Hate the Player: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy(36)

Me: That’s okay. We’ll have plenty of time to mend fences when we start shooting in less than two weeks. And thanks again for my beautiful flowers, sweetheart.



Firecracker: I have a great idea, Andrew.



Okay, maybe not one final text message…



Me: I’m all ears.



I have to swallow back my laugh when I read her response.



Firecracker: Lose my number.



Me: Like I’d lose my emergency contact’s number. ;)



Firecracker: Oh my God. Go away.



Me: See you real soon, sweetheart.





Birdie



Some of the greatest rewards in life come from doing the things that scare you the most. That’s what my granny used to say.

Today, of all days, I really hope she’s right. I’m sitting at a table filled with some of Hollywood’s most important people, trying to play it cool and pretend I know what I’m doing, but I’m completely out of my element—and terrified.

This is the first official day of filming for Grass Roots, and our director has gathered us all for an early morning table-read before we dive into the meat and potatoes of shooting the first scene.

And the gang is literally all here. Howie King, Serena Koontz, and Nell Franz.

Tawny Rose—who will be playing Delilah, one of Arizona’s best friends.

Johnny Johnston—who was cast as Jude Dean, a man who is close friends with Cal Loggins and will eventually be the drummer in Arizona’s band and a man whose affection for her will be a huge catalyst for Cal.

Along with my other costars, Chris Cowley, Luke Sardini, Olivia Forest, Lauren Baker, and many other actors and actresses who will be a part of this project.

All well-known names in Hollywood.

All people who know what they’re doing, unlike me.

Everyone starts to settle into their seats around the vast table, and I lift the cup of coffee I grabbed from craft services to my mouth with a shaky hand and take a sip.

Jesus. I’m so nervous, and we haven’t even started.

The coffee is hot, too damn hot, and my first reaction is to spew it all over the goddamn place. But the value of emotional self-preservation in this situation is greater than the physical, and as a result, I settle for burning off half my taste buds. If I’m lucky they’ll grow back, and if not, maybe the inability to enjoy anything will do some of the work when it comes to curbing my appetite.

“Hi,” a calm male voice says beside me, and I lift my eyes from the script sitting before me to find Johnny Johnston sitting down directly to my right. “I’m Johnny,” he greets, and a soft smile moves across his lips.

“Birdie,” I say and reach out my hand to shake his. I’ve seen him star in several movies and I’ve seen his face on more than a few magazine covers, and just like Andrew, he’s even more attractive in person. Which, with the way things are photoshopped these days, is saying a lot. The way the news spins it, all of these guys should be half-Martian in person.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Birdie,” he says, and his mesmerizing blue eyes are kind and serene—a welcome distraction from the petrified energy running through my veins.

“Likewise.”

“This is your first big movie, right?” he asks, and I nod.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Unfortunately?” His striking face morphs into confusion, and a soft chuckle leaves his full lips. “Why do you say it like that?”

“Because I’m nervous as hell.”

He grins at that and offers a friendly pat to my hand that now rests on the table. “Don’t worry, everyone feels that way with not just their first movie, but every movie. It might get less and less over time, but there’s always at least a small amount of nervous energy when starting a new project.”

I appreciate his kind words, but it’s easy to make that statement when you’re well established in this business and have been around the movie block a time or two. I mean, Johnny Johnston has starred in all sorts of famous films. He’s basically one of Hollywood’s Golden Boys.

“I really hope you’re right,” I respond with a hesitant smile, and his grin grows wider.

“Trust me, you’re going to be great,” he says. “And if you ever feel uncertain about something or want some advice, don’t hesitate to find me. I’m more than happy to help.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

And God, I do hope he’s right. I hope I will be great in Grass Roots because the scenarios of me ruining this film that are currently rolling around inside my brain are freaking terrifying.

Horrible movie reviews.

Lackluster box office sales.

My entire career going up in flames.

You name it, and I’m thinking about it.

“Good morning, everyone,” Howie announces with a large smile on his face as he settles into the seat at the head of the table, drawing everyone’s attention. Short dark hair, a kind face, and tranquil green eyes, Howie King is what I would call classically handsome. He’s not quite superhuman like my male costars, but in the real world, he’d be considered a dang good catch. “Is it just me, or is today a fan-fucking-tastic day?” he asks, and everyone around the table chuckles softly.