Table of Contents
www.lawrenceediting.com
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Epilogue
The Callback
Behind the Scenes #1
Brandy L Rivers
Copyright 2017 Brandy L Rivers
http://brandylrivers.com
Cover Design by Brandy L Rivers
Edited by Emily A. Lawrence
www.lawrenceediting.com
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Bundled Sets
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2
Combustible – the Complete Series
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Falling Into Place
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Blood Bound
Untitled (Coming 2018)
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds
Darkness Binds (Coming 2018)
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Branches of Emrys
Sleepwalker
Dreams of Change
Untitled (Coming 2018
Combustible
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn
Love Behind the Scenes
The Callback
Untitled – Ryan’s story (Coming 2018)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled
Shifted Vengeance (Coming 2018)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Epilogue
Foreword
About Brandy L Rivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Acknowledgements
Dedication
To my family who always supports me and my crazy.
Chapter 1
The music thrummed through the club. Da Vogue was busy for a Monday night. Needing to stretch his legs, Luke strode through the crowd toward the bar to order a round of drinks for his table.
They could have waited for the cocktail waitress, but the place was slammed, and he was hungry for something not on the menu. Maybe someone would pique his interest.
Surprisingly, he walked right up to the counter. The bartender tipped her head. “Evening, Luke. Who are you with tonight?”
“Ryan and Manny.” He’d been on a TV show with Ryan King when they were kids. Ryan’s older brother, Manny, was a part of Hollywood now, but always behind the scenes.
“I know what to make.” She went to work on drinks while Luke turned to take another look for a companion. Three weeks to relax between movies, and he needed something.
For now, he’d settle for a wild night. Anything to get this pent-up energy out.
A beautiful blonde moved close, her smile seductive. He recognized her, but couldn’t recall why.
“Looking for a dance?” she asked.
“After a round of drinks. What are you having?”
“Gin and Tonic.”
Luke turned and the bartender’s brow arched, but she made the drink without having to be asked. Luke handed over his card, took two drinks, and nodded to the other two. “Help me out?”
The blonde smiled. “I get to sit with Luke Chance and Ryan King?”
Nodding, he smiled. “And after my drink, we’ll dance.”
“My pleasure.”
She followed him back to the table and he slid in. Once seated, she leaned closer. “I’m Tara Punce. You’re Luke, you’re Ryan.” Her gaze settled on Manny. “I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you.�
�
Manny smiled. “Manny King. His brother.” He nodded to Ryan. “I’m a screenwriter.”
“Nice to meet you.” She immediately turned her attention to Luke.
He gulped down his drink and nodded to the floor. She drank hers quickly and took his hand. He caught Ryan rolling his eyes and paused for half a second before deciding he didn’t care what Ryan thought.
Luke didn’t have much time to unwind before he was back to a crazy filming schedule.
* * * *
Four-thirty in the morning and Luke already realized his mistake. Tara was a damned fame-hound. After round one, she talked non-stop about red carpet events, where they could go to have their picture snapped. After round two, she was finally asleep.
He managed to extract himself from her grasp and pull on his clothes before tip-toing through the door.
He made it to the street and pulled the phone from his pocket, hoping to find a nearby Lyft. Luckily, one was around the corner.
He leaned against the fence outside her apartment building.
Tara came running out in a nighty and he closed his eyes, praying the damned car would hurry up.
“Where are you going?” Tara demanded. “You said we had a great time.”
He rubbed at his forehead. “Yeah, but that’s all it was. I told you, I wasn’t looking for more.”
“Men always say that. They never mean it.”
He snorted. “We usually mean it.”
“You’re an asshole.”
He’d been called worse by similar women. “Look, Tara, it’s nothing against you, but I’m going to be leaving for another movie soon. I don’t have time for you.” More specifically, he didn’t have time for someone who wanted to be with him just to get herself in the spotlight.
“We can have more fun while you’re in LA. Then after you come back, we can pick up where we leave off.”
“Not happening, Tara.” The car pulled up.
Luke ducked into the back seat and gave the address.
Tara yelled at him.
“Please drive,” Luke calmly suggested.
The driver nodded, not saying a word. She finally pulled onto the street.
“You okay?” Luke asked.
“Sorry, a little starstruck. Bad night?”
He glanced back at Tara, who ran after them, still yelling. “Night was fine. This morning blows. One day, I might learn my lesson.”
The driver focused on the road, while he put his head back and closed his eyes.
He should have realized what Tara was after when she dismissed Manny. She was only interested in Luke’s fame.
* * * *
Two nights later, Luke sat at their table at Da Vogue. Ryan and Manny were at his side. He was restless, watching women pass by. Some stopped to talk, but not a single one caught his attention.
“Shit,” Ryan muttered. “Drama-hound is back.”
Manny perked up. “Tara?”
Ryan rolled his eyes with a nod.
Luke scooted down in the seat, hoping to go unnoticed.
“What’s your problem?” Manny snapped. “You took her home just a couple nights ago.”
“Relax, what crawled up your ass?” Luke asked.
“I would have at least treated her right. Instead of storming out of her house in the middle of the night.”
Ryan shook his head. “She’s full of drama. You heard him tell Tara it was one night, nothing more.”
“Yeah, but I want a lot more than that with her,” Manny bit out.
Luke held up his hands. “Then by all means, have at her. But good luck. She’s a drama queen, and I don’t have time for that.”
Manny pushed his way out of the booth and strode to the counter.
Luke swung his gaze back to Ryan. “Did you know he wanted Tara?”
He sighed. “Yeah, but he doesn’t stand a chance. He needs to learn that some women are only after one thing. She wants to be famous for being with someone famous. That’s all Tara cares about. And she’ll parade that around the tabloids if it gets her face out there. And I gave you the signal.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think anything of it. And had I known Manny wanted her, I would have left her alone.”
Ryan watched his brother. “I’m hoping this teaches him a lesson. Do me a favor. I don’t care how horny you get. Don’t fuck with her again.”
Luke shot him a glare. “Never.” He looked down at his hands. “Besides, I’m tired of the game. Tired of the women I meet.”
Ryan’s brow arched. “Going to try men on for size?”
“No.” He leaned back and sighed. “I need to find the right woman.”
“You’re looking for love?”
He met Ryan’s gaze. “Maybe. Right now, I need something more than what I’ve been getting. I want to get to know someone, figure out if it’s worth it.”
“Good luck with that. Though I really doubt you’re going to find that here.”
Checking his pockets, he slid out of the booth. “You’re right. In fact, I’m not feeling it tonight. I’m going home. Tell your brother I wish him luck with Tara.”
Ryan sighed. “I will, but I hope to God she turns him down.”
Luke snorted. “You and me both.”
Chapter 2
Empty was the last thing Leona expected to feel after the divorce became final, but that’s where she was. So many wasted years, and she wasn’t even sure where it went wrong.
She hated dwelling and had vowed to move on. Time for some major changes in her life. A new opportunity had popped up only a couple days before, and the pros seemed to outweigh the cons, even if that voice of doubt was louder than ever.
Leona left the courthouse and hurried for her Jeep.
Someone caught her arm as she reached the door. She looked over her shoulder and found her ex-husband. “Can we talk?”
Turning, she yanked her arm free. “Why? Wait, I don’t really care. Look, Russell, we’re legally over. Which means whatever you have to say, I don’t give a shit.”
“Don’t you think you owe me something?”
Leona put her hands up. “Apparently the judge doesn’t think so. I’d have to agree. And I’m glad your parents insisted on a prenup when I was stupid enough to marry you at nineteen. You got what you deserve.”
“That’s not fair. You and I both know I couldn’t keep you happy.”
She blew out a breath. “Why? Because of what I write?”
“Our relationship never compared to your books. You had to learn it from somewhere else.”
“Yeah, my imagination. I was too busy writing to cheat on you. You’re the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants. By the way, have a good life.” She slipped into her Jeep, locked the doors, and started up the engine.
He leaned down, placing his hands on her window, and she backed up, hoping like hell he left his foot under the tire, but he threw himself back against the car next to hers and set off the alarm.
She slipped her headset on and hit speed dial for her best friend.
Mona answered a couple rings later. “Hey, you finally single?”
“Yes, indeed. And I need to bounce a couple ideas off you, see what you think.”
“About?” Mona asked.
“Can I pick you up? You off work yet?”
“I’m about to see my last client for the day. Pick me up in an hour?”
“Sure, I’ll be outside with a coffee for you.”
“This isn’t about a story, is it?”
“Sort of.” Her brow pinched and she blew out a breath. “I’ll talk to you in an hour.”
“Right. Okay. Talk to you soon.”
Leona glanced at the clock and headed to the coffee shop as she pressed speed dial for her mother.
“Good news?” Allana, her fifteen-year-old niece, asked.
“It’s officially over. And look, I don’t expect you to write off your uncle because we didn’t work out.”
“You already told me that. And you’re st
ill my favorite.”
“You too. Hey, what are you doing this weekend? Want to go out to dinner with me?”
“Always. Can Mom come?”
“Of course. And maybe Naydene can help me figure something out.”
“Awesome. And hey, I’ll keep my summer free if you want to take me to Dreamer’s Retreat.”
An old friend owned the quiet resort in Hawaii. It was far enough out few tourists would be around. The resort was geared toward artists, authors, anyone creative. Considering Leona wrote books, and Allana loved painting, drawing, and creating, it would be perfect. Her sister, would probably read the whole time, enjoying a break from her hectic life.
Leona grinned. “Sounds good. Maybe even on spring break?”
“Ooh, that could work.”
“Can you get Grandma?”
“Hang on.” Allana yelled for her.
Mom came on. “What happened?”
“It’s officially over, and he got nothing.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Not a single damned cent. I’m kind of glad my lawyer hired the private eye now. You know Russell was with Mindy for a year before he served the papers. I’m glad it’s over.”
“You okay?”
“I’m great. Things had been falling apart for a long time. I only wish I’d realized it sooner. I would have divorced him then.”
“Want to come for dinner?” Mom asked.
“Nope, I’m going to hang out with Mona. How about tomorrow? I’ll spend the day with you.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
“Talk to you later.” She hung up.
After grabbing coffee, she drove to the gym where Mona was a personal trainer. Leona parked, sat the seat back, and pulled her laptop out to write.
Zack’s story was flowing when Mona opened the passenger door and dropped into the seat. “So, what’s going on?”
Leona blew out a breath. “Remember how I got an agent to deal with foreign and media rights?”
“Yeah.”
Leona handed over the coffee and lifted a shoulder. “Someone wants to make Midnight Daughter a movie. And it’s not a little studio. It’s a big one. Huge.”
“That’s amazing. Think about how many new readers you’ll gain.”