by Olivia Burke
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Links
The Sidekick Celebrity
Book 2 of
Celebrities in Crystal Springs Series
Olivia Burke
Copyright © 2019 Blue Fire Media, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Olivia Burke
PO Box 21301
Roanoke, VA 24018
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents depicted in this novel are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of author or publisher.
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Colton James crowed with satisfaction as he finished up the the toughest set he’d ever lifted.
“You got it, you got it,” encouraged the tall, blond guy standing above him. “One more – killer, great job.”
Colt managed to finish the last rep, grinning as he sat up and stretched out. “New record!”
The man above him clapped him on the back so hard it might’ve knocked anyone else off the seat. Colt, however, was nearly his size and only laughed.
Jack Bennett was Colt’s best friend, and technically his coworker as the title character in the “General Justice” movies, the hottest superhero franchise in Hollywood. They’d been working together on the films for a decade now, and the time together made them as close as brothers.
Jack’s character was an ex-military hero, while Colt played Theo Davenport, his best friend-turned-frenemy in the sequel. They’d recently wrapped the third movie of the series, though it would be a few months until the inevitable premiere, touring, and chaos that went with it.
The two were at their weekly workout, lifting weights. Colt gladly swapped places with Jack.
“So, how did the big surprise go?”
Jack smiled so big that the lines around his eyes crinkled. “It was awesome. Rosie cried, but you know, in a good way.”
Colt snorted. “I’m not sure that’s how marriage is supposed to work.”
“Fair point, but in this case, tears were understandable. A new house is a good reason for happy tears.” Jack smiled again even as he brought the heavy weights down to his chest.
He’d spent months building his bride their new home back in Crystal Springs. Jack had finally surprised Rosie with the wedding gift over the weekend; it was move-in ready, and would be their home when they didn’t have to be in L.A. This way, they could visit her family whenever they wanted and have their own place to stay.
“It’s pretty big for the two of us,” Jack admitted.
Colt shrugged. “You’ll have kids soon enough to fill up the place.”
“Yeah, true,” Jack replied, blue eyes shining with excitement at the idea. “I even included a suite downstairs for Poppy for when she inevitably tries to move in with us.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Colt said, genuinely excited for his friend. However, he couldn’t help but add, “And to meet Poppy.”
Jack snorted without ever missing a beat in his lifting. “She’s a real character, man. You’ll see what I mean at the wedding.”
“When’s everyone getting there?” Colt asked. Rosie had already gone back to prepare, while Colt flew out with Jack tomorrow morning.
“My parents are getting in right about now, actually; they’re having dinner with Rosie’s family later. Jill’s due in tomorrow around lunchtime,” Jack said, pausing to take a swig of water. “Everyone else on Saturday. It’s as small as we could get away with, you know?”
Colt nodded. The engaged couple had tried to keep the guest list limited – family and close friends, rather than everyone they knew from the industry. It just so happened a few of their closest friends happened to be celebrities, but it was a tight circle.
“But I’m excited to see my family,” Jack continued, shrugging as he went back to the weights. “I’m going to show off the house as soon as they get in. They haven’t been to Crystal Springs yet, either.”
“Man, I don’t think I’ve seen your parents in a few years,” Colt said, thinking back. “Probably not the last time they were on the West Coast. And I’ve only met your sister the one time.”
“Oh yeah, when we got cast for ‘General Justice.’” Jack laughed at the memory. “That was like a decade ago, so she would’ve been only sixteen or seventeen.”
“We were barely twenty-one,” Colt said, rolling his eyes with a chuckle. He honestly didn’t remember much about Jill besides braces and gawky limbs, but he always enjoyed seeing Martha and Stan Bennett. “It’ll be good to see ‘em all again. Anything else need doing before we head out for the big day?”
“Keep Sam away from my sister,” Jack joked, rolling his eyes.
Colt chuckled. Sam Martin, a handsome African American man who played a secondary superhero in their movies, was also a groomsman, and known for his roguish behavior.
They talked about a few details Colt would help Jack with as his best man, and each went through a few more reps before Jack snapped his fingers.
“Say, what happened to the barista? The redhead—what was her name, Kara?”
“Carrie,” Colt corrected, the grimace already forming on his face. “And, uh, it didn’t work out.”
Jack finished his set and hopped up so they could switch places. He ran a hand through his blond hair, his annoyingly large bicep rippling with the movement.
Colt often forgot how the rest of the world saw his best friend. Jack Bennett’s clean-cut style, humble personality, and chiseled jawline made him, according to the “Hottest Celebrities” list in the latest issue of GQ, an “All-American superhero and one of the hottest guys in the world.”
Of course, Colton James had been included on that list this year, too. But where Jack was blond and blue-eyed, Colt had chin-length dark locks and gray eyes. Jack’s laid-back Midwestern attitude contrasted with Colt’s Southern charm and thick Tennessee accent. Whereas Jack smiled brightly at everyone, Colt mostly wore a smoldering smirk, a move his agent had long ago made him perfect.
“So what happened?” Jack asked. “You seemed to like her enough.”
“It was only the second date and she wouldn’t stop dropping hints about wanting us to go on vacation together,” Colt said, rolling his eyes and spilling the worst of it.
“Then, after I sa
id it’d be best if we didn’t see each other anymore, she ran to some tabloid rag and is currently living her fifteen minutes of fame as my ‘broken-hearted ex-girlfriend.’ It was kinda funny when the first woman did it, but it appears number three is where it starts to wear a guy down.”
Jack grinned down at him. “So I guess you won’t be using your plus-one this weekend.”
“No way.” Colt shook his head, pausing to push a few stray hairs off his sweaty forehead. “The last thing I need is a girl catching wedding fever.”
“Wait, so now you don’t want to marry her?”
“Har har. For more than a few reasons, but mostly because I know a barnacle when I see one.” Colt focused on lifting, his muscles straining with the weights in either hand.
Barnacle was their term for the kind of person that went after a celebrity for the perks. Colt was finding out more and more that his life was hard for some woman to look past; and as it turned out, many of the women he’d dated, whether regular, everyday baristas or world-famous models, wanted to date him for his money and all the other benefits that came with his career.
The whole thing is getting really old.
“Besides,” Colt added, “you know I’m not interested in the whole husband and wife lifestyle.”
“Why not?” Jack asked, leaning against a machine.
“My family isn’t great at it.” He grimaced at his reflection, though whether from the exercise or the statement, he wasn’t sure.
“At least the first time around.” Jack grinned, knowing full well Colt’s dad was on wife number four. “Just because your family ‘isn’t great at it,’ that doesn’t mean you should swear it off entirely.”
“I’m better at the bachelor life.”
“Aw, that’s just Gwen talk all over again, it’s been years, when will you–”
“My love life is the last thing I want to think about right now,” Colt said sharply, cutting him off. Gwen was always off the table, and Jack knew it. But at the look on his best friend’s face, Colt chastised himself, coming up with any other excuse.
“Sorry man, I’m just sorta over this whole dating thing right now.” He replaced the weight and sat up, sighing. “And I’m tired of the casual flings, so I clearly don’t know what I want. I think it’s time to bow out for a little while, take some time to myself.”
A thoughtful look came over Jack. “You could hide out at our new house.”
Colt paused his movement in surprise. “What?”
“Stay at our place.” Jack nodded at him, an earnest look on his face. “I’m taking Rosie to Hawaii for our honeymoon, that gives you a couple weeks to yourself.”
“I couldn’t live in your house before you and Rosie even get a chance to,” Colt protested.
“Why not? For all we know, we’ll have to head right back to Los Angeles when we get back,” Jack argued. “Stay in the downstairs suite, it’ll be like your own apartment.”
“I don’t have to bum a room from you,” Colt said, chuckling a little. “I know you have more star power than me, but I make a decent paycheck. I could go anywhere, pay for my hotel room.”
“Sure, but you’ll already be in Crystal Springs.” Jack clapped Colt on the back. “There’s plenty to do and you can stay under the radar; no one will think to look for you there after the wedding.”
He has a point. Colt could disappear in the little town until he was ready to head back to the real world. He gave his friend a doubtful look. “Crystal Springs might give me away.”
“You might be surprised,” Jack replied, shrugging. “There are always a few fans who can’t take the hint, but most have been remarkably chill when we’re out at dinner or clearly in private mode.”
“Maybe you’re just losing your edge,” he kidded.
All the same, he couldn’t help but consider Jack’s suggestion. Maybe it would do him some good to get out of Hollywood for a little while. He’d been working hard for the last several months without any significant break or vacation. He’d seen pictures of Crystal Springs thanks to Jack, and could definitely get behind the outdoors scene and quiet surroundings.
Why not?
Now was the perfect time with his schedule, nothing immediately pending for any studio. He said as much to his best friend and excused himself to arrange a few things.
Colt spoke with his agent and assistant, explaining his plans. Though neither of them were particularly thrilled with the decision, they understood Colt’s wishes and assured him things would be taken care of back home while he took a break.
“Okay, unless you change your mind right now, it’s all set,” Colt announced as he reentered the living room.
Jack shrugged. “No problem at all, man. It’s not like we’ll be using it for a while. Consider Crystal Springs your safe haven until you clear your head and get away from the snobberazzo.”
A wave of relief went through him. “And Carrie.”
“Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a woman in Crystal Springs who changes your mind on the whole marriage deal,” Jack said.
“Funny,” Colt replied wryly.
“What can I say?” Jack shrugged, a mischievous grin playing on the corners of his mouth. “It worked for me.”
Jill Bennett had barely stepped out of her ride when she was practically bowled over by someone. All she saw was pink hair, and she laughed into the curls.
“Hi, Rosie.”
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Rosie Tanner finally pulled herself away, bright eyes aglow with excitement. She stepped back and flung her arms out side, ticking her head to the view behind her. “Welcome to Crystal Springs!”
“Well, it’s nice so far from the hotel parking lot.” Jill swept her arm out as if to prove her point.
Her driver, an older gentleman, finished unloading her bags. He’d picked her up from the airport and brought her to the hotel downtown.
“Thank you!” Jill beamed at him as she passed him a nice tip. “Have a great day.”
The driver’s eyes crinkled with warmth as he tipped his hat at her before getting back into the driver’s seat.
Rosie chuckled. “You’re like, the friendliest person I’ve ever met in my entire life.”
“I can’t help it, I’m from the Midwest,” she joked.
Moments later, the shuttle took off, back to the airport for another round of guests.
“T-minus twenty-four hours!” Jill said, turning back to face the blushing bride. “I can’t believe it.”
Rosie beamed, happiness practically radiating off her. “C’mon, let’s get you checked into your room.”
Jill followed her future sister-in-law into the hotel, heading to the front desk to get situated. Room card in hand, the two loaded into the elevator to head to the tenth floor.
“Did you have to block the entire floor for guests?” Jill asked.
Rosie’s reflection grimaced. “Two floors, actually. The list kept growing.”
Jill chuckled, taking a good look at her big brother’s fiancee. Hollywood heartthrob Jack Bennett had stunned the world when he found love in Crystal Springs in the form of one Rosie Tanner. At the time they’d met, she’d been “an everyday American girl,” right down to the rose gold hair, dubbed “too normal” for someone of his stature.
That tune had changed since then – nearly two years later, they were “an epic love story,” especially after Rosie’s script had earned an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and named Jack as Best Actor. The world couldn’t wait to see what they did next on the big screen. Just before the award nominations, Jack had proposed to Rosie on a mountaintop and the rest was history. Hollywood - and all their fans - loved them.
Jill was thrilled for her brother, not only for his career, but for it to have led him to Rosie. Jill adored her, and was so happy Jack had found The One. She might not have had much of a dating life, but Jill believed in love, the kind that shook mountains. She hadn’t found it yet, but her brother’s love story gave her hope.
“I
think everything’s just about ready,” Rosie said, bringing Jill back to the present. She pulled her phone out of her bag as the doors dinged open and frowned. “Shoot.”
“What’s up?”
“Courtney got caught at work. She won’t be able to pick up the cupcakes before the rehearsal dinner.”
Jill patted her arm. “No worries, I’ll take care of it after I pick up my rental car.”
Rosie breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Jill, you’re an angel. I’ll text you the address.”
“How is Courtney, aside from being a workaholic?” Jill had met Rosie’s best friend and maid of honor at her intimate bridal shower a few weeks earlier.
“She’s great,” Rosie said, adding, “she’s really excited about an upcoming interview with Aidan Barrett. He’s a local business owner and very handsome.”
“Fantastic. And the third and final bridesmaid?” Jill asked, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.
“Scarlett is getting in tomorrow morning thanks to a photo shoot this afternoon,” Rosie said, checking a list on her phone. Her gorgeous, naturally pink diamond engagement ring winked in the bright lights. “She assures me she will be ‘bridesmaid-ready,’ whatever that means.”
“Big hair and a lotta leg, knowing her,” Jill said, causing them both to snort with laughter. She swung open the door and gasped at the beautiful, massive room. “Sheesh, Rosie, you didn’t have to get me a suite. I’m only here for the weekend.”
Rosie shrugged. “Family deserves the best.”
Jill took a few minutes to unpack her things, especially the bridesmaid’s dress. Rosie had great taste, and Jill was excited to slip back into the glamorous gown again. Admittedly, she’d tried it on a few times at home after its arrival, and couldn’t wait to wear it out. Jack was the superstar in their family; Jill didn’t have many formal occasions in the middle of small-town Kansas, so she was more than a little excited for the weekend.
“So, how’s the snobberazzo since you got back into town?”
