Typecast (14 page)

“I got the scoop on how Logan never saw his movie all the way through.” Again, she went with not telling Craig she also got the scoop on how he kissed or that he felt her up. Some things were better left off the record. “I also think I’m doing much better in front of the camera.” With Logan holding her hand under the table and playing with her fingers, she sort of forgot about the camera.

“All right.” Her boss’s tone was completely flat.

“The story is building. I’m seeing Erin Holland in a few minutes.” She looked up at the hotel where the meeting was set. Since she’d lived in Los Angeles her whole life, she never needed to stay in a hotel, but the one for their interview had a definite reputation for being a Hollywood hangout. Her chest constricted, and she inhaled as Logan taught her. Holding Logan’s hand in his brother’s bar and an interview with Erin at a famous hotel were two different things.

“Well, let’s dig a little deeper than movie screenings and bar openings.”

“I need to go in. Everyone else is already here.” The cameraman had showed up a while ago to set up the shot and Logan had texted saying he’d arrived early. When he met her he was late, but she wasn’t Erin Holland, the superstar. She wished Wilson were filming. At least he fit in her comfort zone . . . sort of.

“Go break a leg and maybe dress a bit more conservatively.”

“It wasn’t underwear.” She waved her hand in front of her face in an unsuccessful attempt to cool down, then hung up and straightened her outfit. In keeping with her 1980s theme, she opted for a dark gray power-skirt suit, complete with a bow at the collar and shoulder pads. Her cell phone vibrated, and she glanced at the messages, expecting to find Logan. Instead, she got two texts from the two big M’s in her life—her mother and Matt.

Confirming you and Matt are coming to the Palm Springs house for the weekend.

She wrinkled her nose. In all the insanity, she had sort of forgotten about the weekend, and Matt had neglected to remind her like normal, or maybe he had. Since he’d left her apartment, she and Matt had texted, but not much else. Logan seemed to take over everything, oozing into each one of her pores. At her parents house, only talk of her career and stage fright would ensue unless she took a man with her, in which case the discussion would turn to settling down. The entire visit would consist of her ducking and dodging from the onslaught of questions, and she never looked good in sporting attire. Rather than answer, she clicked on Matt’s message.

Good luck with the big interview today. Looking forward to tonight. Let’s get some work done and talk about moving forward.

She bit her lip. With Logan and her interview, she couldn’t go look at spreadsheets or have a talk about moving forward.

Who was she kidding? She was hoping Logan asked her out. The same reason she conveniently forgot the trip.

For the better part of the night, she had tossed and turned thinking about the interview, but mostly about Logan. After their so-called infomercial, Giselle and Wilson had disappeared while she and Logan had shared another helping of that delectable chicken. They had ended up pretty much making out in the little booth, after which, only to prove her point, she ended it and went home, leaving him glassy eyed and in need. Maybe points weren’t meant to be proven. Even an icy cold shower didn’t help her.

Out of time to stew about her stalled sex life and with the shakes starting, she lifted her head. With the influence and history her power suit demanded, she marched through the huge glass doors of the hotel, allowing the staff to bow in her wake. She made her way out to the huge pool where she would meet Erin in a private cabana.

She spotted one among the matching yellow-and-white-striped tent tops with people gathering, and Ivy made her way around the pool.

The actress’s distinctive laugh echoed out from the curtains and a smile took over Ivy’s face. While Logan may be the crush, Erin represented the aspiration, the star, the success, the personification of the woman every other woman wanted to become. She tiptoed over to the cabana and peeked inside.

“There she is.” In a plush yellow chair, Logan let go of a woman’s hand and stood.

Wait. Stop. Rewind. He let go of Erin’s hand. A burning nausea rolled through her. Why was he holding it in the first place?

In what Ivy would describe as a chaise lounge, Erin reclined like an old-fashioned Hollywood starlet in a sheer white robe, showing off her legs and her curves. Her blonde hair was pulled back to highlight an elegant face with big blue eyes, heart-shaped lips, and a perky little nose. Twenty years might have passed since the movie, but her age didn’t keep up with her. Even poolside, she came complete with every accessory, including stilettos, a pair of well-known designer earrings, and a glass of water in her hand with floating fruit.

Suddenly Ivy’s suit and the shoulder pads squeezed in on her, as if she had become bloated in an instant, and she longed for some of the water sans the macerated fruit. She swore the small space shrank further.

He reached his hand out to her, the same hand that had held Erin’s. “Ivy, I would like you to meet someone who needs no introduction.”

Her cheeks heated to the point of blistering, but she cemented a smile on her face nonetheless. In all truth, she had no right to be jealous. “It’s an honor to meet you.” She came forward, but caught her shoe on the edge of the chaise and tripped.

“Oh!” Erin let out a little squeal.

Logan caught her. “Careful, babe.”

She found her footing. “Thanks.” In case Erin didn’t hear, Logan had called her
babe
.

Still keeping hold of her, Logan placed her in the seat he’d previously occupied and went and sat at the other side of Erin.

“Wren, I would like you to meet Ivy Vermont from Chargge.com.” He motioned toward her and winked.

Wren? A nickname? Ivy tried to show no emotion. She didn’t have a nickname. Well, he did call her babe. It would work for now. She held her breath, waiting for Erin to acknowledge her.

After not only a pregnant pause, but a pause that definitely needed to take a trip to the maternity ward, Erin turned to her. “Logan told me you studied us in college. Isn’t that interesting?”

“Well, I did study
Hollywood Stardust
as part of my master’s thesis.” She sat up as straight as she did the day she sat among her professors defending her work.

Silence.

Both she and Erin turned to Logan.

He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled a cigarette out of his pack. After taking his time to put the cigarette in his mouth, he motioned for them to go ahead. “Don’t think about the camera.” She knew he said that for her benefit. Erin lived in front of a camera. “Just talk, make conversation—the video will take care of itself.”

He never lit the damn thing. The man didn’t smoke. He simply carried cigarettes around with him. She promised the next time she saw Logan with a cigarette she would pull out a book of matches and call his bluff.

“I’m not saying a word on the record until someone adjusts that light.” Erin pointed to a lamp in the corner. “It’s in my eyes making my pupils look small.”

The cameraman reached over and turned the light. Nothing changed, but Erin gave him one nod.

“Okay.” Erin lifted her glass. “You know I specifically asked for raspberries, not blueberries.”

All Ivy wanted was to give her a raspberry, but she held her tongue, not wanting to insult her favorite fruit.

“I think you’ll live through it.” Logan patted her leg.

“I suppose I have no choice.” The star sipped her drink and slowly faced her.

Like the first time she’d interviewed Logan, her throat went dry, but rather than try to rush, she took a breath and sat back. “You haven’t spoken about
Hollywood Stardust
in twenty years. Why not?”

Erin didn’t as much stare at her, as she stared beyond her. “I didn’t want to only be known as Roxy. When you play such a role, it’s easy to never escape it.”

With no point asking about the sequel after Erin’s answer, she continued, wondering what it would be like to be able to pick and choose roles, and have the world at her beck and call. “So both you and Ryder made the conscious decision not to talk about the movie, ever?” Her voice came out much terser than intended.

Erin jutted her jaw out. “We share an agent, so it’s not strange we received the same advice.”

Logan narrowed his eyes.

“I guess that it must be nice having Logan as the spokesperson for you all.” She swallowed to hold back the rest of the statement. Of all of them, Logan, the one who was arrested, the one who was blamed for the cancellation of the sequel, even the one who never saw his own movie, was the least likely choice for a mouthpiece.

“Well, he offered the most controversy and has the most to say. I think it’s perfectly fitting.” Erin smiled and gave a quick peek back at Logan.

Logan didn’t move, his stance tight as if ready to spring into action at any second.

“Then you have all remained friends all these years?” Her voice shook. Every word she spoke seemed like it was undergoing microscopic scrutiny.

Erin’s complexion paled. “Logan, Ryder, and I have always been close.”

The moment naturally opened up for a question about Drew. Her body mimicked her voice and she trembled.

Logan sat up.

She played with the bow tied way too tight at her neck. One decision ahead of her with two outcomes—go to work tomorrow or basically quit tonight. If she asked the question, she would lose Logan for sure, but if she lost her job, Logan would probably go with it. Still, she needed Logan if she kept her job. Actually, she wanted Logan, or maybe she needed him.

She sighed and wiped her brow. “Tell us a juicy tidbit. What was it like to be the center of affection between those two costars? Was it only on-screen?” Though she asked the question, the sick, sinking sensation in her chest told her she didn’t really want the answer.

“It was magic.” Finally, Erin looked her in the eye. “When you’re so young and there are all these beautiful almost-men around you, it’s magic.”

Logan turned away.

Erin reached forward and grabbed her hand. In fact, her whole demeanor changed. “I was the only girl on the main cast, and sometimes when we were shooting and on tour, it was hard to tell where the movie ended and where our real lives began.”

Back in the day, rumors of hook ups and break ups peppered the tabloids, but the confirmation made a vile metallic taste take over her mouth.

Out of nowhere, Erin’s eyes glossed over with tears. “Everyone but Drew.”

Drew? Ivy froze, bit her tongue, and waited. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Logan squeeze his hand into a fist.

“Drew always knew where everything stood. Knew I would never choose him because I couldn’t.” Erin put down her glass of water and dabbed the corner of her eye. “I miss him. There was so much pressure to choose.”

“Choose?” Ivy’s voice came out ragged, and her word hung in the air.

The cabana fell silent.

Erin inhaled. The faraway, mournful expression vanished as she transformed into cunning actress Ivy walked in on. A smile grew across her face. “Through the years, we tried, but it was never right. They wanted me to be with the good boy and we never overcame it. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different. The bad boys are the most fun.”

Logan crossed his arms.

Everyone’s life had one of those moments. The second one thought they would be chosen for an award, or won something, and then realized they’d lost, yet they still needed to keep a straight face. With sweat running down her spine and nausea creeping up on her in record speed, this was one of her moments. She would label it the time where she found out her crush slept with his costar and continued to for twenty years. At least her stage fright had been replaced with something much more useful . . . anger.

Maybe they lived out the sequel every day and laughed at how they had turned her into a pile of mush. Maybe that’s why he didn’t make love to her. Actors lived in a different world. While kissing might be fine as long as they were playacting, sex was not an act.

“There’s probably a reason no one is ever with the bad boy.” The word’s exited her mouth and hung there like a cartoon bubble.

Logan turned and stared her down.

“So true.” Erin laughed. “So true.”

Only sheer will and the fear, not of the camera, but of utter embarrassment, forced her not to stand up and leave. But she could end the fiasco. “Before we end, tell me, since this is the first time you are talking about the movie in public, what is something you have been longing to tell us?”

Erin leaned forward. “I loved Roxy and I envied her. I’m thrilled another generation will get to watch her.”

“Cut!” Logan shot up out of the chair. “Ivy, there are some things we need to review.”

“I can’t thank you enough. I’ve always wanted to meet you.” She let go of Erin’s hand and got up as well, but didn’t acknowledge her cohost. “I need to leave.”

“That’s it?” Erin looked between her and Logan.

“I have to run, but I’ll make sure Logan tells you when your interview goes live.” Any excuse would be a lie.

“Wait.” Erin held one finger up and took a little card off the table. “Here’s my e-mail. Logan always forgets to call unless he wants something.”

“I understand.” She took the card. “You have a Chargge e-mail.” Long ago Chargge.com became one of the go-to email providers for those on the go. Just about everyone had one or ten accounts to their name, why not Erin Holland?

“That’s my personal e-mail. Had it for years. Don’t share it.” Erin picked up her glass. “I should have offered you something to drink.”

“Ivy,” Logan growled.

“Thank you anyway. I need to get back to the office. I have to leave to go out of town.” She picked up her bag and rushed out, pretty sure she would end up right in the swimming pool.

Pure dumb luck on her side, she managed not to trip on anything, knock down anything, or destroy anything on her quest to get out of the hotel. Her heart throbbing from exertion and disappointment, her throat on fire and needing moisture, she made it all the way into the lobby before she had no choice but to stop and take a breath. She braced herself on her knees.