5
JACK
Table readings were always fun. A great opportunity to learn about your fellow cast members, test the waters of improv with the director, and break the ice before any nudity comes up. You know, a good chance to laugh it all off before they really strapped my dick in a sleeve around my thigh and shoved cameras in my face while I sucked on a costar’s tits.
It sounded kinda sexy, but it was actually awkward as hell. Boners were painful as shit, too, inside that little pouch. I always spent the whole time thinking about my grandmother’s dentures to stay as dead inside as possible. It was never a fun afternoon for anyone.
Though, as luck would have it, this movie got better and better, because my favorite leading lady sat next to me in the seat marked for Veronica Station. Lena Nichols. The girl was cool as hell and partially responsible for my rise to fame. Our sex scenes in The Tailor’s Apprentice won just about every goddamn award there was to win.
I didn’t even mind the dick sleeve while filming with her.
“If it isn’t my favorite big softie!” She threw her arms around me, still smelling like peppermint and cigarettes, same as always. My kind of girl, except for that whole only-dates-chicks bit.
“My favorite lady!” I gave her a squeeze. “You’re looking more beautiful than ever. Have you decided to give up the muff yet? I’m lonely.”
She scoffed. “In your dreams.”
“Every night.”
She just laughed at me and hauled me across the room. “Come on. Everyone’s been dying to meet you. Every other spot was filled except yours. I was starting to think we’d have to CGI someone in. Thank god we don’t, because those damn green screens give me a headache. Ah. Holly!”
A pretty young thing, emphasis on young, spun around with a bright smile on her face. She practically skipped over to us. And by skipped, I mean swung those hips hard. I'd seen her type around a lot: the girls who would do anything to pass themselves off as older, to be taken more seriously in the industry. It was cutthroat out here, man.
"Hi." She grinned in a flirty manner and stuck her hand out. "Holly Fisher. I'm playing your sister, Eva."
"Jack Steele." I shook her hand firmly and her eyes fluttered. Lordy. "My darling baby sister who gets kidnapped. They cast well."
She flushed and pretended to be shy from the compliment, but you could see behind her eyes how hungrily she ate it up. "They said I was a shoo-in. You, though…that took a while. I'm really excited they went with you for the lead. This should be a fun movie!"
"Aren't they always?" Lena raised her eyebrows at me with a smile before patting Holly on the arm. "Holly here is one of the new breakouts from last year. Don't mind the pretty face; the girl has some serious chops."
"I'm just trying to contribute as best I can." Holly's eyes were wide. Did she ever turn this off? This whole doe-eyed bullshit routine?
Maybe I was just too jaded. Maybe being on a movie set was still thrilling when you were a teen and hadn't been swallowed whole by the industry. Yet. I mean, I still enjoyed it... we just had a mutual respect for one another now. A little world-weariness. Holly still looked newly-minted.
Then again, Lena shone brighter than the sun without the set lights on, so maybe the problem was me.
"I remember my first day on set," Lena said wistfully. "God, I was so nervous..."
While Lena recanted the horror that was her first day, I got the feeling someone was watching me, that itch under the skin that doesn't go away. I looked to my right and found Holly eye-fucking me. She bit her lower lip and winked with a sly smile.
I offered a strained smile and crossed my arms over my chest to finish listening to Lena. The very last thing in this world I was about to do was get nailed for screwing around with a minor. And that Holly girl? She was pure jailbait.
"Anyway." Lena segued awkwardly out of her story after catching the look on my face. She briefly glanced at Holly before grabbing my arm. "I should introduce him to everyone else. We'll talk later, Holly."
"So excited to work with the both of you!" Holly gushed, clasping her hands together across her chest. She gave me another all-over look before flouncing away.
"Damn."
"I know." Lena sighed. "She's gorgeous but desperate."
"Someone needs to tell her you can get through Hollywood without fucking someone at every door step."
"Probably, huh?" Lena bobbed her head back and forth before shrugging. "Eh. She'll figure it out."
"Who's the dude who looks like he wants to eat me?"
"Josh Bowen." Lena flashed me a toothy grin. "He wanted your role. Word is producers were pushing hard for it. If you hadn't come in, he'd be our Eddie Bowser. Lucky you."
"Lucky me." I nodded to the guy across the table, who looked like he was equally horrified of me and disgusted by me. I could pound the guy to pieces without trying and he knew it. Nothing like starting the next three months of my life with someone who hated my guts.
What had I gotten myself into?
"Who is he in the film?"
"A supporting role. But word is he's secretly your understudy, so stay healthy, my friend." Lena nudged me playfully. "He's a nice kid, but pretty average. Definitely not memorable."
"Have I seen him in anything before?" I studied the guy. He looked so very....average Hollywood. Decent looks, good shape, hair styled in a very trendy and non-offensive way. Safe. Hollywood didn't like safe. Fans didn't like safe. It was the fastest way to forgettable.
"Lots of things, actually." Lena listed off a few movies I'd never heard of or got around to seeing. "He's never really the forefront, but he's always there. I think he thought if he had your role, he'd finally break the cycle."
I popped my neck and smiled at this Josh dude, who looked immediately uncomfortable and disappeared into the fray. "Guess you don't always get what you want, eh?"
"Dream killer."
"Every day of my life."
"There you are!" A familiar voice called out behind me. "I've been looking everywhere."
Alison stood behind me, looking flushed. I gestured around to my costars. "What, you mean with the other actors?"
She flushed hard and Lena had to excuse herself from laugh-coughing. "I didn't think you'd be here yet."
"Ah. I guess I sort of set myself up for that one during auditions."
"A bit." Alison offered a small smile. "Can you come with me? We need to finalize your contract and go over some things. I've already talked to Denver. They aren't ready to begin yet, anyway."
"Oh, great," I said stupidly. I followed her out of the room and down a dark, quiet hall. "So. Come here often?"
I saw the grin creep across her face before she swallowed it down. "Every day."
"Great. It's actually my first time here. Think you can show me around?"
"Would love to." She threw open a heavy door to a tiny office, cramped with stacks of tapes and folders and more televisions than any one room should have. "Forgive the mess. We are trying to move digital, but some studios are a little slower than others."
"This is where they keep you?" I could touch both walls without overextending my arms. "Shame. Someone as pretty as you should have a bigger office."
"Unfortunately, Mr. Steele, the only half of the industry that favors looks over skill sits in front of the camera, not behind it."
Touché. I liked her. Feisty.
"I suppose you worked everything out with my agent?"
She nodded. It was now that I noticed she hadn't looked at me once during this entire stretch we'd been together. The girl who put her goods on display just so I'd read a script couldn't look me in the eye anymore?
She wasn't this quiet after I kissed her during the audition, either. Which, by the way, was amazing and I high-fived the fuck out of myself later for that. And by high-five I meant...never mind.
"Is there something in here I need to be worried about?" I didn't take the pen she held out for me.
"No. Everything was approved by your agent. He told us your terms and Denver was willing to meet them."
And that asshat said I didn't want this role? Denver Latmini! Gave me everything I wanted! Despite everything that happened, all the press, the reputation I'd garnered around this shitty rock, he wanted me here.
So why did she look so...upset?
I leaned against the wall and studied her, trying to crack open her secrets because she looked as open as a young clam right about now. Alison was beautiful, the kind of beauty that hit me deep. Smooth glowing skin that reminded me of secrets and lust, a headful of beautiful curly hair, eyes as dark as embers, and curves that made me think incredibly impure thoughts. And she had one tiny dimple in her left cheek that flared when she smiled.
Every item on my mental check list met. The night she danced for me was one of the best nights of my life. And here we stood, with her not throwing her panties at me. I hated it when that happened.
I pretended to rifle through the contract, but we both knew I wasn't reading it. Bobby and I made a great team because he knew exactly what I wanted and how to get it. That, I wasn't worried about.
"Tell me." I broke the silence she was holding. "What is it?"
She dropped into a chair and swiveled around for a moment before fidgeting with every goddamn thing on her desk.
"Alison."
She closed her eyes and sighed. "There's been some... concern."
There it was. The proverbial shoe that lived solely to kick my ass. "About me. On set."
She nodded. "No one can deny you're talented, but—"
"I get it." I kept my voice light even though her barbs dug deep. Fuck, couldn't a guy ever catch a break in this place? And god forbid I ever let them know this shit actually bothered me, because my career really would be over and I'd have to make money by doing shitty endorsements or flipping burgers or some shit. And everyone would come by to point and laugh at the asshole who tried to make movies and still ended up asking if you wanted pickles on that. "But I still have a contract here."
"You do. They asked me to personally keep an eye on you."
It didn't really register what she was saying until she finally met my gaze. The girl looked nervous as hell. "So if I fuck this up, I fuck it up for the both of us."
"Something like that." She looked away.
"Hey." I reached over and grabbed her hand. It took her an extra second to pull away. Point for Jack. "Listen, I'm not an asshole and I'm not a selfish bastard, okay? I know what they say about me. I'm not fucking stupid. I also know I got this role because of you and I'm not going to make you regret that. Okay?"
Alison nodded, still not looking thoroughly convinced. I got the impression she didn't have to deal with actors much on set. Well, I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides, this meant I got more time on set with her. I'd win her over to my side. Eventually, she'd be throwing those panties with a fervor.
"Besides." I tossed her a wicked smile. "After that performance you put on at the club, how I could I pass up the opportunity to have you around?"
She looked almost horrified. Almost. The rest of it was a hint of pride. See, feisty. This was going to be fun, aside from that whole Producers Don't Trust Me shit. "Get out of my office."
"I'd hardly call this an office."
"Out."
"I'm only going because Denver is waiting for me and a responsible actor would not keep his cast waiting. But while I'm here—"
"Go!" Alison laughed. "Out. My office is too small for your ego."
I shot her a wink before disappearing back into the labyrinth of the set. Having a babysitter was bullshit, but having a hot babysitter was a turn on. Wicked.