Tangled Hearts (Evermore 4 Book Box Set)

by ANDREA SMITH

  He felt it too, I could tell. We’d talked mainly about the baby and what had happened. He didn’t press me about why I hadn’t told him about the pregnancy, and for that, I was grateful. I wasn’t in a position to second-guess my feelings at the time.

  “I won’t ask what your reasons were for not telling me about it, Neely,” he’d said softly, “I just hate the fact that you went through all of it without having me by your side for whatever support I might’ve been, babe.”

  “I know, Seth. And maybe it had been selfish of me, but I can’t change the way I felt then. My father never knew. My mother never knew. Only Jazzy knew—and now you. And that’s the way I want it, okay?”

  Back to the present.

  My eyes met his and I felt the warmth. “Yeah, yeah—whatevs. Okay, so I’ll take it from the top then,” I replied, using Hollywood lingo, which elicited a chuckle from Seth.

  “Taz, I love you,” I said reading the lines of the female character, Lindsey, from the script. “But I’m not comfortable with you seeing me like this, you know?”

  Seth ran his hand through his sleep-tousled hair and took a deep breath, his voice was deep, with a quiet strength to it. “Seeing you like what?”

  I read the next line. “You know what I’m talking about.”

  His voice now took on a rich timbre as he read his line, “No Lindsey, you see, I don’t know what you’re talking about. What I do know is that you’ve been through something horrific; something horrible. But because of the strength you have, you survived, babe. And I’m so fucking glad you did because I love you.”

  I actually shivered with Seth’s reading of that line. “Wow,” I said, “That was really good.”

  “That’s not your next line,” Seth chided, looking over the top of his script at me.

  “Oops, sorry,” I giggled, clearing my throat and glancing back down at the paper. “What happened to me was not your fault, so lose the guilt. I’m damaged goods here, but you’re not responsible for that, Taz. I won’t rely on your misguided sense of guilt or pity to get me through the night.”

  I really need to read this book I thought to myself after reciting Lindsey’s line.

  Seth tossed his script down on the sofa, and stalked closer to me. For a moment, I thought he was going to chew my ass for not putting enough emotion into my last line. His eyes darkened and his face was stoic as his gaze caught mine. “Don’t you ever take the love I have for you and fling it back in my face like that, Lindsey. Are you clear on that?” he demanded, his voice almost a growl. I realized then Seth was totally in character now. It was as if he were Taz from the story.

  My jaw dropped just a bit as I hurriedly glanced down for my next line. I didn’t have one. I was just supposed to nod, so I did.

  Seth continued. “This has nothing to do with guilt, and it has nothing to do with pity. It’s about love, Lindsey. I love you and I want to show you just how much I love you. I don’t just want you to stay with me until you’re healed. I want you to stay with me for as long as we love one another, okay?”

  I sucked in a hard breath and looked at the script. Another nod. So I nodded.

  Seth spoke softly now. “So then, we’re on the same page?”

  “Yes, Seth—err, I mean, Taz,” I replied quickly correcting myself, “We’re on the same page.”

  That was the end of the scene, thank God. Parts of it had hit very close to home for me.

  “So, how’d I do?” Seth asked, quirking a brow.

  “You totally blew me away,” I answered honestly. “I think you’re a shoo-in for the part.”

  “You’re biased. I’m the least known actor that’s auditioning, Neely.”

  “What’s this?” I asked, studying him. I never suspected Seth of having insecurities about his craft. He had always been so self-assured for as far back as I could remember. “Are you selling yourself short, Seth Drake? Or doesn’t my opinion count?”

  He shrugged and headed over towards the kitchen to pour himself another mug of coffee. “I mean you’ve always thought I was great at everything, remember?”

  I felt my forehead crease in confusion.

  “Track, remember track?” he deadpanned. “I sucked royally. You thought I was awesome. Enough said?”

  I had to laugh. Yeah, he had totally sucked at track. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to be the one to point that out to him. I didn’t believe in diminishing anyone’s spirit, least of all Seth Drake’s. “You weren’t that bad,” I replied giving him an eye roll. “Besides,” I continued, “you made up for it with other things you did quite well.”

  Did I really just say that?

  He gave me a lopsided grin as he closed the distance between us. My heart skipped a beat—or ten as I returned his smile.

  “Do tell. Care to elaborate, Ms. Evans?”

  And before I could respond with some provocative flirtation that just might have taken us to the next level, which for some reason, I was ready to expedite, my cell phone vibrated in the pocket of my jeans.

  Damn.

  If it was Jazzy, I was seriously going to blow her off. But it wasn’t. It was Jerry. “I’ve got to take this,” I said, flipping the phone open and walking into the kitchen with it.

  “Hey Grace, got a great opportunity. Right up your alley. Do you have plans for this evening?”

  “Well…uh.”

  “Cancel them. Meet me at my office in an hour. I need you to go undercover.”

  Aaannd, that was that.

  Jerry Montego.

  My boss.

  My clit-blocker today it seemed.

  “Got to go,” I informed Seth, walking back into the living room. I started gathering my shit up and stuffing it into my backpack. “That was my boss. I have a photoshoot.”

  “What? Now?” he asked, “I thought you did events and stuff? Don’t they typically give you a schedule?”

  Fuck.

  I hated that I’d been so sketchy about my photography career with Seth, but seriously I wasn’t supposed to make it public knowledge. It would certainly hinder my access to these events for sure.

  “Yeah, usually. But sometimes these things pop up, you know? Last minute planning, someone bugs out so they need somebody else to fill in—that kind of stuff.”

  He nodded. “So, you’ll be around tomorrow though, right? I’ll pick you up around noon for the audition if that’s okay. The audition is at one.”

  “Sure,” I replied, zipping up my backpack. “I’ll be ready.”

  Seth walked me out to my car, although I told him he didn’t need to do that. I tossed my stuff into the backseat and turned to face him.

  “Neely, what happened to the nice ride your father bought you?” he asked frowning.

  I was caught a bit off guard. I hadn’t realized Seth had even known about my first car.

  “I sold it. I needed the money for something more important. But I’m thinking about getting a better car. Just haven’t had the time with my crazy schedule.”

  He nodded and moved closer to me. “Come here you,” he said softly, tugging at my jacket so as to pull me up against him.

  And before I knew it, his lips were on mine, claiming me with a familiar passion that I’d been missing for so long. I melted into him as if it was the most natural thing in the world, because that is how it seemed.

  My arms snaked around his neck and I pulled him even closer as our kiss deepened into something I was so ready to feel again. With him and only him.

  When he finally pulled back, his blue eyes sparked with the desire I knew he was feeling, because I was feeling it too. “Jesus,” I murmured. He smiled as his thumbs brushed against my cheekbones gently.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, babe.”

  Chapter 4

  I was sitting in a darkened theatre watching Seth’s agent, Diana Gotfried, having a conversation with one of the producers or directors affiliated with the production. I didn’t know one from th
e other, but that was Diana’s problem, not mine. What I could tell was that she wasn’t all warm and fuzzy about the fact I was here even if it was at Seth’s insistence.

  But truthfully, even I was a bit puzzled by that as well. Seth wasn’t a seasoned actor, that much was true, but he certainly wasn’t a novice in the business either. He’d been on two primetime series, in a host of commercials, and a couple of guest spots in other series. Still, I knew a leading role in a feature film was a giant leap forward into stardom.

  And from what I’d observed by watching him over and over again on his hit series, and then in the read-through for this part, was that Seth Drake had not only mega talent, but he possessed the star quality that everyone in the business needs to make it big.

  Seth Drake would make it big. I had no doubts about that whatsoever. I wondered if that would change him like it had so many others. It hadn’t so far, well, except for him admitting to me during our all night talk that he’d only been drawn to Julia because of her father’s power and influence in the television and film industry.

  He’d also admitted he hadn’t been proud of that fact, and had honestly done his best to make the relationship work with Julia. He’d even confided in me about finding Julia with Jasper Knight at Alan Manzone’s party. “I wasn’t sure if you knew about that or not,” he said, “But it made the tabloids big time. You know, Neely, the funny thing was that I hadn’t been all that bothered when I walked in on them in Manzone’s studio. I was just glad that it hadn’t been you on the receiving end of Knight’s dick.”

  I had once again felt guilty about not letting Seth know that I’d been responsible for that picture hitting the tabloids. But I couldn’t. There was no way he’d understand, and Jerry Montego absolutely wouldn’t understand if I’d made it public knowledge. Deep inside I knew my days as a paparazzo were numbered if I valued any kind of relationship with Seth.

  I glanced back up on the stage, which was effectively bare with the exception of a few chairs, a podium, and some sound equipment stacked in the corner.

  “When will Seth be on?” I whispered to Diana who’d just taken the seat next to me after concluding her hushed conversation with the guy on the stage.

  She leaned closer. “That’s Samuel Barton I was just talking to,” she whispered. “He’s the producer. The Executive Producer and the Director are backstage right now with the author. Apparently part of the deal is that she will have cast approval. Seth is the first to audition, so they’re going over the scene with her. It’ll be any minute.”

  “Okay,” I said, “I know he’ll do just fine.”

  “He damn well better,” she murmured. “We’ve got a whole helluva lot riding on this role. This is Seth’s chance to hit the big time, trust me. And please, forgive me for how this sounds, but the truth is, he doesn’t need a distraction right now.”

  I was fighting back a response to put this woman in her place. What did she think? I was simply Seth’s flavor of the month since he broke up with Julia? She had no clue of my history with Seth, nor did she get that I wanted him to succeed every bit as much as she did, but obviously for different reasons. She got a piece of the financial pie with his success. I simply wanted him to live his dream and this was it.

  “No offense taken, Ms. Gotfried, but I assure you, I only want the best for Seth. I’m no distraction.”

  “Uh huh,” she remarked, her tone was clearly one of annoyance, but she didn’t say anything further as Seth walked out on the stage and took his place near one of the floor mics. A middle-aged blonde woman handed him a script, and then walked over and said something to Samuel Barton.

  “That’s fine,” I heard him say to her. “If you’d prefer he read that scene, that is fine with me. Jenny, can you read opposite? Ms. Nesbitt wants Seth to do Scene 23 instead of 25.”

  “Sure Mr. Barton,” a mousy brunette who’d been taking notes at the table replied, picking up another script from the table and leafing through the pages.

  “Splendid,” Barton said turning his back to her. “Now where’s my casting director? Bernard?”

  “Here,” another guy said coming onto the stage from a side door. “Are we taping?”

  “No, not necessary,” Barton replied. “Ms. Nesbitt is here to watch the auditions live.”

  “Shit,” Diana whispered next to me. “Seth’s got to do another scene cold.”

  “Wh-what?” I whispered back.

  “The scene he was supposed to do today has been replaced with a different one. Apparently the author asked for a different scene. I hate that he had no time to rehearse it. That means he’s going in cold.”

  I nodded. “I’m sure he’ll do fine,” I whispered, my eyes now on Seth as he quickly perused the script in his hand. The girl named Jenny was doing the same thing, and the guy named Bernard seemed to be giving them both some brief instructions. They both listened and nodded.

  “We’re ready,” he called out, taking his seat at the table next to Barton. “Take it from, ‘He knew I was burning up,’ Jenny.”

  Jenny nodded and took a step closer to the floor mic. “He knew I was burning up, but he left me. That’s all I remember,” Jenny recited, lowering the script, and then taking a seat in a nearby chair

  Seth moved towards her and his voice resounded on the stage, as he read his lines, “I can’t get the picture out of my head when I found you that day. It was so fucking quiet. You weren’t moving. I couldn’t tell if you were even breathing. I was paralyzed in fear that I’d lost you—”

  “No, no, no!” the guy named Bernard yelled from where he was seated. The whole theatre grew quiet. He immediately got to his feet and stalked over to where Seth was standing, his face expressionless.

  I felt Diana tense up. She leaned forward in her seat, her glasses in her hand as she rested it on the seatback in front of us.

  I wasn’t sure what was going on, but my heart was heavy for Seth at the moment. I watched intently as this Bernard guy started running his mouth at my guy.

  “Seth, I’m not feeling your grief here. I know this is a cold read, but you said you read the book, correct?”

  Seth nodded, his voice cold as steel. “That’s right. I read the book.”

  “Then you remember this part. It’s the pinnacle of grief. It should literally rip the tears from the audience, but I’m not hearing, I’m not feeling your grief.”

  “I’m…sorry,” Seth replied, “Can we start over?” His eyes darted over to where I was sitting, and it’s almost as if he was imploring me for some good juju with his audition. I felt helpless as our eyes connected.

  “You—miss, step up here, please?” It was a moment before I realized the casting director was talking to me.

  Diana nudged me. “He’s talking to you,” she whispered hoarsely.

  My eyes broke from Seth’s as I turned my attention to Bernard. I swallowed nervously. “Me?” my voice squeaked, my index finger pointing to my chest.

  “Yes, brown eyes,” he replied, his hand beckoning me to come to the stage, “Is she someone important to you, Mr. Drake? She must be if she’s here today.”

  Oh shit.

  “Yes, she is,” Seth answered succinctly. “Is that a problem?”

  I was standing near the stage. At the bottom of the steps that led up to it, as a matter of fact.

  “Not at all, Bernard replied, “Come on up here…?”

  “Neely,” I whispered climbing the steps.

  “Well, Neely, would you mind taking that script from Jenny there? And for the next few minutes you will be Lindsey.”

  Double shit.

  I nodded. My throat was dry. I didn’t want to do this, but what choice did I have? Mr. Bernard was certainly giving Seth’s feelings for me, whatever they were, a lot of freaking credit it seemed.

  Jenny stood up from the chair she’d been seated in and gestured for me to take it. Once I had, she handed me the script and pointed to the highlighted areas for Lindsey’s
lines. “Got it,” I said softly, but my shaking hands gave me away.

  “You’ll be fine,” she assured me, giving me a smile before she walked back to the table and took a seat.

  “Okay, Seth,” Bernard continued, “It’s simple now. Neely is Lindsey, the girl you love with all your being. Probably the only girl you’ve ever loved or will. And she was nearly taken from you by that lunatic Kyzer Stanfield.” His voice boomed now with emotion. “She nearly died! But you saved her from that certain death. And now…well, now you’re dealing with her critical injuries…ones she may not be able to handle or, worse yet, injuries that she fears you won’t be able to handle. She nearly died,” he finished passionately.

  Seth cleared his throat and nodded. “I’m ready.”

  Bernard looked at me and smiled. “You may start, Lindsey,” he instructed. “This scene takes place back at Taz’s apartment where you now live with him. He’s been taking care of you since your release from the hospital, but neither you nor Taz have come to terms with your injuries. And up to this point, you and Taz haven’t resumed sexual relations.”

  My cheeks warmed at this bit of information. It was too close to our current situation. I cleared my throat, and read the lines, “He knew I was burning up, but he left me. That’s all I remember.”

  Seth was immediately by my side. He dropped to his knees, taking my free hand in his, and gazed up into my face. His eyes brimmed with tears, and I felt my heart pounding in my chest at his touch.

  “I can’t get the picture out of my head when I found you that day,” he rasped. “It was so fucking quiet. You weren’t moving. Hell, I couldn’t even tell if you were breathing. I was paralyzed in fear, Lindsay! Fear that I’d lost you.” He stopped, and drew in a hard breath, his free hand raked through his hair. “The other agent…Hardesty went over to check on you because I was frozen in fear. But I…I didn’t want him touching you—or seeing you. I pushed him out of the way. I cut the ropes that tied you. I wrapped you up in the blanket so that no one could see what that fucking animal had done to you!” he finished, his voice cracking now with emotion.