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On one hand, the thought of starring opposite Brandy Hill in any kind of movie, let alone a fucking romance, makes my stomach turn. On the other, it could very well be the thing that opens up the doors that have remained firmly closed between me and just about every director and producer in Hollywood.
I mean, fuck, I know I can be a pain in the ass, but this is Hollywood. Everyone is a pain in the ass.
“When does he need my answer?”
“Today.”
“So that’s the explanation for you showing up here at the ass crack of dawn.”
“It’s nearly ten-thirty.” She glances down at the watch on her wrist.
“Yeah, ass crack.” I relax back into the couch cushions.
“So, what do you think?”
“How much is he paying me?” I turn my head from one side to the other, cracking my neck.
“Four million.”
“Four million?” I cough out. “Are you fucking kidding? I made three times that on the last movie I shot.”
“The last movie you shot had a much higher budget and was a major film. Plus your situation has changed since then. Or do you not remember the article the director gave toVogueafter working with you?”
“How could I not remember? Pretty sure that asshole is the one that got me into this mess.”
“That asshole?” she barks. “It wasn’t just him, Trey. Every director you’ve worked with, and half your costars, have complained about working with you in interviews. Hell, at this point, you’re lucky to even have someone offering you a role, let alone paying you four million.” She shifts in her chair. “Besides, it’s not like you need the money. This is about getting you back out there. Making a few million while you’re at it should be icing on the cake.”
“I’d be a lot more agreeable if Brandy wasn’t doing this movie,” I needlessly say.
“If I remember right, you’ve starred opposite a few actresses that you weren’t very fond of.”
“And look how that turned out. They turn around and fucking hate on me every chance they get.”
“That’s because you don’t know when to bite your fucking tongue. Sometimes you have to grin and bear it, no matter how much you don’t like it.” She stands. “Take me for example. Do you think I wanted to get up on my day off to come here and argue with you?” She crosses her arms. “Do you think I like dealing with you when you’re having a bad day or aren’t willing to do something that you need to do and I have to force you? Do you think I like babysitting you all the time? Or cleaning up your messes when you lose your temper and do something stupid?”
“Fuck, alright.Alright. Point made.” I throw my hands up in the air.
“If I can deal with your moody ass on a daily basis, you can deal with Brandy for a few short weeks.”
“There’s one big difference though. You like me, despite everything. I, however, do not like her.”
“Well, if you want to get back to doing what you love, you better do what you do best.” She squares her shoulders. “Act. Act like you like her. Act like you’re happy to be there. Act like what she did to you means nothing and you’re so far beyond the past that it’s laughable. Even if you’re miserable, act like you aren’t. That is, after all, why you’re paid millions.”
“Fuck, you’re annoying.”
“You mean I’m annoying when I’m right. Then again, that’s whyyoupayme, is it not?” She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “Now, can I tell Harold you’ll take the role?”
I scrub my hands down my face, groaning audibly.
Why, all of the sudden, does it feel like I can’t make any decision for myself? I had no say in this stupid scheme with Clarke. Now, I’m being forced to accept a role opposite a person who makes me want to gouge my eyes out so I don’t have to look at her.
My life has never felt more out of control than it does in this moment.
I feel like I’m on a carnival ride spinning so fast that it makes me nauseous.
“Fine,” I grumble, knowing that, while Kat is pretending to give me a choice, she’s really not. If she was, she would have accepted my refusal the first twenty times.
I’m guessing she would have let me refuse maybe one more time before she put her foot down. She’s tired of my shit, of this she’s made perfectly clear. I’m at the point now where I do what Kat says, or she walks. And if that happens, I really will be fucked. Reputation and all.
