Keep To The Script (Complete)

~ Chapter 16 ~

“He’s, uh,” she paused, her face turning back to the phone in her hand. “He’s my friend, and this is his home. He’s also the actor in the movie.” She was silently hoping they would drop it, but she knew her family. They had a bone, and they were going to chew on it till they got the answers they wanted, and what she just gave them was far too vague for their tastes. “Listen, guys, I love the call…”

“Oh no you don’t, sister of mine,” Justin said, the twinkle in his eye letting her know that she was about to get drilled. She glanced back at Angel who only shrugged, but the smirk tilting up his lips did nothing to disguise his innocence. Oh, he was going to pay for that one, she vowed to herself.

“Nothing to tell, Justin. Can you please just let it go?”

“Getting it on with someone from the set? Can you do that as the writer?” Judith ran a hand over her face before reaching behind her to smack Angel, who was cracking up at the question. “For real, isn’t that seen like giving favoritism or some s**t?”

“Oh my God, Justin! Can you really not go there?”

“What, it’s a legit question.”

“No, it’s not, and yes, I can, not that it’s any of your damn business. Now can I call you back later on, like when I’m back at my apartment?”

“Oh, and alone?” Justin asked, causing her mom to push her way back on the screen.

“Why be alone when you got a hunk back there?” her mom asked, causing Judith to groan. God damn, who were these people? She missed phone calls and now everyone was just coming at her. She never should have picked up her phone!

“Oh my…no, just let it go. I love you and will talk to you all later.” Before anyone else could push their way in or say something else, she disconnected the call and shoved her phone in her pocket, glaring at the man who was still laughing.

“Oh, hell, I like your family, they’re great.”

“Shut up,” she mumbled. Really, they were. But they were curious, and they wouldn’t leave her alone. And she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t come out here for a fling, but that sure seemed to be what was happening, regardless of what she f*****g said or not!

“Hey, your family is just protective, and it’s a good thing. Seems like you haven’t told them too much.”

“Not about you or about anything. Really, when I get home, I hit the bath, watch about twenty minutes of TV, and I’m out in bed. I wasn’t sure what I thought it would be like when I came out here, but grueling hours sure didn’t seem like it.”

“So of course, they’re concerned. You don’t give them anything. And it’s not like you just got out here, you know.” Judith rolled her eyes at him. She knew, she really did. But by the time she was watching the TV, she didn’t have the mental energy it took to talk to her family. She wasn’t sure what she thought when she heard the words “your book into a movie” but 16- and 17-hours a day were not it. In fact, if she had known that she might have just said do what you will, that’s too much work.

Hell, for her, sitting at her desk, working on her computer was better than sitting in a chair, watching them re-do a scene over and over for the littlest of things. It was also easier to fight with the characters in her head and on paper than fight with real humans who really didn’t want to listen to her. She couldn’t say it wasn’t flattering to see so much effort go into a piece that was her pride and joy, because it was, but damn, the headaches were something she wasn’t thinking would happen or that she was expecting. So, yeah, by the end of the day, she was past mentally drained.

And she loved her family, loved how they were. But that one phone call alone showed how hyper, how over the top they could be sometimes, and it was rough! So, when she just wanted to veg, she did. She knew her family would hate her for it, but she had no choice. They knew her and understood her, but she wasn’t sure they would grasp this. Sure, they weren’t blind or dense, but she didn’t think they even understood the hard work and energy that went into making movies. And God, hers was just a simple romance, she couldn’t phantom making some action deal.

“I know, Angel, but this is new to me, dealing with Hollywood is new to me. They wouldn’t be able to get why I’m so drained.”

“It’s your family, you know them best. Just don’t be so surprised they’re full of questions, okay? You haven’t given them anything.”

“I know, and I’m not, not really. I would be the same way if it was me on the other end.” She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and pulled it out, smiling as her mom’s name appeared on the screen, showing she had sent a message. She opened the icon and read it, shaking her head.

“What’s that for?” Judith finished her wine and sat the glass by the sink before turning to look at him.

“It’s from my mom. She thinks you’re rather cute and wants me to give her more information on what’s happening between us.” His hands landed on either side of her on the counter, caging her in. His height required her to look up at him. “What?”

“And what are you going to tell her?”

“It’s a slow road, how’s that?” His eyes fell to her lips and his head bent down, his lips brushing over hers.

“Sure, but you don’t believe it anymore, so I would suggest you tell her the truth.” Before she had time to question what he meant, or why that sounded so damn good to her, his lips took hers, this time with more force and she whimpered. For such a tender age, he sure could kiss! Her body tingled from her head to the tips of her toes just by his lips on hers. And if everything came from that simple act, she couldn’t even wrap her mind around the fact of what it would be like wrapped up in his arms and in his bed.

But before she could dive any more into those tortuous thoughts, he pulled back, his hands holding her hips. When did they get there? Her eyes slowly fluttered open, and he smiled at her, lightly kissing her nose. God, could he be any cuter?

“Go text your mom, you really don’t need her to worry any more than she has, I’m sure.” He stepped back, letting oxygen flow once more into her mind and she nodded, slowly making her way upstairs.

-----

“Why are we shopping again?” Judith asked. Sure, she kind of enjoyed it, but it wasn’t her favorite pastime. She still had to wrap up her packing, but no, Angel thought it best to take her out after a decent breakfast. And she still wasn’t certain exactly what they were looking for.

“Something for tonight. You wore all your outfits already.” She stopped and frowned before looking at him. Okay, so she had, what was the problem? He had a washer and dryer; she could have tossed something in before leaving. And it wasn’t like there wasn’t time. She also was certain that no one would be snapping pictures of her going or leaving his parents’ house.

“I don’t understand,” and she didn’t, she didn’t get it at all.

“I don’t need you to. I just want you to have a new outfit.” She crossed her arms in the middle of the aisle. The way he said that really only added to her confusion. It seemed like he was going to buy it for her, and she couldn’t allow that.

“Are you ashamed or something?” That was crazy to her, but she could say that it wouldn’t be the first time, as stupid as it sounds. He turned and looked at her, his confusion showing like hers.

“What? Not at all! I love your outfits. I just want you to feel confident meeting my family.” He walked over to her and took her hands. “JD, you’re a great woman, beautiful, smart, witty, charming, but your confidence is lacking. Sometimes the right outfit just helps, and that’s all I want to do.”

“I don’t need you to buy it for me.” He shook his head but held up his hands.

“I wasn’t going to. You think I would push that at this moment in time when I already know I’m on thin ice?” God damn it, was he really that perfect? She was still waiting to see his faults here!

“Good, thank you. Now, a cute skirt would be nice.”

“Like this?” he asked her, holding up a one-piece outfit that was slightly cut off the shoulder.

“For sure like that! God, you have great eyes!”

“Eh, I know what looks good. Here,” he told her, handing her the piece, “dressing rooms are in the back.” She smiled her thanks as she took the outfit and walked to the back room, closing the door behind her. Judith put the dress up and turned to set her purse down on the bench, but her eye caught the magazine that was lying there. With shaking hands, she picked up the publication, almost groaning at the two of them on the front cover, along with the headline of how the start landed the leading role. She didn’t dare open it to read what other bullshit was spewed but she did yank the door open.

“Angel,” she called, and he came around the corner, smiling.

“Done already?” he asked but then his hands landed on what she was holding and how she was shaking. “God damn it,” he muttered, taking the offending piece.