Chapter 73
SPENCER
SIX YEARS AGO
“Cut!” The director calls and I head straight for the shaded tent.
Filming a Christmas romance movie in California in full winter gear is more than a little uncomfortable. I shrug out of the coat and scoop up a bottle of water.
“You’re doing great out there,” my co-star, Ashley, says coming up behind me and giving my arm a squeeze. “Are you doing anything tonight? Me and some of the rest of the cast are going out if you’d like to join.”
“Oh, no. I’m good, but thanks.”
I drink some more water, thinking that’s the last of it, but she pouts and reaches out to grab my forearm. “Come on, Spencer, you never go out with us. I promise it’s fun.”
“No, really, I’m good. I have a girlfriend and daughter at home, and I like to spend as much time as I can with them.”
“Oh.” Her hand falls away from my arm like she’s been burned. “Okay. I didn’t know that.”
It surprises me that she doesn’t, because I feel like I talk about Harlow and Monroe incessantly.
They’re my favorite topic of conversation and I can’t help but show off pictures of Monroe with her chubby pink cheeks and baby teeth any chance I get.
At fifteen months her hair has gotten long enough to put into pigtails.
“You want to see her?” I ask. “My daughter?”
“Um…” Her smile falls. “Yeah, sure. I guess.”
I pull out my phone and bring up some of my favorite photos of Monroe.
“She’s adorable,” she says, but her voice lacks interest. I put my phone away and she drifts over to some of the other cast members.
Lydia, who I recently signed with to handle my PR, warned me that having a significant other and a child wouldn’t win me any points.
That being “young and good-looking” is only part of how she can sell me, but that being “attainable” would help immensely.
She’s mentioned more than once that it would be better for my image if I were single, but there’s no chance in hell that’s happening.
I love Harlow more than I love acting, and if I ever have to choose one over the other, I’m always going to pick Harlow.
I don’t think Lydia liked that answer very much, but there’s nothing she can do about it.
I finish my water and when everything is reset, we film the scene over again.
Acting has never been something I ever thought about trying, I didn’t even participate in theatre in school. I was more interested in surfing and skateboarding. But there’s something I love about taking on a character’s persona and bringing them to life.
When the day is over, I wave goodbye to the rest of the cast and head home.
They can enjoy the Hollywood nightlife, but I only want to be with my girls. It’s where I belong.