  “Who?”

  She turned and pointed at Russell, who immediately went for the door. The security guard took off as the bags started down the ramp.

  Shaking off that nonsense, she walked back to Mona.

  “I swear, I didn’t know he was here,” Mona insisted.

  “Yeah, well, this might be my fault.” She let out a breath and leaned closer. “Luke and I were kissing at the airport, and apparently there are some crazy stories floating around about Russell and I still being married or something.”

  “Only the worst of the tabloids are spreading that. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “Yeah.” Leona spotted her bags and grabbed them. “We ready? Seems Russell ran off.”

  “Want to stay at my place?”

  “Please. I’m not ready to go home. I want to sell that house and find my own.”

  Mona nodded. “You can stay as long as you want. That goes without saying,”

  “Thank you. I can’t believe he came here.”

  Shrugging, Mona looked in her direction. “Mindy kicked him out.”

  “And he wants me back because I have more money. What an asshole.”

  Holly rushed up to her as they headed to the parking garage. “I’m sorry. If that was your ex back there, he’s a major douchebag.”

  “Yeah, he is. It was nice meeting you.”

  “Until I wouldn’t shut up,” Holly added.

  “It’s okay.”

  “Think you could sign my copy of the book?” She held out her own pen with it.

  “Sure.” She scribbled, Never stop dreaming, and her name. “Have a good trip home.”

  Holly nodded and ran back to the baggage claim.

  “She hassled you?” Mona asked.

  “Not so much her as the person across from her. It was fine. I ignored them both most of the flight.”

  She took Leona’s arm and led her to the car in silence. Mona popped the trunk and Leona placed her bags in the back before climbing in the front.

  “So, where did he go to film?”

  “Italy. At least they’re starting there. I believe they are going to France and he thinks somewher
e else. Not sure where yet.”

  “Why didn’t you go with him?”

  “Didn’t want to distract him,” Leona muttered. “Besides, I do have things here I need to do. Luke and I can figure out what happens when he comes for me.”

  “You finally started to have faith in him?”

  “He makes it hard not to.”

  “You and Luke make me believe in love again.”

  Leona turned her head and closed her eyes. She could see Luke staring into her eyes as he held her close that morning. A fantasy of their future had played through her head.

  That was the future she wanted.

  Out of hope, she formed a secret, totally flexible plan. Step one, sell the house. Step two, rent a lake house. And when Luke showed up, see if they still fit together. Either way, she wasn’t tied to a house she might not keep and she wouldn’t be stuck in the one full of bad memories.

  “Talk to me, Leona.”

  “What’s there to say? We’re driving to your place.”

  “Stopping for dinner first. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

  “Sure. I could use a meal, but I’m waiting until we get to your place before I drink anything. I don’t want to say the wrong thing if anyone comes up to me.”

  “About what?”

  “Oh, God, the flight…” She told Mona everything.

  “Maybe we should pick up food so you can have that drink.”

  “Nah, may as well adjust. This may be my new normal if he shows up on my doorstep.”

  “You’re being reasonable. I was sure you’d be in so much denial you would convince yourself it was over.”

  “He destroyed that possibility when he told me he loved me, and it felt more real than anything that ever came out of Russell’s mouth.” She looked back and ran her hand through her hair. “Why was I stupid for so long?”

  “To be fair, Russell and you were good for a long time.”

  “Sure, but that fell apart years ago. And we were just kids when it started, so was it ever real?”

  “It was real, but like you said, it fell apart.” She reached over and squeezed Leona’s hand. “So, Luke loves you?”

  “The last two weeks were perfect. And I almost broke down and told him I’d go with him to Italy. But I need a little time. I need to process. And that doesn’t mean I’ll push him away. I won’t. Not sure I could let him go now. Man, I don’t want to think about that.”

  “I’ll be here for you.”

  “Hey, what’s going on with you and Roach?”

  “We’re talking still. I’m glad I gave him another chance.”

  “Think it will go anywhere?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Neither of us is looking for something permanent. Not yet. We’ll see where things go.”

  Ready for any other subject, Leona asked, “Where are we eating?”

  “Your favorite, and it’s close.”

  Chapter 26

  Thankfully, no one paid any attention to Luke, Raven, or Ryan. They sat at the back of first class chatting, thankfully free of everyone bothering them. It was nice.

  Hopefully Leona’s flight was uneventful. As soon as the plane landed and they were let off, he grabbed his bag, dug out his phone, and switched it on as he made his way down the landing.

  She answered after a few rings. “Hey, oh, hi. Sorry. Hey.” Her words slurred slightly, and he knew she was with Mona, but prayed they were at home, not out.

  “Having fun?”

  “Slumber party with Mona. Might have killed half a bottle of Herradura.”

  “Bad flight?”

  She sighed and it sounded like she flopped back. “I had a very interested fan. She continued to try to get me to talk about you, and if it wasn’t so fast, I might have. I wanted to. And then the person across from her started asking about my ex and was convinced we weren’t divorced, so I put my earbuds in and ignored everyone the rest of the trip.”

  “Sorry,” he answered. “And I know you’re scared I might walk away, but I’m not. And if I thought you wouldn’t mind being seen out with me, I would have shown you off to the world. I want everyone to know you’re it for me.”

  “I was stupid. I should have told you we could have gone anywhere, done anything, let people figure out it was real, or at least that we were together.”

  The sadness and regret in her voice twisted him up. He wanted to take it away. “Wish I was there.”

  “Mmm, me too. Don’t worry, I didn’t start drinking until we got home. And I’m not at my house, I’m at Mona’s because Russell found me at the airport.” She huffed. “I’m sure one of the nosy people from the plane saw that exchange.”

  “Hey, a word of advice from someone who’s been in the public eye for a long time. Ignore it to the best of your ability. Be courteous when you can. Get bitchy if you have to. But honestly, if you want to tell them you’re with me, you can.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, but if I do that now, I sound like a desperate clinger.”

  “Can’t think about that, or people’s perspective. And if you want, next time I’m in an interview, I can tell them you’re mine.”

  “You would, wouldn’t you?” Her tone had grown soft.

  He grinned. “Yeah, no doubt in my mind you’re mine.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t in a place to accept that.”

  “I get it. And hey, want me to say something publicly?”

  “If it feels right, I won’t be upset. And maybe then I won’t feel like I need to keep it hushed.”

  “You don’t need to. I’ll back it up. Hell, I might come off as a stalker if they ask me because unless you tell me to keep it quiet, I won’t.”

  She blew out a breath. “Don’t need to. If it affects my readers, that’s their problem.”

  “I imagine you’ll gain more than you lose.”

  “Maybe.” At least she laughed before changing the subject. “How was your flight?”

  “Quiet. Sorry yours wasn’t.”

  “Maybe I should have just told them I was with you. Shit, I don’t know what to do, Luke. This is all new.”

  “I could have my agent have the PR people call you. See if they can help us figure out the best course.”

  “Ugh, uh…that’s unnecessary. Or is it?” The panic in her voice rocked through him.

  “Not necessary. They’re going to say either keep it quiet, or don’t hide it. Up to you. But they’ll be able to counter most anything that gets thrown around. That’s the only reason I said anything.”

  “Whatever you think is best. I just, I don’t want to set expectations in case it all falls apart, which is why I’m hesitant.”

  “That can be covered too, but it won’t be needed. Relax, have another shot, and maybe sleep.”

  “Don’t want to talk to me?” she purred seductively.

  “Give me an hour to get to the hotel, make sure you’re alone, and I’ll video call, if you want.”

  “Yes, please,” she answered enthusiastically.

  Chuckling, he nodded. “You got it, but there might be some food involved.”

  “Call when you’re done eating, if you want. I’ll be up. Can’t sleep. I’m writing.”

  “Drunk writing?”

  “Yeah, I’ll have to clean it up later, but it’s flowing.”

  “That what you do when you’re stressed?”

  “The writing yes, not always the drinking. Anyway, I’ll be up writing. Call when you aren’t busy. I know you’ll be busy a lot until I see you again.”

  “Gonna be busy when I see you again. With you.”

  “Sounds wonderful. Now go. You just got off a long flight, and I was just getting to the good part.”

  “Who’s book?”

  She giggled. “I’ll show you in a couple months. How about that?”

  “I can’t wait to read it. Or you could read the sexy parts to me.”

  She laughed. “You’re the one with that smooth sexy voice, not me.”

  “Oh, your voice
is seductive, Leona. I’m having to carry my bag in front of me to hide what you do to me.”

  Another giggle, that sexy one that made him want to pin her down and slide into her. “If I were there, oh wait, you’re walking around the airport.” Another laugh. “Go, call me when you’re free.”

  “Soon as I can, I promise to be on the line.”

  * * * *

  Leona closed her eyes, smiling to herself.

  Mona flopped down on the bed next to her. “He certainly cheered you up.”

  “He’s walking around the airport with a boner because of me.” She fluttered her eyelashes, a cheesy grin on her face.

  Mona laughed out loud. “He told you that?”

  “Damn straight he did. And he’s planning to tell everyone about us. How did I go from not wanting the world to know, to wanting everyone to know?”

  “Would be a lot easier to claim he’s yours. Leave the details out, but let them know he’s taken.”

  “We’ll see what he does.”

  Mona lay back and pulled out her phone, unlocking it.

  Right there on Instablast was a picture of Leona and Luke on Ryan’s yacht. Leona sat up and blinked. “He posted that already?”

  She nodded. “Read the caption.”

  LukeChance - Miss you, Leona. Can’t wait until you’re in my arms again.

  “Holy shit. Oh my God! That wasn’t what I thought he’d do. Figured he’d talk to his PR guy first.” Leona practically hyperventilated.

  Mona pulled her back down. “Breathe, slow and deep. Relax. This is good. Now you have no reason to deny it.”

  People were already responding to the post. She wanted to shut it down, but it was a train wreck she couldn’t look away from.

  LolaChance - She’s gorgeous, who is she?

  Jessanna101 - Anyone we’d know?

  SenaSena - So jealous, go girl!

  And they went on and on. Then her heart leapt into her throat as he started answering some.

  Leona dropped the phone.

  Mona snatched it up and started scrolling through the comments. “Oh, he’s so sweet.”

  Fear floated through her. “And what if this falls apart before he gets back to me?”

  “You’re a broken record. I don’t think he’s going to break your heart.”