Kerri grabbed at a tube of make-up when the back of her hand knocked a clear jar full of cotton balls, over on its side. When she tried to upright the container it rolled from her hand and bumped into the mirror. “Crap.” She continued to cram the loose balls of cotton back into place.
“I am just in shock, Wren. I knew I wasn’t right for you. I just never expected—”
“Yeah, well…I didn’t expect it either, but when I met Aspen, all that changed.”
“Humph.” Kerri slammed the container back into place, almost losing her grip again when it made contact with the countertop.
“You know—” JT blushed. “I know this may come as a surprise to you, but I actually think the two of you…well, I mean…you guys are both drop-dead gorgeous. What I am trying to say is…I actually think it’s kind of cool. Kind of a turn-on.” He wriggled his eyebrows.
Wren laughed. “And that is supposed to come as a surprise to me?” She playfully shoved his arm.
He laughed with her. “I’m not sure how PR is going to handle this “break-up” of ours, but I would be stupid not to ask you if there is any remote chance that I can participate in your and Aspen’s affections sometime. Or at least watch.” He laughed to let her know that he was joking.
Wren rolled her eyes. “JT, that’s another thing I like about you. You’re so predictable.”
“Can we get back to work here?” Kerri’s lips were pursed. She clenched a tube of mascara in one hand and gripped her hip in the other.
“Loosen up, Kerri. Our Wren here is finally P-whipped. I thought I would never live to see the day.” He bent down to hug Wren. “I got your back, Wren.” He gave her an approving wink before he strutted out the room.
Kerri didn’t say a word as she worked swiftly for the rest of the visit.
Wren welcomed the silence. She didn’t need to explain anything and wasn’t sure she even could if she tried.
~~@
“Hi, Aspen.” Jasper waved Malachi away. “You doin’ okay?” He reached around Aspen’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Malachi ignored her as he walked away.
“Of course I am.” She gave him a strange look. “Thought you saw that I was pretty much recovered after my return yesterday. I’m barely even sore.”
Jasper nodded. He wasn’t implying her recovery. “Glad to hear that.” He patted her kidney guard. “Well, ready to get to work then?”
“More than you know.” She popped her helmet on and secured the chinstrap.
“Places everyone,” Director Wolff called from his Director’s chair. “We have twelve hours of filming to complete in less than six. Otherwise, I will be seeing you tomorrow for Christmas Eve…and maybe even Christmas day, if the need should arise.”
Everyone scurried to their positions, including Aspen. She felt several eyes on her as she straddled her dirt bike, but she wrote it off as part of her insecurities. No doubt people were still talking about her horrendous accident a few days earlier. She looked around to see if she could spot Wren somewhere in the studio, but to her disappointment, she still hadn’t seen her since the night before. She prayed she hadn’t screwed things up. It would devastate her more than she cared to admit if Wren was having second thoughts about their being together.
She recalled the shocked look on Kerri’s face when she caught them trying to recover from their private moment in the trailer. She had to try and shake the memory away. Right now her focus had to be on her stunts. Saving the ranch depended on it and that had to remain her primary focus.
She looked one more time to see if she could spot Wren before sliding her goggles into place.
~~@
“That’s a wrap,” Jasper announced to his two stunt doubles. “Leave your bikes and I’ll put ‘em away after I prep ‘em for their two days of rest.”
“Works for me.” Malachi headed toward the exit with his helmet tucked under his arm. “See you back here in a couple days,” he yelled over his shoulder as he exited the set.
Jasper approached Aspen. “You have an excellent Christmas, Aspen. Don’t let those tender spots get stiff on me now.” He handed her a plastic bag with contents inside. “It’s not wrapped, but Merry Christmas just the same.”
“Aw, thank you, Jasper.” She opened the plastic grocery bag and pulled out some gel cooling pads.
“You press right here and a chemical reaction automatically makes the gel freeze.” He showed her the metal disc inside. “Then you can place it against whatever ails you.”
“These are perfect.” She hugged him.
“They can be reused. You simply place them in warm water, until they turn back into gel, and keep ‘em handy for next time.”
“Reusable. Excellent.” She squeezed the gel without activating the disc. “You know I’ll put ‘em to good use.” She reached in her pocket and pulled out a palm-sized gift, wrapped in holiday paper. “And this is for you.”
Jasper took the small gift in his hands and smiled. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Well, it’s a little something that made me think of you…so…open it.”
He tore the paper off and opened the lid. “Wow, Aspen. This is cool.” He held it up for closer inspection.
“It’s a whistle to replace that plastic one hanging around your neck.” She turned the gift over in his hand. “I even had it engraved.”
“‘To the best stunt coach ever. Love, Aspen.’” He put it between his lips and gave it a quick blow. The sound got the attention of a few people still in the studio. “It’s perfect, Aspen. I absolutely love it.” He gave her a hug.
“Well, try not to wear it out at practice,” she joked.
“Well, that’ll depend on you.” He hugged her once more before he caught Wren’s eye in the distance. He pulled away. “Looks like someone is waiting for you over by the cameras.” He nodded in Wren’s direction.
She turned to see Wren staring at her and she couldn’t hold back a wide smile.
“Have a Merry Christmas, Aspen. See you back in a couple days.”
“You too, Jasper. And thanks again for the gifts.” She held the plastic bag up.
“You’re welcome. Now get out of here before you get stuck in this building any longer.” He pointed for her to leave and she laughed as she anxiously made her way over to Wren, slowly drawing her fingers through her golden hair upon her approach. She blew her hair out of her eyes.
When Wren smiled, Aspen couldn’t help but hold her breath. As she made her approach from across the set, she heard her name.
“Aspen, can you please join us over here?” This time it was Producer Szekely calling for her. Director Wolff stood at his side. Aspen frowned at Wren before she took a deep breath and changed course. Hopefully Wren would wait for her.
“Yes, Sir,” she called out. She jogged over to them.
“We understand there’s a situation with you and Wren Emerson,” Producer Szekely said.
Aspen bit her lip. She wasn’t sure how she should respond.
“I am not going to play the role of cupid here. You guys must remain discreet until my PR team works out the details of your “coming out” story, as they say.”
“Excuse me, Sir?” Aspen looked up at the exit sign behind the Producer, wishing she was running through it.
“It’s okay, Aspen.” Wren suddenly stood at her side. “Sir, I will keep Aspen abreast of what’s happening. I don’t think she is privy to the details yet.” She hoped Aspen would remain silent so she could explain things in more detail, once they were alone.
“You do that, Wren. And please make sure you guys keep it as discreet as possible. No outings outside our little Hollywood compound, okay? Obviously, news travels like wildfire around here and we want to steer this the right way.” His forehead relaxed. “The publicity from such a story could break or make this project. I am counting on the latter.”
“It won’t be us leaking any information,” Wren confirmed.
Director Wolff chimed in. “We know exactly who started t
he rumor and as you are aware, I have handled that. Not before some of the details were leaked, mind you. The line-up of paparazzi outside our gates have more than confirmed that. Hence, stay on campus and no touchy-feely unless you are certain you are alone. It’ll keep everyone guessing without any discernible proof.”
“I understand.”
Aspen’s knees felt weak. How did they already know? And what did Producer Szekely mean by their “coming out” story?
Producer Szekely put his hands on their shoulders. “Ladies, this is going to be big. You wait for my cue and I promise…I know this could be very lucrative for this production.”
Aspen looked at Wren. She had something to say, but she didn’t allow her thoughts to escape through her mouth.
“It’s okay, Aspen. We’ll discuss it in private.” She almost posed the comment as a question.
All Aspen could do was nod.
“Merry Christmas Eve of Christmas Eve, Ladies.” Aspen didn’t pay well enough attention to know whether it was Director Wolff or Producer Szekely speaking.
“You too,” she said faintly.
~~@
“What’s going on?” Aspen plopped down in Wren’s over-sized recliner. She felt smaller than usual, like it were about to swallow her up into non-existence.
Wren kneeled down in front of her. “Kerri went on a gossip spree after she caught us last night. Everyone knows.”
“What?”
“Try to stay calm for a minute. I know this all seems so crazy, but we can figure this out together. We’ll be okay,” she assured her.
“Wren, this could ruin everything.” Tears welled in her eyes. “What was Zoltan saying about our story? We…our personal lives…are none of his business.”
Wren took her hand in hers. “I know, but…it’s not that simple.”
“Why not?”
“Well, for one thing, I am supposed to be dating JT. Remember?”
“But you’re not.”
“Well, the world seems to think so.”
Aspen looked down. “You’re right, but what does all this mean?”
“Well one thing for sure, it doesn’t mean my heart has changed its mind about us. Not in the slightest.”
Aspen looked deep into Wren’s eyes. She loved their confidence and protectiveness. “You still care about me, even though I have made your life so difficult?”
“Oh, Aspen. If anything, it has been me who has made your life difficult. You? You make my world better. You make me a better person. No one has ever been able to do that for me.” Her eyes searched for solace, but as they embraced, her concerns were suddenly interrupted by their physical closeness. Her mood instantly changed. She couldn’t help how much Aspen affected her.
Aspen felt the instant change in mood as well. She blushed away the fright and fixated her gaze on Wren’s lips.
They both leaned in for a kiss.
“Wren,” Aspen spoke between kisses.
“Hmm?” Their lips lingered, not wanting to break the connection.
“I feel the same way as you. I’m just…I’m scared.” Their lips parted.
“Don’t be. I’ll be right here by your side.”
“I’m afraid I will disappoint my dad.”
Wren nodded. “I understand you’re scared, but Aspen…your dad loves you. You mean more to him than anyone else or anything. He will want you to be happy.”
“But will he be disappointed?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. If he is, it won’t last.”
Aspen looked down at the tiled floor.
“I know it’s scary. It is for me too…but I am so willing to take this leap with you. I have never felt this way about anyone, and the fear of losing you is even more frightening.”
“I feel it too. Trust me.”
“I do trust you. And I am not afraid to be who I am and who I want to be with you. Aspen, I am—without one single iota of doubt—head over heels in love with you.”
“And I am head over heels in love with you.” For an instance, she thought about the movie she watched in her hospital room. The scene where Wren’s character leaned in to kiss that lucky counselor. This, however, this wasn’t an act. This was real and that made her heart boil over with excitement.
“What do you want to do about it?”
“I want to shout it out to everyone. I want us…to be together.”
“Then we want the same thing.”
“And I want my dad to understand.”
Wren drew her thumb across Aspen’s quivering lips. “He will. He wants what’s best for you. He wants you to be happy.” Wren smiled. “He thinks I’m pretty special, too. Maybe the idea will grow on him? Then he’ll stop trying to force that Trigg fella on you.” She stroked Aspen’s forearms.
“Dad would be crazy not to realize how special you are. And it would be great if he would stop pushing Trigg on me. Trigg does that just fine on his own.”
Wren’s face stiffened. “Well, you didn’t seem to mind him so much in the car the other night.” The words came out before she had time to stop them. She hoped that the gentleness in her voice offset the jealousy that burned from deep within her heart.
“Wait. What?” Aspen scowled. She pulled back, stifling a laugh.
“I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“Well, you did. And absolutely no secrets between us.” She kept her voice soft. Almost playful. “I don’t want to argue. I just want to talk through what you saw or what you think you saw. Give me a chance to explain.”
Wren’s chest heaved. “Well, I saw you guys kiss in the cab of his tow truck.” She turned red. “I watched you through the window blinds, when he dropped you back home after the parade.”
Aspen laughed. “Kiss him? Not even close. We fought and I tried to calm him down. I told him about us.”
“About us?”
“Well, not exactly us. I told him I had feelings for someone else.”
“You did? How did he take it?”
“He was angry. Confused. Sad. I gave him a hug. But I promise you, I didn’t kiss him.”
Wren thought back to what she witnessed. It very well could have been a simple friendly embrace. “My heart broke when I saw what I thought I saw.”
They locked fingers.
“It broke my heart when I saw you kiss Steve.”
Wren’s head shot up. “What?”
“When Steve brought you home, he walked you to the porch and—” She couldn’t repeat the words. She knew it was more than a simple hug.
“Where were you?”
“At the tree at the top of the hill. It’s where I go to think or when I feel the need to be alone.”
She felt her heartbeat hesitate. She couldn’t contest the kiss. “I…it was—”
“It was hurtful.” The confirmation that it did happen almost hurt as much as when she witnessed it happen.
“It meant nothing, Aspen. Please don’t think poorly of me. He’s a sweet kid and all, but it meant nothing more than kissing a child’s bruised elbow. It’s your lips I hungered for and I was upset when I was certain you and Trigg were rekindling something. It was stupid on my part. I knew that even at that very moment, but my feelings for you were torturing me.”
“It’s okay, really.”
“But it’s not okay. I was madly jealous.”
“You didn’t need to be.”
Wren shrugged her shoulders. “The only way I can explain it is, I thought you were having the same strong feelings I was having for you, but for someone else.”
Aspen gave her a gentle kiss. “Well now you know there was absolutely nothing to rekindle with Trigg.” She moved her mouth closer to Wren’s and spoke softly. “And you, Miss Wren Emerson, have my full attention. Our night at the rock more than sealed that deal.”
“That night is certainly cemented in my mind.”
“What we shared—what I gave you—well, I couldn’t have given that to anyone else. Ever.”
“I’m sorry I ever doubted yo
u, Aspen. It was a mistake of epic proportions and I promise you it will never happen again.”
“I believe you.” The touch of their lips lingered a little longer before Aspen withdrew. “But now that we know what we really feel….”
Wren sat back on her folded legs, but didn’t break the connection between their sealed fingers. “Now that we know what we really feel, we need to come clean to your dad.”
Aspen took a deep breath. That wasn’t quite what she had in mind. “You’re right. It’s only a matter of time that he finds out what’s going on and I am certain massive amounts of embellishment will enhance the juicy gossip.”
“And gossip spreads fast,” Wren agreed. “The tabloids love a good scandal,” she said with an accent. “When dealing with your dad, it’s best the news comes directly from you.”
“Agreed.” She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know if what I am feeling right now is excitement or if I am totally petrified. I guess it’s a whole lot of both.”
“Yeah, that’s a good way to explain how I am feeling, too.”
“And how about you? What are you going to do about JT and your so called…relationship?”
“I know. I should have never allowed Zoltan to talk me into pretending I had feelings for that player. If it comes across like I cheated on him, I’ll look like the bad guy and he’ll look like the saint.” She didn’t add that Aspen would probably be made out to be the home wrecker.
“You need to break up with him on your own terms. And do it soon.”
“I considered that, but you heard what Zoltan said. He wants to handle his dysfunctional lies his way. One with a hot and juicy story that will continue to pad his pockets.”
“Who cares what he thinks? I wouldn’t wait.”
“Really?” Wren liked this assertive side of Aspen. “What do you suggest?”
“You need to make it known to the world that you and JT are no longer a couple…and that you haven’t been for some time. That way when everyone finds out about us, your so-called relationship with JT won’t become such a big deal.”
Aspen's Stunt Page 18
