Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (23 page)

ROXY

What if you don’t know what you want?

(She closes her eyes.)

Chapter Ten

THE ASTON MARTIN SAILED into the parking lot behind Wilson’s Bar, the establishment owned by Logan’s brother was a major Hollywood hot spot, and the location for the
Hollywood Stardom
read through. Ryder took the spot normally reserved for the owner and left the engine on a few moments longer than necessary. No one should be denied hearing the purr of this amazing machine. Since he got the car over a week ago sometimes he simply took the car around the block to hear it roar.

In less than an instant, his action produced the desired result when Logan Alexander, and Drew Fulton stepped outside.

Ryder paused, took his time gathering his things, and when he was damn good and ready, opened the door to greet his public. Of course, he backed up to allow the men plenty of room to gawk and stare in awe.

“Well, well, well.” Logan skimmed his fingers along the gleaming black paint then came around and stuck his head inside the vehicle. “Complete with new car smell. Am I to guess that one Miss Caine is happy with Mr. Scott’s service?”

“It’s not a service, but more a mutual admiration society. I just needed some new wheels and picked up this little horse and carriage.”, He stretched the truth only the smallest amount, but he had to protect his benefactor. The rumors would swirl around them anyway, especially with his reputation, but he made sure to lay on the romance thick, something that was exceptionally easy when it came to his CC. He just needed to get her to play along, then it would become natural.

Drew nodded and glanced in the car. “Erin and I were considering this model, but it doesn’t hold a car seat.”

Both Drew and Logan laughed, speaking the secret language of those with offspring and Ryder shuddered at the image. He would take his two-seater just fine. Cora and he could drive off into the sunset with nothing holding them back.

“Speaking of which, it looks like there’s just enough room in this car for you, Cora and one mellow dog.” Drew went to Ryder’s side and patted his shoulder.

“How is Spike?” Ryder gave him a grin.

Drew crossed his arms. “I think he needs his master.”

“Oh yeah, Ivy, Curtis and I want a tote bag.” Logan pulled a check out of his shirt pocket and handed it to him. “Don’t’ forget to give me a receipt.”

Receipt, right. Tote bag, check. He needed to get on his charity. “Thanks, man, this will do some good.”

“It would do better if you had your mascot with you.” Drew elbowed him.

“I just need some time. You remember what it’s like when everything is new.” For the first time in his life, he didn’t have the upper hand with this man. The man who also had his dog. He had to try a new tactic, be nice. “I’ll work it out.”

“All right, but work it out.” Drew shook his head.

“Don’t we have a read through to get to?” Ryder turned on his heel and ushered himself through the bar, making a mental note on things to take care of to keep the free money rolling in. Decorated like a 1920s speakeasy, Wilson’s could almost be a set on its own.

Their director, Edward Andrews, greeted him first. “Ryder.”

Ryder shook his hand. With he and Logan both having major roles in the movie, the powers that be brought in a professional director, rather than have either of them direct. Andrews’ was known for his work on sequels and continuity.

“Good to see you,” Ryder said. Of everyone, he needed to make nice with the director, though he knew he could do the job better than anyone.

“There’s the man who needs to take his pet.” Erin came over and gave him a hug.

He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Spike needs more of your healing energy first.”

“You are such an ass.” She pinched him. “But I’m Roxy, so all is right in the world.”

After rubbing his arm, he continued his rounds to Logan’s wife. “Mrs. Ivy, always a pleasure.” He took her hand and kissed the back. “What do you think of the script?”

“I think thus far, it’s on track.” She giggled. “I suppose we’ll have to see what our screenwriter has in store for us.”

At the mention of the only other woman he wanted to talk to besides Cora, Ryder turned to find a mess barreling toward him. A funnel of black curly hair, disheveled clothing and a general swirl of shambles, Madeline Hart would have collided with him, if he hadn’t stepped back and avoided the cyclone. However, she was an amazing writer.

“Hi Ryder?” Burdened down with an unorganized pile of paper in her hands, she smiled at him. Ivy personally picked this writer as Madeline was a huge fan of the original film and even helped clean up some things for the second movie, however he did have to wonder how this person ever got through Cora.

Unsure why her greeting was a question, he flashed her a smile and managed to position himself slightly behind Ivy. “Maddie, how are you?” This was the woman who would make or break his lines and one he needed to ask a favor, therefore he had to be especially sweet to her.

“I’ll have your first batch of pages to you in a bit.” She nodded and then stumbled over to the table.

“Why don’t we all get started?” Edward herded them all around the table.

For decades he and Logan took their spot on either side of Erin.

Now he watched Ivy and Logan sit down together and Erin and Drew sit down together. Well now he had his own woman, and his woman owned this whole shebang. Maybe she should have been here for this important meeting. Ever since that whole computer fail thing last week she worked hours and hours, only stepping out with him for a quick photo op, and she left before he woke up every morning. They hadn’t even had sex yesterday.

Only one option left, he took his chair next to Madeline. With the opportunity handed to him, he leaned over. “I was hoping I could ask you a question.”

She turned to him, giggled, and he was pretty sure she snorted. “Me?”

Ramping up the star power, he stared right in her eyes. “Yes, you.” He kept his tone and volume low.

“Well, I want to welcome our stars here.” Edward greeted them.

Madeline leaned in and her cheeks turned red. No doubt she could deny him nothing. “What would that be?” She curled her hair around her finger.

He gave her an eyebrow raise. “I have something I want you to take a look at.”

“Oh, my.” She put her hand to her chest. “Aren’t you with Ms. Caine?”

“Yes, I’m with Cora!” Yes, he blurted out the words a little loud. What the hell? “I just wanted to ask you to take a look at a script of mine.” More than once Cora asked to see a script, so now he had script fright and wanted to make sure it was as perfect.

Her hand moved from her chest to her mouth.

This was all he needed.

“Maybe we could talk about our script for a few minutes, Mr. Scott.” Edward kept the fake smile on his face.

“I’m sorry. I knew you were seeing Cora,” Madeline whispered. “I’d be happy to look at your script.”

“Thanks.” Like a good schoolboy, he faced front. Now that he thought about it, he didn’t see her except for a second yesterday, and she certainly wasn’t where she should be first thing in the morning. While Edward droned on and on about something, he retrieved his phone and sent Cora a text.

All right, he sent her a heart and a wink face.

The little moving dot bubble let him know she was instantly responding.

Are you trying to tell me something?

Though she didn’t use an emoticon, at least she didn’t text yell at him for bugging her. She probably missed him too, not that he missed her.

With a bit of a swagger in his typing, he responded.
Yes, I am.

Get through the read through and you can tell me in person.

In person meant actually seeing her.
Dinner and then maybe we can do some role play.

I’m no actress.

“Ryder.” Edward’s voice interrupted his not really sexting with his woman.

He gave a quick glance to Edward, but he really wanted to continue his conversation.

“Ryder,” Edward said.

Damn, he better pay attention. He was the good one after all. In a rush he sent one more message.
Don’t worry, I have the script.
After adding another wink face he put his phone down on the table. “Yes.”

Edward gave him an extended look. “As I was saying, I would rather not have phones during our meetings or on set.”

Though his first thought was to ask whether Edward knew where Ryder slept at night, he decided to go a different route. “I apologize. I was just speaking to Cora.”

The man’s expression did not change.

“Cora Caine.” He flashed him a smile.

“Yes, you have made that abundantly clear. Why don’t we continue?” Edward lifted the script. “Does anyone have any questions?”

Everyone around the table raised their hands.

Edward glanced around to each of them. “Does this have to deal with the end of the movie?”

With their hands still up, they all gave their director a collective nod.

“Let’s discuss it. Madeline.” Edward motioned toward her.

At her name, Madeline jumped and all her papers went flying across the table. She gathered up the documents into a crinkled pile. “I think in order to discuss the end, we must first discuss the beginning.”

“The beginning of the movie?” Erin asked.

“No, the beginning of the series.” Somewhere in her mess, Madeline unearthed a yellow pad with notes.

“We know the beginning,” Ryder jumped in. “Four kids, road trip to the Hollywood Stardust Theatre, we have the bad guy, the good guy and the geek, there’s a love triangle, ends on a cliffhanger when girl chooses good guy, but watches bad guy leave.” Ryder nodded at everyone. That should at least take care of several hours of this day. He needed to get back to the apartment and do some manscaping before the woman of the house arrived home. “In movie number two, the girl drives back home and nothing changes. Fast forward twenty years and here we are.”

Madeline faced him. For the woman who only moments before blushed and mistakenly thought he asked her out, the stars in her eyes faded, and she practically shot flames at him. “That’s not even remotely what these movies are about.”

Whoa. He still needed his favor, and he sat back and went to reach for his phone but stopped when he noticed Edward glaring at him.

“The end of the story hasn’t been written, and moreover, it won’t be written until we are all ready for it.” The woman cleared her throat. Gone was the disheveled mess as she leaned over the table. “Because this story is so beloved, and because we’ve kept fans waiting for twenty years for the end, we will also wait, but we’re going to do something a little different.”

No one in the room could pry their focus away from the woman who would write their fate. Actually, their character’s fate.

“Because the
Hollywood Stardom
story is told by Roxy reflecting on her life and on whether she would have ended up with each of the three male leads, there’s no reason to know the end until the end. During the filming I’ll meet with each of you and everyone will make a case for their character’s end.”

They were going to have to fight for their character? What kind of bullshit script was this?

On the table his phone vibrated and wanting to know what Cora responded he flipped the device over.

Damn, it wasn’t Cora.

In fact if Cora had a polar opposite, it would be the person texting him.

Glen.

His chest tightening, he had to find out what the man messaged, and like a kid trying to pass a note in school, he used one finger and inched the phone closer to him.

Don’t get too distracted by your new love interest, you still have a movie to make.

When the tool had the audacity to attach a picture of him and Cora the night she got a little tipsy, Ryder gnashed his teeth together.

Maybe you will finally learn to use your connections wisely.

Heat overtaking his body, he snatched up his phone.
Don’t ever mention her again.
He hit send and tightened his hold on the damn device

There will be no need to ever mention her again if you do the right thing.

Ryder forced himself to swallow.
Is that a threat?

From across the table Edward waved his hand. “Excuse me, Mr. Scott?”

“One second.” Phone in hand, Ryder turned away from the table and focused on those blasted moving dots.

“Mr. Scott.” Edward raised his voice.

Do the right thing and there will be no threats.

If Ryder had ever heard a threat, and he had heard many in his life, this was one. Now what should he do? Answer or ignore?

“Mr. Scott!”

Unable to think about his next move with this incessant chatter, he shot out of his chair. “I said I need a second. This is important.” He turned, closed his eyes and attempted to think. What the hell was he going to do? This wasn’t the run of the mill threat or maybe it was, and it just felt more sinister.

“And this movie is not important?” From behind him, Edward lowered his voice.

Ryder took a breath and slowly faced the table. “I’m not in grade school, and if I need to attend to important business I will. This isn’t even a read through this is a lecture. When you want to actually work, I’ll be on point.” There was no way in hell he could concentrate on any movie until he figured out what to do next with Glen.