Hollywood Heartbreak

by C. J. Duggan

  ‘Ah, yeah, sure, I’ve got a few minutes,’ he said.

  Oh wow, a few minutes. How gracious of him. I was already feeling annoyed and I hadn’t even ventured inside.

  ‘This won’t take long,’ I said in my most business-like tone.

  Jay nodded at me before turning to Billie and touching her arm. ‘You good?’

  Billie smiled, nodding her head. You could see the lightness in her, the relief as she spoke. ‘Yeah, thanks, Jay.’

  Well, I was glad everything was working out. It appeared I really didn’t need to be here. I badly wanted to say ‘I told you so’ to Billie, but apparently the clock was ticking for his lordship and I would have to wait to talk to her.

  When I went to move, Billie grabbed my hand; looking at me, her brows furrowed. ‘What do you want to talk to him about?’ she said in a low voice.

  I glanced to the open door. ‘I’ll tell you later,’ I said. Before Billie could respond, I stepped inside Jay’s office and closed the door behind me.

  I had felt fine before, but now a knot of tension was tying itself in the pit of my stomach at seeing Jay behind his massive wooden desk. I had expected that his office, at least, would reflect the décor of his home, but instead it had the same vibe as the rest of the Saloon; was that a picture of a cactus behind him?

  ‘Have a seat.’

  His voice snapped my attention away from the picture, and I moved to take the seat in front of his desk. It felt strange, formal, like I was in trouble; maybe I would be.

  Jay sat there, unreadable, waiting for me to start talking. I’d been so focused on Billie’s situation and my part of the plan that I hadn’t put much thought into what my request for an audience would make him think.

  ‘You wanted to see me?’ The meaning of his question was clear, but the way he looked at me made me think he meant something else. Oh, how I wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face. Yes, Jay, I can go a day without seeing you – my heart will go on.

  I shrugged. ‘I need a day job, apparently, and now you have a vacancy.’

  Jay’s brows rose in surprise; he was not expecting those words to come out of my mouth.

  ‘I believe I have you to thank for my best employee finding work elsewhere.’

  ‘Her dream job? Yes, you do.’

  ‘And now you have found yours … here?’ he questioned, his words dripping with sarcasm.

  I simply kept my cool and repeated, ‘I need a day job.’

  ‘It’s not nine to five.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘And I’m guessing you’re going to need time off for auditions.’

  My stomach dropped; I had thought that I was doing him a favour, filling Billie’s spot, but now I wasn’t so sure.

  ‘Do you have a résumé?’ he asked.

  ‘No, but I can get one. I’ll even provide a headshot, if you like,’ I teased.

  ‘That won’t be necessary. Do you have any experience waitressing?’

  ‘I am a fast learner and I can make nice really well.’

  ‘Yeah, so I’ve seen. Is it possible that maybe you could just actually be nice?’

  My brows narrowed; like genuinely be nice without faking it? It was a concerning revelation; my life had been filled with trying to please or impress people, socialising with people I didn’t even like. Was it possible? Did I even know how to be nice?

  ‘Abby.’

  My eyes snapped up.

  ‘These aren’t difficult questions,’ he said, clicking his pen and watching me seriously. Gone was the man from last night; all his sexy, smirky smiles and smoky hot stares. Jay in his office, at his work, was all business.

  ‘I think sometimes in life you just need a change, or challenge, and I think that working here is exactly what I need.’

  ‘Are you being real with me now?’

  I straightened in my chair. ‘What do you mean? You think I’m acting?’

  ‘Well, sometimes it’s hard to tell.’

  ‘I assure you I am not.’

  ‘Were you acting last night?’ Something sparked in his eyes.

  I could feel my cheeks warm at the memory.

  ‘I don’t think it’s really appropriate to discuss that in the workplace.’

  Jay leant back in his chair, stifling a laugh. ‘Well, I was referring to you liking the chilli I made, but hey, if your mind is in the gutter, I can’t help that.’

  I shook my head. ‘You so were not.’

  ‘Wasn’t I?’

  ‘Well, how do I know when you’re being real?’

  He ignored the question and simply rolled his chair closer to his desk.

  ‘If you’re serious about wanting a job you’re going to have to prove yourself. What I ask of all of my staff is that no matter what they have going on outside these doors, they show up and give a hundred percent.’

  ‘I will – I mean, I would – I’ll prove it.’

  Jay seemed distracted. ‘I don’t think you’ll like my usual initiation, but I do it with every staff member – and before your brain starts being inappropriate again, hear me out.’

  It was a good thing he clarified, because my mind was beginning to wander. ‘Initiation, you say?’

  ‘I have a VIP event happening tomorrow night, and I’m going to need people who won’t be starstruck.’

  I smiled big; oh, I had this down to a tee. ‘I accept the challenge.’ If you could even call it that. I would be able to schmooze VIPs like a pro, thanks to my insider knowledge; it might even be a chance to secretly network on the side.

  ‘Don’t you want to hear the details before you accept?’

  ‘Nope, just tell me where and when and I will be there.’

  Jay looked at me like I was a mystery to him; I kind of liked that. He thought he knew my type so well, and I wanted to show him he was wrong. I could be real, and work hard just like anyone else – in fact, better than anyone else.

  ‘Well, if you’re sure.’

  I held up my hand. ‘I don’t want to know – it doesn’t matter who it is. I told you, I’m not someone who gets starstruck.’

  I moved to stand, hooking my bag over my shoulder, feeling empowered.

  ‘Okay, head out and find Deedee. She’ll take care of the details and get you set up for tomorrow. It’s a 9 p.m. start, but if you want to come in at seven, for a bit of orientation, that would probably be best. I know how you actor types like to prepare.’

  I rolled my eyes, which probably wasn’t a wise move, considering that Jay had just moved categories from ‘neighbour’ to ‘boss’. Oh, and he had also spent a short amount of time in the ‘lover’ category, but I was trying not to think about that.

  ‘Billie will show you who you need to speak to; no doubt she’s lingering outside the door.’

  I bit my lip, because I knew that was exactly what she would be doing, dying to know the outcome, just as I had with her. It was like waiting outside the principal’s office.

  Jay really was a busy man; he grabbed his keys and sunglasses and followed me out the door, where I was greeted by a very eager-looking Billie.

  ‘Billie, do you want to give Abby a bit of a tour? You’re looking at the Saloon Bar’s newest recruit,’ Jay said, shutting the door behind him.

  Billie’s reaction was priceless; her jaw dropped and her nostrils flared as she looked between the two of us. ‘Are you serious?’

  I smiled. ‘I have mighty big shoes to fill, but someone’s got to do it.’

  Billie laughed, wrapping her arms around me. ‘Oh, babe, you will love it here, and I am not just saying that because the boss is standing behind you.’

  Jay sighed, putting on his shades. ‘No doubt I will see you ladies later.’

  ‘Actually, before you go, Jay – what are you doing Sunday night?’ asked Billie.

  Jay paused at the top the stairs. ‘What’s the occasion?’

  ‘I was thinking of having a bit of a gathering, nothing too big, just a few celebratory drinks with friends; this j
ob is kind of a big deal for me, and Abby has an exciting week ahead too.’

  This was the first I had heard of planned ‘celebratory drinks’, and I certainly wouldn’t have been endorsing it on the night before my audition. I seriously wanted to kick her.

  ‘Sounds like a plan. See you then,’ Jay said, and I swore he was speaking only to me. He turned and headed down the stairs. My heart clenched in a way that was reminiscent of my first schoolgirl crush.

  I turned to Billie, who held up her hands in surrender.

  ‘Before you start cursing me, first things first.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You, me, a table, and cheesy, guac, sour-cream-smothered nachos.’

  My shoulders slumped. Curse her. ‘I told you, I’m on a health kick.’

  ‘Yeah, and how’s that working for you?’

  My memory flashed to the cocktails I slammed down followed by the bowl of chilli and bread I scoffed last night.

  ‘Utterly shithouse, actually.’

  ‘Come on, then; diet starts Monday.’ And with that Billie linked her arm through mine and dragged me down the stairs.

  ‘Oh no-no-no.’ I threw myself down in the seat opposite Billie.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I totally forgot I said I would have dinner with Ziggy tomorrow night.’

  ‘And you can’t?’

  ‘I start work tomorrow night.’

  Billie coughed mid-sip. ‘What, as in here?’ she gasped.

  ‘Yeah, Jay wants me to work at some VIP party. I said I would totally do it, I was bringing my A-game. I really want to prove to him that I am not some brainless actress. Shit, I might have to see if Ziggy can do lunch. Shit, shit, shit. I hate being flaky with her.’ I flicked out a napkin and rested it on my lap, then looked up to see Billie staring at me catatonically, her face colourless.

  ‘Jesus, Billie, it’s okay, I am pretty sure Ziggy will do lunch.’

  ‘Ah, no … um, I was meant to work that VIP gig. Before I handed my notice in, that is.’

  ‘Oh, okay.’ Was she feeling funny about me working in her place? I thought it might have made things easier for her transition, but she looked really concerned, chewing her straw distractedly.

  ‘Umm, Abby, did Jay tell you anything about the VIP party?’

  I stopped mid-sip of my Coke, straightening slightly. ‘I said I didn’t want to know. Why?’

  Billie looked like she was in pain, her face twisted. ‘Abby, the VIP party – it’s for Leon Denero and all the LA Family.’

  Whaaaaaat?

  I sat there, stunned, Billie’s words ringing through my head like a death knell.

  ‘Noooooooo. No!’ I slammed my hands on the table, my rage and despair bubbling to the surface just as the waitress brought over our food.

  ‘Is everything alright, Billie?’

  Billie simply nodded, looking up at the waitress. ‘I think we’re going to need some more guacamole. A lot more.’

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Dreams do come true, and so do fucking nightmares.

  ‘Just tell him you won’t do it!’ Billie had said the same thing a hundred times, and her words fell on deaf ears once more as I paced the balcony of her condo, biting my thumbnail.

  ‘This is a test, a massive test,’ I mumbled to myself.

  ‘He probably has no idea what a nightmare this would be for you; just tell him.’

  ‘Oh, he knows alright – we spent an evening with them, remember? He knows I don’t like them and now I have to fucking serve them. Brilliant.’

  ‘Well, if he knows, why didn’t he tell you?’

  I groaned, stepping back inside and face-planting in despair on the couch. ‘He tried to tell me, but I was all like, no, no, I don’t need to know, I can be professional, blah, blah, blerrggghhh. I could seriously poke myself in the eye with a sharp stick sometimes.’

  ‘It would be preferable to hanging out with the LA Family, that’s for sure.’

  I closed my eyes, having visions of Leon ordering the most expensive bottle of wine and me having to pour it into Sienna’s glass. I wanted to die.

  ‘Abby, you do not have to do this.’

  I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. ‘Yes, I do,’ I said, before rolling onto my side and resting my head on my hand. ‘Hey, why didn’t you tell me Leon and the LA Family were having a VIP party at the Saloon?’

  Billie thought for a moment. ‘I just assumed you’d be invited.’

  That made sense, and then it had me thinking. I pulled myself up to sit on the side of the lounge, my bare feet resting on the rug. Delving into my pocket, I checked my phone – no messages from Sienna. The party was tomorrow night – why hadn’t she invited me? Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t heard from her since the gathering.

  ‘Interesting,’ I said, thinking how hypocritical it was that I didn’t want to hang out with Sienna and her clique, and yet I couldn’t help feeling a little offended that I wasn’t invited to their get-together in my territory.

  ‘Oh, fuck ’em – they are a bunch of bloody wannabes anyway.’

  Billie was trying to help, bless her, but it still didn’t quite pull me out of my despair. Maybe lunch with Ziggy might offer me some perspective, I thought, dialling her number. ‘I can’t believe I am rescheduling my dinner with Zig for this.’

  ‘Please, don’t.’ Billie clasped her hands together in prayer but it was too late.

  ‘Hey, Ziggy – guess who got a job?’

  At least Ziggy was happy I had heeded her advice and got a day job, and even more impressed that it was somewhere that might have me interacting with the who’s who – with the Leon Deneros of the world, ugh. Lunch was a fizzer so I invited her over to join the Sunday drinks session; it was going to be my only chance to do some prep before my audition on Monday, and potentially a counselling session should I survive my first Saturday shift slaving for the clique.

  I was so disenchanted with the world that I didn’t even check if Jay cut laps of the pool that night, my balcony door firmly shut in defiance. I didn’t want to deal with him or anything else right now. Instead, I focused on my lines and tried to put myself into a more positive headspace, but something was niggling at me.

  I picked up my phone, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. I thought long and hard before I started to text:

  Hey Sienna, what are you doing tomorrow night? Want to catch up? Xoxo

  Again, my thumb hovered over the send button until I thought, What the hell, bloody send.

  This was a test: either she had forgotten to invite me to my supposed boyfriend’s bar for VIP hangs, or she was deliberately excluding me, knowing I would find out. So much hung on her response. Soon I saw those three teasing dots dance across the screen.

  Hey hey, sorry babe, busy tomorrow night – going out of town for the weekend, but let’s catch up soon. Xx

  ‘That lying little …’

  Something hit my window.

  At first I thought I imagined it, but then I heard the same clink again. Maybe someone was trying to get in, but I didn’t think serial killers threw pebbles at your window. I peeled the blankets back and crept to the window, another rock hitting the glass. I unlocked the door and slid it open, tentatively stepping out.

  Jay was standing below my balcony, poised to throw another pebble. He smiled as his eyes locked on mine.

  ‘What are you doing?’ I whispered loudly. My reputation for being a disturber of the peace was already confirmed; I really didn’t need the residents to hate me even more.

  ‘Come down,’ he whispered back.

  I rolled my eyes; this was not a John Hughes movie – what could he possibly want?

  ‘Why?’ I said, wrapping my arms around me. All I wanted was to stew in my own misery – didn’t he know that?

  He didn’t answer; he simply motioned me to come down with a head tilt.

  ‘For God’s sake,’ I gritted, turning around and reaching for my dressing gown. I really didn’t
need him seeing me in my Charlie Brown PJs.

  By the time I reached the pool, the only figure I saw was the one freestyling through the water. I merely stood by the edge, crossing my hands over my chest and watching on in complete boredom until finally he stopped, blinking up at me, breathless.

  ‘Is this what was so important for me to see?’

  Because I had seen it many a time, but that was my dirty little secret.

  Jay swam over to the ledge near me, lifting himself out effortlessly and sitting on the edge. It was one thing to see him half-naked and wet from a distance, but to be standing right next to him … well, I had to swallow very hard and try not to stare.

  ‘So?’ I prompted.

  ‘I know you didn’t want to know, but I think I should tell you about the VIPs tomorrow night.’

  My head snapped to him.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because then you can decide whether you want to work that shift.’

  ‘You mean, I get a choice?’

  ‘Usually not, but I can shuffle a few things around. It’s no big deal.’

  The ghost of a smile traced my lips.

  Jay was a good guy; I was so glad that I came down. He wasn’t testing me – he was trying to protect me. He knew more than anyone how difficult it would be for me to serve the likes of Sienna and her crew.

  I shook my head. ‘Don’t change a thing. I’ll be there.’

  Jay stood, droplets of water rolling down his smooth, chiselled skin; he was ever so distracting. It was proving difficult to remain calm, to pretend as if he wasn’t towering over me with no top on, looking down at me with a sexy little smile. ‘Are you sure? I really think you’ll want to sit this one out.’

  The more he tried to push me away, the more adamant I was about proving I could be professional. ‘I am sure.’

  ‘What if I told you that –’

  I placed my hand on his mouth, stopping him from saying another word.

  I laughed. ‘Don’t tell me.’