The Decoy Girlfriend(68)
“With jumping straight from the most recent season to filming the movie, we’ve had a hectic production schedule. But we’ve been fortunate to work with a supportive team. And this guy”—she tips her chin up to give him a fond, adoring smile—“is such a wonderful, giving actor to act opposite, I honestly can’t imagine how hard it’s going to be not working with him on set every day. And I’m not just saying that because I’m dating him.”
This gets the expected round of light laughter, but her speech isn’t for them. She resents so much all her friendly overtures to Bowen when Taft is the one who deserves all praises, sung and otherwise. The crass allegations that he’s sold out somehow to do a commercial film and international projects needs to be dealt with in a way that only a writer and decoy girlfriend can.
“I was so struck by his nuanced acting chops and the tremendous energy he brought to Once Bitten, it’s why I knew he was the only possible lead for Banshee,” says Freya. “Taft is so passionate about his projects, and the commitment he’s shown me every day that I’ve known him, in every way, is remarkable. So many shows were wooing him, but I’m the lucky girl who succeeded.”
Freya winks at the crowd. The journalists can’t quote her fast enough, and the cast looks absolutely stink-eyed.
“The Banshee story and characters resonated to us creatively, and we both knew this was a project we really wanted to sink our teeth into, and we’re so lucky to get to do so in such a new and exciting way in the film, which we can’t wait to share with all of you.”
There. If Taft wants to toe the party line, play diplomat for his traitorous friends, then she can at least remind everyone that his career is thriving because of his own talent, not by just leaning on the past to stay relevant. She hopes her speech underscored the point in red.
“And, of course,” says Taft, “while I’ve had no involvement in the reboot, I wish the cast and crew all the best. I’m excited to watch my friends on-screen again, and hopefully this isn’t the last you see of me.” He manages to make his wink look cute, cheeky, and cryptic all at once.
Freya’s veins ignite.
Taft’s been kept out of the loop every step of the way, left out of the fucking family reunion, and he’s still so even-keeled so nobody loses face. Their treachery doesn’t deserve his diplomacy. As much as she loathes their behavior, it doesn’t hold a candle to how much she admires his grace under fire.
Chances are good that Freya’s the only one who recognizes how much this costs the man beside her. The journalists are eating this up, and Connor looks like he’s swallowed something sour.
Pens scratch and scribble across paper, thanks are given to Taft, and the media dissipates to find other celebrities to hound. Most of the cast follows suit, except for Connor and Holly. The powder keg of emotion doesn’t lessen with fewer eyes. She waits for Connor to thank Taft for the save, but he just stands there, shuffling his feet. Looking for all the world like he hasn’t done anything wrong.
Stunned by the silence, the words rip out of Freya. “Is that it?”
She knows that the real Mandi wouldn’t show as much emotion, but all it does is reinforce how much she wants to leap to Taft’s defense with daggers drawn. That it’s her place to do so. Her utter fucking privilege.
The ferocity of Freya’s stare pins Connor in place. “No, I’m sorry,” Freya fires off, not actually apologetic at all, “but how do you justify stabbing a friend in the back?”
His nostrils flare. “It’s work. It’s not personal.”
The words are scarcely more than a mumble, and if Connor truly believed his bullshit, he would look Taft in the eye while he said it.
“Mandi, no offense,” says Holly. “But this doesn’t affect you, so why are you even in this conversation? It’s not like Taft’s hurting for money or anything.”
Holly thinks Taft isn’t hurting? Once Bitten was a part of Taft’s life that meant everything to him, a part that he’ll never have again. Do they really think that just because he’s become more famous that he doesn’t care anymore? This man cares more about everything than anyone she’s ever known.
“I had to sign a nondisclosure agreement,” adds Connor. “I could kill whoever opened their mouth before the press release. You know they’re going to think it was me now, right?”
His wife nods along in sympathy, but is he callous enough to expect them to be indignant on his behalf, too? Evidently, yes.
Not one of these assholes have ever been gentle with Taft’s heart.
“It should have been you,” Freya hisses. If Taft isn’t going to be pissed, she will gladly gather all his grudges and carry them on his behalf. “That was one hell of a sucker punch, bestie.”
Connor’s eyes flash. “I didn’t want it to come out like this.”
It’s still not an apology.
“You should have trusted him,” says Freya. “You don’t do friends dirty like this. Even if you didn’t want to put anything in writing because of the NDA, you could have, oh, I don’t know, had a phone call? Met in person? Except that would involve actually giving a shit, right?”
“Okay, wow.” Connor’s jaw tightens. “You need to back off. This is between us boys, and he’s chill.” He throws Taft a C’mon, man look, like he wants him to collect his girl and slink away. “You get it, right?”