We head toward the exit, and I’ll be glad to see the back of Blackrock Prep today. I honestly thought this day would never end. Time seemed to drag by, slowing to the point where the world was barely turning. Checking my cell every few minutes didn’t help, but I’ve been on tenterhooks all day, wondering how Reeve’s meeting with his new agent and the studio heads went. From the feedback he has received so far, we know the casting director loves him, but the movie director has a few concerns.
“If it’s meant to be, he’ll get the part.” Audrey loops her arm through mine and her emerald gaze pins me in place as we walk. “He’s way too talented to be overlooked for long.”
“Hollywood is crammed full of talented actors who never make it,” I remind her. “But Reeve has the trifecta. Talent, looks, and determination, and I just know he’s going to make it.”
“I’m sure your parents would help too.”
“Help with what?” Alex says, materializing on Audrey’s right, injecting himself into the conversation, as usual.
“Reeve’s career.” Audrey stretches up to peck her boyfriend on the lips.
“They would be happy to help, but he wants to do it by himself, and I respect that.” It would be easy for Reeve to use my mom’s star power or either of our fathers’ connections to get a leg up in Hollywood, but he wants to earn roles on his own merits, and I can relate. While I’m still not totally decided on whether I’ll go the writing or costume design route, whatever I choose to do, I want to do it myself, without any interference or help from my parents.
“Fuck.” Alex drags one hand through his sandy-blond hair, and I swear I hear a collective swoon from the girls in the vicinity. To the legions of adoring fans who worship the ground he walks on, it doesn’t matter that Alex and Audrey have been dating exclusively for the past two years. As our illustrious QB, he has garnered plenty of admirers, in the same way Reeve has. Reeve and Alex are easily the two hottest guys in our private school, and hordes of drooling girls would kill to be in my, and Audrey’s, shoes. “He didn’t get the part?” Alex asks, holding the double doors open for us.
“I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him yet,” I say, stepping outside into glorious sunshine. Although L.A. in late September is generally warm and sunny, we’ve had an unusual spell of extremely hot weather this week. We’re all hoping it extends to the weekend so we can go swimming at the beach.
Alex slings his arm around Audrey’s shoulders as we descend the steps to the sidewalk. A pang of longing hits me square in the chest when he brushes her glossy red hair to one side and plants a trail of little kisses along her neck. I didn’t get to see Reeve last night after school, and I’m suffering major withdrawal symptoms. It’s the same any time we are separated for more than a day. We have been joined at the hip for so long I cannot even fathom ever living my life without him in it.
An icy shiver crawls up my spine, and I shake the hideous thought from my stupid brain. If there is one thing I’m sure about in this life, it’s that Reeve Elon Lancaster was made specifically for me and we will love one another every single day for the rest of our lives. Okay, so that’s two things, but I’m just as sure about both.
“Three o’clock,” Alex says, briefly lifting his mouth from his girlfriend’s neck.
I whip my head around, spotting Reeve parked at the curb, leaning back against his Porsche with his arms folded, looking hotter than any guy has a right to be. My gaze does a slow perusal, from the ground up, and a deep ache pulses between my legs. He dressed the part today, wearing tight, black, ripped jeans that cling to his long, lean legs and toned thighs, fitting snuggly against his crotch in a way that has me licking my lips and squeezing my thighs together. His black button-down shirt is stretched tight across his muscular chest, highlighting the extra definition in his torso and biceps.
Reeve wanted this part so badly he changed his appearance to better suit the role of Camden Marshall. Cam is the hero in Cruel Intentions, the first book in the bestselling Rydeville Elite series, a firm favorite with fans of dark high school bully romance.
Reeve has been working out like a demon for this part, and his shoulders and chest are broader, he’s now sporting an impressive six-pack, and his arm porn is to die for. His hair has been dyed a darker shade of brown to disguise his natural blond highlights. Normally, Reeve wears his hair long on top but styled back off his face. Now, the longer parts of his hair are artfully styled in messy waves and the sides have been shorn much tighter with a zig-zag line in the skin fade. He even wore brown contacts over his natural blue eyes to complete the transformation.