Finding Kat (5 page)

A lip-sync battle? Hell, I sing for a living. It should be a piece of cake!

Chapter Two

KAT

I woke up early feeling refreshed and exited for the day. I grabbed some yoga capris and a fitted racer back tank and shoved my feet in my running shoes. I snatched my iPhone off my dock, plugged my ear buds in, and stuck them in my ears. I quickly selected my classic rock mix and grinned when AC/DC’s Highway to Hell began to play.

I jogged down the stairs and through the modern kitchen to my French doors leading to the deck outside overlooking the beach and the wide expanse of the ocean beyond. I sucked in a deep breath of salty sea air and felt peaceful and a bit keyed up at the same time. It had been a while since I had been this excited to just be alive and do my normal everyday routine. I was refreshed, and rejuvenated.

My mind wandered a bit as I ran my usual path down the beach. A certain blue-eyed rock star played a large part in my thoughts. Maybe a bit too much if I was being honest. I didn’t think he had found out about how famous I am. It was only a matter of time, but I liked that he thought he was the big star, and I was just a normal girl trying to break in to the business. I liked being perceived as normal. I was kind of obsessed with normality.

As I finished my run, I thought about my schedule for the day. I had a radio interview with Ryan Seacrest. One of my favorite things to do. I also had a taping of the Late Show. I didn’t always enjoy the talk shows but the Late Show was never bad. They didn’t tend to pry. I wondered briefly who would be on the show with me. They usually had a musical guest and another guest. Whoever it was, I hoped they were hot. Having hot men running around could make anything fun.

“So, Katie, your new movie, Blind Date, is coming out soon. What was it like to work with the heart-throb Daniel Lawson?” Seacrest asked me into the mic in front of him.

I was in the studio in a comfy spinney chair chatting with Ryan about all my current and upcoming projects. He always asked about my love life too. That’s what people want to hear about really. The gossip. I chatted about the movie for a while. It was another cookie cutter role. Nothing challenging. The daughter of so, and so who through trials and heartbreak, rediscovers her bond with her mother and gains a new appreciation for herself blah blah. The usual.

“Do you get star struck around the big stars in the industry anymore? I mean, you’ve grown up around it. I interviewed you for the first time when you were 12. You’ve met just about everyone right? Is there anyone who still intimidates you?” Ryan asked.

“Wow. That’s a really great question. Of course I do! I’ve met so many legends and really talented actors and musicians. I get nervous and everything, but they’re so normal. OK well, most of them are normal. And they know me! It still blows my mind that Julia Roberts knows who I am. It never gets old.” I laugh.

“Harry, from One Direction, said the same thing when they were in here just before you came. They think you’re hot by the way. I have permission to give you their numbers if you want.” He winked at me across the table.

“That’s very flattering. I’m sure they’re hot too.” I laughed

“You don’t know? Are you the only under 25 female in America who doesn’t know what the guys of One Direction like to eat for breakfast? I find that hard to believe.”

Who gives a shit what they eat for breakfast. Cade Walker, now that would be something else. Maybe I’d let him eat ME for breakfast. Snort.

“I’m sorry to disappoint the guys and all, but honestly I don’t even know their names. I’m usually pretty busy and when I’m not I like to unplug from everything and read or play my guitar.” I responded.

I was going to catch a lot of flak for this later. This wasn’t the person they wanted me to be for the public. I knew I’d come off too nerdy for my parents. They’d probably do some “damage control” and say I was kidding or something. This faking shit sure is exhausting.

I finished up my interview and stuck around for a bit chatting with Ryan and his people. I was usually so rushed I didn’t get to do fun stuff like hang out in a radio studio, but I was all about it. I talked to them about music. The kind I really liked. They seemed surprised but in a good way. They admitted they thought I was a Justin Bieber type. This amused me to no end. I loved surprising people.

A few hours later, I found myself in hair and make-up in preparation for my big TV interview. I was kind of excited. I loved watching the live bands on these shows. I got to meet some interesting people too. The kind of people I wasn’t introduced to often because they wouldn’t further my parents career goals. Realizing all of this shit had been happening for so long made me feel like a little bitch. I had let them control me and turn me into Malibu Barbie. I had been happy spending my time home alone, or with Ally and never bucked the system. But my parents were in for some real trouble now. I wasn’t going to be Katie anymore. I wanted to be Kat. 24/7. The rest of the world could suck it as far as I was concerned.

“I hear it’s some really hot rock band on tonight. They’re keeping it really hush hush though. A surprise for someone I think. I’m dying to know. They’ve never done this before.” The make-up woman, Christine, said to the hairdresser.

“Really? I thought this was how things were all the time.” I said. Now I was dying to know what was going on. I couldn’t wait to see.

“Five minutes to show time ladies.” A guy with a head set called, poking his head in the door.

“Alright doll. All done and you look damn fine if I do say so. I’m so glad you decided to do something different.” Christine said with a smile and a wink.

“Are you kidding? This is my usual look. I just always dressed, and did everything the other way before because my parents thought I’d get more press and attention that way. But I’ve decided I don’t give a shit anymore.” I laughed and got up from my chair and walked out of the door and down the hall to the set.

I stood back stage and watched as the guy with the head set gestured for me to hold. I could hear the host talking about my upcoming movie. Head set guy gestured me into a tunnel and told me to walk out onto the set.

I almost stopped walking when I saw who was standing in front of the couch watching me approach with a sexy smirk.

Shit!! How the hell did he end up here? And why is he waiting for me on the couch?!

“Katie Foster, everybody.” Jimmy Fallon said as he shook my hand and gestured for me to take my seat.

I approached the couch and raised a brow at Cade Walker, Rock Star. He walked forward and hugged me. (HOLY SHIT! CADE HUGS!!) He actually whispered in my ear “Found you, Kat.”

He was looking for me? For real?

“So, Cade tells me you know each other. How did you meet Katie?”

“Well, I met him a few weeks ago at his show here in LA. I had never been before. I’ve always been a fan and I couldn’t miss a chance to see them live.” I was floored. Why in the world would Cade Walker go on a talk show and stay to sit and chat with me? On live TV. With tons of viewers. Jeez. My mom was going to shit herself.

“That’s true. She was at my show. She came backstage and hung out with the guys for a while too. But what she isn’t saying is that we had no idea she was such a big deal. I asked about what she does and she said she was an actress. Those are a dime a dozen in LA so I just assumed she was doing commercials or something. So imagine my surprise when I turn on my TV and there she is. She’s a huge star.” Cade laughed ruefully.

This was blowing my mind. Cade was impressed by me? I really thought he’d think my work was a joke. Hell, I think my work is a joke.

“You really had no idea?” Fallon asked. “She has a billboard in New York you know. It’s huge. I have a picture actually.” On the screen in front of us, the picture appeared.

Ugh. Really? How embarrassing.

“Holy Shit. How did I not know who you were?” Cade asked me while looking at the picture.

“It’s not a big deal.” I said trying to convince someone, anyone.

“Looks pretty big to me.” Fallon deadpanned.

I put my hand over my face and laughed.

“Let’s talk about Cade now. He’s done tours and magazine covers and stuff. Let’s not talk about my hugely embarrassing billboard.” I begged.

“Hey, we’re going to talk about me later. It’s your turn.” Cade said with a grin.