Previous

I wake up the next morning at a decent time and not because my baby has decided it’s time to evacuate last night’s dinner. I’m still pissed off at Eric. What a dick move he pulled last night. Like an idiot I thought he was just doing something nice for me because, like he said, I looked like I needed it. No, he just wanted to get laid. That hurt.

Since it’s still relatively early and the car isn’t coming until ten, I linger in bed for a little while before I have to get up to go to the bathroom. While I’m in there I shower and all of that. I dress casually for the spa, seeing no point in getting all fancy for it since I’ll probably be in a robe most of the time. It was all Pam’s idea, insisting on it as her way of apologizing for ‘being such an epic twat’ in the past. She was able to get me squeezed in for essentially a full day of treatments and pampering, and even though it’s not really necessary I know better than to argue with her.

Once I’m showered and dressed I go on downstairs. I make myself some hard boiled eggs and toast. I also make a pot of coffee, hoping to make a point if Eric comes down. I don’t expect to see him before I leave for the day, but at about 9:30 he comes downstairs in a pair of boxers with his bedhead pointing all over the place. I refuse to let myself think he’s cute.

I’m still mad.

“Hey,” he says, and promptly scratches his balls.

Still classy.

“Hello,” I say primly.

“Still mad?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to piss you off.”

“Do you even know why I’m pissed off?”

“Not really.”

“Figures. There’s coffee if you’re interested,” I say without looking up from my eggs.

“Do you want to clue me in?”

“Well, you know…” I start as he pours himself a cup of coffee, “It’s a lot like that coffee you’re about to drink. I made that for you because I know you like it and because I could so I did. I did it without expecting anything in return. You don’t even have to thank me. I was just being nice.”

Instead of being a selfish asshole that only thinks with my dick and doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings as long as I’m getting regular orgasms. Jerk.

“Oh I see,” he sighs. “You’re pissed because you think I gave you a foot rub just to get laid.”

“You did.”

I know he did. Anything he says now is just him scrambling to cover his ass.

“Pam told me to rub your feet if I wanted to get lucky. I thought she was trying to hint that you’d said something,” he says.

“So it’s Pam’s fault you were trying to manipulate me, is that it?” I stare at him in disbelief. What is he, twelve?

“No, not Pa– I wasn’t manipulating you. I was just saying I thought it was what you wanted.”

“That’s great, Eric,” I shake my head and my appetite disappears. I get up and deposit the rest of my breakfast in the trash and rinse off my plate before putting it in the dishwasher. I’ll just wait outside for the car to show up. I don’t even want to be around him.

“Sookie, wait,” he says. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was manipulating you.”

“It’s fine. I should know better. See you later.” I leave him standing there in the kitchen and go upstairs to get my purse and shoes.

I’m pulling my phone off its charger when I hear Eric coming up the stairs. Great.

“Can we please talk about this?” he says as he comes into my room.

“I don’t think there’s anything to talk about, and the car will be here any minute.” I pick up my purse and walk past him out of the room to go back downstairs.

“You really think there’s nothing to talk about? You’re pissed at me and I apologized, and you don’t give a fuck.”

“You’re right, I don’t give a fuck because I’m still pissed off and I don’t think you get why I’m pissed off. I think you think this is all Pam’s fault. What she said to you doesn’t matter. Whether I told her you would get lucky or not – and really, does that sound like something I would say to Pam? – isn’t really the issue. The issue is that you were trying to manipulate me whether you think so or not. The other day when you bought me that purse? That was genuine. You did it because you knew it would make me happy and not because you were hoping I’d blow you in the car on the way home. I don’t want you to do things for me because you have ulterior motives or because you’re expecting a payback of some kind.” I yell. A lot. But I feel better after I unload it all on him.

Eric stands there, stunned, and then says, “Fine. Have fun at your spa shit. I’ll see you when you get back.”

With that, he turns around and stomps back up to his room.

“Asshole!” I yell after him, but he doesn’t respond. My hands are shaking a little as I walk out of the house but it’s a good thing I’m leaving. Maybe a little time apart will do us both some good.

xXx

When I get to the spa a personal coordinator goes over the list of things Pam has signed me up for. The whole thing starts with a massage geared toward expectant mothers, so I get a robe from Teal – yes, that’s really her name – and put it on in a fancy locker room. She leads me to a private room where the masseuse will join me shortly. There’s a very tranquil energy, but that’s a good thing since massages are all about relaxation.

My masseuse is nice and if she recognizes who I am, she doesn’t make much comment on it. I suppose she’s used to seeing pregnant celebrities and there’s probably some sort of clause in her contract that prohibits her from fangirling. We talk about the pregnancy in broad terms and she teaches me a few simple techniques I can do on my own to help relieve stress. By the time she’s done with me I feel like I’ve gotten a brand new body. Damian is on his/her best behavior today since I haven’t been sick once. I feel like this is something to celebrate.

After my mani/pedi Teal leads me to a little cafe so I can get some lunch. I get a chai vanilla latte and a salad of mixed greens, grilled chicken, dried cranberries, some sort of crumbled cheese and pecans. I eat slowly and enjoy my food, and the fact that I don’t feel like I’m going to hurl when I’m done. When I’m finished with my lunch, Teal takes me back to the waxer who I inform will not be going anywhere near my lady parts with wax strips no matter what Pam told her or set up for me.

She just shapes my eyebrows a bit and then it’s back to the locker room so I can get dressed. Over in the salon I’m seated in a chair with a stylist by the name of Russell. He’s got more personality in his eyelashes than some people do in their whole bodies.

“My sweet Lord in heaven, who doesn’t your coloring?” he asks me, his hands all aflutter as he finger combs my hair.

“Uh, the sweet Lord in heaven,” I tell him. “I’ve never had my hair colored.”

I’m a natural blonde and sunlight alone does all the highlighting I need. My hair ranges in shades of blonde from honey to platinum and I have zero control over the natural highlights in it.

“I have clients that would pay hundreds for hair like this,” he says, still running his fingers through it. “I think we just need to give it a little trim and then I’ll style you up. What sort of event are you going to tonight, sweetheart?”

“It’s the premiere of the new de Castro movie,” I tell him.

“The one with that yummy Alcide Herveaux in it?” he asks, and I nod. “Be still my heart. I’d take a bite of out him if I could.”

I chuckle at that and say, “Wouldn’t we all?”

“Come with me. I’ll shampoo you myself.” I get the feeling that’s a big deal.

I learn that Russell is originally from Jackson, Mississippi so we have something in common with our southern roots. Unlike the masseuse, Russell does ask me about Eric while he’s trimming my hair. It’s almost to my waist so losing two inches of it is nothing. When he’s finished it looks so much better than it did before. He blow dries it out and after I show him a picture of the dress I’ll be wearing later on, he decides to give me a slightly retro-looking hairstyle for the premiere that he thinks will look ‘classy, but romantic.’

It’s an updo that leaves my hair off my neck, but there are still a few little wisps hanging here and there that he curls with a big barrel curling iron. When he’s finished he calls Talbot over to do my makeup for me. By the time they’re finished with me I hardly recognize myself.

Eric is going to shit his pants when I get back.

“You two are miracle workers,” I say, and hug them both.

“You come back and see me anytime, sweetness,” Russell says and air kisses my cheek.

“Oh I will,” I promise. I guess when I move to L.A. I have a new hairdresser.

Tipping isn’t allowed, and when I go to close out my bill I’m assured it’s already been taken care of by Pam. The car is waiting for me to take me back to Eric’s house. I’m not as angry with him anymore, but I’m worried he doesn’t really get why I was upset in the first place. Tonight is definitely going to be interesting if we’re still not getting along. We’ll see just how good of an actor he really is.

EPOV

I know Sookie thinks I don’t get it, but I do. It takes me like two hours after she leaves to get it, but it finally hits me. As a guy, I’d be flattered if a chick did things for me to get laid in return. As a chick, I can see why it would bother her. I feel bad enough about yelling at her before she left that I call Stan and ask him to bring me some flowers for her. The fact is, she’s my baby’s mother, and we’re trying to be friends. It’s okay to grovel with her.

Stan drops off the flowers along with my suit for tonight, and then he has to take off again. He’s always busy on days I have events. By the time Sookie gets back, we’ll have about an hour to get ready and go since traffic is shitty getting to that part of town. I just hope it’s enough time to make her understand that I’m sorry.

I go ahead and shave, fix my hair, and put on my suit, and by the time I’m ready I hear Sookie get back. I head down the stairs and stop in my tracks when I get to the living room and see her. She looks so beautiful, relaxed and happy. I almost feel bad for bringing the bullshit up again.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hey,” she says without turning to look at me.

I pick up the flowers that I’d left on the coffee table and hold them out for her.

“I got you these.”

Sookie takes them and even though I can tell she doesn’t want to, she smiles at them. “They’re lovely. Thank you.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I really am sorry. It took a couple hours for it to sink in, but I get it now.”

She looks up at me and says, “I forgive you. Don’t do it again.”

“I can’t say I won’t because as you’ve seen I can be a little thick, but I won’t do it on purpose.”

She nods and looks me up and down. “How long did it take you to clean up like that?”

“Like fifteen minutes.”

“Ugh. That’s such bullshit,” she grumbles. “Thank you for the flowers. I’m going to go upstairs and finish getting ready.”

“Alright,” I chuckle. “I’ll be waiting down here. The car will be here in about an hour.”

“I’ll make it quick then,” she snickers, and heads upstairs.

I head to the kitchen and get a bottle of water, then sit at the table with my laptop to check my email. I have a couple from Stan, one from my agent, and a personal one from Filipe De Castro himself telling me he’s looking forward to meeting me tonight. I don’t normally toot my own horn, but if he likes me it probably means he’ll want me for that role. If I get it, it’ll be great for my career.

I end up wasting time playing Solitaire and don’t look up until Sookie walks into the kitchen. All the blood rushes to my penis and my jaw goes a little slack.

“Whoa,” I say.

“Is it too much?” Sookie asks nervously, looking down at herself. “Maybe I should get a jacket or something–”

“No,” I say, and stand up. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she says with a bit of a blush.

“Did you pick that out, or did Pam?” I ask. “I need to know who to thank.”

“I think I did and Pam approved it,” she says with a laugh. “It was the first dress I tried on that I really loved so Pam said it was the one.”

“You chose well,” I grin, and lean down to kiss her cheek. “I’m going to have issues keeping my cock down all night.”

“Eh,” she shrugs. “Just picture me in my underwear.”

“That doesn’t help,” I laugh.

“Picture me in your underwear?” she tries again.

“Also fucking hot.”

She giggles and then steps back to get herself some water. When she turns I can see her dress is mostly backless. There’s no bra.

I groan.

“What?” she looks over her shoulder.

“No bra.”

“Oh, yeah… it wasn’t really possible with this dress.”

“I’m just gonna put it out there now,” I say. “I really hope you let me have sex with you tonight.”

“We’ll see. I am wearing lace, under this, so…”

“Fuck,” I say, and go sit back down again. “I’m so doing that press line with a hard on.”

“Oh that’ll get the fangirls drooling,” she laughs.

“They can just drool. There’s no way I’m getting rid of this in time.”

“You poor thing,” she says without a hint of sympathy.

“Easy for you to say,” I smile. “You don’t know what it’s like to walk around with a hard cock.”

“You’re right, I don’t. But you don’t know what it’s like to walk around with wet panties all night either,” she winks at me.

“Are they wet right now?”

“Maybe.”

“Do we have time for a quickie?” I ask, and then the doorbell rings. “Fuck.”

Sookie smiles and then reaches into the cabinet for a Ziploc bag, and the then the next cabinet over for the oyster crackers. “Better to be safe than sorry,” she says as she pours some crackers into the bag.

I smile, and when she’s got her crackers in her purse, I put my hand on her back and lead her out of the house. We get into the car, which is just a black town car, and the driver pulls out of the driveway.

“Are you nervous?” I ask her.

“A little,” she admits.

“You know what will make you unnervous?”

“I’m all ears.”

“Talk about unsexy things to get this boner to go away.”

“That might work.”

“We can’t do the other option because I didn’t get a limo.”

“What’s the other option?” she arches an eyebrow.

“It would require you to be into messing up your lipstick,” I smirk.

“Russell would kill me,” she giggles and then adds, “He’s responsible for everything north of my neck tonight.”

“Wouldn’t want to disappoint the man who made you look so beautiful,” I smile.

“Not at all. He worked hard on this. He was a nice guy, too.”

“I’m glad.”

“So how long do things like this take? Is there a bunch of shmoozing before the movie?”

“When we get there there will be a press line. First there’s pictures. They’ll probably want pictures of you and I together, and then they’ll ask you to step back so they can get me alone,” I explain. “Then we’ll go down a line of reporters. You don’t have to go through it with me, but they won’t put up a fuss if I keep you by my side. If you do, they’ll probably ask you some questions about me.”

“Oh then it’s a good thing I’m a great public speaker,” she says nervously.

“Honestly, just be yourself,” I say, and reach for her hand. “They can smell fakeness a mile away. It’ll probably just be fluff questions, like how do you deal with all the attention I get? Or is my career intimidating to you? Or how do I like my breakfast? Stupid stuff.”

“Got it.”

“After the press line, we’ll go into the theater and be seated. There will be a little speech by Filipe De Castro, and then the movie will play. After that there will be an hour or two of shmoozing.”

“Sounds like a long night. Shoulda packed my sugar-free Red Bull,” she chuckles. “Honestly, if I don’t throw up on anyone I’ll consider tonight a success.”

“There will be an after party with food and drinks. They’ll probably have sugar-free Red Bull.”

“Hopefully I won’t need it, but I didn’t get to take a nap today so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

“We’ll leave early. I just need to be there long enough to talk to Filipe.”

“That’s fine. Do you know what part he wants you to read for? I saw the script but I didn’t touch it. I’m just curious.”

“The lead role,” I say. “And you can read it if you’re interested. I don’t mind.”

“The lead?! Eric, that’s… wow! That’s great! Aren’t you excited?”

“Very, just nervous. He sent me an email today saying he’s looking forward to seeing me tonight.”

“Well that’s good! Have you met him before?”

“Very briefly,” I say.

“If you get offered the role are you going to take it?”

“Definitely,” I say immediately. “It’s a great character and I’d love to work with Filipe.”

“What’s the role?” she asks with genuine interest.

I like that she cares, and in more than just a fangirl way.

“I would play a prosecutor trying to bring down a kingpin. But the star witness is my ex girlfriend, who started out as my foster sister,” I explain. “The character was an abused child and was sent to live with this family, and she was the first friend he ever had. They fall in love, but when they were in college she got pregnant and told him she had an abortion even though she really just miscarried, and they break up over it. That’s not really a big thing in the movie, just their backstory. The thing is, he still loves her, and now he has to protect her and use her for his case.”

“Okay, I definitely want to read that script because I have to know how it turns out,” Sookie says. “Sounds like a great role for you. Very complex and whatnot.”

“The best part is that it’s a true story.”

“Really? Ugh, my heart hurts a little just thinking about it.”

“I’ll give you the script when we get back,” I smile. “I don’t want to spoil it for you.”

“Please don’t,” she smiles. “Of course you realize if you give me that script you can forget about getting any when we get back. I will devote all of my energy to reading.”

“Then maybe I forgot where I put it,” I smirk.

She playfully slaps my leg and then looks out the window.

“Everyone’s going to love you tonight,” I tell her.

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I do. And you’ll get to meet my friends. Alcide Herveaux, who’s in the movie,” I say. “And Rasul Natua will be there. Bobby Burnham will probably show up.”

“Oooh the four of you together sound like trouble,” she chuckles.

“It is sometimes. I invited them over to play cards soon. It can be after you’re gone if you’re not comfortable with it,” I say. “And they know about us.”

“Eric, it’s your house. Invite them over whenever you want. I can make myself scarce so I’m not in your hair.”

“You could join us too,” I say. “It won’t bother them.”

“Mmm we’ll see,” she says.

“Yeah, you can meet them tonight and decide if you think they’re a bunch of heathens.”

“Well, if I can deal with you I’m sure I can handle them just fine.”

“You’re not kidding,” I laugh.

“Besides, I happen to know for a fact that I have one weapon that’ll shut all four of you up without me having to say a word. Hell, I don’t even have to be in the same room to use it.”

“And what is it?”

“Me in a bikini,” she says with a sly smile.

“Smart girl,” I smirk.

“You stick to what works.”

“And that will always, always work.”

“I know.” Sookie turns her head again and looks out the window, watching the ocean as we travel down the highway.

We’re quiet for the rest of the drive, and when we pull up to the theater I realize I’m still holding Sookie’s hand. It’s a little strange to me to be that comfortable doing it, but I shake it off and give her hand a squeeze.

“You ready for this?” I ask.

“As I’m ever going to be,” she says with a nervous smile.

The driver opens Sookie’s door, and she gets out like a pro. I follow after her, and Stan immediately comes up to us to let us know what’s going on. There’s a group of fans behind a sectioned off part of the sidewalk that start screaming my name.

“Autographs, pictures, press line?” I ask Stan.

“That’s the setup,” he confirms.

“Alright,” I nod, and turn to Sookie. “You stay here with Stan while I do the autographs. It shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.”

“No problem,” she smiles.

I lean down to kiss her cheek, and then I go over to the screaming girls with a big smile. They’re holding out pictures and magazines for me to sign, and almost all of them are asking for a picture. I handle it like I always do, one at a time. Autograph, picture, picture, autograph, autograph, picture, all the way down the line. When I get to the end I thank them for coming, and then head back to Sookie and Stan.

“Alright, next is pictures,” I tell her as we walk towards the red carpet.

“That looked like a whole bunch of fun,” Sookie says and reaches for my hand.

“It’s a trip,” I smile, and we step onto the carpet.

Like I told her, at first they all want a picture of the two of us, and that goes on a bit longer than normal since this is our first official appearance together as a ‘couple.’ Sookie is holding my hand super tight, but you wouldn’t know she was nervous by looking at her. She’s a natural. After they get their shots of us, they politely ask for pictures of just me, and I lean down to kiss Sookie’s cheek before she goes to stand with Stan.

It doesn’t take long for them to get their shots, and then I move on down to the press line. Sookie and Stan are waiting there for me, and Stan informs me of the first reporter I’ll be talking to. It’s not typical for most actors, but I like to know the names of the people I’m talking to. Some of them are always the same so I don’t need to be reminded, but Stan tells me before each one.

“You ready?” I ask Sookie as I take her hand again. “Can you see again yet?”

“Not really, but I’ve got my perm-a-grin on, so I think I’m okay. Just don’t let go of my hand or I’ll trip on something,” she laughs.

“I won’t,” I say, and we step up to the first reporter when the person ahead of us moves on.

Sookie does really well through the press line. They all end up ignoring me to ask Sookie details about the pregnancy, which I hadn’t thought of. She handles it like a pro and smiles gracefully as she answers their questions.

Then we get to one particular reporter who asks her more than just pregnancy stuff.

“So, Sookie, is it intimidating living with such a huge, handsome movie star?” she asks her, and I internally panic. I don’t know how she’ll respond to it.

“You know, I’m from the same small town Eric is so I’m not used to cameras and whatnot following me around, but he’s still the same Eric I’ve known for a long time. I mean, it’s hard to be intimidated by someone you see every morning with bedhead, scratching his balls in front of the fridge, you know?” she says, and then laughs at herself. “I’m really happy for Eric. He’s worked hard to get where he is and I don’t begrudge him that for a second. I’m proud of him.” Sookie squeezes my hand at that last part and the way she smiles up at me I know she means it.

I smile proudly back at her, and the reporter laughs genuinely.

“Well we’re all looking forward to seeing more of you, Sookie,” she says, and then thanks us for speaking with her.

That was the last reporter in the line, and Stan quickly ushers us into the lobby of the theater.

“I can’t believe you just told a reporter I scratch my balls in the morning,” I laugh. “That was awesome.”

“It just came out,” she laughs along with me.

“Pam will love that,” Stan smirks. “They’re ready to seat you two any time if you need to go to the bathroom or something, best do it now.”

“Oh, I definitely do,” Sookie says and lets go of my hand. “Where is it?”

I point to where the bathrooms are, and tell her we’ll be waiting right where we are for her to come back. She nods, and heads that way, and I smile after her. I never thought I’d have a date with me at a premiere, especially not Sookie, but it’s not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Next