CHAPTER8
The couch was even more comfortable when snuggled beneath a blanket with a pillow under her head.Derek had lain down on the other side of the L-shape with his own pillow and blanket.She had started on the opposite side, but somehow had ended up with her head in his lap.
Earlier, Derek had shooed her into a shower while he cleaned up the kitchen.He’d taken a quick shower while she made them an easy pasta and chicken dinner.A plate of cookies now sat within arm’s reach on the ottoman.
The movie was one of the action films they both liked; they’d spent the last hour breaking down the different aspects of the story and characters, and Derek explained some of the stunts.As they spoke, Derek had played with her hair, and it was lucky she hadn’t fallen asleep.
The hero of the film pulled off a particularly outrageous stunt that made Abbie cringe.It looked impossible without some sort of rig to help the execution.
“Did you audition for that role?”
“I did, but they obviously passed.It was the right move.”
“I can’t imagine that being true.”She gave him a light tap on the leg.
“I went on to different projects, ones that I wouldn’t have been able to do.I have some fun indie stuff coming out soon.”
“That is pretty exciting.”
“Plus, the studio wanted a huge multi-year commitment.I wasn’t ready to do that.”
“Would you do it now?”
“If they offered me the right part, I’d give it more consideration than I did a few years ago.”
“What changed?”
“The market, and my interest, if I’m being honest.”
Abbie reached for a cookie.“I don’t know if I could be an actress.”
“Why not?”
“The surface of the industry makes it look all glamorous, but it also seems like a lot of rejection.”She blew out a breath.“I don’t think I’d ever be good enough anyway.”
“You can do anything you want.But it is a tough business, that’s for sure.Rejection hurts, even after years of it thickening your skin.”
“How do you deal with it?”Abbie hoped it wasn’t obvious she was asking for herself, not curiosity.
Derek was quiet for a few heartbeats.“I feel it.I let myself feel the hurt for a day or two.Then I try to let it go.Having a good group of friends, both in and out of the industry, helps a lot.They keep my head straight.”
Abbie looked up at him as a pang of jealousy hit her at the mention of his friends.She would only ever get to have this weekend with him.It started to feel like there wasn’t enough time.But that was ridiculous, wasn’t it?It was only ever going to be a weekend.
“I don’t think I could handle all the vitriol that gets tossed around about celebrities.It seems so invasive.”
He sighed.“That’s my least favorite part about my career.I try to be on social media to help bring attention to causes I care about, but the negativity can be overwhelming.”
“I’ve seen fans turn on their favorite actors or musicians who then step back from social media.It’s like – there’s no winning.It’s horrible.”There was no way Abbie could imagine her life constantly under criticism from people all over the country – or even all over the world.She had enough criticism in her life as it was; there was no need to add to it.
“There isn’t.It’s why I’ve stepped back a bit and made the decision forme.That’s all I can do.Everything else is noise.”
Abbie let that thought sink in as she studied him.Derek’s eyes were on the screen, but he still played with her hair.He seemed completely content in the moment, and Abbie had to admit she enjoyed spending time with him outside the bedroom.She was hit with a yearning to know more about him.
If she only had this weekend, she would make the most of it in every way she could.“Is there a role that you wish you had gotten?”
“I try not to dwell on that; being turned down for something stings for a while.”
She bit her lip, another question hanging in her mind.But she wasn’t sure if it was too personal.
