Disconnected (9 page)

             
"The girls are planning on coming to the set today, right?" Scott asks scooting into the chair next to mine.

             
I nod taking a drink from a water bottle. "Yep, some time this afternoon after their classes are done for the day."

             
He nods. "Good. I really want to make up for last week. I want her to be my official girlfriend." He looks around at all the people walking by. "She's really gotten under my skin."

             
I laugh and shake my head. "I can tell. And for what it's worth, I'm glad."

             
He smirks, "Me too."

             
"So what's the plan for this morning anyways? I haven't seen much of Mr. Johnson."

             
"I'm not sure. But uh, just a heads up, I heard that Alexia is in a major mood today. All over any man that passes her by, and just all together creepier than normal."
              I sigh running a hand through my hair. "Great. I'll make sure to avoid her."

              A couple hours later, I get a text from Katy saying they will be here soon and smile to myself. I can't wait to see her again. I really want to convince her to come back to L.A with me, but I think it'll be a hard sell. She has so much of a life here with her schooling and Krista and unfortunately the old boyfriend, Lucas. I shake myself out of my thoughts; I don't want to think about him. He knows where Katy and I stand now; I don't think he's much of a threat anymore.

             
Scott jogs up to me holding his phone. "Krista says they'll be here soon."

             
"Just got the same message from Katy," I smile. "Want to go wait for them with me?"

             
"Yeah, sure." 

             
Before we get very far, a bunch of make-up people and wardrobe people come and surround us.

             
"So sorry, Mr. Warren and Mr. Adams, Mr. Johnson has asked us to make sure all four of the main characters are fresh."

             
"Well, we're about to head towards the front anyways, can you come with us that way?" I ask.

             
"Yes." One of the make-up people says and as we start walking Alexia comes to join us dressed in tiny jean shorts and a tank top bouncing as she goes and smiles widely when she sees me.

             
"Liam, you look really sexy today." She looks me up and down, "All the better for our scene today."

             
I cringe. Nothing would make me happier than not having to touch her ever again, even if it's in a professional setting. Her obsession with me is about on my last nerve.

             
Our other co-star Aria soon joins us as we turn around a corner towards the main set. And then I see Katy and start to smile until my eyes hit on someone else there with her and Krista. Lucas. Why the hell is he here? I glare and clench my hands into fists. This won't end well. 

             
I catch Katy's eyes again and crook my finger at her to get her to walk to me.

             
"Yes?" She asks putting on her most innocent face while she grabs a hold of my hand. 

             
"What the hell is he doing here?" I ask through clenched teeth. 

             
"He's my friend and I invited him, and you are not allowed to be angry about that."

             
I raise an eyebrow, really? She expects me to not be angry she brought her ex-boyfriend with her, a guy that she dated for almost two years and was in love with, and I'm not supposed to be mad?

             
"Oh, I'm not. And why is that?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest.

             
"Because you have me now, and if you play your cards right, forever. So be nice."

             
Yeah, being nice is so an option. I narrow my eyes towards Lucas and as Katy turns to walk back that way I grab her and kiss her deeply holding her tightly against me. I'm claiming her. She is mine and I want everyone, especially him, to know it. 

             
When she pulls back from me she has to catch her breath. “What was that for?”

             
I grin and kiss her one last time, “Just showing everyone that you’re mine.”

             
She rolls her eyes and shoves my shoulder and I pretend she actually knocked me off balance. “Unnecessary. Does that mean I can pull you out in front of a group of your adoring fan girls and kiss you senseless?”

             
I raise an eyebrow, my kisses make her senseless. Mmm, I like that. "Senseless, huh?" I whisper and pull her closer as I start trailing tiny kisses along her neck. 

She lets out a soft sigh before shaking herself out of it.
 “There are like a thousand people all around us right now, Liam.”

I laugh and tuck a stray hair behind her ear.
 “I could always take you back to my trailer, baby. No one could disturb us there.” I grin mischievously at her. That would definitely be a good plan right about now.

Katy just shakes her head at me and I watch her brown hair swish back and forth.
 “As tempting as that sounds, you have a job to do.” She gives me a look then a quick kiss before pulling me towards the group of people that contain Krista, Scott, and Lucas and to my dismay, Alexia. 

I go stand over to the side and keep my hands gripped in fists watching Alexia interact with Katy. I don't want them in the same place, much less standing that close to each other and talking.
 

Alexia saunters over towards me with a smug smile on her face. The next thing I know she has her hand on me and s
tarts tracing her fingers south, "Oh, really nice to see you again too, Katy. We get to shoot a very hot love scene today. I have to go to wardrobe and get my lingerie. Black silk; Liam's favorite."

I growl and shove her away. My whole body is on edge until she waves and walks away.

"I wish I never touched that woman. She makes my life a living hell!" I clench my jaw. "I'm this close to speaking with the director. She may be a woman, but she sexually harasses me all the time."

"She doesn't seem that bad," Lucas says from beside Katy and earns dirty looks from everyone.

"What? She's just...flirty," He says shaking his head. 

"She's creepy," Katy says shaking her head.
 "Do you really have to do a love scene with her today?" She asks scrunching up her nose.

"Unfortunately, a
fter this, I'm turning down any project that even has a mention of her name on it." I sigh. Alexia used to be nice enough, and she is a really good actress. But she has stepped over one too many lines and I can't be waiting on the other end of those lines anymore. I can only hope there's someone else out there that she'll set her sights on.

 
"Sounds like a good plan," Katy says as she hugs me. I squeeze her tight and just enjoy the moment until Mr. Phillips walks over and interrupts it.

Katy wishes me luck and kisses my cheek before turning and going to the sidelines away from the main set and Krista dutifully follows behind her, tugging Lucas with them. I keep an eye on him, I really don't want him being all buddy, buddy with Katy. I glare in his direction. Alexia skips her way over but stops to wave and blow a kiss towards Lucas. Rolling my eyes I turn my attention back towards the director as he gives us directions for the scenes. Alexia sidles up next to me and I discreetly go on the other side of Mr. Johnson.
 

I look over at Katy and smile when I catch her watching me and blow her a kiss. She smiles back at me and acts like she catches it. That used to be our thing when I was on stage. I'd blow her a kiss at the end of a show. I'm sure all those other girls probably thought I was aiming it at them, but those are reserved for my Katy, always.
 

"Ok everybody, ready?"
 

As I'll ever be, I think taking a deep breath and making myself mentally prepared to be up close and personal with Alexia in a minute.
 

I walk over to my mark and Alexia adjusts her skimpy little robe so she has plenty of skin showing and smiles over at me as she goes to her spot.
 

"Action!" is yelled and I slip into the mind of my character. I'm not me and she isn't Alexia anymore. We're two totally different people. I stride towards her and rip away the robe and lift her easily into my arms and press her up against a wall and then just as quickly I hear, "Cut!"

I drop Alexia inelegantly and hurry over to Katy's side. I can't imagine that was fun to watch for her.

"Hey baby, you ok?" I ask pulling her closer.

"Yeah, I'm good. You did a really good job." She puts on a smile and I frown at how fake it is. She's really not ok. Maybe this wasn't a great day for her to visit.

"Don't believe her, Liam. She's freaking out on the inside." Krista glares putting her hands on her hips.

"I'm fine, really."

"No, you're not. I can see it in your eyes, Katy. I don't want you to have to feel uncomfortable."

"Well let's see, would you be comfortable if you had to watch her kiss me?" Lucas pipes in and I step closer tightening my muscles up with each step. "Try it and find out."

"Hey! Ok, that's it. We're leaving, now, ok? No fights. I just wanna go home."

Home. Yes, we need to go home, together. I smile. "You know what? That's exactly where we need to go."

She gives me a curious look.
 

 
"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"We need to go home, w
here both our families are. They don't know yet we're working things out right? If we go home, we can be away from the madness for a little while and just be with family."

"What about your movie stuff though?" She asks and she seems to be thinking it over.

"This is our last shoot. I get some time off before my next project. See if you can get your class work for the next two weeks and come home with me, baby."

"I...I don't know, Liam."

"Think about it, ok? I'll call you tonight and if you decide it's a go, I'll call and make the reservations."

She nods and looks over at her friends before standing on her tip toes to kiss
 my cheek but I quickly turn my head to get her lips instead and smile down at her.

 
"Ok, I think it's time for us to head out. I'll talk to you later." She fidgets with her hair glancing at a perturbed looking Lucas. 

"Think about it," I whisper by her ear and tuck a loose strand of hair back.

"I will, I promise." She squeezes my hand.

"I love you, Katy." I sigh and lean down to kiss her forehead.

She smiles softly and beams up at me. "I love you too, Liam."

Chapter 11

             
My eyes widen when I hear those words, and a grin breaks across my face. She really does still love me.

             
"I never thought I'd hear those words out of your mouth again," I tell her in disbelief.

             
She just laughs. "Well, now you have."

              I shake my head, watching the three of them leave together. I was so scared this relationship was too fragile, but I think I've wormed my way back in to her heart-hopefully to stay.

             
"Liam, would you mind coming to watch this footage?" Mr. Johnson yells over to me.

             
"Oh, yeah...sure, no problem," I walk over and sit in a chair next to him and sigh, watching the scene we just shot mixed with some other ones we shot previously.

             
Scott walks over and sits next to me. "Having fun yet?"

             
"Oh yeah, loads of it," I roll my eyes. "Did you get called over to watch footage too?"

             
He nods, "Yep. Apparently Mr. Johnson is very particular about how his shots are, and if something isn't the way he envisioned he will make us do a re-shoot." He runs his hands through his dark hair and sighs.

             
"Are Aria and Alexia nearby?" Mr. Johnson asks.

             
"I'm right here!" Aria pipes in and sits across from us. "Sorry, had to get out of that bikini. Lounge wear is more my thing." She smiles over at the director.

             
"Yes, that's fine." He frowns looking around us. "Where is Alexia?" He motions for his assistant to come over. "I need Ms. Dalton brought around right away. I want her to see these shots along with her co-stars."

             
"Yes, sir," he mumbles, and takes off at a jog to Alexia's trailer.