by Joy King
“That’s what I’m talking ‘bout. I had so much fun at Chris’s party a few weeks ago. We hadn’t hung out like that in a minute. I’m definitely up to doing it again,” Shari squealed as she and Chantal did their pinkie shake.
After gulping down half the bottle of champagne and devouring both pieces of cake, Tyler was no closer to making her decision about who should play Damian. Both men were actually incredible and could dominate the role. Part of her wanted to automatically reject T-Roc because she remembered promising her ex-boyfriend Ian that she would stay away from his cousin since he was partly responsible for Ian throwing her down the stairs, which in turn caused her to lose the baby. Making the reckless decision to date two cousins was a mistake that still troubled Tyler. After Ian learned of her deception Tyler felt responsible for the aftermath, but resented T-Roc even more since he was the one who revealed their brief affair. Tyler knew T-Roc did it to be spiteful because his ego couldn’t believe that she chose his cousin over him. T-Roc’s ultimate payback had changed the course of all three of their lives forever. But Ian was now married with a child and had moved on; there was no real reason to keep that promise. But Tyler couldn’t help but bear in mind how deceitful and conniving T-Roc could be and she doubted he had changed. She questioned if it was fair to let their past relationship stand in the way of him getting his dream role. Tyler decided that it wouldn’t be. T-Roc deserved the opportunity to break in to acting just as much as she did. Fair is fair, Tyler said to herself falling asleep.
When she closed her eyes and went to sleep all she dreamed of was Andre making passionate love to her. She hadn’t realized that he’d left such a lasting effect on her. She had no choice but to choose him for the part because she couldn’t take the chance of not seeing him again.
First thing in the morning Tyler headed to William’s office to give him her decision. After her dream last night she was a hundred percent sure that she was making the right choice. As Tyler was entering the building she ran smack into William.
“Talk about right on time,” William teased.
Tyler laughed before saying, “I don’t believe in coincidences; I believe you’re stalking me.” William gave Tyler his movie-star grin before grabbing her hand as they headed to the elevator. As William and Tyler stood in the elevator she couldn’t help but think that this was the first time since meeting William that she was actually dreaming about another man. Tyler had gotten so caught up in William that she was sure he was the one, even though he was married. Now she started feeling that he wasn’t and an over-whelming sense of guilt flooded her. The only reason she carried on an affair with a married man was because she knew they belonged together, but the knowledge that he wasn’t divorced made what they were doing repulsive. She felt it was definitely time for her to do some serious soul searching.
“So Tyler, who is going to play Damian? T-Roc or Andre Jackson?” William asked as soon as they reached his office. He was anxious to get his movie project moving forward.
“I struggled with my decision all last night, but I came to the conclusion that Andre Jackson is the right man for the part,” Tyler proclaimed.
“Excellent choice. I thought you were leaning towards T-Roc, but I’m glad you decided on Andre. He seems a little more grounded than T-Roc. Well, I better put the call in to Craig Silverman and get this movie in motion,” William said with great enthusiasm.
While Tyler sat in the chair watching William place the phone call, she couldn’t help but surmise that William wouldn’t be so excited if he knew the reason behind her decision. Tyler couldn’t stop thinking about Andre.
“I just got off the phone with Craig. It’s a done deal. Our lawyers are sending over the paperwork and once Andre Jackson signs them, we start shooting. Tyler, I have an excellent feeling about this. You definitely made the right choice!” Tyler couldn’t help but feel she made the right choice, too.
“Oh baby, I’m about to cum,” Arisa screamed out as Andre pounded her from the back. He began to feel a little disgusted for some odd reason. When he finally busted a nut, he immediately pulled out and took off his condom and walked to the bathroom and shut the door. Andre turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his perfectly chiseled coffee-colored face. As he stared in the mirror he felt like a loser because he had settled and fucked Arisa instead of being with the woman who had been on his mind for the last couple of days. The whole time he was fucking Arisa he wished that he was making love to Tyler. She was just the type of woman that he wanted to have as a wife, although he had to admit to himself that he didn’t even know her. She could be a psycho for all he knew. But something about her was pulling him in, and he welcomed it.
“Baby, the phone is ringing,” Arisa said as she stood by the door. Arisa was getting way too comfortable for Andre’s taste. Although the door was closed she felt she had the right to open it and tell Andre his phone was ringing. It never crossed her mind that maybe he didn’t want to be interrupted or bothered with her for that matter.
“Thanks,” Andre said as he brushed passed Arisa toward his cordless. “Hello,” he trilled, aggravated by Arisa’s acting too comfortable in his space.
“Andre, I have great news,” Craig said, unable to contain his excitement. “You got the part!”
“What?” Andre wanted to make sure he heard Craig correctly before savoring his excitement.
“You heard me, you got the part of Damian. The call just came in from William Donovan and he is having his lawyers send the paperwork over ASAP. They want to start shooting immediately. So pack your bags, you’re headed for Hollywood.”
Andre was too stunned to speak. He had no idea how badly he had wanted the part until that very moment. Never in a million years did he believe he would get the role. He had decided that he would have to track down Tyler Blake some other way because he had already made up his mind that she would be his. Now they would be on set together just about every day, working side by side. Andre walked toward his closet and without delay began packing his clothes.
“Baby, where are you going?” Arisa asked, looking and feeling confused as to how one minute Andre had his dick thrust inside of her and then he was packing his shit up like he didn’t even know she was there.
“I have to go out of town for a while,” Andre snapped, put off by the fact Arisa was questioning him.
“Can I come?” Arisa asked in a seductive voice, as though she wasn’t catching the shade from Andre.
“Can you come?” Andre stood and looked at Arisa for a second to get a reading on her face. In his mind she had to be joking because if she was serious, it was his sign that it was time to cut her loose. She had now overstepped her position if, even for a moment, she thought she was coming along.
“Yeah, I want to come with you. When you get finished handling whatever you have to do, at least you know you have somebody waiting for you,” Arisa explained as though she was his girl.
“Arisa, understand something. If I want my woman waiting for me after I handle my business then that’s what will happen. But you’re damn sure not my wife, you not even my girl, so step back and play your position or you might find yourself without a position at all.”
“Andre, you don’t have to be cruel. If you want your space that’s all you have to say. I just figured with all the drama going on between you and Chantal you might want some company, or at least someone to talk to.”
“What, are you a shrink now?” Andre said sarcastically. He saw the tears starting to swell up in Arisa’s eyes and right before they began to fall, Andre checked himself and opted for another approach. “Listen, Arisa, you’re a sweet girl but I think you’re putting more into this relationship than what it is. I think it’s time for us to put it to rest.”
“What, what are you talking about? Andre, I love you, I do.” Those were the words Andre dreaded to hear. He quietly wondered if the chick honestly thought that he would take a hofessional seriously. But sadly it seemed like she did.
“Arisa, don’t say that, because I don’t love you.”
“That’s okay. I have enough love for both of us. I just want to make you happy, Andre.” Andre realized he had an unstable woman on his hand and deliberated that it was pointless to have any sort of meaningful conversation with her.
“Arisa, I really have to catch this flight—we’ll talk about this when I get back,” Andre said, while handing Arisa her clothes.
“Okay, well when will that be?”
“I’ll call you tonight and let you know. But, baby, I really have to go. Get dressed and I’ll call you a car service.” As Arisa was about to leave, Andre gave her a wad of cash and a kiss on her forehead. He figured it was the least he could do since he knew he would never see her again. He made a notation in his mind to immediately call his assistant and have his cell number changed.
As days began to turn to weeks, Chantal was grateful she had Shari. She wouldn’t know what to do if she didn’t have her best friend to keep her occupied, since Andre had all but vanished on her. If it wasn’t for the quick, two-second calls to speak to Melanie, Chantal wouldn’t know if Andre was dead or alive. His aloofness was breaking Chantal’s spirit. Partying with Shari did numb the pain but it did little to stop it.
“Girl, we had a ball last night,” Shari said as she talked to Chantal on the phone. “There was some fine-ass niggas up in the spot, too. Remember that one guy grabbed my arm when they took it back a minute and played ‘Lean Back.’ He came up and asked me to dance and I told him we gangsters and gangsters don’t dance, we boogie,” Shari announced proudly.
“Yeah, and I looked at you and said bitch you ain’t no damn gangster. Yo silly ass thought you was Rémy Martin up in that spot,” Chantal mocked.
“I know, but that line is so hot, I was dying to say it to somebody.”
“Well, next time say it in the privacy of your home. I’m sure Alex won’t think you sound crazy.”
“Okaaaay, next topic, so what’s up with Mr. Hollywood?”
“Girl, I have not heard from Andre, but I’m not stressing. He’s probably trying to play hard to get. He’ll be back, he always is.”
“Well, yeah, but don’t let him stay away too long, I heard those LA chicks are ‘bout it ‘bout it,” Shari warned.
“I won’t. I am going to call him later on today to see what’s up. I do miss him, but I can’t seem too anxious or I’ll ruin my plan.”
“I feel you. I have to run some errands and then I’m hooking up with Chris for a late lunch but keep me posted. I can’t wait to see how this drama unfolds.”
“You and Chris are really going strong. I told you that nigga was digging you.”
“Yeah, that’s my baby. I have a feeling he might be popping the question soon.”
“What! Why you say that?”
“I didn’t want to say anything, but the other day while Chris and I were shopping at Oakbrook Center he took me into Tiffany to try on rings.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Chantal screamed, overwhelmed by her friend’s news.
“I didn’t want to jinx anything. I’m not even sure if he’s going to ask me to marry him but we did specifically look at engagement rings. When I asked him why he wanted me to pick out a ring, he said that just in case he wanted to pop the question in the near future, he would know which ring to get for me.”
“That sounds like a proposal to me, or close enough to it.”
“I want to think so, but you never know. The last thing I want to do is set myself up for a major letdown. But I’m hoping he’s the one, Chantal.”
“Me, too, Shari, you deserve to be happy. Chris seems like a really good guy. He would make a great brother-in-law. Plus, if they ever make it to the Super Bowl, we’ll have prime seats.”
“You’re a mess. I’ll talk to you later.”
After Shari hung up the phone, Chantal continued to think about her best friend’s possible engagement news and admitted to herself that she was disappointed Andre hadn’t called. She fully expected him to be at her front doorstep by now, begging for her forgiveness. Chantal wondered if maybe she had taken it too far, but Andre had left her no choice. The clock was ticking and she had to make major moves. Chantal dismissed her skepticism and figured that as soon as Andre had some free time, he would call.
TEN
The Truth Hurts
Andre woke up to butterflies in his stomach. Never did he imagine being so excited about seeing Tyler again. Today was their first day of shooting and all his scenes were with her. He’d been holed up in his Beverly Hills mansion going over and over the script for the last few days and was more nervous about seeing Tyler than actually starring in his first movie. After devouring his omelet and washing it down with a glass of orange juice, Andre walked outside where his driver was waiting to take him to the studio. He sat back and closed his eyes as the Maybach cruised down the highway. He kept seeing visions of Tyler Blake and imagining the two of them in an intimate embrace. For the first time in over twenty years Andre Jackson felt like a love-struck adolescent, and when “So Sick” by Ne-Yo came on the radio it just heightened the feelings of it all.
_______
Tyler couldn’t believe she was going to be face-to-face with Andre Jackson again. He was more than her leading man; he was a love interest. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t forget how she was immediately drawn to him when they first met on the soundstage. And then when he gently held her hand for an intimate scene while auditioning for the role, it was as if an electrical shock had surged up her arm. With that level of familiarity Tyler felt as if they had known each other in a previous lifetime. She had even dreamed of him when making love to William. Tyler had been waiting for this day for over three weeks and it took all of her self-control to contain her enthusiasm. As she sat in her trailer on the closed set, she heard a knock at the door. “Who is it?” Tyler asked, agitated that someone was disturbing the vivid erotic images she was having of Andre.
“It’s William, open your door.”
“Sorry about that. You know what a privacy nut I am,” Tyler said as she opened the door.
“Come on out. Andre is here and I want to briefly go over some things before we get started.”
Tyler followed William to the meeting area. When she neared Andre, they instantly locked eyes.
“It’s so nice to see you again,” Andre said in a monotone voice, disguising the fact that he wanted to rip off her cream-colored jersey dress and take her on the couch, not caring who watched.
“You, too,” Tyler said graciously, while imagining Andre being the father of her second child.
As William went over a few script changes and seemed to ramble on and on, Andre and Tyler tuned everything out, each absorbed with their own sordid thoughts of lovemaking. Both wondered if the other could feel the attraction or, better yet, could the other people on set feel the intense yearning between the two. While Tyler hoped it would remain a secret, Andre wanted everyone to know that he wanted Tyler; he just prayed she felt the same way.
_______
T-Roc sat in his office going over some last minute revisions for an upcoming press conference to introduce his new men’s cologne, when Access Hollywood came on announcing breaking news. At first T-Roc ignored the commentator until he heard the name Tyler Blake and Angel in the same sentence. He turned up the volume and listened intently to the report.
“We are the first to report that the new highly anticipated movie Angel starring Hollywood starlet Tyler Blake and directed by Oscar-winner William Donovan has found its leading man. It will be played by someone new to the Hollywood big screen, but a superstar in his own right, Andre Jackson. They began shooting yesterday on a closed set in LA. . . . “
As the report continued, showing pictures of Tyler and Andre coming and going on the set, T-Roc picked up one of his prized Grammys and threw it at the TV screen. Needless to say the flat screen broke and T-Roc embarked on one of his infamous tantrums.
“Rebecca,
get Craig Silverman on the phone now!” T-Roc screamed to his assistant. He couldn’t believe that Andre had gotten the part and he had to find out by tuning in to a tabloid show.
“Craig is on line one,” Rebecca echoed.
“How the fuck did Andre get that part, and why the fuck didn’t you tell me? I had to find out by watching fucking Access Hollywood. The type of money you make off me, I should know when you have to shit, you fucking asshole!”
“T-Roc, calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down, you fat fuck. That part was supposed to be mine, what happened?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. They felt Andre was better for the part. I’m sorry, but I just found out a few days ago and I wasn’t able to get in touch with you to break the news. But listen, there are a lot more movie roles out there for you. I get offers across my desk every day. We’ll find the right project.”
“Fuck you, Craig. You’re a lying fuck. You’ve known for more than a few days about this shit. If it wasn’t for you, Andre probably wouldn’t have even auditioned for the part. You’re fired, you piece of shit.”
“T-Roc, you can’t do that, we go way back. I’ve helped you make millions and millions of dollars. You can’t end not only our business relationship but our friendship over this small incident.”
“Oh, yes the fuck I can. You better be lucky that I’m only firing you, instead of sending my man over there to make sure you end up in intensive care.” T-Roc slammed the phone down, full of contempt. He couldn’t decide whether he was more pissed because he missed out on an incredible breakout role or the fact that Andre beat him out for the part. Either way, he was determined to find a way to even the score.
When Chantal first heard the news that Andre had gotten the starring role of Damian in the movie Angel, she was furious. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Andre fulfill his dream of being an actor, but the fact that he was starring opposite Tyler Blake rubbed her the wrong way. To make matters worse, Andre didn’t even call to share the news; she heard it on Access Hollywood like all the other common folks. Andre was sending a clear sign that she wasn’t a priority and maybe not even a thought. The reality of that was sinking in and beginning to totally chip away at Chantal’s confidence.
