"I don't trust this Theo clown for one goddamned second," Charlie says. "I met him backstage awhile back in Toronto, but he doesn't remember because he was coked off his ass, snorting a line off a groupie's tits in the hallway."
Grunting, I drop my face into my hands. How the hell did Angie end up with that kind of dirtbag? She definitely shouldn't be hanging around someone who's into coke, especially if she's abusing meds.
"So glad I wasn't along for that one," Evelyn huffs. "I hate knowing that crap sometimes still happens when you're on tour."
As I glance up at them, Charlie curls an arm around his wife, pulling her into his side and kissing the top of her head. "You know I wouldn't do anything that would put me at risk of losing my family. That shit's lightyears behind me, Freckles."
Grunting with frustration over the whole situation, I begin to rub my temples in tandem. Now I have another excuse to hate this new jerk-off boyfriend. What else has Angie been through since selling her soul to Hollyweird? Are money and fame worth all this? If I had my way, I'd drag her back to Minnesota right this minute to get her far away from all the bullshit.
Then again, I don't have anything enticing to offer. My house is old as shit and in dire need of repair. I'm not around nights and weekends. I haul grain for her brother Hunter in the fall to make ends meet. There's nothing about my life that could even begin to compete with the glitz and glam of her career. Does she really get off on that shit? Considering she was in a hurry to get off the farm after graduation, I'd bet the answer is a solid yes.
"Where is she now?" I ask.
"On set," Evelyn explains with a huff. "She won't be done until late tonight. The hours she keeps are insane-sometimes they go over fifteen in a day. If you agree to this, we'd want you to pick her up and drop her off so we don't have to worry about her falling asleep behind the wheel."
They wouldn't have to ask me twice. Pisses me off that anyone would let her drive after that long of a day. "Does she know I'm here? Why I'm here?"
Charlie's shoulders lift. "She was with us when her agent suggested we hire someone. I told Angie I'd take care of the details. She seemed okay with it."
That's fucking great. Can't wait to ambush her. I throw a weary glance in Evelyn's direction, the rage coiled in my gut beginning to simmer. No way I can stay angry at a pregnant woman. "You could've at least given me a heads up when you called."
"Sorry." She flashes a guilty smile, almost wincing in defeat. "Didn't seem like something you tell someone over the phone."
Charlie nods while stroking his wife's belly. "Figured we'd get you down here first to see if you're up for the job. If you want it, it's yours. I'll fly you back home to make whatever arrangements necessary to stay down here indefinitely. The going rate for bodyguards these days is highly lucrative. Dante just bought a condo in Cabo. I'd pay you five times what you make bartending in addition to setting you up with a unit next door to hers."
Looking out to the fleet of boats bobbing in the water, I release a heavy sigh. There isn't a damn thing holding me back from his offer. I have no doubt I'd make more as a bodyguard than selling $3 beers to the local drunks who don't tip for shit, and the idea of moving somewhere warm is more than mildly appealing. If I didn't have to worry about rent, I could save up for something that matters.
Not only is it past time Angie's siblings paid real attention to what's going on in her life, I welcome the idea of getting closer to her. Although I wouldn't go as far as saying I had a crush on her back in the day, I was able to appreciate her beauty, and considered her to be extended family of sorts. It's impossible to ignore my strong attraction to the gorgeous woman she's become over the years. Hell, sounds like half the country feels the same.
But how will I handle seeing her running around with this actor prick? Would there be times I'd have to stand around and watch them get it on for the camera? Will he be with her 24/7? For all I know, they're living together. Just imagining him touching her makes my blood sear.
Fuck. I already know I'm going to take the job regardless of whatever bullshit I have to put up with. If she needs help, I'll make sure she gets it. If I find out this guy is treating her badly, I'll be more than happy to send him on his way.
I meet Evelyn's hopeful gaze. "What made you guys decide to offer the job to me? I mean, we all know I'm ideal for this kind of thing since I've been fighting for years, and it's not like I'm living the high life back home. But what made you think I'd be interested?"
From behind her glass of water, her lips bend with a coy smile. "It was Hunter's idea. He knew you'd take the job."
Lifting my mojito to my mouth, I suck the rest of it down in one gulp. Should've known that fucker would rat me out. I never told him how I felt about her, but it must've been obvious the way I'm always asking how she's doing, and what she's up to.
I only hope Angie doesn't flip her shit when she's ambushed with her sister and brother-in-law's plan.
3
Angelina
Coming back to the set a few days after the premiere proves to be brutal, even though everyone's still in high spirits after the success of release week. Between my takes, two of the other leading actors work out a complicated scene that involves extensive special effects in post-production, making the day painfully tedious. As much as I'm unable to focus, I'm thankful for the free time. I don't need anyone on my ass about not meeting fan expectations.
Either the cast and crew don't know what went down after the premiere, or they're smart enough not to bring it up. The same goes for Theo. Hell, I could've slept with my ex that night and Theo wouldn't have a clue. He probably spent the night facedown in a vat of coke.
It's bad enough Charlie and Evelyn have been treating me like I'm made of glass. They've waited on me hand and foot since I came home from the hospital, hardly giving me a minute alone. I'm thrilled they're leaving tomorrow so my life can resume with some kind of normalcy.
When the producer confirms that I won't be needed for another hour at the earliest, I tighten the sash on my robe and head down the hallway for craft services. I didn't have a chance to grab something earlier, and my stomach's unsettled after the last benzo.
I laugh to myself, remembering when the doctor in the ER asked about my prescription, and warned me on the dangers of abusing benzos. It's nothing I hadn't heard before, and I promised him that I'd stick to the recommended dosage. He didn't need to know I've moved on to Theo's supply.
I'm picking at what's left of the fruit arrangement when I hear my name called. My sister and her husband appear from around the corner with a giant man trailing behind. I assume it's their bodyguard until Charlie moves out of the way and Asher's dark eyes come into view.
The plate clutched in my hands almost goes crashing to the floor. With the sight of my twin brothers' old friend, my heart races so quickly that I half expect it to burst from my chest.
Am I seeing things?
"One of the writers told us you'd be back here," Evelyn tells me, stepping in for a hug. "Hope it's okay we stopped by. I thought maybe I could get that tour you promised before we leave in the morning."
I squeeze her back, swallowing down a chunk of pineapple in the process. I'm surprised when I don't choke. "Yeah sure. I mean … of course!"
Once I release her, my eyes are drawn like magnets to where Asher stands, hands shoved in the pockets of his cargo shorts, heated gaze drinking me in as if seeing me for the first time. With the slow, sexy smile spreading across his face, I'm guessing he likes what he sees. And I do too.
God, he's sexier and more muscular than I remembered. Chest hard beneath a Highly Suspect t-shirt, arms a canvas of bulging masculinity and colorful tattoos, thick lips showing off pearly-white teeth. His skin glows with a tan that's not as dark as most Floridians, but enough to make me wonder if he's spent a considerable amount of time on one of the lakes back home. Could he have changed that much since we last saw each other, or do I just appreciate him more after spending all this time with someone who's totally into himself?
Heat spreads through my cheeks. The night of James and Sharlo's wedding, when we both stayed over at my sister Sofia's place, I walked in on Asher face down in bed, stark naked. He has the kind of perfectly sculpted ass that would have men's underwear companies tripping over themselves for a chance to represent their brand.
If my brother-in-law hadn't interrupted our late night conversation, I may have taken Asher up on his suggestion to have a quick fling. We didn't have a whole lot of time alone that night, but I remember him being fiercely protective, and igniting intense bolts of pleasure just from being in his presence.
"Ash," I half-whisper as butterflies take flight in my stomach. Holding an arm over my waist, I throw him a bright smile. "What the heck are you doing here?"