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When Will first started out, he was vilified in the press. He had an attitude and didn’t want to deal with the paps and there were some incidents. He had a chip on his shoulder he had to shake, and it took him a while to learn that if you worked with the sharks rather than against them, they let you know when something big was about to come out and let you get ahead of it.
Adrienne had come to him years ago, desperate and hungry to prove herself in a world full of men. She had uncovered the trailer park childhood that he’d worked so hard to bury, not for himself but for his mother. He could imagine exactly what the sharks would do when they found out that the number one female manager in the biz used to give blowjobs to put food on the table.
But Adrienne had also grown up in a trailer park and was sympathetic, she wanted to warn him it was going to be printed. So Will did the one thing he knew how: he made a deal. If Adri squashed it, then he’d give her every exclusive about him and his family as it came up. He guessed she was calling because he’d been slacking.
“I had to find out from that pig Gary at TMZ that you missed filming? TMZ Will, TM fucking Z and fucking Gary. That was humiliating as shit!” she shouted.
“I’m sorry Adri, honestly it slipped my mind,” he replied smoothly, trying to soothe her ruffled feathers.
“Where are you and why did you miss filming? Are you leaving the show? Finally had enough of playing the villain?”
If only.
“Nah, I came to Citrus Pines for a wedding a few weeks ago and just extended my vacay to spend time with friends. You know how it is.”
She harrumphed, not satisfied with that.
“I promise I’ll tell you when I’m coming back. In the meantime, maybe follow my stepdaddy around, he’s always doing something shady.” Will chuckled to himself.
“Which friends were getting married, anyone I know?”
He realized her killer instinct for a story was perking up. “No, just friends in town, not celebrities.”
“Okay, fine but I’ll be in touch.”
He ended the call, frustration starting to build but he shoved it down. He was in a better situation in life than a majority of people. So he strapped on his big boy positivity pants and started up the car, heading back to the cabin to shower.
*
The next night, Will walked into the bar only to find it completely packed. Beau waved at him from a booth he’d managed to secure.
“What’s going on tonight?” His voice raised over the crowd.
“Taylor’s got some Elvis tribute act on tonight, apparently the guy has drawn a crowd,” Beau replied.
“I’ll say.”
“Have a seat, I’ll grab us a couple of beers. I’ve got connections here,” Beau joked, sliding out of the booth.
“No, gassy, bloaty, remember?”
Beau rolled his eyes again and Will popped him on the shoulder, then out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of familiar short, dark hair. He craned his neck and saw Rebelle, standing behind the bar, looking a little harried as she served customers. Taylor was helping her out and kept darting her encouraging smiles. Rebelle dropped a bottle and it smashed, her terrified eyes swung to Taylor and her brows dipped in. Taylor immediately rushed over and soothed her.
“Actually, I’ll get the drinks, you stay here,” Will said. Beau looked over his shoulder and spotted the object of Will’s attention.
He shook his head. “Don’t let Blake catch you, I don’t wanna plan your funeral.”
“Relax man, I’m just ordering some drinks at the bar. Anyway, I’m going to seeyourwoman, we both know she prefers me.” Will shot Beau a wink before heading to the bar.
A few people tried to get his attention, no doubt wanting a selfie or an autograph or to tell him about their great business venture, but he ignored them. He only had eyes for one person.
He used his height and build to his advantage, pushing through the crowd and waiting until she was ready to serve him. She turned those gumdrop eyes on him which widened impossibly when she realized who was towering over her.
He arched a brow, stooping down to her height. “Shall we talk about the fact that you called the sheriff on me?”
*
Rebelle’s throat dried at his words and she braced herself. She expected him to be angry but as she looked into his enchanting eyes, they sparkled playfully and she could hear the teasing lilt to his deep voice.
