I clenched my fists and took a step toward him, ready to knock the living shit out of him, which really wouldn’t be helpful. Yes, he worked for me, but he was right. He was also my friend. My best friend, if I was being honest with myself.
I opened my mouth to speak, then quickly shut it. Taking in a calming breath, I said, “She’ll leave once she finds out what it’ll be like. You and I both know it.”
Hank shook his head. “She loves you, and if you honestly think she’ll leave, then maybe you don’t know her as well as you think you do.”
The conversation I’d had with another actor months ago replayed in my memory. He had only confirmed what I had feared. He had fallen in love with a woman who was not a part of Hollywood, and she ended up deciding it was not the life for her and they broke up. Hank was wrong. The moment we went public, everything would change. I just needed a little bit more time. One more movie. I only had to do this one last obligation and that would be it. “I don’t have time for this. I’ve got an event to get to.”
“Which Brighton declined, didn’t she?” Hank tossed out.
I stopped for a moment. This time I really had to force myself not to turn and punch him. But he was right again. Bree had declined to go. I’d told her a friend of mine had invited me to a private function, and we could go together as a couple and not have to hide it. It would mean more people would find out about us, and the chances of her name getting out would be even greater, but the way her eyes lit up at the idea of us being together in such a public setting had thrilled me.
She’d still said no, though. She had a trial she was preparing for. And I’d been heartbroken. I knew the press would be vetted inside, so I wasn’t worried about them digging up information or printing anything harsh about Brighton. This would have been the perfect place to appear together. Other actors would be there as well, and it wasn’t like it was a huge secret anymore. A lot of people knew I was dating someone, just not who I was dating. But I had always been fiercely private, so it wasn’t unlike me to hide information about the person I was dating.
Instead of punching Hank, I said, “Make sure you’re here at four to pick me up. We have to get Kathleen on the way.”
“Kathleen?” Hank repeated in a shocked voice.
I nodded. “Yes. Laura wants us to show up together, to promote the upcoming film.”
Hank stared at me with a disbelieving expression.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I’m confused. What if Brighton had said yes?”
I shrugged. “I’d planned on meeting her inside. I’d do the walk in with the press with Kathleen and meet Brighton there. Even if we were public it would be that way, Hank. You know that. We’re trying to promote the movie.”
Hank stood there and blinked over and over before he slowly shook his head. “You really are a stupid son of a bitch.”
Before I could say a word, he headed around the front of the car and slipped into the driver’s seat, speeding off to park the car.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I called at the retreating car before I turned and headed in to change for the black-tie event.
The problem was, I knew exactly what was wrong. I was simply afraid to admit the truth.
Kathleen was being a little too friendly in the limo on the way to the event. I’d already lost count of how many times I’d moved her hand off my leg.
“So we won’t be meeting this mystery woman of yours tonight?” Kathleen asked.
“No, she couldn’t make it.”
“Pity. I guess I’ll have to play your date for the evening, then.”
Turning to look at her, I smiled. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Kathleen. We walk in together and then go our separate ways.”
“We’re filming a movie together, Luke. The more publicity we get, the better.”
I sighed. “I’m not looking to get that kind of publicity.”
She laughed, and it was fake as hell. “Everyone wants that type of publicity.”
“Not me.”
We’d already started to film the movie, shooting a few scenes back in LA. Official filming wouldn’t begin until next month, since Kathleen had another movie she was finishing and I was about to co-star in a project that was being filmed in Australia. I had already asked Brighton to come with me, since I’d be there for two or three weeks, and she’d said yes. The press in Australia was nothing like here in the States. We’d be free to be ourselves, go anywhere we wanted, do everything together. It would be heaven.