“Court her?”
“Yeah, like the old-fashioned way, sort of. There are lots of rules. Like no holding hands until you are engaged. No kissing until your wedding day. Chaperones when you are together. You would play Jackson, the town’s bad boy. What Daddy doesn’t know is that Angel lives a very promiscuous double life and Jackson is her favorite plaything. Jennifer Edwards will be playing Angel and Knox Daniels will be playing Nathan, the guy who Daddy brings in to court Angel. Of course, Nathan believes Angel is a good girl virgin and while Daddy thinks Nathan’s a church going man, he’s a bad boy too. He only wants to marry Angel to get control of some land Daddy owns that has lots of oil under it. And he thinks he can do that by getting Angel to fall in love with him.”
“Two bad boys. That sounds like every woman’s dream.”
“Based on the gross from your last film, I think you’re every woman’s dream, Jake.”
“Do I get the girl in the end?”
“No.”
“Ha! Even better. Did you write the script?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m in.”
I give Dallas a thumbs-up.
“Can you be at our office, like now?”
“Sure thing.”
“Awesome. You’ll meet with Dallas first, talk contract, and then you’ll go straight to a photo shoot with Knox and Jennifer.”
“She’s a cutie. I’m excited to work with her. She kissed me at the Oscars.”
I laugh. “I think she kissed everyone. She’ll be excited to work with you. And thanks, Jake.”
“Anytime, Monroe. See you soon.”
I hang up and look down at my cell. More missed calls. More texts from board members.
“We need to talk about Riley,” I say with a sigh to Dallas. “The board wants me to fire him.”
“Ariela has him all messed up.”
“I know. I feel bad.”
“Don’t. I think it’s about time he dealt with it.”
“Thanks, Dallas. That makes me feel better.”
“Keatyn, Vegas and how Riley has been behaving is on him. So are you going to fire him?”
“I do want to make some changes,” I say.
Then I tell him what I plan to do.
“How do you think Riley will take it?” I ask Dallas, nervously.
“You kinda have him by the balls right now.”
“I don’t want that though. Grandpa is right. Working with friends can be tricky.”
“It will be interesting to see Riley’s reaction.”
“You’re going to make me cry, Dallas.”
“Better than making you puke,” he says with a laugh, getting up. “I’m gonna go get Jake’s contract ready. Do you need me to make some calls to the board members? Buy you some time?”
“No, they can wait with everyone else. I mean, what’s the worst thing they can do? Even if they all get pissed and sell their stock, I own the majority. I did a hostile takeover once,” I say, remembering how I bought out the company that became Captive Films from my stalker. “No way I’d ever let our investment become vulnerable. They’ll just have to trust I’ll do what’s best for Captive.”
“True. They just want their egos stroked.”
“I should have a dirty comeback for that, Dallas, but I’m too tired.”
“You look tired. Have you eaten this morning? You’re growing a baby. It takes a lot of calories. Have Tyler order in some food. We’re going to be here all day. Wait, aren’t you supposed to be on set?”
“I was, but they cancelled my call time because, well, because Knox was in jail.”
Captive Films - Santa Monica
RILEY
Aiden picked us up at the airport and announced that he’d been instructed to take us straight to Captive Films.
We’re entering in the back way, through the parking garage to Keatyn’s private entrance.
“I’m not going in there!” Jennifer cries. “I’m a mess!”
“I second that,” Knox says.
I keep my mouth shut. I got kicked out of boarding school my freshman year because of an incident involving an older girl, a Homecoming float, and a lot of alcohol, sex, and nakedness. I feel like that freshman boy again, waiting in the principal’s office for my parents to arrive, and wondering how much trouble I’m going to be in.
“I don’t really feel good,” Knox says, cracking the window.
Dawson punches him in the shoulder. “You were feeling good last night.”
“Does anyone even remember last night?” Jennifer asks, holding her head.
“Don’t worry,” Aiden says. “I’m told there are plenty of photos to fill the gaps in your memory.”
Jennifer’s eyes get big. “Are you serious? There are pictures?”
“Yes. Your fun last night is this morning’s publicity nightmare. Keatyn started getting calls from board members at five this morning.”
“Shit,” Jennifer and I both say, slumping down in our seats.
We arrive through the back elevator and are lined up in the board room like we’re going in front of a firing squad. I see through the glass that Vanessa is marching toward us.
And she looks pissed.
“I can’t take her today,” I mutter.