“At least you can be incognito.”
“That’s always nice at parties like these.”
“I would have thought you enjoyed all the attention.”
“Not really.” He laughed. “Well, I used to. Now, not so much. I’ve had enough of the Hollywood life.”
“I’m surprised anyone could have enough of that.” I smiled and leaned back into the chair comfortably. “I don’t know many guys who would say that.”
“It’s about quality and not quantity.” He laughed. “Listen to me. I sound like a douche, don’t I?”
“Not at all.” I said honestly.
“Hey Lucky, am I going to get Lucky tonight?” Evan shouted from across the room, and I blushed uncomfortably.
“Shut up, Evan.” Braydon shook his head and leaned into me.
“You got anything, Braydon, my man here is looking to score.”
“Evan, stop smoking the weed. I have no idea what you are talking about.” Braydon rolled his eyes and leaned towards me. “Ignore him. He’s just being an ass.”
“Thanks.” I smiled gratefully. “Though that’s not the first time I have heard that witty comment. I don’t know why guys think they are the first ones to come up with the getting lucky tonight comment.”
“Hopefully not all of them were as annoying as Evan.”
“Not all.” I grinned, and Braydon laughed.
“So, what do you do for a living, Lucky?”
“I’m in college, and I work.”
“Oh yeah? Where do you go to school?”
“University of Miami.”
“Nice. I was thinking of applying there.”
“Really?” I looked at him in disbelief.
“Well, kind of.” He laughed. “I was going to be in the remake of Miami Vice, but they decided to postpone the series, and then I decided to make the leap from TV to films. But it’s always good to have something to fall back on. You can’t have enough money.”
“Oh, okay.” I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t imagining anything. The whole situation felt surreal. I couldn’t quite believe that I was in a room, sitting on a couch with Braydon Eagle, one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood. Things like this just didn’t happen to me.
“What are you studying?”
“History.” I laughed at the expression on his face. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to quiz you.”
“Thanks. I can barely remember our current President’s name. Don’t ask me anyone else’s.”
“That’s okay. I don’t think history is a popular subject.” I smiled.
“So when do you graduate?”
“Next year. I hope.” I laughed.
“And what’s next?”
“No idea.”
“Well you still have time.”
“Yeah.” I ran my hands through my hair and grimaced as I felt the frizzy waves. So much for my straight tresses, I thought. The humidity had taken care of that.
“Do you think you’ll be a teacher?” Braydon continued. “I’ve always seen myself marrying a teacher.”
I didn’t quite know how to answer his question and tried to formulate a response in my mind before the door opened.
“Hey y’all. We’re here.” A tall, leggy blonde walked into the room giggling, and I watched her curiously. She was beautiful. Maybe one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life.
“What’s up, Angelique?” Evan whistled at her, and she giggled again.
“Nada, Zane and I want to get this party started.” I froze at her words and looked towards the door and saw Zane standing there. He had a beer in his hand, and the top buttons of his white shirt were undone.
“Yo bro, what up?” Evan jumped up and fist bumped him.
“Not much. What’s happening, Evan?” Zane didn’t smile as he spoke nonchalantly. He looked relaxed, but I could sense a weird tension coming from him.
“Come on, Zane.” The blonde grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room. I felt a dart of jealousy as he allowed her to guide him in further. I turned away, and looked at Braydon and smiled.
“I have been thinking about teaching or going to grad school.”
“Awesome. I’ve always wondered …” I knew that Braydon was still talking, but I could feel Zane’s eyes on me. My body froze, and I moved my face slightly to look at him. He studied me on the couch with Braydon and nodded before turning away from me, and I felt my body flush with confusion.
“Yeah.” I nodded at Braydon, without even bothering to ask him what he had just said, and he laughed.
“You haven’t heard a word I just said, have you?”
I shook my head, feeling guilty, and he laughed even harder. “Lucky, you are a real refreshment to me right now.”
“Uh thanks.” I smiled quickly, not actually sure what he meant.
“I would love to take you out some time.”
“Oh.” I blushed, unsure of what to say in response. To avoid answering right away, I decided to straighten out my dress.
“Braydon Eagle, you sly dog.” The blonde ran up to the couch and sat on his lap. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“Hi Angelique.” He smiled and rolled his eyes.
“Why didn’t you call me back? I wanted you to come pregame with us.”
“I’m here now.”
“Didn’t you miss me?” She pouted and ran her finger across his cheek. I sat there uncomfortably and started to get up.
“Angelique, you’re making Lucky uncomfortable.” Braydon pushed her off of his lap, and she looked at me with distaste.
“I’m okay.” I attempted a smile, but Angelique flicked her hair and called to Zane.
“Zane, Braydon’s being rude.”
“I’m sure he is.” Zane walked up to Angelique and put his arm around her.
“Yes, he was.” She pouted. “Do something about it.”
“Don’t worry, I’m trying to.” Zane mumbled under his breath and I stared up at him. He frowned at me and I could sense that he was unhappy with me for some reason. We continued to stare at each other and I saw Braydon look back and forth at us.
“Do you two know each other?” His tone sounded odd.
“Yes.” I said at the same time Zane said, “No.”
My feelings were hurt that he pretended not to know me and I looked away from him and stared across the room.”
“Hello Braydon.” Zane’s voice was brusque as he acknowledged Braydon.
“Zane.” Braydon nodded, and I watched them both curiously as a silent message seemed to pass between them.
“Zane. Let’s go in the hot tub. Braydon, why don’t you join us.”
“I’m having a conversation, Angelique.” Braydon spoke to Angelique, but he looked at Zane.
“I’m sure she won’t mind.” Her voice sounded sharp, and I felt Braydon’s hand grab a hold of mine.
“Angelique, why don’t you and Zane go.”
“Don’t want me to interrupt your conversation with Lucky?” Zane’s voice was smooth with a slight undertone.
“What do you care?” Braydon frowned and gave him a challenging look.
“I don’t.” Zane’s voice was sharp and seemed to send Braydon a message.
“We met at the restaurant I work at.” I interjected into the conversation, trying to let Braydon know I wasn’t one of Zane’s many girls.
“You work at a restaurant?” Angelique looked at me disdainfully, and I could feel the dislike emanating from her eyes. She obviously didn’t like the attention being away from her.
“Come on, Angelique.” Zane pulled her away before staring at me for a few seconds. I watched as they walked across the room and exited, and I tried to exhale the disappointment that resonated through my body.
“Sorry about Angelique, she can be a bit of a bitch.” Braydon sidled up next to me and placed his arm around me.
“That’s okay.” I smiled briefly and tried to shift away from him slightly. “How do you know Zane?” I asked him curiously.
“Zane?” Braydon looked at me with a funny look in his eye. “I don’t honestly know him that well. I was friends with his brother.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. But I met them both through his dad.”
“His dad?”
“Yeah, his dad is Jeff Beaumont, the head of Paragon Studios.”
“Oh wow.” I felt faint at his words. So I had been right. Zane was a spoiled rich boy. Only he was richer than I had even imagined. No wonder he dated so many different women. He had the world at his feet.
“You didn’t know?” Braydon shook his head in disbelief. “You really are one-of-a-kind.”
“Thanks, I think.” I laughed, and Braydon joined in.
“Can I take you to lunch tomorrow, Lucky?”
“I, uh, don’t know.”
“I promise not to bite.” He held up some fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“You were a scout?” I looked at him in surprise.
“No, but I played one in a movie when I was a kid.” He laughed, and I shook my head, feeling drawn to his boyish charm.
“Well, I guess that’s close enough.”
“So tomorrow?” He looked at me earnestly. “I know you don’t know me from Adam, but really, I’m a nice guy. I know most actors are portrayed as assholes and players, but I’m not one of those guys.” He shook his head and grinned. “I feel like an idiot for just saying that.”
“Don’t.” I stared into his eyes and nodded. “I’ll go to lunch with you.”
“Yes!” He fist pumped and ran his hand over his head again. “Let me get your number, and I will call you in the morning.”
“Okay.” I smiled shyly and paused for a moment to think about everything. I wasn’t sure if Braydon was going to have all the qualities I was looking for, but I knew it was time to start dating again to find that perfect guy. I knew I couldn’t keep fantasizing about Zane. There was no way I could compete with someone like Angelique.
“Awesome.” He jumped up and grabbed my hands to pull me up. “Now, let’s go dance and have some fun.”
***
It was 2 am when I finally left the party. Braydon had practically begged me to stay the night, and he had even offered to share his bed with me. I had been flattered, but I had stayed firm with my nos. I had seen Zane watching us as we danced around the room and I felt self-conscious at his stares. I had half-hoped that he would cut in and ask me for a dance, but he never did.
I was grinning as I walked to my car and realized that I was truly happy that Leeza had invited me to the party even though I hadn’t seen her since that earlier appearance. Braydon seemed to be a really nice and fun guy, and I almost forgot he was a movie star as we danced around the room. Everything about the night had been perfect. Well, almost perfect. I had seen Zane a few more times throughout the night, and he had just stared at me blankly and a little coldly. It had made me feel uncomfortable and upset. Part of me wasn’t sure why he looked so displeased with me. Was he upset that I was hanging out with all his rich friends when I was just a lowly waitress? I had tried to make eye contact with him and smile, but he had just remained stoic and looked away from me every time. I tried to dismiss the hurt that coursed through my veins at his look, but I couldn’t quite eradicate the feeling.
“Don’t think about it, Lucky.” I muttered to myself as I drove back to my apartment. I groaned as my car started making a funny noise and nearly burst out in tears as I heard the engine die, and as I pulled it over to the side of the road, it stopped. I sat behind the wheel, unsure of what to do when I saw the lights of another car pull up behind me. “Oh shit.” I thought to myself as I saw a figure get out of the car and walk up towards me. I checked to make sure my doors were locked and bit my lip hard. “Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me.” I closed my eyes briefly and nearly screamed as I heard the knock on the window. I peered through the window and rolled it down slowly. I was shocked to see Zane’s face staring back at me.
“Everything okay, Lucky?” His words seemed unduly harsh, but his eyes were worried. As I stared at him, I wondered how he just happened to be behind me as I broke down. I nodded my head slowly, slightly confused as to my feelings of seeing him there. I kept my mouth closed because I was unwilling to speak. I had a feeling that my voice was going to be too squeaky and I didn’t want him to see how scared I had been.
“Did your car break down?” He asked again and I nodded again, staring at his pink lips. I swallowed hard as I imagined what it would feel like to have his lips pressed against mine.
“Do you need me to jump your car?” He asked at the same time I asked, “Were you following me?”
Chapter 3
“Can you get out of the car, Lucky?” Zane’s voice sounded harsh, and he looked furious. I was a little worried that he was going to scold me for something I had no control over. The look on his face reminded me of my father’s when I was a little kid and had done something wrong.
“I can, but I’m not sure I will.” I quipped, trying to change the mood. When he didn’t respond, I quickly changed my own tone. “But don’t try and change the subject, were you following me?”
“Of course not.” His voice was aloof as he opened the door. “Get out of the car Lucky and let me see what’s going on.”