“We’re so proud of you, Reeve,” Mom adds. “Not just for winning such a prestigious role but for the man you are becoming. It’s been a pleasure watching you grow up.”
A messy ball of emotion clogs my throat as my parents shower my boyfriend with love.
I definitely won the parent lottery, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the ways they have nurtured and protected me while still giving me space to make my own choices and decisions. More than that, they have set the best example in the beautiful way they love one another. My whole life, I have aspired to a love like theirs, and I know I have found that in Reeve. It’s remarkable in any situation, but especially with the industry we’ve grown up in where constant affairs and quickie divorces are the norm.
My parents are true role models, and I love the relationship I have with them. Sure, they piss me off at times, all parents do, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
“Thank you so much,” Reeve says, his voice sounding choked up. He waves his hand around. “Not just for this but for everything.”
“You’re family,” Dad simply says, running a hand through his brown hair. Strands of gray have appeared lately, and I love that he’s not hiding them. It only makes him look more distinguished, and more handsome, though I could be biased. Some of the staff carry steaming plates of food into the room as we talk. “You’re as much our son as Vivien is our daughter. There will always be a place for you at this table and in our home.”
I swipe at the errant tears leaking out of my eyes, while Reeve steers me over to the table.
“Can I adopt your parents?” he whispers, holding my chair out for me. “I don’t think I can wait until we’re married to make it official.”
I smile, kissing him softly before claiming my seat.
“I’m hearing a lot of buzz about your movie,” Mom says a few minutes later when we are all seated and diving into a gorgeous steak dinner.
“Me too,” Dad says, in between bites. “It’ll be interesting to see how the public at large engages with a darker young adult movie.”
“It’s going to push boundaries, for sure.” I take a sip of my sparkling water. “I hope they remain true to the books. They are so good.” When Reeve first auditioned for the role a couple of months ago, I bought all the books in the Rydeville Elite series, and I literally could not put them down.
“Me too, and from what I’ve seen so far, they seem determined to remain as authentic as possible. I’m hella excited to play this part.”
“Cam is such an asshole in Cruel Intentions,” I say, cutting my steak into bite-sized pieces, “and he is so different from you. It will definitely stretch you out of your comfort zone.”
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted the part so bad.”
“Is the contract for one movie only or with an option for more?” Mom asks.
“One with the option of another two,” Reeve confirms. “And the author has written more books about other couples, so if it proves popular, it could turn into a franchise and keep going for years.”
“Be careful you don’t get pigeonholed,” Dad warns. “Look at how much Robert Pattinson struggled after the Twilight franchise.”
“Jon.” Mom drills a look at Dad. “Don’t rain on Reeve’s parade.” She smiles across the table at my boyfriend. “That would be a great problem to have, and you are young enough and talented enough to break out of any mold.”
“If it comes down to it, I would value your advice.” Reeve places his silverware down on his empty plate.
“We are always here for you,” Mom says. “And my offer to talk to Margaret still stands.” Margaret Andre is Mom’s long-term agent, and she is well-respected and well-known in the industry. She comes from a long line of Andres who worked in the industry, and she only takes on a select number of clients. Mom had offered to speak to her on Reeve’s behalf last year when he ditched his old agent, but he wanted to find new representation himself. While I don’t like Bianca Remington—Reeve’s new agent—I can’t deny she has pulled out all the stops for him. As long as she has his best interests at heart, I can tolerate her surgically enhanced resting bitchface.
“Thanks, Lauren, but I’m happy with Bianca right now. You should have seen her in the negotiations this morning. I can see how she has earned her rottweiler reputation.”
“Have they cast your leading lady yet?” Dad asks.
Reeve shakes his head. “They are having trouble casting Abby. They have rejected all the girls I tested with. However, there is someone they are talking to currently who they are very interested in. I’ll be filming a few scenes with her next week to see if we have chemistry.”
He mentioned he had to shoot some additional scenes next week, but he never mentioned it was only with one actress. “Who is she?”
“They haven’t said. It’s all hush-hush for now.”
“It must be someone with star power,” Mom says. “Someone the studio is desperate to sign.”
Reeve shrugs. “I don’t care as long as it’s someone I can work with, someone who will add value to the production and challenge me to deliver the best performance I can.” He turns to face me. “I was hoping you could run lines with me this weekend.”
“Of course. You know I’m always happy to run lines with you.”
He pecks my lips. “Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”
3
“Is she hot?” Nate inquires, waggling his brows. “And how many sex scenes do you have with her?”
Music shakes the windows, filtering out of the open door as the DJ Reeve hired for the party spins tunes in the ballroom where most of our classmates are currently drunk off their asses, or high as kites, or a mix of both.
I roll my eyes as I take a swig of my vodka cranberry. What is it with guys and sex on the brain? Though I really shouldn’t be criticizing considering the marathon sex session Reeve and I engaged in last night after we left my parents’ house.
“He doesn’t know who she is,” Audrey replies, swatting the back of Nate’s head. “Don’t you ever listen?”
A loud splash is followed by giggles and screaming as someone jumps in the pool. Inside Reeve’s house, the party is in full swing, but we’ve retreated to the covered patio to talk without shouting for a while.
“For fuck’s sake.” Reeve shakes his head, glaring at the two guys and three girls cavorting in their underwear in the swimming pool.
“I’ll handle it,” Alex says, standing.
Reeve made it clear there was no going in the pool tonight. It’s not like it’s the height of summer, even if we did get to spend a large portion of our day on Santa Monica Beach.
“So, who is she?” Nate asks again, leaning forward on his elbows.
“Come on, bro,” Zeke coaxes. “You know we’re gonna find out eventually.”
“I don’t know,” Reeve protests, sliding his arm around my shoulders. I scoot in closer on the rattan couch, snuggling into his side. “And even if I did, I couldn’t say anything. I had to sign a watertight NDA, so these lips are sealed.”
“But you get to fuck her, right?” Nate asks, his eyes glimmering with mischief.
“You’re an idiot.” I shake my head. “He’s playing a part, and most sex scenes on movie sets are very clinical. Trust me, there is little that is sexy about it.” At least, that’s what my parents have always said. It’s not like I’ve had a front-row seat or anything.
“Rawr.” Nate curls his fingers at me. “Look at your claws coming out.”
I flip him the bird. “I’m confident in my relationship and my mad sexual skills. Just ask Reeve. I practically rode him to death last night.”
Reeve spits beer all over the tile floor. “Babe. Tell the whole fucking world, why don’tcha?”