Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (35 page)

“Ryder.” Script pages in hand, Logan came over. “I thought we’d pan down from the sun into the concert. That will make a great transition to Roxy’s dream or flashback or whatever we’re calling it.”

“Hold on.” No way could Ryder discuss anything until he uncovered what was going on with her, and he jogged over to her little tarp tent thing. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

Rather than answer, she turned her computer toward him.

“Call to Bring Back Alan Smithee.” He read the headline on the
National Reporter
website. “Rumor has it drama is already afloat on the set of the third installment of the Hollywood Stardust franchise. Seems as if Miss Caine made a decision for her sweetheart and snuffed out Edward Andrews’ directorial flame less than two hours after production on the anticipated movie began. In a not so shocking move, Logan Alexander and her personal pet, Ryder Scott, have been given the job. Though we loved their work in
Hollywood Starburst
, could this abrupt change be the sign of emotion getting the best of the ice queen? Is the star about to burst? We only hope that they won’t have to dig up good old Alan Smithee to direct what may become a vanity film made solely for the stars and their significant others.”

“I don’t even know who Alan Smithee is.” Her voice hardened as if she would fire that man on the spot as well. “Someone look him up right now.”

Deciding to play the role of interpreter, he put his hand up, stopping both Viktor and Rodger from going into a round of Internet searches. “Alan Smithee was a pseudonym used when a director didn’t want to be named, so it sort of became synonymous with a flop.”

“How does anyone know what is happening? We only filmed a few scenes yesterday!” She put her hands on her hips and faced him.

For the smartest woman in the world, Ryder needed to remember film wasn’t Cora’s first career. “Can you guys give us a moment?” He went around the table and took her into his arms, putting his face in her hair and finding her ear. “Do you think I would ever let this movie be a flop? I’m in it after all.”

“What about what they said? That I fired Edward for you?” With her face in his shoulder, her voice came out muffled. “That’s not CEO material.”

Damn her job, the job she wanted, the job she had, the job he signed up to get for her. Since they got together, he watched her work like no other, her commitment never wavering. Yes, he had to remember this world wasn’t her world. She was real and these things might shatter her. “Listen to me. I promise all this publicity is good.” He pushed her back. “Just watch the story unfold today in the tabloids, all right? All this coverage will only have the public clamoring to see the movie.”

At last, she nodded. “All right you made it better, you may now kiss me.”

Finally, he would reap one of the rewards of having Cora on set. He dipped his head down and kissed her.

Logan tapped him. “Do you think it is possible that you can hold off kissing your girlfriend so we can actually…I don’t know…shoot a movie?”

Cora stepped back. “Alan Smithee is not directing this movie.” She tilted her chin up at Logan. “And don’t think I don’t know who he is.”

Logan leaned in. “He will be if you don’t let us direct something.”

“Point taken.” Cora returned to her post.

Once more, he and Logan returned to the set. Another two hours and hundreds of adjustments later, they finally deemed them ready to actually film something.

“All right, William, Roxy, let’s see you together for the first time in over twenty years.” Logan and the rest of the crew went into a round of applause as he and Erin took their positions.

“It’s been a long time.” Erin winked at him.

“Like a lifetime.” In truth, it felt rather strange putting his arms around her, even though they rehearsed several times.

She giggled. “Don’t squish the baby.”

“I promise.” For the tenth time since the
National Reporter
fiasco, he glanced over at Cora. Where she had been working before, alternating between head down at her computer and walking and talking on her cellphone, now she sat back in her chair, legs crossed, watching. Dare he say he had a bit of nerves. He closed his eyes and inhaled. “Don’t laugh at my singing. It’ll be fixed.”

“Deal.” Erin raised her eyebrows.

“All right, quiet on the set!” Logan called out.

“William and Roxy Concert Take One!” One of the PA’s yelled and snapped the clapperboard.

William encompassed him. The boy now man who loved the woman in his arms. The woman he once fought for, gave up. The woman he wished only for her happiness. Their love spanned decades, and for this part of the movie, he was the one who owned her heart.

He stared into Erin’s eyes. “Roxanne, look at what we’ve built. We have the dream.”

Erin studied his face, her eyes even glossed over with tears. “We do, we have everything. Who would have ever thought we would end up here? but…”

“But nothing.” He took her by the shoulders. “I know you’re nervous with everyone coming to the concert, but this is your chance. You are a star, maybe not in the way you thought, but this is it, we made it.”

“Do you think so, really?” Erin pressed her hand to his chest and toyed with his collar.

“Cut!” Cora’s voice rang through the set.

Cora, not Logan.

Every person there turned to her.

She barreled toward them.

Logan stood from his chair, faced her, and crossed his arms. “Is there something wrong, Cora?”

Ryder let go of Erin and dashed over. Someone needed to be the human shield.

“When Ryder and I rehearsed this scene, Roxy put her hand on William’s cheek. I really feel that was more effective to show their love.” Cora stared Logan down.

“You feel that’s better?” Logan’s jaw tightened.

Ryder opened his mouth. He didn’t like the tone Logan was taking with her. She wasn’t any run of the mill producer.

“Yes, I do. I quite liked that better,” she said. “I have now watched all the films in detail, and I feel the hand on the cheek is a much more personal gesture given this particular couple’s history.” She stood her ground.

Then again, if someone were telling him what to direct, Ryder might not take it too well.

Logan raised his hands and backed up. “We are calling an hour break while Mr. Scott has a meeting with our producer.”

“Break?” Cora looked to him. “You filmed three seconds of film and didn’t even do the correct gesture.”

“Ryder!” Logan snapped.

“Cora.” Ryder grabbed her arm and guided her away. “Let’s go check out my trailer.”

“You already made a trailer for the film?” At trying to keep up with him, she tripped.

Refusing to be detained, he picked her up, took her into his trailer and dropped her down onto the bed.

“Ryder, I’m in the middle of working, what are you doing?” She smoothed down her hair and sat up.

“You’re in the middle of working? What do you think we’re doing?” He pointed toward the outside.

“I wanted to ask you about that. It seems as if everyone is standing around waiting to film, but no filming actually takes place. How much have you filmed so far?” She scooted to the edge of the bed and crossed her legs. “The day I spent at the set of
Starburst
, it seemed a hustle and bustle of activity.”

“Baby, that day was staged for you and the other bigwigs.” He remembered that day she came on to the set with the other higher ups.

At his words, she furrowed her brow.

“Yes, it’s like only showing your boss your best work. We knew you were on the way, that day was as much of a performance as the movie itself. We didn’t even use any of that footage.” There, the great secret was out. Everything in this industry was made up. “We didn’t shoot scenes yesterday, we filmed maybe ten seconds of establishing shots. I can’t go to lunch, unless you want to come in here, and we eat what the caterer brings us, and we’re going to be working long days and many of those days it feels like we are just standing around.”

She continued look at him with a dazed and confused expression.

“Being on a movie set is like painting a wall. It is hours of set up for two minutes of film.” He sat down next to her. “Now I know you’re used to being in charge and running things, but you can’t comment on anything during working hours, and you can’t be upset over tabloids, and you can’t ever, not under any circumstance, never ever call cut or anything else while we’re filming.”

“I really liked the hand to the cheek better.” She let out a sigh.

If nothing else, this was a woman who wouldn’t back down. “I think that may be because that’s how we did it, you and me.”

She looked up at him and put her hand on his cheek.

After giving her a wink, he put his hand over hers.

“I apologize, I thought I was helping. I’ll stay quiet. Just with everything that happened with corporate and all, I got a little nervous.” She shrugged. “I want to do a good job.”

“Then let us do our job and your job will be stellar.” To punctuate his statement, he gave her a light peck and pulled her down on the bed. “We’re going to make you a great movie.” He stared up at the ceiling. For the first time in his life, he cared about something more than what he could get out of it and making sure he looked good. The pressure was on.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

INT. ARIZONA – GRANDPARENT’S HOME – AFTERNOON

STEVEN and his GRANDMOTHER are in the kitchen.  GRANDMOTHER hands him a cold drink.

STEVEN

Thanks.

(Glances at his watch and shakes his head.)

STEVEN’S GRANDMOTHER

Are you filming today?

STEVEN

No, another day lost.

(He gulps down the drink.)

STEVEN’S GRANDMOTHER

All your life all you ever thought about was what you lost.

STEVEN leans back on the counter and looks at her.

STEVEN’S GRANDMOTHER

Maybe you’re too afraid of losing.

STEVEN

What are you trying to say?

ROXY comes into the room holding her bag.

They stare at each other.

STEVEN