I drop down onto the comfy, grey couch and pull out my phone. I call my brother over video chat and smile when his wife’s face appears with a wide grin. “What’s up, Hot Shot Movie Star?” Shelby greets.
“You better not be calling another man hot, my little muse.” I hear my brother call out. Shelby rolls her eyes then yelps and throws my brother a disgruntled frown but her face flushes red. I wrinkle my nose, not wanting the image of my brother spanking his wife in my head. He leans in and whispers something, making her blush deepen.
“Later, Austin,” she squeaks before disappearing off the screen.
Theo watches her go with an expression that makes me envious. He and his wife are crazy about each other, disgustingly so sometimes. I’m beyond thrilled to see my brother so happy and Shelby is perfect for him, but it reminds me that I’m going home to a cold empty house and a cold empty bed tonight.
“What’s up?” he asks when I have his attention once again. Something in my expression must clue him in because he guesses, “Tyson’s still harassing you over those scripts?”
“I promised him I’d read them just to get his panties untwisted,” I grumble. “He seems to think my career is going to begin sliding downhill if I don’t loosen up.”
His brows rise. “Are you considering it?”
I immediately shake my head. “No.”
Theo nods approvingly. “Good. I think you’d always regret it.”
“What’s weird though, is he specifically told me to take a look at the actress they want to cast in the lead for one of them.” I scratch my chin and lean back into the cushions.
“I agree, it’s odd. But you know Ty, he wouldn’t ask without a reason. I suggest you just do what he asks and get it over with.”
I sigh and roll my suddenly stiff shoulders. “Maybe you should send me my own singing telegram,” I joke. My brother met his wife when I had a service send him a singing telegram. He is a world-renowned composer and was in a slump. I teased that he needed a muse. Turned out, I was right. He always says that the moment he met her, he heard music and fell in love.
Theo’s expression darkens. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I made sure they are no longer in business.” I should’ve figured. The owner had been a sleaze ball who treated his girls almost like he was their pimp.
“Good move.” I groan dramatically. “I guess, I better get to it.”
Theo rolls his eyes. “I don’t know why anyone would want a diva like you in their movie anyway.”
“Because I’m so pretty,” I say with a wink and grin. “Just ask your wife.” I hang up immediately. Theo is going to kick my ass the next time I see him, but it’s totally worth it.
Someone knocks on my door and I yell for them to come in. It’s my assistant Benny. “They’re running behind and want to reschedule your scene for tomorrow morning. You’ve got your evening free.”
Great, now I have zero excuses for getting out of reading this shit. I thank Benny and get my stuff together before heading home. I take the scenic route to my house in Malibu. It’s out on the beach in a quiet neighborhood and not too far from my brother’s place. Although he lives on so much land it’s like being in the middle of nowhere and that’s a little too much solitude for me.
Once I park my Bugatti Veyron in the garage, I walk into the kitchen and grab a beer before heading out to the deck on the back of the house, taking the scripts with me. I stretch out on one of the loungers and listen to the sounds of the ocean.
Figuring it’s time to bite the bullet, I pick up the top script from the table beside me and it’s The First Time. I flip to the back and see the list of characters with the names of the actors for the roles they’ve already cast, as well as suggestions for those they haven’t.
The female lead, Jillian, has a list of possible names. The first is Nicole Callahan. Beautiful name.
There are always new actresses coming on the scene and it’s impossible to keep up with them all. But, the second I read her name, I knew this one was special. I don’t know why. Something inside me has to know more about her.
I run inside and grab my laptop then return to my seat outside. One quick email and a few minutes later, I have her CV and audition tape.
Nicole Emily Callahan
Age: 18
Height: 5’3”
Weight: 106 lbs.
Body Type: Petite, dancer
Hair Color: Blonde
Hair Length: Long
Eyes: Blue
I’m shocked when my body begins to react to the picture I’ve created in my head. What the fuck?