Rumor Has It: A Bad Boy Romantic Comedy (4 page)

“Then what did he mean? It sounded like a threat to me. And if that prima donna fucker thinks he’s going to get away with threatening you, then-”

My face burned hot. It had been a long time since a man had stood up for me. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. What was he talking about?”

I chewed on thumbnail. Outside my window, the city street passed slowly by. Fans had lined the sidewalk hoping to get a glimpse of Louis and I together. America’s Sweethearts. They loved us as a couple. We’d starred in three hit films together and the studio was talking about putting us in another two together.

We weren’t just a couple, we were a brand. We put asses in the seats and made hundreds of millions of dollars for studios. Our romance had made both Louis and I wealthy beyond my imagination. I’d never want for anything because of the devil’s bargain I struck with him early in my career.

“Jamie,” Theo said, “I can’t protect you if I don’t know everything. Tell me. What’s wrong?”

I sighed. Could I trust Theo? I had to. What choice did I have?

“You signed a NDA right?”

NDA, or non-disclosure agreement. Shonda makes everyone who works for me sign one. It’s a legally binding contract that forbids anyone from disclosing confidential information. If they spill personal details about my life, I can sue them into oblivion. Every major star has one with their employees.

“Yeah, of course. Whatever you have to say will stay confidential. You have my word.”

“Louis and I have a PR relationship,” I whispered as if someone was listening in.

“A what?”

“A PR relationship. We’re not really a couple. We just pretend because it gets us good press.”

“I see…” he said, sounding as if he didn’t see at all.

“You can’t tell anyone, Theo. If word gets out, we’re all finished. None of us will ever work in this business again. You won’t be able to get a job as a mall security guard by the time the studios done destroying your life.”

“I don’t understand why it’s a big deal.”

“Hollywood is all one big fairy tale, but people want to believe in the fantasy. If they knew the truth, it would ruin all the magic.”

“So… the reason Louis was threatening you is because…?”

“When I first came to Hollywood, I wasn’t willing to do what it takes to become a big star if you know what I mean.” I gave Theo a meaningful look. He looked more confused than ever. “You know what the casting couch is right?”

He stared at me blankly.

“Producers and directors offer roles in exchange for sexual favors. It happens all the time. I’m not willing to go down on some disgusting, sleazy producer for a part, so it’s harder for me to get work. Are you following now?”

I was starting to lose my temper. Talking about Hollywood’s dark underbelly always made me feel like I needed a hot shower. I spent my career on the outer limits of it, watching talented girls with stars in their eyes and dreams of fame fall victim to it. Most of those girls end up washed-up, addicted to drugs and unemployable. It’s beyond sad.

I’ve done what I can to avoid a similar route in life, but temptation is everywhere. In my darker moments, I’ve thought why not? Sleep with a director once, get cast in a Blockbuster movie, win an Oscar, makes millions of dollars, and more. Sounds like a simple trade, right? I could never grow through with it. Shonda did guilt me into entering into a PR relationship with Louis, though.

“But your career is thriving. Your movies are huge hits. Why would you need some agreement to boost your profile? You’re already insanely famous.”

“It’s more complicated than that. I’m only famous because of Louis. When we settled on this arrangement, I was a nobody. He was a huge star with an image problem.”

Louis had been in several fights. He was also haunted by rumors about his sexuality that would not go away.

“He’s gay,” I blurted out.

“What?”

“Louis’s gay, and that’s unacceptable in the public relations world. It’s fucked up, but that’s how it is. Studios are worried that if Louis came out of the closet, it would ruin his brand. He’s hugely popular with teenage girls. They all want to date him, or marry him, or whatever. It’s those girls that go and see his movie again and again. They blow their allowances on merchandise and they spend all day online talking about how hot he is. Louis’s teenage fanbase is a huge source of income for the studios, not to mention all the free press they generate.”

“So, what you’re saying is that if he comes out as gay, it would ruin their fantasy and they’d stop going to see his movies?”

I nodded.

“And that’s the reason why he can’t live his life the way he wants to in public?”

“It’s super fucked up, but that’s the way the studio heads think. All they care about is money.”

“So you pretend to be in love? You pose for the paparazzi and lie to the press about how much you love each other for no other reason than to get good PR for your movies.”

“Yeah,” I said with a shrug. “As soon as I started making public appearances with Louis, my career took off. Our contract lasts for another year. If I don’t fulfill it, I’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

Our PR teams had already orchestrated our break-up. It would happen right before the release of our next movie, that way we would get maximum exposure.

“He’s paying you to pretend to be his girlfriend?”

“Right.”

“I don’t have any feelings for him. And even if I did, well, he’s gay, so nothing could ever come of it.”

I wasn’t sure why it was important that Theo know this. I didn’t want him to think Louis and I were actually in love, or attracted to one another. Theo ran a hand through his hair.

“Why did I ever agree to this?” he said as if thinking out loud. He looked out the window, lost in thought.

“I take this seriously,” I blurted out. “I mean, I know you think I don’t, but I do. I understand how hard you’re working and…”

“This isn’t about me. This is about protecting you. I can’t keep you safe unless you do what I say.”

“I will.”

“You haven’t so far,” he snapped. “You’re spoiled and bratty. You’re used to having fans kiss your ass. I’m not your fan. I was hired to do a job. If you can’t do what I say, then there’s no point to me being here.”

“You’re quitting?”

Theo rolled down the window separating us from the driver. “Pull over,” he ordered. The limo came to an abrupt stop. Theo opened the door and stepped out.

“Wait!” I crawled out of the limo after him. “I need you,” I said pathetically.

Theo stopped in his tracks. He turned to face me. “You need a reality check. You’ve been pampered in Hollywood for too long. This guy is out there, watching, planning. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up-”

“Don’t say it! I don’t want to think about dying.”

“He won’t kill you. He’s going to keep you locked up. You’ll become his new pet.”

I hugged my coat around me. “Please stay, Theo. This is why I need you. No one understands the threat better than you do.”

His expression softened, but stubborn defiance still lingered in his eyes.

“You’re a soldier,” I said. “You’re used to having orders followed. I’m just a celebrity. I’m not used to following commands.”

“To put it mildly,” he replied drily.

“Just give me a chance. I can change. I’ll do whatever you want.”

He frowned, but I could see the resistance breaking down.

“Look, I don’t care about this stupid arrangement you have with your pretend-boyfriend. The two of you can play whatever childish games with the press you want, but if it compromises your safety, then it has to stop.”

“Of course,” I lied. No way could I break my contract with Louis without severe consequences. I’d cross that bridge when I had to. For now, I was focused on keeping Theo around.

“Does that mean you’ll stay?” I asked. I tried to keep the eagerness out of my voice, but I’m not that good of an actress.

He sighed. “Yes.”

Foolishly, I squealed with delight. I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. He stood there stiffly as if he wasn’t interested, but a smile played at the corner of his lips.

“This isn’t professional,” he said drily.

“C’mon,” I said, slapping his ass. “Let’s get back in the limo.”

I didn’t wait for him to respond. I jumped into the limo and hoped he would follow. To my relief, he slid in beside me and slammed the car door shut behind him. I waited for him to tell me not to be so foolish, that I had to treat him with the respect a professional deserved. But all Theo said was: “Drive.”

The limo took off. I suspected Theo liked me more than he was willing to admit. I stared at the side of his face. His profile was meant for the screen. He could have been a movie star if he wanted to. His chiseled jaw and high cheekbones looked like they’d been carved by the gods.

“Why are you staring at me?” Theo said. He kept his gaze on the passing scene outside the window. How did he know I was staring?

“I wasn’t staring,” I lied.

He turned to regard me. I crossed and uncrossed my legs hoping to draw his attention away from my flushed face. He kept his eyes glued on mine. I cleared my throat.

“Look, I know I’m a little spoiled…”

“A little?”

“…but people change. I just want you to know that I’m fully committed.”

I could see the biting mark forming in Theo’s mind. He wanted to say something sarcastic and insulting. He didn’t get a chance. The limo came to a screeching halt. Theo and I tumbled to the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Theo asked the driver.

“This idiot…” he said.

Theo moved to the front of the limo and looked out. A truck had stopped in our path. Its high beams were on, flooding the limo with blinding light. Theo pulled his gun out of his ankle holster.

“Stay here,” he said, exiting the limo.

“But Theo…”

I was suddenly sweaty. What was going on? Was I in danger? Staying low, I crawled to the window and peeked out.

Theo held up his gun as he approached the truck. He shouted something at the driver, but I couldn’t hear him. I didn’t like this at all. The truck’s headlights were blinding. He had no idea what he was walking into. Theo looked back at my driver and motioned for him to leave.

“Go! Go!” he shouted.

My driver put the limo into reverse and floored it. Again I was thrown to the floor. My driver wasted no time fleeing the scene. The limo suddenly stopped. My driver shifted gears and we took off down a back street.

On shaky hands I pushed myself up. I hated leaving Theo behind. It wasn’t right. He was all alone with… what? I had no idea. Was it an innocent mistake or a trap? I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket. My hands trembled so badly that I dropped it. As the driver took another turn, my phone went sliding under the seat.

“Where are we going?” I asked. “Are you taking me back to the hotel?”

The driver didn’t answer. The engine revved as the limo accelerated. I let out a scream as the driver weaved in and out of traffic. We nearly collided with a tractor trailer before he pulled off the highway and onto a side road. Suddenly, we came to a stop. I looked out the windows, but didn’t recognize anything.

“Where are we?” I asked.

Again, I received no answer. The driver turned off the limo and stepped out. Everything was happening so quickly, I could barely process it all. Suddenly, he was opening the car door and pulling me out.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, on the verge of hysteria.

He didn’t respond. He only dragged me away to a waiting car at the side of the road. I punched him in the shoulder, but it did no good. It was like punching the trunk of a tree. He was built solid and strong. I scratched at his face, hoping to claw his eyes out. He backhanded me, knocking me to the ground. My ears rung with the blow. Still, I sensed he was holding back. This man could seriously hurt me if he wanted to.

He picked me up around the waist and threw me into the car’s open trunk. Just as the trunk lid closed I saw headlights emerge behind the driver. Then I was plunged into darkness. I’ve always been afraid of small spaces. I started to hyperventilate. I kicked the trunk lid and punched the walls of the car until my knuckles bled and my nails chipped. Stars danced in front of my eyes. I knew I was on the verge of passing out.

Distantly, I wondered why we weren’t moving. I held my breath and listened. The wind blew, rocking the car roughly. In the distance, I could hear traffic from the highway. Then there was a grunt. I put my ear to the trunk and listened. A loud bang as something crashed against the car made me scream.

“Help me!” I said.

I pounded on the trunk. There was another crash. It sounded as if two people were fighting. Then there was nothing but silence except for the far off droning of traffic.

The trunk popped open. Trembling I pushed myself up on my elbows. Theo stood before me. His eyebrow was split open. Blood ran down his face. I jumped into his arms. I shook so badly I was incapable of walking.

The scene outside the car was a horror show. Blood drops covered the car. The driver laid motionless on the ground.