Chapter 13
JAKE
‘Nice wheels!’ Stuart, the guy who’d won the performance with his match, said as he stepped onto the bus in front of me.
He was right. This was kinda fancy. Like a smaller, more modern version of the tour bus we used to ride in when I was in the band.
It had a glossy black exterior, shiny wooden flooring, plus a panoramic glass roof and large tinted windows, which I guessed was designed to make it perfect for sightseeing.
I scanned the large black leather seats to see if Halle was already here, but there was no sign of her. After breakfast she’d raced off to her room to get something she’d forgotten to pack in her purse.
I was relieved when she left because I needed to collect my thoughts. When I went to pick up those photos, I was expecting to see shots of her glaring at me. But what I said was true. There were multiple photos of her actually smiling.
At first I was happy because it felt like a victory. I’d told her that I’d make her like me and I had, which was a win. But then when I found myself looking at those same photos multiple times, I realised that I actually liked her smile and the way it made her whole face light up.
I’d put the photos back in their envelope and thought that was the end of it. But when she sashayed into that dining hall for breakfast looking more delicious than a stack of pancakes drizzled in maple syrup, I’d started to worry.
She was wearing a yellow sundress with pink flowers printed all over it and cherry-red lipstick which captured my attention more than it should’ve. Her toned shoulders were exposed and the way the dress clung to her curves had me thinking all kinds of things that had no business being in my head.
I was here for work. Although Wilma’s objective was to get me a reality TV show, the way I saw it was that I just had to get along with Halle enough to take photos that’d raise my profile and make the right people take my calls once I left here.
But I couldn’t see how that was gonna happen, considering Halle’s photo aversion.
Sure, I had the pictures Sammie had taken, but there was no way I’d post them without Halle’s permission.
And while Sammie might be fooled by the smiles Halle was flashing in those photos, I knew the truth. Halle wasn’t remotely interested in me.
At least the fact that she didn’t like me meant I didn’t have to worry about leading her on or breaking her heart.
A woman a few rows in front kept turning around and looking at me. The first two times I thought nothing of it. But now it was getting weird. She got up and came over, holding her cell phone.
‘Hi!’ she beamed, twirling her dark hair around her fingers. ‘I wanted to come over during the activity yesterday, but anyway, I’m Sally.’
‘Hey, Sally.’ I gave her a weak smile. I wanted to think she was just being friendly, but the way she was clutching her cell, I suspected she wanted to ask for a photo.
Most of the guests that had recognised me had just nodded and smiled in acknowledgement and left me alone, but something told me Sally was different.
‘I can’t believe it’s really you! Y’know, that we’re here, staying in the same hotel! I crushed on you so hard in high school! You used to be so hot.’
‘Uh, thanks?’ Nothing like being told that you used to be hot.
‘I don’t mean used to be like you aren’t now,’ she corrected. ‘If anything, you’re even hotter…’
‘That’s nice of you,’ I said, craning my neck to see where her match was.
‘Can I take a photo?’
I knew it. This was awkward. I didn’t want photos of me with another woman circulating on the internet. It’d get messy. The only one I should be pictured with was Halle and that wasn’t gonna happen in this lifetime.
Just as I was working out how to wriggle out of this, Sammie came over.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Yes!’ Sally said. ‘I was just asking if I could have a photo with Jake!’
I flashed Sammie a please save me expression and she gave me a small nod.
‘Sorry, Sally, but remember the NDA agreeing not to take photos of other guests, including celebrities? Ordinarily, I’m sure Jake wouldn’t mind, but we need to ensure everyone’s privacy is respected here.’
‘Okay.’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘Sorry.’
‘No worries,’ I said. ‘It was nice to meet you.’
Sally shuffled back to her seat and I mouthed a thank-you to Sammie.
Halle rushed onto the bus clutching a huge bright pink purse. It was like she’d packed for a week’s vacation, not a day trip.
‘Saved you a seat, darling.’ I patted the space beside me.
She looked down at it like it was covered in shit, before scanning the rest of the interior, probably searching for an alternative seat. When she didn’t find one, she reluctantly sat down, dropping her purse on her lap, then wincing.
‘Maybe you should put that under the seat.’
She did as I suggested, then sat back down. It was a good thing this bus had a lot of legroom.
Halle’s sweet scent surrounded me, just like it had at breakfast.
Damn. She looked fine and she smelt even better.
I didn’t know if it was her shampoo, hair products or perfume, but I liked it way too much.
Sammie stood at the front of the bus with a mic and I was grateful for the distraction.
‘Hey, everyone! Did you all have a good breakfast?’
‘Yes!’ the guests chorused.
‘Excellent! Hope you enjoyed looking through your photos from yesterday and have picked out your favourites for the memory book.’ In the end, Halle agreed on the photos of me looking at her with heart eyes.
That was kinda embarrassing, but what can I say?
Faking it or not, I challenged any red-blooded male not to get affected by an attractive woman telling you that you’re making them come.
I, of course, chose the photos of her smiling at me. Just to remind her why I’d given her that Smiley nickname.
‘And hopefully you all submitted your playlist selections too.’
Nope. Not me.
Taking photos was one thing, but playlists were something that I did for someone who was important to me. Which was why I hadn’t made one for Halle. That shit was too personal.
I poured my heart and soul into making a playlist for someone I thought was special before and I sure as shit wasn’t spending time doing that for a stranger who hated my guts.
Plus, the last thing I wanted to do these days was listen to music. I didn’t need a reminder of what I couldn’t do any more.
Fuck that.
‘So the first part of today’s activity will be… drumroll, please… a tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills!’
‘All right!’ a woman at the front who I think was called Maisy called out.
As multiple other guests whooped and cheered, my stomach dropped like a stone.
That was up there with the activity from hell. As well as driving past all the tourist hotspots, those kinds of tours usually involved gawping at celebrities’ houses.
I could understand why it might be interesting for a lot of people, but for me, it was just another reminder of my life before.
The last thing I wanted to do was cruise by the homes of people who pretended to be my friends when I was riding high in the charts, but ditched me quicker than a hot potato the second things went to shit and I’d outlived my usefulness.
I dragged my hand over my face. There was no way I wanted to go on this trip, but if I refused, I’d draw more attention to myself. But if I went and the paps were around, that’d draw even more attention too.
Then again, the last place they’d expect me to be is on a fancy tourist bus. I was overreacting. It would be uncomfortable as hell, but it’d be fine.
‘I know for some of you, it might seem a bit touristy,’ Sammie continued, her gaze flicking to me for a second, ‘but I know for most people it’s one thing they’d like to do when they visit LA, so we thought we’d do this as the first excursion and then we’ll be turning up the romance…’
Several guests whooped enthusiastically as the driver started the engine and set off.
‘Great,’ Halle muttered under her breath.
Looked like we were both dreading this trip.
‘Want the window seat?’ I asked Halle. ‘It’s your first time here, so I figured you’d want to see the sights.’ Her eyes widened with surprise. ‘If you don’t want to, it’s fine.’
‘No, I… that’d be great. Thanks.’ She winced like it physically hurt her to show her appreciation.
Halle stood in the aisle whilst I slid out. My arm brushed against hers and my pulse spiked. I quickly stepped back to give her more space to climb into the window seat.
Her scent hit me again and I groaned internally. I hated it how it affected me.
‘So I guess you’re excited about going to Hollywood,’ I said, attempting to make conversation and to avoid thinking about how damn good Halle smelt.
‘Yeah,’ she said flatly. I was about to roll my eyes about the fact that she’d just given me another monosyllabic answer when she continued to talk. ‘I always wanted to go.’
‘What stopped you?’
‘Just…’ She paused. ‘Circumstances.’
‘I suppose it’d be asking too much for you to elaborate by responding with a full sentence.’
‘Yep! You guessed it.’
She turned back to stare out of the window.
I was done. It was exhausting trying to make the effort when she wouldn’t even meet me halfway.
What could be her reason for not coming to LA? I could understand it would be triggering if maybe she was an actress and spent years there trying to make it, but it was already clear that she had no interest in that path.
Fuck it. I had better things to think about than her reasons.
I pulled out my cell and saw that Wilma had sent multiple text messages reminding me to post. As if I could forget.
As the driver got closer to Hollywood, my chest tightened.
The roof of the bus slid back and the windows went down, transforming the vehicle into a luxury open-top bus and giving everyone clearer views of their surroundings, making it easier to take photos.
Sammie stepped up to the front of the coach.
‘Welcome to Hollywood!’ she said excitedly.
As we drove down the palm-tree-lined street, I prepared myself for the excitement that I knew was coming.
‘OMG!’ Mandy shouted and pointed. ‘It’s the Hollywood sign!’
Halle stuck her head out of the bus to get a closer look and I saw her eyes light up.
‘Can we go and take photos?’ Stuart, Mandy’s match, asked.
‘We’ll be going to multiple cool places this week that will give you opportunities to take photos of the amazing views, so don’t worry,’ Sammie said.
As the bus continued down the boulevard, everyone started snapping away, posing for photos with the sign in view. I should do the same, but like Sammie said, there were better places to do that.
Soon afterwards the bus pulled over and Sammie announced that we were getting off to be shown the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Halle’s face lit up again.
‘I’ve always wanted to see this!’ she said.
‘It’s not that special.’
‘Just because you’ve probably seen it a million times doesn’t mean you have to rain on everyone else’s parade.’
‘Just trying to manage your expectations.’ I held my hands up in surrender.
Halle heaved her bag up off the floor.
‘Sure you don’t want to leave that here?’
‘I can’t leave it! It might get stolen. I’ve got a lot of important stuff in here.’
‘You sure look like you have a lot of stuff… whether or not I’d classify it as important though is another question.’
Halle hoisted her luggage (that was the only appropriate word for it) over her shoulder then winced at the weight. If she wasn’t so damn salty, I’d offer to carry it for her.
Sammie led us down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and guests cooed as they spotted different names engraved onto the stars.
‘Like it?’ I asked.
‘It’s…’ Halle scanned her surroundings, then switched her purse to her other shoulder. ‘It’s not what I was expecting. I thought it would be all glitzy and glamorous, but it’s just a normal kind of street with pretty paving stones.’
‘Yup,’ I said, resisting the temptation to say I told you so.
With every step Halle took, I could see her struggling under all of the weight her poor shoulders were carrying.
‘Give it to me,’ I sighed, then held out my hand. Watching her struggle was painful.
‘Give what to you?’
‘Your bank account details.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘Your purse, of course!’
‘Why do you want my purse?’ Her brows knitted together. ‘Don’t you have your own money?’
‘Huh?’ Now it was my turn to frown.
‘You asked for my purse. Surely you’re richer than me?’ I almost laughed out loud. If only she knew I was broke. ‘Wait. Sorry. I’ve just realised you’re talking about my handbag.’ She slapped her forehead. ‘For a second I was in British English mode and I forgot that’s what you call it here.’
‘Yeah. But we’re both wrong. That shit on your shoulder isn’t a purse or a handbag. It’s more like a damn suitcase!’ I laughed and a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. I liked it when she smiled. ‘Give it to me.’ I held out my hand again. I expected her to protest, but she didn’t.
‘Thanks,’ she muttered, dragging it down her shoulder ready to give it to me.
‘Sorry, what did you say?’ I cupped my ear. ‘I couldn’t hear you.’
‘I said, thanks.’
She dropped it in my palm and my arm bucked under the weight.
‘Damn, girl! What the hell do you have in here? Rocks?’
‘Just a few essentials, you know, like sunscreen, insect repellent.’
‘Why would you need insect repellent?’
‘In case we went to the beach or near the water and there are mosquitoes. Maybe if I put it on it’ll work on you too!’ She grinned, clearly pleased with her dig.
‘So I offer to carry your bag of bricks and you insult me?’ I clutched my chest like I was wounded.
‘I was joking! And you love to joke, right?’ She flashed a mischievous smile and I instantly dismissed the idea of winding her up.
‘Okay, those things account for about 1 per cent of the weight. What else is in here?’
‘A change of shoes, a jumper, umbrella, raincoat…’
‘And what about the kitchen sink?’
‘Ha bloody ha! Have you ever been to England? Anyone will tell you that it’s good to be prepared. You never know what the weather’s going to do.’
‘I hear you. As you mentioned at dinner, I lived in the UK for a while, but I don’t know if you’ve realised, we’re in LA, not London right now.’
‘No!’ she mock gasped. ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me?’ She deadpanned. ‘Of course I know that, but still… like I said, it’s always best to be prepared.’
‘Yeah, if you’re going camping for a week! Not an excursion for a few hours.’
‘Whatever.’ She tried to suppress a laugh but it came out anyway. ‘By the way, it suits you,’ she smiled and warmth flooded my chest. I wished she’d do it more often.
‘What can I say?’ I chuckled. ‘Pink is definitely my colour.’