Page 10 of Get Me (The Keatyn Chronicles 6)
"No one has said anything to me."
Knox studies my face intently. "You look like you're telling the truth. But you're a good actress, so it's hard to know."
"Ahhh, you think I'm a good actress. I'm touched."
"You should be. And, yes, I know I gave you a hard time. But I watched the screen test. We were really good together. You've seen Independence Day, right?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Will Smith stole the show. Won the MTV award for Best Kiss that year. That's going to be us when this movie comes out. I just know it."
"So, are you a jerk or not?"
He shakes his head. "I just play one sometimes."
I think about Vincent. The upcoming music video I'm doing for Damian. My plan to let Vincent see me everywhere. "Then we'll get along just fine. And, after the holidays, I'll take you up on going to a club."
There's a knock at my door, but whoever it is doesn't wait for me to answer. The door swings open, and a girl looks surprised to see Knox and me sitting on the couch together.
"Oh, um, excuse me. Miss Douglas, they're ready for you in wardrobe."
"Thank you. I'll be right there," I tell her.
As I'm walking out the door, Knox says, "Find out if the rumors are true."
The day is a blur of rehearsals, hair and makeup, wardrobe, blocking, and shooting. Normally, there's a lot of down time on set--to nap, hang out, eat--but they're trying to cram a lot of scenes in before the holidays to make a preliminary teaser trailer that will air during the Super Bowl.
I see little of Cooper and Aiden, but when I do, they're both smiling. Cooper is happy because he won some of his lost pool money back from Aiden in a poker game.
I shoot a scene where I'm being held captive in a small room. Earlier in the movie, I'm kidnapped by some guys who work for Knox's character. They aren't the smartest, so I'm able to steal one of their phones.
In this scene, I use the phone to call Tommy/Trinity.
We shoot the scene three different ways, Matt trying to determine just how distressed I should be. He wants to see my growth in the film. From the girl who is only worried about the next party to the tougher girl I was in the screen test.
Needless to say, based on what I've been through, none of the versions were much of a stretch.
I'm thinking about my own journey as I grab some food and take it to my dressing room. I have a short time to eat before I have to block out another scene.
When I open my door, I find Knox, Cooper, and Aiden laughing and eating.
I wolf down my food and am quickly back at it.
I'm exhausted when I finally get back to the loft. Aiden took a cab home after dinner, but Cooper waited for me.
It's past one when I sneak into my room and find Aiden sprawled out across my bed. The remote is near his head and ESPN is playing softly in the background. It reminds me of that night when I went into Bryce's room. His scribbles. Why should I bother? Because she felt it too.
It was definitely love at first sight.
But after what Tommy said about him and Mom, I understand what I didn't understand when I first met B.
Love at first sight is only the first step of the journey.
It's the spark that starts the fire.
I tiptoe in my bathroom, thinking about the similarities between my life, my scripts, and the Bachelor Prince play. It feels like they were all just a rehearsal for the big show. And I can't help but wonder if they tell me about what's coming next. Are there parallels between what's going to happen to me in Retribution and with Vincent's version of A Day at the Lake? Will someone save me? Will I save myself? Or will the bad guy win?
I really need to get my hands on that script.
After washing off my makeup, I set my alarm and slide carefully into bed.
Aiden rolls over and pulls me into his chest. "I just realized one of your lies was that you were going to France for Christmas. Where are you really going?"
"I was going to stay here. I really want to see my family, but I can't risk it."
"No way I'm letting you be alone. Either you're coming to St. Croix with me, or I'm staying here with you."
"I didn't really want to be alone."
"But you were going to be, weren't you?"
"Yes."
"And now?"
"I'd love to spend Christmas with you, Aiden."
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
Stunt planning.
Lunch
When I grab some lunch and take it to my dressing room, I find Tommy, Aiden, and Cooper already in there, eating.
"Aiden was just telling me about his parents' place up in Northern California, Keatyn," Tommy tells me.
"And Tommy was telling me about France," Aiden says.
"That's awesome," I say, but my heart is going awww, loving that they're talking.
Bonding, even, maybe.
Matt walks in the room with a plate and sets it down just as his phone rings. "Excuse me; I need to take this."
When he walks away from the table, he flashes Tommy a smile and a thumbs up.
Tommy breaks out in his trademark crooked smirk. The one that leaves women swooning.
"What's that all about?" I ask.
"He's on the phone with Edward Moffett."
"The head of the studio?"
"Yes."
"I take it that's good?"
"It could be very good, for you," Tommy says cryptically. "Gentlemen," he says to Cooper and Aiden. "Would you mind excusing us for a minute? I need to speak to Keatyn privately."
After they leave, I say, "What's up?"
"I have a plan."
"What kind of plan?"
"The kind of plan where we hijack the Moran plane that's going to St. Croix."
"Hijack it? Why?"
"So everyone will come to France instead."
"Really?"
"Yeah, the weather is gorgeous. I ordered barrels of wine. Officially, we're saying it's a late Beaujolais Nouveau Day party."
"That's the day when France celebrates the release of the young wine with all the festivals and fireworks, right? We were there for that a few years ago because it's around Thanksgiving."
"That's right."
"So, officially that's what it is, but unofficially--ohmigawd, Tommy, are you going to propose?!"
"Not just propose. We're getting married, too. But it's a surprise."
"A surprise wedding?"
"Yeah. What do you think?"
"What does Mom think?"
"She doesn't know. She thinks we're just throwing a holiday party."
"That's amazing, Tommy. I wish I could . . ."
"I don't give two shits about Vincent. He's not invited. Garrett already has the security in place and will be personally supervising the event. Your presence is required."
I launch myself into his arms and hug him tightly.
"So, Mom thinks people are coming for a party. And the people who are coming for the party don't know they're coming?"
"Pretty much."
"What if Mom talks to Millie about it?"
"She won't. I'm in charge of getting everyone there, and she's in charge of the party."
"If you're able to pull that off, it will be a miracle. You know she and Millie talk daily."
"Cross your fingers that they don't talk about this. And what's the worse case? Millie finds out we're throwing a party and packs warmer clothes. She still won't know about the wedding."
"Yeah, you're right. And you don't have to worry about the paparazzi."
"Exactly."
"But what about a dress?"
"Kym's bringing full wedding attire."
"Mom's going to think that's odd."
"No, Kym told her she's already got designers wanting to dress her for the Oscars and she's bringing them for her to try on after Christmas."
"That's a good lie. So, did you decide how you're going to propose?"
"I loved the Me and You idea."
"I liked
that one too. Oh my gosh, Tommy. I'm so excited! And I get to see the girls!"
"They're upset you aren't coming for Christmas."
"I know. Are you sure it's safe for me to go? Like, positive?"
"Keatyn, we could all die tomorrow. We're taking precautions and we're going to keep living. We're also going to be very careful about how we get you to the airport. Garrett wants Cooper to take you to the plane before anyone else."
"Okay. What about everyone else's clothes? They will have packed for the beach."
"Matt is in on it too. He's telling everyone it's supposed to be unseasonably cold, even though the weather forecast says otherwise. He's telling them Inga feels there's a storm coming in. Or some other bullshit."
"That's funny."
Knox and I go through the choreography of the reworked scene we did for my screen test and then I go back to hair and makeup to get ready for my next scene.
I'm ready before the camera and lighting guys are, so I go to my room to lie down. I need a nap.
But when I get to my room, Cooper, Knox, and Aiden are playing poker.
"Can you go play somewhere else so I can take a nap?" I ask.
Knox goes, "Boo. Party pooper," and Cooper doesn't move.
But Aiden lays his cards down on the table and says, "I fold."
"Awesome," Cooper says, as he and Knox lay down their cards and he wins the small pile of coins.
"We're leaving as requested," Aiden says. "The star needs her rest."
"She's not the star," Knox sasses back.
"No, but she will be," Aiden counters.
His comment and the adorable wink he gives me put a huge smile on my face.
Aiden grabs a set of noise-reducing headphones, plugs in his phone, and hands them to me. "I made you a new playlist."
"Thank you. Are you going to lie down with me?"
