“Party pooper.” Frankie pouts, tossing a fry back on his plate.
I can’t help but burst out laughing again. “I’m sorry, my mind just went all kinds of dirty when you said pooper. You know all those porns showing threesomes one in the kitty the other in the pooper?”
This time Frankie joins in with me before yelling, “Check, please!”
As soon as we pay, Big T and mumbles, “Finally.” And stands shoving his chair back loudly before holding his arm out, motioning for us to go. We spend the entire ride back to the movie set laughing and talking about porn. Go figure. Our conversations are seriously certifiable sometimes.
We make it to the set with only a few minutes to spare, so I run into my trailer to brush my teeth and touch up my makeup before rejoining everyone else. When I walk over to the area we’re shooting, I feel my adrenaline start to pump through my veins. Nothing gives me a bigger high than acting. Getting lost in the scene and putting everything out there for the world to see and judge is thrilling. Hopefully, one day, all my hard work will pay off and I’ll find myself on movie posters lining the halls of theaters and billboards showing off my box office hits.
I spend the next hour hanging from a harness being thrown off a building over and over again before landing on padding on the ground below. By the time we finish shooting our final scene, I’m spent with every inch of my body aching.
“That’s a wrap!” The director shouts from his chair before everyone erupts with cheers and whistles followed by clapping to celebrate. Even though it’s the second time we’ve heard those words on this set, it’s still bittersweet.
I’ve had so much growth in my acting while working with this amazing team. I’m sad to move on but excited for what the future holds. One thing I know is it holds acting in the same space as Shemar Moore. Very. Very. Soon. It’s going to be heaven on earth for this girl. Let’s just hope I can actually act with him around.
Exiting my plane, I head straight for baggage claim to collect my luggage. Thankfully I only have one carry on with me and one suitcase. Savannah FaceTimed me last night to go through my closet so she could pack my suitcases for our trip. We’re all meeting up on the tarmac to board the private jet. It’ll be a step up from coach I just flew in on.
I maneuver in my heels through the crowd of bodies moving in every direction until I see the sign saying baggage claim. I’m surprised but relieved, to spot Jax waiting with my suitcase in his hand already. What a life saver!
“Jax!” I squeal as I stomp in my stilettos towards him and jump into his arms greeting him with a hug.
His free arm wraps around me holding me tightly against him. “Brooklyn.” I love the amusement in his tone as he hugs me hello. I can’t help but inhale deeply, breathing in his cologne he always smells woodsy with a dash of spice. It’s so manly, and exactly how I imagine a hot, badass who could whoop anyone’s ass would smell. He’s definitely all man.
I give him a quick kiss on the cheek before grabbing his hand and dragging him towards the exit.
Not wasting a second I jump into the passenger seat of the sleek black Audi Q7 Kayden got to help hide us from Zak. It’s completely bullet proof. It’s scary to think how many people request that on a daily basis due to the numbers in their bank account or the job title they hold.
Jax set my suitcase in the back of the car before joining me and firing up the engine. “Savannah is on her way also. I just got the text from Jerome. He’ll be joining us for extra security on the island since the guys will probably want to go out to the bars. We don’t want you girls sitting at the mansion unattended.”
“It’s a private island. That you need helicopters and speed boats to get to. You think we need that much security?” The shock is evident in my tone. Jax lets out a low chuckle trying to lighten the mood.
“More than likely there’s nothing to worry about. But it’s always best to be extra careful rather than too lenient. That’s when you find yourself in trouble. People always look for others who have their guard down so they can take advantage of them.” I shrug my shoulders and sit back against the seat and watch as Jax drives the car around to the back of the airport. Within seconds, I spot Kayden’s jet and the other Audi rolling to a stop beside it. I don’t even wait for Jax to put the car in park. I fling the door open, jump out and run towards Savannah, who’s approaching the stairs leading up into the cabin of the plane screaming, “Ahhh! Bahamas here we come!”
Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe that flight. Dixon gave me the silent treatment, acting as if I wasn’t even on board, which I didn’t let get to me or at least let him see anyway. He only spoke once to me to say that he hopes Savannah doesn’t mind if he and Jax drag Kayden out to a club or two while in the Bahamas...because...and I quote, “He wants to find some hot ass Bahama babes.” Seriously, he is pulling a one-eighty and being the biggest douchebag. I swear someone needs to give that guy a psych evaluation because he’s giving Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde some serious competition in the split personality department.
I spent the entire time with Savannah in the small bedroom on Kayden’s Jet watching Bridesmaids. At one point, she fell asleep, and the plane hit a pocket of turbulence setting her into a panic attack. It was terrifying seeing her like that. Her doctor said she’s suffering from PTSD from her accident. I wanted to cry seeing her freaking out like she was. She was completely terrified until we were able to calm her down. I’m really hoping this getaway will be what she needs to start on the path of recovery. We can only hope, by the time we return home, there will be good news waiting for us.
Taking two flights back to back is exhausting. Even with this one being pretty quick and the flight comfy as hell since we’re flying in a luxury jet, I’m ready to get my feet on the ground and soak up some rays. Finally, the pilot announces we’re about to land so we all get to our seats and buckle up. My feet are bouncing from the excitement coursing through my veins.
We all watch out the small windows as the plane descends onto the small airstrip on Kayden’s island. The water is turquoise, and there are palm trees everywhere with white sand along the shoreline of the island. After a few jolts, the plane smoothly rolls to a stop with the pilot giving us the all clear to exit the plane.
“Welcome to paradise, baby,” Kayden says at all of us as he swings open the door allowing the bright, warm sunshine to shine in. The smell of fresh ocean air rolls in, caressing our skin, as we begin exiting.
“I cannot wait to get my bikini on and lay on the beach!” Savannah says walking beside Kayden and me as we make our way towards two Jeeps that are parked waiting for us.
Forget bikinis, this is a freaking private island. Goodbye tan lines!
“Hell yeah girly, we are going to get our tan on! Forget the bikini; this place doesn’t have a soul on it! I’m going au naturel!” I bump shoulders with her, giggling at the shocked expression on her face. She can be such a prude sometimes. It’s adorable.
“Well, you better make sunscreen your friend because the last thing you want is a sunburned twat!” Savannah says, laughing and pushing me back playfully.
We’ve only been here a few minutes and already she seems like her old self. Her smile is so wide I think her cheeks will be aching by this evening.
“I, for one, am all for skinny dipping,” Dixon says, walking past me and slapping me hard on the ass.
I’d love to skinny dip with him too, but he better wait and make sure he isn’t being an ass at the time because I’d have to contemplate the merits of skinny dipping sex or feeding his ass to the fricking sharks.
I decide to take a little jab at him for the bimbo he was with last Sunday. Lord knows I’m lying my ass off right now with this statement, but I love riling him up! “Better be careful, Dixon! We don’t want all the fish thinking your little wiener is lunch!”
Everyone burst out laughing around me, and I can’t help but join in. That was pretty good. But not missing a beat, Dixon fires right back at me, “That’s not what you were screaming the other night if I recall correctly.”
I glance at Kayden who mouths, “Burn!”
I so want to kick his ass, but it’ll have to wait. I take off running after Dixon. He jumps into the driver’s seat of the Jeep, so I run around to the other side to join him climbing up into the passenger seat. I glance back and see Jax climbing into the other Jeep with Savannah and Kayden and Jerome filling the third Jeep with all of our luggage.
“Hold on to your tits, B,” Dixon says with an impish smirk on his lips as he puts the Jeep in drive following Jerome down the one lane road. Jerome is flying right along, and we’re keeping right up with him. I’m pinned back against the seat laughing as I grip the door with one hand and Dixon’s arm with the other. The second I grabbed him I felt the all too familiar charge ignite between us but try my best to ignore it.
I can feel Dixon’s eyes on me, but force myself to keep my eyes looking straight ahead. I can’t give him the satisfaction of seeing he gets to me so easily. I need to do what Savannah said and make him work for it. I’m done chasing him. It’s about time Dixon chased me. Aren't the best things in life worth working for and waiting for anyway? Dixon's stubborn ass just needs to get in his head that I'm the best thing that's ever happened to him.