Chapter Three

“So, you aren’t going to go?” Anna asks, lying across my couch. This is her third time asking, and I wanted to choke her. Badly. “Seeeeeeeeelena, why aren’t you answering me?” She sits up to look at me.

“Because…” I look around before my eyes land on her. “Because he is the past, and I can’t go back to that, too many memories. I need to focus on me.”

“But he is Caleb Hemsworth! You can’t let an opportunity like this pass you by.” She looks at me with wild eyes. Oh boy. “Think of the women that are dying for a piece of him, Selena. Think of them all, and here you are getting King Caleb served to you on a silver platter. Just take it, woman.”

“I don’t want it, Anna. Getting involved with him is asking for trouble. Athletes are trouble period.” I sigh.

“But he is different. You know him.”

“I knew him. That’s a big difference.” It’s my turn to sit up. She wasn’t getting it. “I never like googling people, but I finished my investigation on Caleb. He is a playboy: he parties a lot, has a harem of women, and his best friend is the rapper, Shadow. Do you know what he raps about? Fucking bitches and getting money. Every song is about that. His Christmas album was just horrific. I listened to a sample last night, and he remade “Santa Baby” into “Santa’s Thot!” What world does he live in?”

“One filled with thots…I suppose.” Anna laughs. “And let’s be real here, Selena. Shadow is probably the nicest man on Earth, when not in front of a camera or on stage. I heard one time he stopped his car and got out for a fan that was crying uncontrollably outside the arena. See…he’s nice.”

“Whatever. I’m still not going to see him.” After reading about his personal life, I knew seeing him tonight would be a bad idea.

“You are unbelievable. If I were in your shoes, my legs would be wrapped around Caleb’s neck by now.” She stands up, heading back into the kitchen. “Are you sure you don’t want to go?”

“I think it is time for you to go home.”

“Huh? What? Why?” She pops her head out. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You keep bringing him up. I said no, and I mean no. For crying out loud, he has a girlfriend. That right there is a no go for me. Out of all people, you should know I am not one for cheating. So, if you insist on bringing his name up, then leave.” I rub my temples getting beyond annoyed. I know she means well, but this was overkill even for her, and that says a lot. She walks back into the kitchen in silence, and I roll my eyes and head into the kitchen to join her.

“Anna?” I sit at the kitchen island. “Anna banana,” I sing. “Oh, my Anna banana, are you mad at me? Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snaps. “We aren’t on good terms right now.”

“Because I told you to leave?” I tilt my head at her.

“Uh huh,” she huffs, opening the refrigerator. “You know I was never going to leave anyway.”

“I know.” I chuckle. “So…why get mad?”

“It’s just the simple fact that you said it. Best friends don’t kick each other out of the house. That’s like against girl code or some—”

The doorbell rings and we stare at each other wondering who it can be. Usually, the front gate guard would let me know if any visitors were coming.

Anna mouths silently, “Were you expecting someone?”

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s almost midnight. No one should be here—unless it’s…” The bell rang again.

“Caleb.” Anna’s face lights up. “It has to be him. Go open the door!” she whispers loudly. “Move your ass!” She pulls me off the couch, dragging me to the door.

“Stop it, Anna.” I punch her arm.

“Selena, open this damn door!” I freeze. It was my agent. Karina wasn’t someone you get upset. She was cutthroat, and no one crossed her. Hell, I didn’t like being on her bad side, and she has been representing me for the past three years. “If you don’t open this door in three seconds, I’m coming in.” Shit. I forgot I gave her a key to my house. Anna takes off running upstairs, leaving me to fend for myself.

“About time,” Karina says through gritted teeth when I open the door. “We need to talk.”

“About?” I watch her take a seat on the couch, pulling out her Blackberry. I know exactly what she is doing—looking for her notes. She makes bullets of everything, and I mean everything. I sit across from her, tucking my feet underneath me, getting comfortable.

Karina glares at me. “You should know what it is about.”

“If I did, Rina, I wouldn’t be asking, and I definitely would have called you first, if I thought something went wrong.”

“Fair enough.” She nods. “You know I hate when personal life interferes with business.” She pauses to look at me. I nod because it’s true; she hates it more than anyone I know. Karina actually dropped a client before because of it. “For the past three years, I have never had a problem with you mixing the two…until now. So, you have only one chance to come clean on why people can’t perform their duties because they are taking care of your gifts.” She leans forward. Great, just great. Stupid Caleb!

“When you say gifts…are you talking fan mail? Not too sure what you are talking about, Rina.” I hate to play the dumb card, but I cannot afford to lose her as an agent. She is sixty percent the reason why I get the best roles.

“Lena, don’t act so dense. You know what I am talking about. So, I am going to give you one more chance to explain yourself. If you want to be an irrelevant actress—like Kristen Cara—lie to me again.”

Her eyes were trained on me like a lion stalking its prey. Just hearing Kristen Cara’s name made a chill run down my spine. Kristen was the “It girl” of Hollywood four years ago. Everyone wanted her in their movies or TV shows, all thanks to Karina. Kristen won four Oscars in the past for Best Female Lead Actress. Karina is just that good at finding roles; she knew she would always put her clients on top.

A year before I signed with Karina, there was a rumor going around Hollywood that Kristen’s personal life was spiraling out of control: drugs, alcohol, sex. A few months later, she was no longer Karina’s client, and I was and the new It girl of Hollywood. Last I heard, Kristen was making pornos to get by.

“Selena, I am waiting.” She arches an eyebrow.

“I really don—”

“It was me!” Anna shrieks, running into the living room. “I did it! I had people running around the set and studio hiding all the gifts and things from Selena. She had nothing to do with it. She didn’t find out until today that it was happening. Please don’t kick her off your roster…I can’t have that on my conscious.” She sits next to me, giving Karina her best puppy face.

“Who are all these gifts from?” She is now eyeing Anna, thank the Lord. “Anna, the gifts, who are they from?”

“Ummm…” She looks over at me.

“Anna!” Karina snaps.

“It’s Caleb…Caleb Hemsworth,” I rush out.

The muscles in Karina’s face relax. “The football player?”

“Yes, that would be him. I am so sorry about all of it. I didn’t think h—”

“No, no, no. Don’t apologize for that.” She chuckles. “Funny thing you mentioned his name, I got a call a few hours ago about a new job for you. At first, I didn’t think it would be for you, but now I think it couldn’t be better.”

“What is it?” Anna asks.

“None of your concern, Anna. This is between Selena and me, but since you are here, I guess you shall find out too. Calvin Klein wants to do a photoshoot next week starring you and Caleb Hemsworth. Isn’t that perfect! I would love to stay and chat some more, but business awaits. Reach out to Caleb; go for lunch or dinner. This photoshoot will put you at the top pulling in bigger fish. So, call him,” she says as she walks out of the house.

“Well, that went great.” Anna leans back on the couch. “We still have a job.”

“I guess, Anna…I guess.” I lean back as well. I guess I will be seeing Caleb no matter what. Just my luck.