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Cade smirks. "Now, now. It’s what you want, too, which is why you've been chasing the top spot in Hollywood all these years. And it’s not about the money, considering how loaded your folks are."
"You’re right. It was never only about the money. Although, I prefer to be independent and support my lifestyle without drawing on my father’s wealth. There’s a different feeling when you spend your own money. It’s about—"
"Don’t say creative satisfaction. The three of us know that’s what’s driving you to see yourself on the big screen."
"Creative satisfaction. What’s that?" I drum my fingers on my chest. "I’m not naive enough to believe I can follow my heart’s desire and also make it to the top of the food chain."
"And that’s more important?" Knight sets his jaw.
"You mean being number one? Of course it is," I snap at the same time that Cade says, "You bet your balls it is."
Knight’s lips thin. "You wankers have got it all wrong."
"Your morality compass is on a different level, Knight. You believe in the power of right. That good always prevails. That doing the right thing pays dividends." Cade hunches his shoulders. "At least you still have a conscience, which is more than I can say for the two of us fuckers."
"It’s how I’m wired. It’s why I joined the army," Knight confesses.
"And we count on you to hold onto your path." I quirk my lips. "Between Cade and me, we have enough transgressions; we need you to balance out the scales."
"Whoa, hold on. You’re making me sound like a saint."
"Compared to the two of us, I reckon you are." Cade laughs.
"You two give me too much credit. You have no idea how many times I question why I took this route." A haunted look comes into his eyes. "Some of the things I’ve seen here would…"
"Surely, give us nightmares. And yet, you persist. Damn, if I don’t have the utmost respect for that, too." I tip my chin.
"When you’re in it every day, it doesn’t feel like a path to be respected or that it’s right. There are enough moments where I’m in a grey area, when my sanity takes a beating and I wish I were a hundred miles away. And then, something else happens, and it makes everything worthwhile." His features soften.
"I wish you could share more with us. It’s crazy you’re not allowed to talk about what you go through."
"They do have shrinks for that," he replies and tilts his head. A beeping sound starts up on his side. "Guess my time's up—" He blows out a breath. "I need to get on."
Cade jerks his chin. "Anytime you need to talk, bro, you know where to find me." He raises his middle finger at the screen. "Also, before I forget, congratulations Mr. Action Hero."
"You follow the entertainment news?" I ask, taken aback.
"Uh…" He reddens. "I might have an online alert on your name for industry news."
"Aww, should I be touched?" I blow him a kiss.
"Fuck you, too, asshole. You take care of yourself, Knight." His screen goes blank.
"Cocky wankface. He’s going to take a hit one of these days, and then things will never be the same." I scoff.
"Pot, kettle, and all that." Knight touches his fingers to his forehead. "I gotta go. Talk next week?"
He signs off. I toss back the rest of the coffee, then place it on the counter. I head back into the stateroom, take a quick shower, then pull up the script I need to memorize before I land in LA.
A secret no one tells you about actors? It helps if you can speed read, and even more, if you have a near photographic memory. The first I’ve learned, the second I’ve cultivated, and it’s especially helpful when it comes to remembering fight choreography. It’s amazing what the human mind can do when you set your mind to it. For the next few hours, I focus on the script and have memorized another hundred pages when the pilot announces we’re landing. A sensation very much like happiness fills my chest.
Los Angeles has always been a pit-stop, a place to sleep in between shoots, somewhere to call a base because it's convenient since it’s where the Hollywood decision-makers are based. This is the first time I can remember, I’m actually happy to be here and looking forward to going home. Home? Because she’s here.
I rub my temple. There’s no cause for this sense of anticipation that fills me. Nope, it’s not about her. It’s not. I’m just exhausted and looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. That’s all it is.
The jet taxies to a stop. I head down the stairway and toward where my car is waiting. The person standing next to it is someone I don’t recognize.
"Where’s Rick?" I scowl.
