Chapter 14 Leo #3
“We’ll probably take you up on that,” Katy said.
“But no offense to your white collar, this isn’t really your lane.
As much as we need folks with strong backs to set up the booths, some prep tasks require professionals.
It’s not as simple as people think to make sure the lighting gets installed, that there’s access to water, portable restrooms, and all the AV equipment and stuff for the stages.
I don’t want to take the risk that something gets assembled pell-mell and a booth comes tumbling down or a stage collapses.
” She sighed deeply. “I guess I should start making phone calls. It sucks we’re probably going to have to pay someone, but—”
“I can do it,” I piped up.
“I was just about to shove my elbow into your ribs,” Miranda whispered.
“No need for violence.” I poked her shoulder and turned to Katy. “I’m happy to tap in. Just put me to work.”
“You’re in construction?”
I tipped an imaginary hat. “Licensed and bonded contractor. At your service.”
“I’m so grateful.” Katy looked on the verge of crying.
We exchanged numbers, and she told me she’d text on Monday, once she confirmed the plan with the mayor.
Kasen spoke to me as Miranda grabbed our coats.
“I’m down to help anytime, too. Just think of me as your unskilled labor force.
” He lowered his voice. “Katy’s been stressing ever since she took this on, but she didn’t think she could say no, ya know?
She’s been trying to get the owners to sell to her since they’re mostly retired and she runs the operation anyway, but it’s like she needs to keep proving to them that she understands the legacy of this place. ”
“Glad I can help,” I said honestly. “I’ll be in touch.”
Kasen plugged his number into my phone, and I walked out with Miranda. “Check you out,” she joked. “You came in for a sandwich and left with a new buddy.”
She teased, but only to a degree. I’d had fun tonight. And it hadn’t once felt like I was holding myself apart from people. Plus, we hadn’t mentioned Stone in hours.
Maybe Coleman Creek was the magical place Miranda said it was.
12 MONTHS AGO - DECEMBER
Is this the hottest celebrity pairing in history?
OMG! Stone and Naomi are heating up Hollywood
Little girl all grown up? Naomi Butler falls for internet bad boy
I stared at the headlines in front of me.
I wasn’t a big celebrity gossip guy. More of a politics junkie.
But the news about Stone and Miranda flashed across even the “serious” news sites.
They’d captured the public’s imagination.
The laid-back surfer dude who’d never met a dare he wouldn’t accept had fallen for the former child actress who was synonymous with uptight elegance.
He softened her edges. She polished his. A match made in tabloid heaven.
The headlines and accompanying articles also included photographs. So. Many. Photographs. Stone giving Naomi a surf lesson at Newport Beach. Naomi and Stone kissing on their movie set. Stone sneaking into Naomi’s bungalow in the Hills.
A tornado of rage boiled in my core. Miranda would have told me if she and Stone broke up. Obviously, the bastard was cheating on her with his co-star. The story, confirmed by both their publicists, said it had been going on for over a month, that they fell in love while filming.
I stalked around my apartment, fingers flying over my phone, grateful it was Saturday and I didn’t have a jobsite to get to.
ME: I’ll kill him. Seriously, just tell me where he lives and I will come down there and seriously fuck him up.
ME: Also—are you okay? Do you need me? Should I fly down?
ME: I know you’re coming up here in a few days, but if you need to get out of town sooner I’ll make it happen.
MIRANDA: Down boy. Gimme a sec to get to a quiet place. I’ll FaceTime you.
Ten minutes later—enough time for me to determine that I could be at SeaTac and in the air to Los Angeles within two hours—my phone rattled with the dut-da-duh-da-dut-dut of an incoming video call.
I hit the green button, and Miranda appeared. I’d expected her to look exhausted. Heartbroken. But the woman on screen was clear-eyed and stunning as always. Her expression sparkled with…contrition? And was that…humor?
“Leo, I am so, so sorry. I didn’t get a chance to give you the heads-up before everything happened.
I was trying to figure out the best approach, especially since you still seemed so salty about me dating Stone when I saw you at the engagement party.
The PR teams were supposed to wait until after Christmas, especially with all the good press Stone just got promoting Maureen’s video. ”
Taking a breath, I recalled that Maureen had recently re-launched her YouTube channel, Fashion Vibes with Francesa, and Stone had helped promote it to his followers.
“You knew Stone was with Naomi? Why didn’t you tell me?” At her continued look of self-reproach, my confusion heightened.
A door opened off Miranda’s side. To my bewilderment, Stone walked into the room, leaning down behind her.
“Yo, Leo, my dude, this mix-up is totally my fault. I’ve been, like, keeping Miranda locked down while we figured this whole thing out. Then there was a little snafu with me missing a text from my people about the timing of the info drop. Lolz. My bad, man. Bygones.”
What the fuck? Was this guy for real?
Miranda swatted Stone on the shoulder. “Stop doing peak Stone right now. You can just be normal with Leo.”
“No. Not bygones. No fucking way,” I snarled. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing there with Miranda right now, but you don’t get to cheat on my friend and—”
“Whoa—” Stone flinched.
“Let me—” Miranda put a placating palm on Stone’s elbow. To the camera, she said, “It’s not like that. No one’s cheating on anyone. It’s all for publicity.”
“Publicity?”
“Yeah, man—” Stone started, but Miranda stopped him again.
“Their publicists cooked up this scheme to get publicity for the movie,” Miranda spoke rapidly. “The photos are staged. They’re not together.”
I sat down, catching my breath as my arms fell to my sides. “What?”
“Bear, put the phone back up so I can see your face.”
“Sorry.” I flipped the kickstand on the case and set it on the coffee table.
“From this angle, you really do look like a big ol’ Viking,” Stone offered, grinning.
I narrowed my eyes at his ridiculous, massive white teeth.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t call you before this got out because I knew you’d worry,” Miranda said, and I saw her twisting her hands together.
“But I’m telling you now. Stone asked my permission before they did anything, and I told him I’m okay with it.
We’re not known as a couple, so it’s not like he’s embarrassing me or anything.
And if it helps his career, I’m all for it. ”
“But there were pictures. He was kissing her.”
“You of all people should know that not all physical affection is as it seems.” She raised her eyebrows meaningfully.
Stone decided it was okay for him to talk again. “Dude, how I am with Naomi is like how you are with Miranda. Just really good pals. She understands how hard it is to play the celebrity game. Naomi’s trying to change her image, same as me, and she’s been helping me learn the ropes.”
I attempted to look directly at Stone. “Just because you don’t have an issue with my friendship with Miranda—rightfully so—doesn’t mean Miranda owes you this. This would be a huge ask under any circumstances, and it’s even more so when your relationship is being plastered all over the internet.”
Miranda sighed. “I’m okay with it. Promise.” The picture distorted for thirty seconds, and I heard her mumble something to Stone. A moment later, her face reappeared, except this time, she was in an unfamiliar bathroom. “Okay, Leo-Bear. Stone can’t hear us. So say whatever you need to.”
I wasted no time. “I’m just struggling to believe you’re really okay with this.”
“Look, to be honest, when Stone initially asked me, I was hesitant but on board with it. Now that it’s out in the world, I’ll admit it makes me a little nauseous.
Seeing them like that. All the fans gushing in the comments.
I don’t know if there’s any way I could have prepared myself for it.
But I agreed, so there’s not much I can do now. Other than be okay with it.”
“Have you said this to Stone? That it’s bothering you?”
She shook her head. “There’s no point. We can’t put the genie back in the bottle. At least he’s doing everything he can to show me I’m the one he actually cares about. I’ve also texted with Naomi, and she’s made it clear I have nothing to worry about on her end.”
“I still think—”
“Leo, you have to be alright with this. Because I mostly am. But in order to get all the way there, I need to know you have my back.”
Vomit threatened. Stone was lucky enough to have her, and this was what he did? Put her in this position? It sucked that she had to settle for this bullshit. I didn’t want her to settle. Not for anyone. Ever.
“Panda, you know I’ll always have your back.” My voice pitched higher. “I just want you to be treated like the treasure you are.”
For the millionth time since I’d met her, I cursed the universe that I wasn’t something else. That I didn’t have more to offer. Why couldn’t I give her everything she needed?
“Oh, Leo,” she hushed. “I’m okay. I promise.”
She was perfect. Vulnerable and joyful. With a huge heart.
Stone had that all in his grasp, and he was going to…date Naomi.
I hung my head. “Okay isn’t good enough for you,” I said in a broken-down rasp. “You deserve more.”
She sucked in a breath, and the phone went black for a moment before her face sprang up again. “What do you think I deserve?” she whispered.
“You deserve…” Someone who loves you as much as I do. “I don’t know,” I finished lamely. “More than this.”