Falling Stars (Starstruck Series Book 2) (17 page)

Alisa didn’t want to open it right away. No, she was still too pissed off from the night before, from the magazine to the rumor mill she’d flipped through on Twitter when she was at the gym. Boy that was a mistake! She took a quick break to recharge her batteries, took a shower, made a smoothie, and even tried to finish the chapter she’d been working on, since her deadline for her next book was in a few weeks. They were healthy distractions from the world, but she was being stared at from across the room by the envelope addressed to her.

With a sigh, she walked over, retrieved it from her nightstand, and tore the envelope open.

Alisa,

I am so sorry that things are like this.  I’m writing you because this is the only way to make sure only you see what I’m about to tell you.

I screwed up that night. I know I did.  I made a huge mistake and fell back into that mess I told you I would never indulge in again. You were the reason I gave up that lifestyle, and you were the reason I got through it to begin with.

In regards to Kirsten, I’m not dating her. When you left for New York, I let myself be vulnerable. I messed up on that front as well, and I am so sorry. Separated or not, or whatever this is, you are still my wife. I know it’s easy to say it, but I mean it when I say that I love you.

Every day on set ... seeing you...

It’s been difficult to put these words together to convey just how sorry I am things aren’t going how we wanted them to. It’s difficult to even say hello without wondering if you’re going to acknowledge me or just walk away.

Please know that I am missing you every single day.  It is not easy going home to the silence and going to bed alone every night. I miss you.

I love you.

-L

Her hand instinctively balled into a fist, crumpling the paper along the edges.  Two teardrops hit the paper. Raising her eyes to the mirror, she caught sight of herself, and how her appearance was different.  It was frightening.  Her eyes had dark bags under them; she was exhausted from working both productions.  Alisa’s gaunt look was a little more apparent in the bathroom lighting, casting terrible shadows on her face.  She had a bitter realization about everything that had happened; in a little over one year she’d been cheated on, picked up by the production company, divorced, re-married, and swept into a life of fame … all for what? Logan was her prince charming, or so she’d thought. He’d swept her off of her feet and gave her a life she could only write about
  
but that all fell apart when he lied to her. When he hid his relapse and Kirsten Gale.

Her hand idly stroked the band on her left ring finger. It broke her heart to do so but after much deliberation, she removed the ring and put it in the small box of trinkets she kept on the nightstand. She slammed the lid shut, but she felt a wave of guilt take her over.

What did this mean? Was she really done? Maybe. Maybe not. She had sworn to be done with lies and betrayal after Kurt. She thought Logan was better than this. Was she being irrational? Was she being selfish?

Alisa hated crying.  She had already done so much of it lately.

Chapter Eleven

“Thanks for coming today, everyone. I think we’ve made great progress today, and we look forward to round two.  We will be scheduling a press event soon and will let you know when.” Ron spoke up, standing at the end of the conference table.

The movie read went smoothly. Jenn, Joey, Logan, Evan, Ron, and Ray sat in with Alisa and the other main actors during the first read, and a lot of good points, questions, concerns, and alterations were discussed. The caliber of talent in the room was huge.  It wasn’t as overwhelming as it was when she first met Joey and Jenn in New York, but it was still pretty awe-inspiring.

“Make sure you all have the contact information in case anyone has any questions beyond today. We will get a production schedule together and begin filming once
Family Insurance
is at a point where our director can come on board, which will be soon. Thank you everyone for coming together today, and we look forward to the next meeting.”

There was light applause, and the meeting was adjourned. The group from
Family Insurance
was ready to head out onto the stages for filming.

Alisa waved at Jenn, who waved back with a smile and signaled for her to call her sometime. The fan girl in her squealed with joy. She caught Logan staring at her from across the room, but she turned away immediately.  He was needed back on set for the show, so he vanished once the meeting was over.  Evan received a phone call, so he stepped out as well, waving to her before he left.  Soon there was no one left in the room except Alisa, shuffling her papers into her bag.  There wasn’t much need to rush anyway.

Evie came over and hugged her. “Your coffee, Miss Lady.”

“Thanks Eves. What brings you by?” Alisa sipped and smiled.  Evie knew exactly what her order was and pulled it off perfectly every time.

“I can’t come to see my friend without an agenda?”

Alisa tilted her gaze at her friend and raised an eyebrow.

Evie tucked her arm through Alisa’s and started to walk her over to the makeup area by the stage she was filming on today. “Okay, okay, I don’t mean to seem really needy or anything…but do you happen to have Christian’s number?”

“What?” Alisa stopped dead in her tracks and nearly dropped her coffee.  “What?”

“Ugh, I’m sorry. I know, I hate to ask, but he invited me out and told me to call him, and I realized
  
”

“You don’t have his number.”

“Yep.”

With a sigh, Alisa put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Sweetie … Christian does that. That’s his game.”

“Well …”

After a silent exchange, Alisa realized that Evie didn’t react quite as she’d expected.  

“Do you really want to be involved with Christian Neel?” Alisa shuddered.

Evie shrugged, unmoved by the question.

“Ugh. I can’t believe I’m doing this for you.”

“It’s because you love me!” Evie clapped softly to celebrate.

Alisa rolled her eyes and pulled her phone from her back pocket, unlocking it to sift through her contacts.  Christian was on her favorites list, even though she rarely talked to him, which was why he always called the landline at her house.  “Good luck ... and Godspeed.”

Snickering, Evie peeked at her phone and typed the numbers on her own keypad.  She did a double-take when she caught sight of something not quite right about her friend’s hand.  “Wait—something’s off about you …”

Alisa tilted her head, not sure to what Evie was referring.

Evie gasped. “You’re not wearing your ring ...”

Alisa blushed slightly, “Oh yeah.”

“Oh yeah? You take a big step like that, and all you give me is ‘oh yeah’? Dish up, woman.  Is it official?”

Looking from side to side, Alisa pulled her friend to a quiet part of the hallway.  “Evie, I’m going to need you to promise not to let this get out.  No
  
it doesn’t mean anything.  I actually don’t know what it means.”

“It must have meant something.  You don’t think the paparazzi are going to overlook that, do you?”

“I’m getting it resized.  How about that?  And you can keep this under wraps, right? Eves, I’m trusting you.”

Evie let out a breath, “Fine.  I swear I won’t tell anyone. What the hell brought that on, anyhow?”

Closing her eyes, Alisa let out a deep sigh.  She reached into her notebook and retrieved a document to show her friend.  For reasons she was still unsure about, Alisa had carried the letter with her in her binder.  It was that crinkled piece of paper, covered in her tears.  Offering it to Evie, she stepped back and watched as her friend read over his written words in shock.

“Oh, wow …” She whispered, as she read on. “It’s not easy going home to be alone? Is he serious?”

“Seriously mental.”  Alisa shook her head, “I didn’t even know what to do or say.  I read that … and the ring—it just happened.”

“Does Joann know?”  Evie returned the letter to Alisa, giving her a disapproving look. She truly wanted to tear it to shreds but refrained.

Alisa gulped, “No.  The only ones who know are Alex and Ray, and their loves, I’m sure, considering neither of them can keep a secret.  I live with Alex and John, so that was a gimme.”

“Jo’s going to kill you for that.”

“I know,” she sighed, “but thank you, and thanks for the coffee too, but I have to get going.  See you tonight?”

“You know it.”

***

“I’m getting married!” Alex shouted out the window of the limo. Joann cheered loudly after he did, and they all danced to the loud music inside the vehicle.  The wedding wasn’t for a couple of months yet, but Alex figured it would be easier to get his “bestie” guys and girls together before the holidays and before the heavy workload for the movie and the show came around.

It was a party limo, one decorated in neon lights, fashioned with a killer stereo system, and it was blaring some of the best dance songs on the charts.  Joann, Evie, Dawn, Priscilla the make-up artist, and Sara from the show crew were the ladies in attendance with Ray and a few guys Alex had invited out for his big night.  The limo was roomy and fit them all comfortably, which surprised Alisa as she had never been inside a vehicle with this much space.

Her phone vibrated.

Please be safe tonight. Please let me know when you’re home.
Logan had text her.

It almost made her angry to see his name on the screen. It was 90% because of the alcohol already in her system, but the remaining 10% was solely because she knew he was trying to get her to come home.

“Picture time!” Evie declared.

“As many selfies as you take, when is it not picture time?” Ray asked facetiously.

She swatted his arm, and the gang proceeded to squeeze in for a picture that was quickly uploaded to all of her social media sites.

They went to a couple different clubs, including Eros, a new club that just opened in West Hollywood, which featured a number of practically naked men and women dancing in cages throughout the club, wearing wings and red hearts, armed with fake bow and arrow sets.

Although Alisa wasn’t much for the club scene, she was having a blast, a lot more fun than she had expected to have.  The gang danced, drank, shouted, drank some more, and were celebrating the bachelor of honor, Alex.  

It was refill time, and Alisa was off grabbing the next round of drinks when she felt someone standing close behind her.  This new club was so busy she didn’t mind how close the person was.  Everything was close quarters around the bar.  She wouldn’t have turned around, but the person spoke directly to her.

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

“Kurt.” She was caught by surprise.  Her mind was flustered simply by seeing him, though she tried hard not to panic.  It was difficult to hold back her shock. Kurt never left the valley.

“You look ... amazing.”  He took a drink, and Alisa caught sight of his wedding ring.

“Thanks. Does Natalie know you’re out?” She snapped back bluntly.

“It’s Naomi.”

Alisa knew her name.

“... And she’s doing great. Our daughter is too. You should see her.”

Awkward.

“Didn’t know you left town much; what are you doing here?”  Alisa spoke defensively, disgusted just being around him. She honestly didn’t even want to know why he was there; she didn’t care about anything at that moment except making an escape.

“It’s my pal Marco’s bachelor party.  He’s having the wedding down in Anaheim tomorrow, so we’re taking him out for a good time.  Right, Marco?”

There was a grunting of sorts from the bunch who accompanied her ex-husband.  They all seemed just as slimy as he was.

“I can’t believe it’s you, ya know?”

“What are you talking about?” She didn’t look at him this time, searching for the bartender to flag him down.

“You never dressed up for me.”

“You could never afford to buy me a dress.”

“Your hair looks nice.  You have your nails done and makeup on like you’re some big fancy movie star.”

“Goodbye, Kurt.”  Alisa thanked the bartender for completing their order and tipped him well for having such impeccable timing.  

Un-fucking-believable. Kurt is here.
She sent a text off and slid the phone back into her clutch.

She wasn’t going to let him ruin her night, and her group managed to ditch him for the next two hours.  The club started to get a little stuffy, so she stepped outside for some fresh air.  Alisa thought she had Ray with her, but when she exited the club and turned back, no one was there to accompany her.

“Alisa?”

“Perfect.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “What do you want, Kurt?”

“Nothin’. I’m just sayin’ you look good.”  He made an advance, which made her uncomfortable, and she slapped his hand away.  Alisa should have known better, because this just made him more aggressive; he grabbed at her wrists and tugged her towards him.  “You’re different now, you know that?  My wife was on television. I couldn’t believe it.”

“
Ex-wife
, Kurt.  Let me go.”

“Talking about her fancy new movie with her fancy new husband.  And what do I get? Jack shit.”

“Kurt, let me go!” She struggled to wriggle free from his grasp.

“Hey, get your hands off of her!”

“Aw, isn’t that cute. You’ve recruited more of them to watch you.  Disposable douchebags.”  Kurt laughed, and the scent of scotch on his breath was pungent.

“Back off, man.”

“I don’t think you realize who you’re dealing with, man.  That’s my ex-wife.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m sure
ex
happened for a reason.  Back. Off.”  Evan stood up for Alisa, which was somewhat surprising too. His chivalry was showing a lot as of late.

Kurt laughed. “Wow, you are all the same.  You Hollywood types thinking you run this town, flying in to play the hero, save the poor damsel in distress.  I’ll tell you what, this woman isn’t worth saving.  Not worth it at all!”

“I’ll say it again … back off.”  Evan kept his feet planted right where they were from the start.  He didn’t back down.

“I’m so scared.”  Kurt mocked him, shaking out his hands. He laughed. “You’ve gotta be at least a buck fifty, soaking wet. No way you’re gonna be stupid enough to swing.”

She always hated when he inflated his machismo. 

“Did they teach you that in drama school? How to act tough?”

It happened so fast--Kurt took a swing, and after he ducked, Evan swung back and knocked him to the ground.  Alisa hoped he was down for the count. She was amused that Kurt had a knack for getting knocked the hell out by her friends. First Logan, now Evan. She was just happy all of his shit talking was put to an end.

“I think I’m ready to head home.” Alisa looked down at her pitiful ex-husband lying on the concrete.

“Do you need a ride?” Evan asked.

“I should be fine. I’ll catch a cab.” Alisa slung her purse over her shoulder.  

She made it to the pavement outside by the street before she dug through her purse from top to bottom and could not find her wallet. “Crap.”

“I’ll offer again, but I hope you know I don’t take rejection very well.” Evan had followed her, “I paid for lunch, remember? Other than the fact that your girlfriends and Alex and Ray love you, that’s why they paid for drinks tonight.”

It hit her like a ton of bricks.  Her wallet was sitting atop her nightstand in her room at Alex and John’s.  She hated that Evan paid for her and hated even more that John and Alex were not only her landlords but also ran an open tab with her on it. Granted, she didn’t drink very much, but she hated being a charity.

“Damn.”

“Let’s go.”

The cab ride over was very different from the experience in New York, but keeping the same company made it a little easier on her.  Alisa could still feel the mild effect of the alcohol hitting her; glad she didn’t feel any worse.  She knew she had quite a bit in her system.  Evan had had a bit as well. He made a smart move, taking public transport over borrowing someone else’s car.