CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Carrie did manage to get a little work done in between ogling Max and his minions checking on her constantly. She didn’t mind her non-productivity as it gave her a chance to watch him work and that had been a true pleasure. If rehearsals were any indication, the play was going to be fantastic.
He’d disappeared back into the dressing room area about fifteen minutes ago but now he had reappeared looking freshly showered and wearing a cocky grin. He knew how good he was in the role and he was feeling the well-earned confidence.
“So what do you think?”
“Be gone with your false modesty.” Carrie playfully shook her finger at him. “You’re amazing and the play is wonderful. But you very well knew that, didn’t you?”
“I’d hoped,” he confessed, beginning to pack up their things. “I have a good feeling about this production but there are still many things to iron out. The sword fighting scene we were rehearsing today, for example. It’s still quite rough.”
Carefully, she lowered her foot to the floor so he could pack up the pillow. “Do they give you a real sword for the actual play?”
He’d used a wooden one today and it reminded her of a cute little boy pretending to be a pirate.
Chuckling, he slid her laptop into her handbag. He wouldn’t let her carry it, saying it weighed a stone. Whatever that was.
“We get fake swords but they look more real than what we had today. Now, are you hungry? I hope so because my parents called while I was cleaning up. They’re in London and they want to have dinner.”
“Dinner? Your parents?”
It had been the last thing Carrie was expecting to hear. She’d known he had parents and he mentioned them quite often but somehow she hadn’t thought that they might meet.
“Don’t worry,” he assured her with a smile. “We have time to go home and change.”
Carrie glanced down at the boot on her leg. It wasn’t exactly what was on every fashion catwalk this year but she had a dress that might cover it up a little. At least make it less noticeable.
“You don’t have to be nervous.”
“I’m not nervous. Moms and dads love me because I have a good career, no discernible drug habit, and I’m not on the run from the law. It doesn’t hurt that I’m a ray of fucking sunshine. I’m like the girl next door.”
In truth, she’d never had an issue with the parents of any guy she’d dated. That didn’t mean she wasn’t concerned about putting her best foot forward, however. How was mummy and daddy going to like it when Max insisted on carrying her into the restaurant and out? Even to the bathroom?
“That’s the spirit. I like your confidence. Now I’ll take all of this to the car and come back for you.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll let me use my crutches?”
“Perish the thought. Just give me a minute.”
Max was loaded down like a pack mule. She needed to learn to pack lighter.
“On the way home I want you to tell me all about your parents so I can dazzle them with my knowledge.”
If she was lucky they had a few items in common and it would help fill any breaks in the conversation. Books, movies, and music were fertile ground for dinner topics. If Carrie was honest, she was curious as to what Max’s parents were like. It was always a clue as to how Max would look and act later in life. An older, silver-haired, distinguished Maxwell Hayes was something to look forward to.
* * *
Max’s parents were actors themselves, although never as successful as their son even at the peak of their careers. In their early sixties, they easily looked a decade younger and not regular-person younger. They looked actor-younger which meant that not only was their skin remarkably unlined but their teeth were white, their hair perfectly coiffed, and their clothes fashionable. Smiling and vibrant, they looked like they’d just stepped out of an ad for a luxury automobile or a fine liquor.
They also hated Carrie’s guts.
Not that they were overt about it. They weren’t. Karen and Tim Hayes were too wily to simply throw their rancor out there for all the world to see. They were actors, so they were going to act as if they liked her. So far Carrie wasn’t buying it but Max seemed to be. Frankly, Karen and Tim weren’t the thespians they thought they were. Even the waiter was getting the vibe that they wished Carrie was anywhere but with their precious baby boy.
So far they’d barely acknowledged Carrie’s presence at the table, instead peppering Max with questions about award shows and parties. It appeared to her that Karen and Tim were infatuated with their son’s fame and fortune. They wanted to hear the latest juicy gossip, talk about the glamour and glitz, hear about the famous directors he was working with. Perhaps they were living vicariously through Max?
Sadly they decided to bring Carrie into the conversation when Max wouldn’t be more forthcoming about his possible award nominations nor would he divulge any details about his contract negotiations.
Karen sipped at her red wine. “What is it that you do, Carly?”
Virtual slap.
“Her name is Carrie, Mum. Carrie Johnson.”
I don’t think your mother gives a shit, Max.
“I’m Chief Operating Officer of a publishing company but we dabble in other things as well, such as merchandising and now moviemaking.”
Max nodded in agreement. “Carrie is basically in charge of Paige Mitchell’s entire business, top to bottom.”
“That must be…challenging,” Tim said. “But so mundane. I’d sooner jump from the top of Everest than be in an office all day long. Lucky you have the temperament for it.”
Another virtual slap.
Carrie didn’t work in some sterile office and her job wasn’t mundane in the least. Tim must have strained a muscle jumping to all those conclusions.
Max was doing his best but he was clearly uncomfortable getting in between her and his parents. Not that she was asking him to. If she was his real girlfriend she’d expect it but not in this situation. Frankly she felt sorry for him being put in this position.
But he’d been smiling and complimentary all evening, raving about the maxi dress she’d chosen. The length covered the boot and the color highlighted her tan which was holding on by its fingernails in this gray weather.
Karen pressed her palms together and smiled. “That reminds me. We’re going to spend the weekend in London for your opening night. Gavin and Emily would like so much to come too. You can get two more tickets can’t you?”
Shaking his head, Max fussed with the napkin. Maybe he was more perturbed than he was letting on. “Mum, you know I can’t. I can get them tickets for a performance on a different date but not opening night.”
Pouting, Karen appeared quite put out. “But Gavin and Emily are some of your best friends.”
“No, they’re your best friends and I’m sure they’ll understand.”
Tim cleared his throat. “We already asked them to go with us so you’ll need to find two more tickets, son.”
An edict. Just like that.
Then again, the way they were treating Carrie was head and shoulders above how they were treating Max. Did they really expect him to drop everything and find two more tickets to the absolute hottest show in London?
Better question…would Max do it? Carrie waited, holding her breath for his response.
“I’m afraid it’s just not possible.” Max shook his head and she thought she saw a muscle tick in his jaw. “I’ve used my entire allotment for opening night and then some.”
Not happy. Karen and Tim were visibly upset.
“Can’t you just move a few of your opening night guests to later?” Karen gave Carrie a pointed stare. “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. Gavin and Emily are practically family.”
Max’s teeth clicked as he snapped them together. “Mother–”
“Never mind,” Karen interrupted, waving a hand in the air. “We’ll just go whatever date you can get Gavin and Emily tickets. We’ll miss your opening night but if that’s the way it needs to be then we’ll have to understand.”
Now the guilt trip. It was fascinating to watch and no way was Carrie going to open her mouth at this juncture and say a word. Nope, this was Max’s show.
His knuckles had turned white as he held onto his wine glass but his expression was supremely calm. Damn, he was a good actor.
“If you don’t want to attend the opening night I can assure you there will be no shortage of takers for your tickets. Just say the word.”
He’d said it politely but there was an undercurrent to his tone, an edge, warning mummy and daddy to back the hell off.
Tim signaled the waiter. “Of course we want to be there…”
Max smiled. “Then it’s all settled then. You’ll attend opening night and your friends will attend another date. So what else is new these days? Any upcoming roles?”
You smooth motherfucker. I saw what you did.
“I have a small role in an indie film being shot in the Cotswolds,” Karen said, her facing lighting up. “And do you know who is also in the movie? Susannah Dougherty. How long did you and she date? A year? Or was it two? I never understood what broke you two up. You were such a handsome couple and you seemed so happy. She’s single again. You should give her a ring.”
Hello? Am I invisible? Did I fade into the upholstery of the chair? I hate it when that happens.
Max’s gaze flickered to Carrie, his cheeks slightly pink. At least he had the decency to be embarrassed.
“I don’t think I’ll be giving her a call, Mum.” He reached out and placed his hand on Carrie’s, squeezing her fingers reassuringly. “Perhaps I wasn’t clear earlier. I’m dating Carrie and we’re very happy.”
Karen’s smile faltered. “I guess I didn’t realize it was exclusive. You haven’t known one another long.”
“Since last Thanksgiving,” Carrie heard herself pipe up, but wincing inwardly. She should have stayed silent. Stupid, stupid, stupid. All she’d done was remind Max’s parents that she was American. As in not British.
“Do you ride?” Tim asked Carrie, his faced scrunched up as if something smelled bad. Like her. “We like to go riding as a family when Max comes out to visit.”
This was the exam part of the evening. When faced with Carrie as a potential future partner to their son, it was now time to make sure said son knew how inadequate she was as a significant other.
Well played, parental units. Well played.
“I’ve never ridden,” Carrie confessed. She had a feeling this was a grave sin in the Hayes family.
Karen looked shocked. “Ever? Why not?”
Max was rubbing his temple as if a vein was about to pop out of his skull. “For heaven’s sake, Mum, she doesn’t ride. Leave her in peace about it.”
What the hell. She wasn’t going to win over these people no matter what she did or said. Time to throw caution to the wind.
“Actually, horses kind of scare me. They’re so much bigger than I am.”
Apparently Tim and Karen had nothing to reply because they turned back to their son just as the entrees arrived. Carrie happily ate her chicken and let the trio carry the conversation as they discussed acting roles, directors, producers, and poorly written scripts. It was too good to be true though as Karen’s attention swung back to Carrie.
“We must be boring you terribly with all of this shop talk. I’m sure you don’t understand a word of it. Creative people are so different than everyday worker bees.”
Virtual slap number three.
Max threw down his napkin. “Mum, you are being very rude. If you can’t at least be polite to Carrie then she and I will have to leave.”
Brows up, Karen smiled sweetly. “I meant no offense. It’s just that you and Carrie are so very different. You’re a famous actor and she’s more a behind the scenes person. An administrator who handles the paperwork. Of course after dating you that could all change. Being Max Hayes’s girlfriend could open up several doors for her.”
And…virtual slap number four. This one I cannot ignore.
“I can assure you, Mrs. Hayes, that my career is fine and on solid footing. I have no need to date anyone to bolster it. I’m with Max because I like him.”
“Everyone likes Max,” Karen said, a gleam in her eye. “He’s smart, funny, and talented. He could have any woman he wanted.”
Virtual slap number five.
At this rate, Carrie was going to be dizzy from getting knocked around by Max’s parents.
“Mother,” Max’s tone was decidedly frosty. “If you cannot say anything nice, than please keep quiet. Carrie is a lovely woman and she has no interest in show business. We are together because we like each other. As for getting any woman I want, I can assure you that is patently false, not that it matters. We’re extremely happy and if you don’t like it I can pay the check and we’ll go. Carrie has tolerated a great deal of abuse from you tonight and I’m determined she won’t have to deal with any more. Either be polite or you won’t be seeing me for quite awhile.”
This forceful Max was quite attractive.
“I meant no harm,” Karen murmured. “I was just trying to get to know her.”
Scowling, Tim set down his fork. “Apologize to your mother, Maxwell. You’ve hurt her feelings.”
Christ on a crutch, this family put the fun in dysfunctional. Christmas had to be a hoot.
Max set down his own fork. “I’ll happily apologize to Mum if she apologizes to Carrie.”
The evening had just gone from bad to fucking worse. Karen looked livid at her baby boy’s declaration.
Wanting peace more than she wanted a fake apology, Carrie raised her hands in the universal sign for “stop.” “Okay, how about we just start over here tonight? Pretend the first part of the evening never happened. Let’s pick a topic that isn’t controversial. Do you think it will rain tomorrow?”
“It rains every day,” Tim said gruffly, his lips in a thin line. “It’s London.”
“Carrie’s from Florida,” Max offered with a smile. “She says they call it the Sunshine State.”
Karen looked horrified as if Max had confided that Carrie liked to wrestle alligators in the mud for tip money.
“You mean…like Disney and Mickey Mouse?”
Carrie didn’t have a chance to respond. Tim replied to his wife instead. “Now, darling, Disney is a very influential movie studio. They do much more than just cartoons. Max, is your agent still talking with them about that big budget film that starts shooting next year? Didn’t your character have parents in that script? Your mother and I would be available and honestly, wouldn’t our casting make the most sense?”
Just like that they were talking about movies and acting again. Karen and Tim certainly had a one track mind when it came to their son.
Dinners like these were always educational and tonight was no exception. Carrie might have found herself slapped around a little bit but it had been worth it. She’d learned how Max had ended up with Alana. Now that Carrie had met his parents, she could see how he would think it was perfectly normal for someone to want something from him.
Even mummy and daddy.