by Rye Hart
“You are being as ridiculous as my father and just as controlling trying to dictate my life and my next move. I’ve got myself away from that kind of living and was determined to follow my dreams which is what you left me to do in the first place! Now you talk like I should give it up on your whim.” She folded her arms, and my head was pounding from the rush of adrenaline that pumped through my veins.
How dare she compare me to her father. I wasn’t sure when it had all gotten out of hand, but I knew if I didn’t leave I was only going to make things worse with my temper and I didn’t want to ruin everything a second time.
Maybe I could see her point, but I couldn’t help my feelings, and I only wanted to her know I was on her side before she bit my head off.
“I’m going to go before this gets any uglier.”
“Yeah, Duncan, do what you do best, leave! At least this time, you’re man enough to do it in person!”
I turned and met her eyes and saw the regret, the moment she knew she should take those words back. It shone in her eyes.
And as I crossed the room to leave, she hurried after me, but I pulled the bedroom door between us and kept moving, faster than she could follow. As much as I loved her, I needed to get some air. I drove away five minutes later waiting for her to come after me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN - RACHEL
I’d allowed myself the weekend alone to catch up on my housework and to process what had happened between me and Duncan. I had also had time to decide that I needed to talk to Brock and not let what happened slide. I could do plenty to his reputation. After talking to Shauna, who wanted to report Brock’s behavior to Harris immediately, I learned more about where the rich boy got his funding, As it turned out, his rich daddy was not only footing the bill but had begged Harris to help the kid out. Harris had only wanted the deal to work out, because Mr. Reed Sr. was a great connection himself.
I had decided I’d put the younger in his place, and salvage what was left of the working relationship. It was better for everyone, and even though I’d rather slap his smug face myself, Duncan’s war tactics weren’t exactly professional.
When I arrived on set, Jefferey met me with a big hug, patting my back and then pulling away to give me a scolding glare. “You promise me right now, face to face that you’ll never do me that way again.” We’d worked things out on the phone when I’d finally called him back, but I hadn’t given him the full explanation.
“You’re not going to be happy when you find out that there’s more to the story than my sudden illness.” I’d stuck to the story only because it truly had turned my stomach when Brock pulled me against him and kissed me.
His hand went to his hip and as he lifted his perfectly sculpted brow his eyes narrowed. “You lied to me?”
“No, I just didn’t tell you everything, but seeing that Brock’s not here and I need your advice, I better come clean.”
He glanced around and took my hand and led me to the back of the room to the offices. There was a private dressing room that no one had claimed and he shut us inside and stood with his back to the door as I took a seat in the only folding chair. “It’s something major isn’t it!”
I proceeded to tell him all about how Duncan and I had been seeing each other, leaving out my intimate details of course, but filling him in on how we were mending a decade’s worth of wounds. And then when I told him about what Brock had done, how he’d asked me to stay behind and cornered me behind the set I saw the anger flash in his eyes.
“He touched you?”
He sounded just like Duncan, but I wasn’t expecting him to freak out in quite the same way. “He kissed me. When I refused, he threatened my job and my reputation.”
“What an asshole, no wonder you left. You should have told me right away.” He crossed his arms and shook his head. “What is he going to do? You work for yourself, and as far as reputations go, this is Hollywood, no one gives a fuck about reputation or morals, and they’ll hire you just to hear your side of the drama. You’re safe.” He had a point, but I still wasn’t convinced.
“Yeah, I’m not really worried about it, turns out it’s not him Harris is interested in anyway, it’s his father who foots the bill that he’s got his eyes on. I’m more concerned about me and Duncan. We had an awful fight about it.” I wrapped my arms around myself and stared at the floor.
“What does he have to say? I bet he wasn’t thrilled with Brock Reed one bit.”
“No, he wasn’t. I’m sure he’s still plotting the guy’s death, but when I told him I was worried about what would happen, he totally turned into my father. He acts like if it’s going to be a problem then I should just say fuck it and walk away from my job and let him take care of me.”
“On no, he didn’t.” Jefferey let out a long breath and rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, he did. Can you believe that?”
Suddenly Jefferey’s demeanor changed, and he bobbed his head back and forth as if seeing both sides. “I can see why he’d react that way. He loves you and wants to be the one to take care of you.”
“You mean he wants to force me into an apron and have me fix him a sandwich.” I huffed. “It’s kind of insulting to suggest I just up and quit.”
“I don’t think he was saying that at all, I think he was just trying to say he has your back, and that it was something you didn’t have to dwell on or worry about.”
I stopped and let the words process and let loose a sound of frustration.
“Then why not say that instead of acting like my career means nothing.”
“Again, I’m not sure that was his intent. He just wanted to be your champion. Can’t blame a man for that, it should be in his nature. ”
But then I realized that jumping to conclusions wasn’t all I’d done.
“Oh, Jefferey, it was much worse than that.” I covered my mouth and held my palm flat against my chest. Jefferey stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.
“You’ll work it out.”
“I threw our past in his face on his way out. I was angry, and he wasn’t telling me what I wanted to hear. It was like arguing with my father all over again, and I didn’t want him to leave. I haven’t seen him since. I think he’s done with me and I’m not sure I blame him.”
“Then you need to go to him and make it right, and you will. I’m sure he’s missing you as much as you’re missing him.”
I hoped he was right. I couldn’t live without him again. All those years, all that time I’d put my entire life and soul into my work, I was just a shell of myself, empty without him.
Jefferey left me alone with my thoughts a moment, and then I returned to work waiting to see Duncan, but he never showed.
By lunchtime, when he wouldn’t pick up his phone, I was beginning to worry, and I went out to see if Patrick knew where he was. When he shrugged and said he had no idea, I began to sweat. Maybe he was done with me and the job.
Panic coursed through me as I dialed Shauna. His sister surely knew what was up with him.
“I was wondering when you’d call,” she said instead of hello.
“Then why didn’t you call me?”
“Because I had enough of it listening to my brother.” She sounded bored, and I was a little taken aback by how unfazed she was while I was there worried sick.
“So, you know where he is? He didn’t show up for work.”
She stifled a laugh. “Yeah, he said he’d do that. He’s at the office. He said he’d rather not go in today and watch you kiss Brock’s ass.”
“Nice.” I raked my hand through my hair and relaxed, but only a little. “Is he done with me?”
“Done? With you?” She seemed to think that was funny and her laughter belted through the phone, blasting my ear. “He’s never going to be done with you, silly friend. No, he’s giving you space to figure it out and giving himself time to cool down, though he wasn’t impressed your final words to him. You know, Rach, if you’re going to have a relationship with him, you really should
forgive him and let the past go. He left you, yes, but he’s here now. Move forward.”
I knew she was right about that part. “I was so angry about the career thing.”
“I know, and don’t think I didn’t chew his ass for that. He left you to build that career, but he insists he never meant to belittle your work. You two need to talk. If you want to find him, you can go down to his office. I’ll text you the address.”
I agreed that I should go talk to him and ended the call. And as I waited for her to send the address, a commotion happened at the door. Patrick was fending off a man with a camera as Star walked in with Brock. The two were looking rather casual and chummy and headed right for me.
“There she is,” said Brock. I wondered what he’d said to Star as she smirked, eyeing me from head to toe.
“Good, let’s go over everything and see if it’s any better than my last visit.” Star turned her nose up and spun around, and as I heard my phone buzz with Duncan’s office address, I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to go to him anytime soon.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - DUNCAN
I’d managed to refrain from going down to the set all day and instead tidied up my office and organize my client books. I had a few men that were slacking without my watchful eye, and I checked on the as well.
I had noticed about halfway through the day that my phone had been turned off, and there was a missed call from half an hour before from Rachel, but when I tried to call her back, she didn’t answer. I left her a text and told her what happened.
So, when my phone rang about four o’clock, I assumed it was her, tired from a long day’s work and ready to make amends. I was ready for that myself.
But it wasn’t her. “Hello, Sis. How’s your day been?”
“Better than yours, as always. So, did you two lovebirds get everything worked out?”
“I haven’t talked to Rachel all day. She never called me back.”
“Well, that’s curious because she was supposed to come by your office, I texted her the address.”
“Maybe she changed her mind about me. She thinks I’m some chauvinistic asshole, I’m sure.” She’d said as much comparing me to her father.
She gave me a sound of frustration. “Not true. And she feels bad. You need to go to her. Maybe something’s holding her up.”
“Or someone. I’m sure she and Brock are as chummy as ever. I’m sure he’s loving it.” I knew I sounded bitter, but it wasn’t like I was ever going to care for her working for that man ever again.
“Now, now, don’t pout just because she won’t let you do anything to him.”
“Technically, the only thing she said I couldn’t do is to pound his face and kill him, but lucky for me, I can be a bit more creative.” I’d spent the last two hours after sorting out my guys going over every scrap of information I could on Brock Reed.
“What are you saying? You’ve got something else cooking?” She gave a nervous laugh, but then made a sound of disapproval. “Please tell me you won’t make things worse.”
“No, I’m going to even the playing field is all. He said he’ll ruin Rachel, so I am going to dig up some fresh dirt on him, something he wouldn’t want anyone knowing, especially Harris or his father.”
“I didn’t tell you that tidbit so you could use it against him. I told you and Rachel so you’d stop worrying about him.”
“I’m not worried, but I’m also not so sure Rachel wasn’t right. He could pull some influence considering who he’s worked with in the past, but that road goes both ways. If I can dig up something on him, then that will be our insurance.”
“You sure you’re not going to make things worse? Rachel won’t like this. I do, but she won’t.”
“I’ll worry about that later.” I wasn’t going to keep it from her, but I damned sure wasn’t going to let that little shit get away with anything.
“What exactly do you have in mind and how can I help?”
“Well, unless you want to get into a compromising situation yourself, you better stay out of it. But I appreciate the offer, and I’ll keep it in mind. I do know that he and Star have worked together before, on her first and third videos, and they’ve known each other for a while, clear back to when she first hit the scene when she was only seventeen. She’s a pet of his or maybe vice versa. I’d like to find out why, especially since their other relationships line up along the same timelines of their projects.”
“You think they were sleeping with one another?”
“Something like that. But the two of them messing around has never gone public, and I have a feeling here’s a reason for it.” I’d figure it out whatever it was.
We ended our conversation minutes later with me promising to give Rachel another call, which I tried to do on my way home without any answer. I wanted her to know that I would be home in case she was still going to drop by the office.
I’d only been home an hour, still with no word back from Rachel when there was a knock at my door. I glanced out the window to see her standing there with her eyes closed and mouthing something like a prayer.
She met me with a weary smile when she opened the door, and I pulled her into a tight embrace. I’d missed her like crazy and hated that there was tension between us.
She melted against me and then threw her head back and met my eyes. “I needed that. Today was terrible.”
“Want to tell me all about it?” I wasn’t sure she would be so open to explain considering what had happened, but she let out a sigh, sinking further against me and gave me a nod.
“What didn’t happen, would be a hell of a lot easier to explain.” She took my hand, and I led her inside, offering her a seat on the couch.
She took a seat, glancing around at my place. “This isn’t what I expected. Remember how messy your bedroom used to be?”
“The military changed many things.” I sat down beside her, and she stroked my goatee and then ran her hand down my chest and across my arms.
“It certainly did.” She slid her gaze down my body, and her cheeks reddened.
“You’re stalling, what happened that was so terrible?” I wasn’t going to let her get away from the issue in case Brock had tried something again. This time I wasn’t going to be so restrained.
“Our charming producer was in a terrible mood, and he brought his sidekick along for the torture. Star Summers has got to be the biggest brat on the planet. First, I changed everything to fit her massive heels, and now that I have, she’s decided she’d be sexier barefoot for the video. Of course, Brock agreed in a way that made me think he has some erotic foot fetish, and now I have to recalibrate all the major props to line up in the shot again. My team is about ready to walk after she dragged them on a tirade and oh, you might need to tell your man to keep his eyes on the door, and not Star’s ass.”
“Patrick? What happened with him?”
“Well, other than Jefferey claiming he’s been staring him down since he arrived, which could just be the fact that Jefferey thinks all men are staring him down, Patrick was a bit taken by the pop diva. So much that he let one of her crazy fans slip in. Then he—”
“What? He let someone slip in?” My temper flared as confusion set in. It was hard to believe he’d made such an error.
“Yeah, a pair of teens, they had some stuff they wanted Star to sign. She went ahead and took care of them, giving them pictures and so on.”
“I bet she was pissed. How come no one called the office to complain?”
“I’m sure she and Patrick worked it out over lunch.”
“Lunch?” I’d only stepped away with Star and her manager as a courtesy knowing I had a backup, but Patrick doing so was not part of his job nor standard procedure.
“Oh yeah, and she was gushing over him way more than she did you.” She gave me a teasing grin.
“He’s never been one to be so unprofessional, but then again he’s never worked with any of the famous clients before, especially one so—”
; “Sexy? Beautiful?” She leveled her stare as if daring me to finish my sentence.
“I was going to say flirty and manipulative, but since you mentioned it, yeah, she’s not hard on the eyes. Maybe that whole tooth thing, but—”
She nudged me playfully, and I cupped her face and pulled her toward me, kissing her deep. I broke away and met her eyes, resting my forehead on hers. “You’re sexy and beautiful. I wanted to say I’m sorry about what happened and that I got angry.”
“I’m sorry too. I flew off the handle.” She raked her hand through my hair and kissed me, inching herself closer.
“Well, was that it?”
“Not by a longshot. Brock sabotaged me at every turn, making it impossible to get any work done around all the things that needed to be changed and of course, Star left for her dressing room, completely pissed. He followed after telling me that there might not be a video now and if I ruined things with my incompetence, he wasn’t going to pay me.”
“He went to her dressing room?”
“Yes, and they were still in there when I left. I sent everyone home. I know they deserved an early day after that circus.”
“You deserve better too.” I pulled her into my lap and stroked her back as our mouths mingled and I was more certain than ever I’d get something on Brock Reed if it was the last thing I’d do.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - RACHEL
The nightmare continued on set when I returned the day after Star and Brock’s tantrums and apparently whatever they did to work things out it hadn’t worked.
The music from her video was blaring as she did a walk-through of the scene and since Brock was also directing the two were snapping each other’s heads off. But that wasn’t the worst thing that happened.
Once they got back into filming and things were finally going well, Star threw a ring into the air, and it hit the fake stone façade and set off a chain reaction that ended with chunks of plaster falling into her blue-tipped hair.
