Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Unless you wanted to go the prime-time type of interview, in which case we can look elsewhere,” Gideon suggests.
I raise my hand. “I vote for late-night. It would be less stuffy and serious than something prime-time.”
“I agree,” Harley says. “We want it to be a big deal, but we don’t want to make a big deal of it, if that makes sense.”
“Normalize it,” Denver agrees.
“Then we’re in agreement?” Gideon asks. There are rounds of agreements all around. “I’ll get on it.”
He exits the room to make some phone calls.
“Okay, next thing.” Harley turns to Jordan and me. “Does it look like your film will wrap on time? I want to shoot and edit the video as fast as possible so we can drop it the same time as the single. Then it will be interview, tour dates announced, and then full speed ahead to finish the album before we leave for the tour.”
“We’re on schedule. Well, the already altered schedule, but yes. We only have about a week left.”
Jordan’s hand tightens on my hip. “A week where we should probably still keep our distance on set. Let everything with Ben fall to shit when you do the interview.”
I hate it, but I agree with him. “Yeah, I’d rather it happen where I didn’t have to see him every day.”
“What an asshole,” Mason mutters.
“Yep,” Jordan and I say in unison.
Only one more week of having to deal with him. At least until the press tour when the movie comes out.
We can make it one week.
We can’t make it one week. Jordan and I are keeping it professional, as painful as it is, but it’s like Ben can sense that we’re together because he’s scrutinizing us more and more each day. Or I’m being paranoid, one or the other. Maybe I’m not acting miserable enough. Last week, I was miserable, so I guess I was more believable than the forced longing looks I’m sending Jordan. Though the longing is real.
He stayed over the night he came to Denver and Mason’s, but we agreed to play it cool. Only for one more week.
I already miss him, but in a weird way, I cherish the feeling. I’ve never actually missed anyone before. Not on this level. It’s new, and I kind of hope it lingers enough for me to remember what it feels like to miss someone with my entire being. It somehow cements that my feelings for Jordan aren’t temporary.
In between scenes where the crew is setting up for the next shot, Jordan disappears to his trailer, and it’s way too tempting to follow him. I almost do it until I look around and spot Ben watching me.
So instead of heading for the trailers, I go get some food.
I’m in the middle of shoving a cookie in my mouth when I turn and almost run into Ben.
“Fuck.” I spray chocolate chip cookie everywhere.
“I heard about the studio recasting Coby Godspeed.”
“Mm, I bet you did.”
Ben cocks his head. “It’s a shame. You play dumb action hero really well.”
Apparently, my eyes don’t listen when I tell them not to roll back. “Plenty more roles in the sea … or fish. Whatever that phrase is. I wouldn’t know. I’m too dumb.”
“Are there, though?”
“It’s really sweet you’re worried about my career, but I have it handled.” More than you’d know, asshole.
“You might, but does Jordan?”
Okay, now he’s pissing me off. He couldn’t be any more transparent if he tried.
I grit my teeth and try to keep my cool because the last thing I need is more tabloid drama. I can see the headlines now: Blake Monroe Punches Director On Set.
“Listen,” I say, proud my tone is calm. “I know what you’re doing. For whatever reason, you don’t want Jordan to be happy or successful. You think you made him, which also gives you the impression you’re allowed to destroy him. I don’t know why you have the need to make everyone feel inferior to your ‘greatness’”—the air quotes make him flinch—“but it won’t work with me. So go ahead and threaten all you want. Call around to your friends who do your bidding because they’re scared they’ll be next on your hit list, but remember that eventually, everyone in this industry will realize exactly what you’re like. They might be quiet now out of fear, but nothing in this town stays a secret forever. All you need is one person to speak out against you, and they’ll all fall like dominoes. Really think about who you’re threatening right now.”
With each word, Ben’s face falls a little more and more.
“I’m not Jordan. I’ve had two successful careers in LA, and I’m not in the same position as he is where everything is on the line. If you hate me, come after me. Don’t be a coward and pick the easy target, and don’t emotionally manipulate your ex purely because your ego was crushed that he wasn’t pining for you after you made the stupidest mistake by cheating on him.”