Chapter Four
A few hours later, I was wrapping the white, fluffy hotel robe around me after my shower. Colton had ushered me up to my room that evening, giving me my key card, and disappeared saying he would see me tomorrow. Mason had disappeared into his room across the hall, leaving me alone for the first time all day.
I padded across the plush carpet of the large bedroom and emerged in the adjoining living room area. I sat down on the luxurious couch and turned on the TV. This hotel room was significantly nicer than any of the houses my parents and I lived in growing up. Over the years, I’ve tried to become accustomed to the luxury that surrounds my life now, but when I’m alone, it takes a minute for me to adjust.
Sometimes, I still felt like I was in Alabama. I’d get these flashbacks, for lack of a better term – memories sparked by something I’d be currently feeling. It seemed like my life had been so simple then. I had two close friends and we spent all our time together. I joined student council because they were on student council. They joined the school drama productions because I was in the school drama productions. We supported each other no matter what – even if it meant doing something we wouldn’t have chosen for ourselves. And outside of school, we partied. We didn’t care what anyone thought about us which actually made our classmates think even more highly of us.
After following my dream and moving to California, everything began to change. My friends stayed in Alabama and our communication was limited. We still supported each other, but from a distance. Somehow, while chasing after my career – my dream – I lost the friendship I thought had been so solid. I lost my friends. Now, the only people I could truly call my friends, with no vested interest in my wellbeing, were Ethan and Colton.
Shaking my head, I flipped through channels on the TV. Nothing captured my interest, so I turned the TV back off and paced around the room. I was far too wired to settle down for bed. I knew tomorrow would be a big day and I needed my rest, but I just couldn’t sit still. The old nostalgia that plagued me for years crept back up. I loved my life, but sometimes I missed the way things were. Or more accurately, the people I used to know.
When I left Alabama, I had originally tried to stay in touch with my old friends I had left behind. My best friend, Kayla, was the best girlfriend a girl could have growing up. We spent so many nights at each other’s houses that we had clothes and toothbrushes at each place. We stayed friends when we each got boyfriends and throughout the many curveballs that high school threw our way. My other best friend, Bailey, was a wild child. She had an insane amount of energy and never cared what anyone thought about her. Together, it felt like our little group was unstoppable. We could conquer anything and we were the life of the party. We had big dreams – all in different directions. I always planned on moving to California eventually (though in actuality, I had no idea how to accomplish that dream). I used to tell my friends that when I was rich and famous, I would fly them all out to visit me in California.
Things turned out differently, though. Kayla married a guy she barely knew straight out of high school. She had two kids by the time she was twenty-five and worked as a hairstylist. She looked so happy in all her pictures on social media. And I was happy for her – really, I was. We talked on the phone occasionally but it always felt forced and polite. Like two strangers trying to find some common ground.
When I turned my focus on my career, my old friends just continued on without me, eventually giving up calling or texting. I’d get the annual ‘Happy Birthday’ message on my Facebook page, but that was it. It always seemed like I was the one doing all the work to keep our friendships going. None of them had even come to visit me in California. Even when I offered to reimburse them for any money spent on traveling. And I’d been living in Beverly Hills for almost seven years now.
I decided I couldn’t stay in this hotel room any longer. I had to get out and do something. I needed anything to keep my mind and body moving. I made my way towards the closet, pulling out a red two-piece bikini and some Victoria’s Secret sweats to cover it up. Something about hotels always makes me want to go swimming. I was sure the pool hours would be closed by now, but what’s the point of being on the Young Hollywood A-list if you can’t get the concierge to give you unlimited pool access?
Stuffing my blonde hair into a ball cap, I stepped out into the hall and for a moment, considered telling Mason where I was going. It was his job, after all, to know where I am at all times. Shaking my head, I turned towards the elevators. I wouldn’t even be leaving the building. How much security could I need?
Stepping off the elevator into the expansive lobby, I turned towards the front desk. I glanced down at the time on my phone. The lobby was surprisingly active for being close to midnight. I guess New York really is the city that never sleeps. Still, none of the guests or hotel staff noticed me. I stepped up to the front desk counter where a young man stood in a tailored suit typing away on the screen in front of him.
I cleared my throat and he looked up, a look of surprise crossing his face before he settled himself into his professional demeanor and greeted me, “Good evening!”
“Hello,” I replied crossing my arms on the counter between us. “Is there a concierge on duty tonight? I need a favor.”
The man nodded, "Gregory is our night concierge. I can get him straight away." He picked up the phone next to him, took a step away and turned his back to me. I could hear his muffled voice speaking into the phone, but ignored him. I took a peek over my shoulder back into the main lobby area. No one had yet noticed me. See? I could go out without security, no problem.
I heard the receptionist hang up the phone and turn towards me, “Gregory will be here in just a moment, Miss Lewis.” I nodded and looked back down at my phone. I really shouldn’t even be bothering. I really needed to be asleep.
“Ahh,” an older man’s voice cooed coming from behind the front desk attendant. A man who looked a bit like Donald Trump, but with real hair, came into view behind the front desk. “Miss Lewis! So sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Gregory. What can I do for you this evening?”
“I need a favor,” I began and looked pointedly at Gregory. “I know the pool hours are closed, but I’m in need of a little alone time. Is there any way I could get access to the pool?”
Gregory smiled, laugh lines crossing his face. “Of course! It would be my pleasure.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out a key card. Sliding it into a scanner, he typed a few items on the computer screen in front of him before handing the card to me. “This card will give you access at any time. It will also work for the sauna, steam room, fitness center and business center should you need it. " I placed the card in my little wallet and stood up straighter, prepared to leave. "Would you like any amenities brought in while you are in the pool?"
I shook my head, “No, thank you. Just a point in the right direction would be fantastic.”
Gregory couldn’t just point me where to go, of course – he had to escort me. After scanning my entry into the indoor pool, Gregory gave me a card with his contact information. Then, he left me alone, the pool doors locking behind him on his way out. I sighed and turned towards the large pool. There was a lap pool, diving board, and a large hot tub all connected together. In each corner of the room were doors that led undoubtedly to the sauna and steam rooms.
There was a dimmer switch on the wall for the lights, and I turned it down so a soft glow coated the room and water. I dropped my bag and phone on a nearby table. I pulled my sweatpants off and placed them folded neatly on the chair next to the table. Before slipping my sweatshirt off, I picked up my phone and queued some music. Brett Eldridge’s sultry voice rang throughout the room, bouncing off the walls. It was probably a little loud, but I loved his music. I sang along as I dropped the last of my clothes on the chair, not bothering to fold them this time. I just wanted to feel that water on my skin.
I dove into the deep end and surfaced, swimming over to the lap pool. As I swam back and forth working on my breaststroke, I let my mind drift back to what Ethan had said to me earlier that day. What was the point of all this anymore? I always strived to be the best in everything I did – but to what end? Who was around to share my life with? When I won my one and only Oscar for Serenity, it was a pivotal moment in my life. I celebrated with Alyssa, Melanie, Mason, Colton, Ethan, of course, and my family. But anytime it came up afterward to anyone else, I always felt like I was bragging. When I met up with Kayla a few months later, it came up in conversation, and it almost seemed like Kayla was angry I won. She didn’t want to hear about it, changing the subject quickly. The same thing happened with a few of my Hollywood friends. Since then, I’d drawn more into myself, realizing that no one wanted to hear about my success. They just wanted to find ways I could help escalate their success.
Ethan was one of the only friends I had that actually cared about me. He’s the only person, besides my parents and Colton, that wished for me to be successful and was genuinely happy for me but got nothing in return. His care was actually still different from even my parents & Colton. Ethan didn’t get paid for being my friend. I always wanted to be there for him the way he was there for me. He always seemed on top of the world, like nothing ever bothered him. We weren’t able to celebrate each other’s success as much as we liked simply because we both led crazy, demanding lives. We made time for each other, but I knew friendship isn’t what Ethan meant when he discussed finding someone.
Ethan was lonely in his successful life, and it looked like I was on the same path. God, the last boyfriend I had, was Sean, one of my costars in the first Monument movie, and it became very clear near the beginning that Sean just wanted to get famous. It may have started out as a real thing, but when my fame grew, Sean’s motives changed. I was foolish to believe he actually cared for me. Luckily, I ended it before it ever really turned into anything serious.
A light tapping on the glass door to the indoor pool startled me, interrupting my thoughts. I spun around in the water, creating waves around me. There, standing on the other side of the door, stood a familiar man. He smiled at me, flashing a set of bright, white teeth. Anthony. He looked even better than he did a few hours ago at the meet and greet, even though he was now just wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, a towel draped over his shoulder. He raised his eyebrows, and I realized I was staring. He wanted to come in.
I held up a finger, indicating it would take a minute. What was he doing here in the middle of the night? I swam to the nearest ladder and wrapped my hands on the metallic rails. I hesitated a moment before lifting myself out of the water, very aware of the lack of clothing I was wearing and the water now cascading off my body. There wasn’t any time to think about my appearance. I was fully on display for Anthony to take in, and oddly enough, I didn’t mind. The knowledge that his eyes were on me caused goose bumps to rise across my skin. I swear, I could feel his eyes taking in every inch of my body…and I liked it.
Still, I grabbed a towel off a nearby chair, draping it across myself as I went to let him in. Cracking the door open, I looked around it up into his eyes, which crinkled and smiled back at me. “Hello,” I said, unsure what else to say. Already, I could smell his cologne – or was it just his shampoo that smelled so entrancing?
Anthony took a step back, giving me some space. "I don't mean to interrupt," he said. "I figured this room wouldn't be open but thought I would try just in case."
I smiled and leaned against the door, “It’s not open.” Anthony raised his eyebrows again. “But, I have a special key. Would you like to come in?”
I knew I was being reckless. I didn’t know anything about this man. But there was something about him. I felt like I could trust him. Of course, I’m sure serial killers have that same aura about them. But I wanted to know him. I needed to.
Anthony smirked his confident smile again, sending warmth spreading through my body, “I’d love to.” I opened the door wider so he could pass through. He stepped closer, standing unbelievable close, causing a twisting sensation in my stomach straight to my core. I just needed to stand on my tiptoes and his lips would be even with mine. However, Anthony didn’t hesitate. He slipped past and walked over to a chair. Taking a breath to compose myself, I let the door close behind him and took a step in his direction, I wasn’t sure what to do, trying to shake off my impulsive cravings, wringing my hands together anxiously.
“So,” Anthony said while slipping his shirt off over his head. My eyes trailed down his impressive body and across his taut abs. I felt heat filling my face and I turned away, biting my lip trying to keep me from embarrassing myself. I dropped my towel on a different chair and made my way towards the hot tub, avoiding eye contact as I walked past him. “What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” he called out.
I submerged my body in the scalding hot water and laughed at his cheesy line, “I like to swim.”
“Alone?” Anthony said as he came walking towards me, now in just a pair of swim shorts. I couldn’t help but watch his defined muscles move and shift as he slid down into the hot tub across from me. As far as hot tubs go, I had originally admired the size of this spacious one. Now, it suddenly seemed too large.
“Sometimes,” I responded. “It’s nice to be able to sit back and relax.”
Anthony leaned back, draping one arm across the back of the hot tub, the other hand played with the stream of water coming out of a jet near him. “I get that,” he said studying me. I felt myself blush under his gaze and shifted uncomfortably a bit.
“So where is Izzy?” I asked changing the subject. I leaned back and closed my eyes, trying to appear as if his eyes on me weren’t affecting me. They shouldn’t. People stare at me all time. This adrenaline was new though. Especially in a one-on-one environment.
“Izzy is asleep,” Anthony said with the hint of laughter in his voice. “The girl could sleep through a tsunami.”
"She was definitely my favorite fan today," I told him with my eyes still closed. It was much easier to sit with my eyes closed than watch him. If I opened my eyes, I wouldn't be able to take them away from him. I'd be afraid of how much he might be able to see.
“Well, she wasn’t joking,” he said. “She really is your biggest fan. Her obsession with the movies you star in is overwhelming sometimes.”
“Overwhelming?” I asked opening my eyes and directing my gaze towards Anthony. He was still running his hand over the jet near him with his eyes tracing every movement of his hand, lost in thought.
“She’s had a hard life,” he said. “I think she welcomes the distraction. The escape that the Monument movies give her is a relief. She immerses herself into them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said unsure what else to say. “She has a lot of energy.”
“That she does,” Anthony said straightening up. He looked back into my eyes. “Izzy is thrilled to be here.”
“And,” I gulped. “Are you happy to be here?” He smirked his confident smile again and nodded.
“I’m happy to be in this hot tub with you,” he said with a low, husky voice. I blushed and felt like I should turn away again, but I couldn’t. We lost ourselves in one another’s eyes. I wanted to memorize every color, every shape. The warm jets pummeled into my back and I couldn’t tell if the vibrations in my body were from the impact of the water or from the connection I was feeling with him. It was as if my body wanted to leave my side of the tub and join him. I needed to be near him.
“What’s it like?” Anthony asked loudly interrupting the moment we just shared. A hint of color appeared in his cheeks, whether from the heat of the hot tub or the heat of the situation we were in, I wasn’t sure. “Being famous and all, I mean. It must be tough, but you seem to have it all together.”
Grateful for the turn in the conversation, I replied, “It was tough at first. A lot to get used to. It’s sort of like a 24-hour job. Some people lose themselves in the spotlight, but I think I’ve managed to maintain a good grasp of who I am and the person I want to be.”
The music coming from my phone paused momentarily and a loud beep filled the room alerting me of a text message. The music resumed and Anthony looked towards my phone. I ignored it and continued talking, “At the end of the day, it’s not about the fame. As cliché as that sounds, I really do love to act. I love absorbing myself into a character, you know? I'm lucky I get to do what I love."
Anthony nodded in understanding as I noticed his dark, brown hair curling from the steam of the hot tub. “Yes,” Anthony agreed. “You’re very lucky--”
The music cut off again and a loud ring filled the room distracting Anthony from what he was saying. I recognized the ringtone I had set for when Mason calls me and figured he must be wondering where I was. I turned and jumped out of the hot tub taking two quick steps over towards my phone, which rested on a nearby chair. Without saying a word to Anthony, who I could feel watching me with curious eyes, I swiped my phone and answered Mason’s call.
“Hey,” I said casually.
“Where are you?” Mason demanded, his tone harsh.
“The pool. Why?” I asked, bristling slightly at his tone.
“The pool? At one in the morning?” Mason said disbelievingly. “You didn’t even tell me you were leaving your room.”
I sighed with irritation, “I don’t have to tell you everything, Mason.”
“How am I supposed to be your security if I don’t know where you are?” Mason continued, disapproval coating his voice.
“I don’t need a lecture right now. How did you even know I wasn’t asleep? Why did you need to talk to me?”
“Ethan is here. Well, he was knocking loudly on your door, so I asked him what he needed. When you didn’t answer our knocks, I called you,” Mason concluded.
“Ethan is with you? Can I talk to him?” I asked, curious.
There was a little shuffling and then I heard Ethan’s deep voice, “Hey, Elle.”
“Ethan, what’s going on?” I asked. If Ethan was at my door at one in the morning, something must be wrong. "Are you ok?"
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Ethan said, his voice completely relaxed. “I was just thinking about you and couldn’t sleep. Figured I’d check in. But you’re not even here.” He chuckled.
“Come to the pool,” I said. “I have a key card, so it’s private.”
“Sure, okay,” Ethan accepted. “I’ll be right there. Just need to stop by my room and change. I’ll bring Mason.”
“Oh no, you don’t have to…” I started but the phone went quiet because Ethan had already hung up. Great – I didn’t really want to deal with a cranky bodyguard, but it was too late for that now.
I turned back to Anthony who was staring at me with a puzzled expression. “Um,” I said. “Do you know who Ethan Anderson is?”
Anthony narrowed his eyes, “Yes…”
“Well,” I said directing my focus back on my phone. I pulled up the music app again, restoring the room with Brett Eldridge’s voice singing about a girl who’s got it all figured out. “Ethan is staying here and I invited him to come join us.”
Anthony raised his eyebrows. “Shit,” he said. “Sorry…I just wasn’t expecting…Should I go?” Anthony lifted his body out of the hot tub.
“No!” I said a little too urgently. Anthony stood uncertainly next to the hot tub, water pouring down his amazing abs and a concerned, nervous look on his face. “I mean, you should definitely stay.”
Anthony shifted a little uncomfortably, rubbing his right hand across his left bicep. "Are you and Ethan a thing?” His cheeks reddened a little bit and he glanced at the ground before meeting my eyes again.
I sat down on a nearby chair, grabbing a towel to dry my hair a bit, and laughed. “No way,” I said. “Definitely not. He’s just a really great friend.”
Anthony relaxed a bit and sat next to me. “Good,” he said, then swallowed. “How long have you known each other?”
“For years,” I said. “Since I was 18 and we worked together on my first film.”
“You’re what? Twenty-two? Twenty-three?” Anthony asked.
“Twenty-six,” I said. “Though it doesn’t really feel like it sometimes. How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven,” he said. He grabbed his phone from his pile of nearby clothes and looked at something.
“And what do you do?” I asked, trying to find out more about this mystery man. At least that way Ethan & Mason might not scold me so much when they find out I’ve been in here alone with a guy I didn’t even know.
“I’m an investment banker,” he said. “But on a small scale. I live in Indianapolis.”
“Nice!” I said. “I’ve been there a few times. Great city! I’m from a small town in Alabama, but I travel a lot.”
He smiled and laughed. When he smiled his whole face lit up. It was amazing to see. “I knew that,” he said confidently.
“Oh, did you?” I asked with a flirting lilt in my voice. “Did you Google me?”
He laughed and shook his head, “Didn’t have to. I’ve seen enough talk shows to know that much about you.”
A tap on the door caused us both to jump. I turned and saw Ethan leaning against the wall on the other side of the glass door. He still had his sandy blonde hair slicked back. His green eyes were clouded with concern as he examined the room through the glass. I got up and walked over to the door, cracking it open so he could come in.
“Hi, sweetie," he smiled. "Didn't realize I would be interrupting." He ran a hand through his hair flattening it even more while tucking his other hand into the front pocket of the trunks he was wearing. He had a light blue button-up shirt on that somehow made him look like he just stepped out of a photo shoot on a beach.
Mason stepped in behind Ethan, towering over us with his muscular frame. “Boss,” he said before I could say anything. “Why do you have to make my job so difficult?” Mason looked around the room and his eyes landed on Anthony, who now stood uncertainly next to his pile of clothes. “Who is that?” Mason asked with a low, gruff voice.
I blushed a bit and took a few steps closer to Anthony. Boy, this was awkward. “Anthony, this is Ethan Anderson and Mason Conley, the head of my security. Guys, this is Anthony… um. Well, I met him at the Samsung meet & greet earlier.”
Anthony shook Ethan’s hand, “Anthony Stiles. Nice to meet you.” He gave a head nod to Mason.
“Where are you from?” Mason asked. Ugh, I already knew what he was planning. Mason liked to do background checks on anybody I showed a friendly interest towards.
“Indianapolis,” I answered for him.
Mason nodded. “Well, Elena, if you need me, I’ll be by the door.” He took a few steps back and pulled his earbuds out of the pocket of his sweatpants.
I turned back to the two guys next to me. Ethan was noticeably taller than Anthony, but both of them held their own in the looks department. Ethan hand more of a classically handsome appearance while Anthony looked more like a polished trust-fund type. After an awkward pause, Anthony cleared his throat, “Actually, I should be getting back. I don’t want Izzy to wake up alone.”
Ethan smiled politely, “Nice to meet you.” Ethan gave me a knowing look before he turned and went to a lounge chair a few feet down from where we were, giving me a little privacy to say goodbye to Anthony.
Anthony grabbed up his stuff, pulling his shirt on over his head. He stepped towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist in a friendly embrace. “I guess I’ll see you at the premiere tomorrow,” I said to distract myself from the closeness of the embrace. Anthony slid his hands across the bare skin of my back as he stepped away.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He gave me a seductive wink before picking up his things and walking confidently towards the door. He peeked back in the door after it closed behind him before walking out of sight.
“Well, you work fast,” Ethan’s voice rang out from across the room. I turned and saw him bobbing in the lap pool, a strange, unreadable expression on his face.
“Shut up,” I said. I turned and jumped into the pool next to him, splashing water all over him. I didn’t really know what else to say. I couldn’t tell if Ethan was disapproving or just teasing me.
“When I said you need to find someone, I didn’t think you’d go for the next guy you saw,” Ethan said, splashing me back.
“I didn’t go for him,” I mumbled. “We just bumped into each other.”
“Sure, sure,” he said. “Whatever you say, Elle.”