“You don’t have to work, Joey. I’ll take care of you. I already told you earlier that I want you to travel with me. I don’t want to be one of those couples that are separated by distance and plagued by rumors. If we’re together, we’re stronger than being apart.”
I hadn’t thought about not working, or needing to find a job in Los Angeles. His words give me a sense of relief all while making me feel happy. I want to be with him, and if that means living out of a hotel for however long it takes, so be it. As long as we’re together, I’ll be happy.
As we touch down at the Jack-Edwards Airport, I figure now is the best time to let her know that Sweet Home Alabama wasn’t exactly filmed here. That has to be one of the hardest parts as an actor when it comes to locations. You read a script and the writers’ notes tell you where the film is based, you get excited and look up what the town is like and try to picture yourself as your character walking down the street, only to find out you’re not actually filming there, but one or two states away because it’s cheaper and the tax credits are higher. In Hollywood it’s all about the most bang for your buck.
The same can be said about book adaptations. They’re never the same. People are either going to love the book and hate the movie or vice versa. Personally, I love both, especially when they’re different.
Walking through the airport without a security detail is risky, but I figured no one here would really care. I was wrong. Maybe it’s the drawback of first class. Sure, we get on first and get free cocktails, but getting off the plane first in this situation is backfiring. It didn’t take long, maybe a minute or less, for someone to recognize … Joey. Not me, but my wife. And while I filled with pride and my ego swelled because Joey is fucking gorgeous, I feared the onslaught that was about to ensue.
Within seconds we were swarmed, stranded out in the middle of the concourse, surrounded by restaurants without a desk agent in sight. Even as I held her tight and tried to push my way through the crowd we weren’t getting anywhere.
That’s when we were saved by the airport transit who all but ran people over in order to get to us. Once we hopped on, the fans groaned in unison, making it sound like they were growling. Growling! Who the hell growls at people in the airport?
“Thank you,” I say to the driver.
“No worries, man,” he replies in a thick Jamaican accent. Hearing him speak gives me another idea for a vacation with Joey. We need a real honeymoon at some tropical island where no one can bother us. I want the seclusion of a private beach without prying eyes and a damn camera.
“Is it always like that?” Joey asks as she nestles into my side. I can feel her heart beating rapidly and mentally kick my own ass for not thinking things through.
“No and that’s my fault. I forgot about the show being recently aired and didn’t think we’d need any security. It won’t happen again.” I pull her closer, angling my body toward her, and kiss her on her forehead. Even now that we’re on the transport, people are taking videos and pointing at us.
Once we get to baggage claim, airport security is there to meet us, as well as our driver. Of course, the sign welcoming me to Alabama isn’t helping matters. Maybe it’s time I develop an alias and start traveling under that. If I do, I want something cool that makes people do a double take.
We’re taken right out to the car, with our bags already secured by security, and finally closed in once the door slams shut. The quiet is somewhat comforting, but the agitated state my wife is in isn’t.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine, Josh.” Placing her hand on my cheek, she pulls me into a kiss. “I wasn’t mentally prepared and I should’ve been. I’ve seen the crazy pictures coming from LAX. I guess I didn’t think it’d happen at all the airports.”
“Can I point out that it was you that got us noticed? Not me!” I jab myself in my chest to send the point home, but all she does is laugh.
“Does that make you jealous?”
“Hell no. I only worry about how you’re going to react.”
“I got this,” she says, gracing me with a beautiful smile. “I knew what to expect, and now that I’ve seen it firsthand I’ll be more prepared.”
The driver pulls us into the car rental location and helps us with our bags. At the counter, we hand over our driver’s licenses and wait.
“We need to change yours,” I tell Joey.
Joey looks at me with the most serious expression I have ever seen. “What if I don’t want to change my name? The producers never even asked if I wanted to take my ‘husband’s’ l
ast name. I mean can you imagine if you had the last name Hoey and now I’d be Joey Hoey?”
“Are you saying you don’t want to be Joey Wilson?” As much as I try to hide the hurt in my voice, I can’t and it’s stupid. I never wanted to be married in the first place, but now that I am, now that I’ve had her in my life for the past four, almost five months I want her to be a Wilson. I want the world to know that she’s mine.
Her face morphs into a huge smile causing my heart to beat faster. “I’m just giving you a hard time. I think once I have a permanent address I can get my license changed.”
Draping my arm around her shoulder, I shake my head. “I have a feeling you’re going to keep me on my toes.” Maybe that’s the key to a happy marriage: the jokes, pranks, and reminding ourselves that we can’t take everything so seriously.
When we’re finally on the road and heading toward Daphne, I drop the bomb. “So you know how you love Sweet Home Alabama?”
Her eyes light up, instantly making me feel like a dick. “Yes, such a sweet second chance love story and Josh Lucas …” She sighs, making me feel about ten inches tall.
“Do you have something for actors named Josh?”
“Yes, but just one mostly. Wilson’s his last name. Have you heard of him?” She winks and I can’t fight the shit-eating grin that spreads across my face. I’ve never felt this way before when receiving a compliment from a beautiful woman. Maybe it’s because I always thought there were ulterior motives and they were only saying these things to get something from me. It’s not like that with Joey. Every time she compliments me, it feels genuine.