CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
After making a pact to bathe together every single day, Tyler and Billie dressed and headed to the director Ron Weller’s suite just two floors up for a breakfast meeting. It was only one of the most important meetings of Tyler’s life. Certainly not the most important but it was in the top five. He was happy to have Billie holding his hand the entire way. Just having her next to him made him more relaxed and confident. If this guy couldn’t see how much he adored Billie then he needed to get his eyes checked.
“Are you ready?” she whispered as they stood in front of the director’s hotel suite door. Tyler’s agent Josh was supposedly already there according to his last text.
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s do this.”
The door swung open and Josh stood on the other side, looking less than his usual happy self. His shoulders were tense and his lips were pressed together until they were almost invisible. Not a good sign. They entered into a living/dining room area dominated by a sectional sofa on one side and a large dining table on the other. Both looked out onto the San Diego skyline. It was the exact same view that Tyler’s room had only the suite was configured differently.
Ron Weller, the current hot shot director after his Oscar award-winning movie just months before, stood from the table and held out his hand. Weller was about Tyler’s age but he looked ten years older, his skin tanned and weathered from the sun. Tyler had read that Weller liked to sail when he wasn’t working on movies.
“It’s nice to meet you again, Tyler. When was the last time? Was it Cannes?”
The butthole knew it wasn’t Cannes.
“Actually I think it was at the Vanity Fair party after the Oscars a few years ago.”
Weller nodded as if he remembered it well. “Yes, that’s right. I didn’t see you this year.”
“I was working,” Tyler replied, not bothering to go into details. Weller didn’t give a shit about some big budget popcorn movie with car chases and Hollywood bad boys. Sliding his arm around Billie’s waist, he pulled her close and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Ron. This is Billie Oliver. You may have seen her work in–”
“Lace Angels,” the director interrupted, shaking her hand. “Fabulous film, Miss Oliver, and you were especially good. The scene where you confront your mother was incredibly powerful.”
Tyler hadn’t thought about that movie in three years but now that he knew about Billie’s past it was no wonder she’d been so good in that film. She’d had the emotional baggage to work with the script. Kind of like Tyler himself.
“Thank you, Mr. Weller, and please call me Billie.”
“And you must call me Ron.” He swept his arm toward the table. “Please come sit down and have some breakfast. We can talk about your interest in my upcoming film.”
Tyler, Billie, and Josh settled at the large table and quickly placed a few items on their plates. Honestly, Tyler was too nervous to eat but he wasn’t going to let Weller see that. He’d known industry assholes like this guy for years. Never show fear. Never show that you give a shit. Leave them no ammunition.
And smile the entire time like you had the world by the balls.
Weller refilled his coffee cup before opening the conversation. “I was surprised to hear about your interest in playing Zak, Tyler. He’s a far cry from your usual characters.”
Billie stiffened beside Tyler so he placed his hand on her thigh to let her know it was all just fine. He’d expected a fencing match. Weller wouldn’t be persuaded easily but his financial backers were a different story. Two of them were sitting at the table with them. Gray-haired and not good-looking enough for Hollywood, they practically reeked of cash.
Now these guys cared about who Weller cast in the movie because they wanted a hefty return on their investment. Tyler was a proven box office draw and could hit all the important demographics. Weller wanted art after fulfilling his studio contract with that historical movie. These boys wanted money.
Before replying to Ron, Tyler decided to play one of his aces. Leaning forward he offered his hand to one of the backers. “I’m Tyler Gaylord, I don’t think we’ve met before.”
The golden boy smile and charm always paid off and this time was no exception. The two men shook Tyler’s hand and told him what fans they were. It appeared to be sincere, too.
But that didn’t mean they wanted him for this movie, though. Their opinion remained to be seen. Tyler finally turned to Weller to answer his query.
“I feel very close to Zak, Ron. I think I understand where he’s coming from and I’d like to give him a voice, bring him to life.”
The man’s brow quirked and a cynical smile played on his lips. “You haven’t even seen the script.”
“I’ve read the book. Unless you’re going completely off with the story, I know that I can embody this character and bring him to the masses. Show them his pain and his joy, but mostly his passion, what makes him tick.”
“My movies aren’t for the masses.”
Except for the last one he’d directed but he’d already made it clear it was about the money. The guy thought he created visual masterpieces. He’d compared himself to Picasso in one interview. Tyler would concede that Weller was good, but he was no Spielberg or Scorsese.
“I understand Zak.” He wasn’t going to argue the merits of box office success with Weller. “I know how he feels and what motivates him.”
The director shrugged. “A lot of actors do.”
This time it was Josh who spoke before Tyler. “But those actors aren’t willing to work for scale on this picture. Tyler is that excited about this character. He’s willing to waive his usual twenty million asking price.”
The two finance men straightened up in their chairs. Yep, he had their attention. They were practically openly salivating. The older of the two men began typing something into his phone. “What about points on the back end?”
“He’s willing to waive those too.”
The money-men were almost in a frenzy, red-cheeked and tapping madly into their cell phones. Tyler had done exactly what he’d set out to do this morning. Make a goddamn impression.
Weller, on the other hand, wasn’t happy. His eyes had narrowed to silver-blue slits. “What do you want in return?”
Normally Josh did all of this and Tyler only heard about it later but it looked like they were going to negotiate right here and now.
“Top billing,” Tyler said before Josh could reply for him. “A push from the studio for awards season. Executive producer credit.”
Weller was already shaking his head. “Absolutely not.”
“Which was the deal-breaker?” Josh asked. “Billing? Awards? Or the credit?”
“The credit,” Weller bit out. “He’s an actor, not a producer.”
“His resume says differently.” Josh held up his hands in a stop motion. “This meeting isn’t about negotiating. This is about both of you meeting and talking about Tyler’s interest in this film. If he’s not what you want, we’ll be leaving. He has a big day ahead of him meeting with thousands of fans.”
Whoa, Josh wasn’t bluffing either. He was fully prepared to walk out without a backward glance. As much as Tyler wanted this role, he knew it was the right thing to do. He’d take Weller’s snide remarks about his acting and background, but he wouldn’t be knocked around in negotiations when he was willing to give up monetary gain for artistic credibility. His stance wasn’t exactly unprecedented, either. Big box office stars often took lousy money to make more “serious” films, but they usually received something in return.
The younger money man was openly sweating. “There’s no reason to walk out of here. This is just a friendly discussion.”
Like how hunters and deer were best buddies.
Weller’s attention suddenly swung to Billie, his gaze laser-like in its focus. “What do you think of all of this? Do you think your fiancé would make a good Zak?”
Her fingers tightened in Tyler’s and she turned to look at him with such love and adoration in her expression that he almost choked on his own spit. He’d waited his whole goddamn life for a woman to look at him like that. He’d waited five years too long. She’d been a few feet away the entire time. He’d been a blind idiot.
“No,” she said softly, her lips curling up into a smile as everyone in the room but Tyler gasped in shock. He knew what she was going to say, just as he knew what she was going to have for breakfast or what movie she wanted to watch. “He wouldn’t be a good Zak. I think he’d make an amazing Zak. He’s without a doubt the most nurturing and protective man I’ve ever known in my life.”
Chest puffed up with pride, Tyler couldn’t stop himself from leaning down to brush her lips with his. He wanted to stand up and brag, “That’s my woman. Isn’t she the most wonderful in the world?”
But of course he didn’t because she’d be mortified if he did. Instead he put every ounce of emotion he could into his touch, holding her hand as if his life depended on it.
Weller was staring at them oddly as if he didn’t quite understand what he was witnessing. Tyler couldn’t blame the man; after all, few people were going to believe that he’d been tamed by Billie Oliver but it was the truth. He was down for the count and he was happy about it. No way did he want to go back to his old life.
The director’s expression was stormy but he did something Tyler didn’t expect. He reached behind him and picked up a binder on the end table.
“Here is a copy of the script. Why don’t you take a look at it and see if you’re still interested after you read it? If you are, we can let the business people negotiate.” Weller leaned forward. “If you do decide to do this movie, I think it only fair to warn you. I don’t put up with any shenanigans on my set. Come ready to work and to dig deep or don’t come at all.”
Weller stood and that seemed to be the end of the meeting. The three of them stood as well and headed for the door, the script tucked under Tyler’s arm. No one said a word until they were in the elevator and it was Josh who broke the silence first.
“I’m not sure what just happened in there but I think you have the part. God help you, Tyler, because that guy is a total asshole. He’s going to make every day of production a living hell for you.”
As long as Tyler was playing Zak he didn’t give a shit. Weller could kiss his ass.