“I CALLED NOHEA AND LET her know you’d be staying at the house for a few weeks. She assured me they’d have everything ready. Oh, and I moved your meeting with the executives from Paramount to the thirteenth, lunch with Mr. Spielberg is still set for the nineteenth, and you have an appointment for your tux fitting on the twenty third,” Bethany said, the stylus in her hand moving quickly and proficiently over the screen of her tablet. Nohea and her husband, Aapo, had come highly recommended by a friend of mine who owned a house on the opposite end of the island. Together, they maintained the property and kept everything in working order while I was away.
“Tux fitting?” I finished zipping my suitcase and checked my watch, frowning at the time and then looking up at her questioningly.
Her lips turned up in a knowing smirk as she rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry. The car is here already. Did you really think I’d forget? And the tux is for that little shindig you’re going to known as the Oscars.”
I chuckled at her sarcasm. “No, of course, I didn’t think you’d forget. You’re the best personal assistant in the world. And an even better best friend,” I said, leaning over to give her a peck on the cheek.
Bethany and I had met in the second grade when I found her crying on the playground after Tommy Delvechio and David Erikson pulled her braids and stole a bag of chips from her lunchbox. Tommy and David each got a black eye and I got detention, but I also left school that day with a new best friend. We’d been inseparable ever since.
“You better not forget it, either,” she said with a cheeky grin.
“As if you’d let me,” I teased as I walked out of my bedroom, laughing when she elbowed me in the ribs.
She followed me down the wide staircase and out to the car, which was waiting in the driveway as promised. I handed my bags to the driver and turned, surprised at the look of concern on Bethany’s face.
She grabbed my hands and held them in her smaller ones, her expression sober. “I’m glad you’re going.”
“Well, gee. Thanks.” I chuckled, but Bethany remained serious.
“You’re like a brother to me, Dean. I know you better than anyone else, and I know you haven’t been happy for a while now. And it’s more than the job. I think you’re lonely. So, even though I’ll miss you like crazy for the next two weeks, I’m glad you’re going. I think getting away from here is just what you need. And who knows, maybe you’ll meet some hot lifeguard or something and fall madly in love.”
I was stunned silent for a second. I had no idea Bethany had noticed so much. She was my best friend and we usually talked about everything, but she’d also recently gotten married to a really great guy and she was so happy, I hadn’t wanted to bring her down with talk about everything that had been bothering me. I needed to get to the airport before I missed my flight though, so it wasn’t exactly the right time to get into any of it.
“I’m like a brother to you?” I joked instead.
She sighed loudly as she let go of my hands, stepping back so I could open the car door. “Yeah. An extremely annoying brother. The kind I’d like to put in a headlock and give noogies to until you drop to the ground, screaming truce.”
“You’re evil. It’s probably a good thing you’re an only child,” I teased.
Bethany tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know, that’s exactly what my mom says to me.”
I laughed as I turned and climbed in the car. I could hear her mumbling something under her breath about rude men and spoiling her moment, but I ignored it. When I was seated, I rolled the window down and motioned her closer. I kissed her forehead then looked into her big blue eyes.
“Thank you for caring so much about me. I’m lucky to have you,” I said sincerely. Bethany blushed and then backed away from the car.
“I know. Now, go have a great time and don’t forget to call and let me know you got there safe.”
I watched her wave as the driver started the car and began pulling away from the house. Once we were on the road, I settled back in my seat and closed my eyes. Bethany had some pretty high hopes for this vacation, but the only thing I wanted was to sit on the beach with a cold drink and be left alone.
It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate what I had. In fact, I had the kind of life most people dreamed about. Starring in movies, hobnobbing with the rich and famous and traveling to some of the most beautiful locations around the world. I loved it for the most part, but there were definitely some drawbacks too.
I’d learned early on in my career as an actor that most people in Hollywood only want you for what you can do for them. I’d done well for myself as far as my career went. I’d been fortunate enough to get noticed at a young age, and after years of proving my worth in front of a camera, I was finally what they referred to in the business as an A-list celebrity.
Being an actor was a lot of hard work and grueling hours, but it’s what I’d always dreamed of for myself. I never regretted my career choice, but lately, I’d been wondering if there wasn’t something more for me than being cast in movies full of car chases and explosions. I wanted a role with some depth, one that would mean something; something that would stretch my abilities as an actor and that I could really be proud of. So far though, none of the roles that had been presented to me were like that.
Lack of a personal life was another drawback. It had never bothered me all that much before, but after watching Bethany fall head over heels for the man who was her soul mate, I’d begun to realize just how empty and shallow my own life had become.
I’d gone out with plenty of men, but most rarely lasted more than a date or two, where all they wanted to talk about was my movies or which celebrities I could introduce them to. The two relationships I’d managed to have, ended rather quickly once the paparazzi found out about us and started following them around all the time. Maybe I was destined to be alone the rest of my life. Either that or give up my career. I sighed heavily at the equally depressing thoughts.
The driver pulled onto the tarmac and alongside the private jet I’d rented to fly me to my home in Hawaii. I owned several properties around the globe, but the house that sat along a private stretch of beach on the island of Maui, was my favorite place to go when I needed time to myself. The quiet area and slow-paced atmosphere were a perfect remedy for the headaches caused by the whirlwind that was my everyday life.
I shook hands with the pilot and spoke to him for a few minutes before making my way to the rear of the plane. The attendant offered me a drink, which I accepted, grateful to have something that would take the edge off my nerves. I often flew for work, going to different set locations, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite mode of transportation.
After draining my glass, I settled back in my seat and stared out the window as we began to taxi down the runway. My hands gripped the armrests as we took off, my knuckles turning white. Once we reached altitude, I could feel some of the tension draining out of me and I began to relax. A small smile spread across my face at the thought of two weeks with no appointments and no obligations. Just me, the beach, and the sun.
Several hours later, we landed at the airport in Maui and I ordered a car to drive me to my home. The house in Hawaii had been the third thing I’d splurged on when I finally hit it big. The first had been a home for Bethany. My parents had never been the nurturing types, favoring their beer over their only son. I’d spent most of my growing-up years hanging out at Bethany’s house so I could avoid my parents and their mercurial mood swings.
Bethany had become my family; caring for me like a sister and making sure I was always fed and had a safe place to sleep. In turn, I made sure none of the guys at school took advantage of her or broke her heart. The two of us did everything together, and everyone often asked us why we never dated each other. Bethany was the only person who knew the real reason, and she guarded my secret as closely as I did, knowing that it wouldn’t be safe for me to come out as gay in our rigid, narrow-minded community.
It was difficult always having to hide that part of myself, and so, I’d found comfort in the form of our high school theater. Bethany had been the one to talk me into it, thinking it would be something fun we could do together. But as I stood on stage that first night, taking on the role of someone completely different from myself, someone who was brave and strong and able to show the world who they really were, I was hooked.
Acting became an outlet for me, a way of stepping into another person’s shoes and getting to live their life for a brief time, giving me a break from my own messed-up life. I was surprised at how much I liked acting, but most surprising of all was the fact that I was actually good at it. After graduation, I decided to leave the tiny Oklahoma town we’d grown up in. It didn’t surprise anyone when Bethany announced she’d be going with me.
After we moved to California, we’d shared an apartment no bigger than a shoebox in a crummy neighborhood while we both waited tables in a run-down diner, but no one could’ve convinced me that that hadn’t been the happiest time of my life. I was in a new town, living with my best friend, and finally free to live my life as an openly gay man.
When I landed my first role in a sitcom, Bethany and I celebrated with a bottle of cheap wine and a greasy pepperoni pizza. When I made it into the movies, we celebrated with a steak dinner at a fancy restaurant, and when I got my first Oscar, I bought Bethany her very own house. She argued with me, of course, but I insisted. She deserved that and so much more for always sticking by me and for loving me no matter what.
The second major purchase I made was my house in Hollywood and my third was the house in Hawaii. I’d always dreamed of living there one day and when I saw the enormous thirteen-bedroom mansion with its own private stretch of beach, Olympic-size swimming pool and panoramic view of the ocean, I knew I had to make it mine. I didn’t get to go there as often as I would’ve liked, but I smiled as I stared up at it, happy to be spending the next two weeks at my island retreat.
True to their word, Nohea and Aapo had the place looking spotless when I arrived. A quick peek in the kitchen showed that they’d even gone shopping for me, filling the fridge and cabinets with all my favorite foods, just as they always did. They were two of the nicest people I’d ever met, and I made a quick mental note to do something special to thank them.
I set to work unpacking my toiletries and hanging my clothes up in the big walk-in closet, and then I sent a quick text to Bethany, letting her know I’d arrived safely. I glanced down at my briefcase which contained the three scripts I’d agreed to look over. I really should’ve read through them and gotten it over with, but my body felt stiff from the flight and I could feel a headache coming on. One glance out the window at the sparkling sunshine had me deciding to hold off on anything work-related.
I quickly changed into shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of running shoes and headed out into the fresh, clean air. Filling my lungs with the salty smell of the ocean, I let the sounds of the waves ease the tension from my body as I set out along the mile stretch of beach I owned. The sun sparkled over the waves and there was just enough breeze off the ocean to keep the heat from feeling too excessive as I ran.
Running had always been a great outlet for me, a way of centering myself, much like meditation. With every step I took, I could feel myself relaxing, leaving the worries and the stresses of my job behind, forgetting about the city noises and the traffic and the endless line of people who always seemed to want something from me. Instead, I let myself get lost in the sounds of my breathing and the rhythmic slapping of my shoes along the wet sand.
I slowed down after a couple of miles and placed my hands behind my head, stretching my diaphragm and allowing my heart rate and breathing to even out before I headed back home. Sweat dripped along the sides of my face and trickled down my spine. I looked at my surroundings as I paced.
Maui had always been the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands in my opinion. The sand was smooth, the water clear and the atmosphere relaxed and easy. It was one of the few places I could go where I was free to explore without having people hound me for pictures or autographs. Occasionally, a tourist would ask for one; but for the most part, people respected my space, so I could enjoy my vacations in peace.
As I turned away from the water to finish my run, I spotted a man sitting out on the deck of a small bungalow-style house. Even from where I stood, I could make out how utterly gorgeous he was with his dark brown hair and lean body. My cock sat up and took notice of all the creamy skin on display, his lack of a tan letting me know he’d most likely just arrived on the island. Not wanting to embarrass myself in front of the other beach goers, I turned away from the decadent sight and began jogging back toward my house wearing a broad smile on my face. This vacation was already shaping up to be a good one.