Rogue Beast (The Rourkes #12) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,5
water after working on a hot day. We got an early start today on site to avoid the worst of the heat. I walk over and open the mini-fridge, which has a neat line of bottled waters on one shelf and diet iced teas on the other. I grab a water and glance at her listening intently to whatever Colton’s saying, her brows knit together.
I head for the door and stop, one hand on the knob. I can’t resist taking one last look over my shoulder at her. Something about her pulls at me. She’s looking off in the distance, frowning before saying in an ice-cold voice, “Let’s just cut to the chase and end it now. Goodbye, Colton.”
She looks to the ceiling, blinking back tears.
I can’t leave her in distress. “You okay?”
She squares her shoulders and lifts her chin, a steely look taking over her face. It reminds me of the tough CEO she played before, which means it’s an act.
“You seem—”
“I’m fine,” she says through her teeth. “Colton was just being kind—his words—giving me a heads-up that he’s now with his costar.” Her lips press tightly together. “He didn’t want me to be blindsided.”
Cheating ass. He doesn’t deserve her sweetness. “That sucks.”
She crosses her arms, hugging herself. “Yeah, well, the good news is he’s hoping after we both see other people, we’ll really know if we’re ready for a commitment. Silly me. After six months together, I thought we did have a commitment.”
Total dick move. “Breakups are rough.”
She nods jerkily. “He says they went out in public, which means it’ll be in the press and all over the internet.” She sighs. “I have to call my publicist to do damage control. Not for the first time because a guy…God, I am so sick of—sorry.” She holds up a palm. “You don’t deserve to hear me vent.”
“Vent away.”
She presses her lips tightly together, slowly shaking her head.
I never considered the public nature of relationships for well-known actors. That must suck even more.
The door to the trailer opens, and her guard pokes his head in. “Just got word that you’re needed on set. They’re bringing the audience in twenty.”
She takes a deep breath. “Okay, thanks, Joe.” She turns to me. “That’s my cue.”
“My cue too. Josie got me on a special list, so I’m allowed on set early.”
She stares at me for a moment, then shakes her head. “What a day I’m having.”
I follow her out, and she locks the door behind her. The three of us head over to the soundstage on Chelsea Piers. Joe’s quiet, on alert, scanning the area as we cross the blacktop, stepping over taped-down wires running to the trailers.
A woman wearing a headset waves urgently for Harper to go inside the soundstage. She hurries ahead, Joe keeping up with her. She waves over her shoulder at me. “Nice meeting you. Bye!”
“Sure, bye.” She’s hustled inside, and I’m stopped and questioned by the headset lady. A few moments later, she waves me in.
I head for my reserved seat in the front row of the audience bleachers and spot Josie on set talking to Harper and another guy. Josie always stands out with her red hair and bubbly personality, gesturing enthusiastically. After they finish their conversation, I lift a hand to her. “Josie.”
She throws her arms up in a V like a cheerleader. “Garrett! You made it!” She hurries over, and I meet her halfway. She hugs me and pulls back, her blue eyes shining. “I’m so glad you could come. This is going to be a great episode. Sean’s just getting something from my trailer. He’ll sit with you.” She gestures around the set, which is the interior of a mansion—living room, stairs that lead nowhere, and an adjoining kitchen. “Well, what do you think?”
My gaze catches on Harper, who’s heading off the set. “It’s been amazing so far.”
“Oh? I hear a note of I got to meet Harper Ellis in there,” she says in a teasing voice. “Are you a fan? I just love her! One of the best scene partners ever.”
“Yeah, she’s very talented, but I think she’s upset. She just broke up with someone after six months.”
Josie’s eyes widen. “She and Colton broke up? I had no idea. It just happened right in front of you?”
“I overheard her on the phone. Maybe check in with her?”
“Right. Totally will. After the taping, though. I don’t want to throw her off her game.” She frowns. “Poor thing.” She goes up on tiptoe and kisses