Chapter 53
fifty-three
“So. Where to?” Evo asks, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror.
Shit. I haven’t had a chance to really think about it, what with all my doomscrolling and all. “Um... I don’t know. What do people usually do in L.A.?”
His deep chuckle fills the car. “Depends. Some go shopping, some hit the beaches, or tour the studios.”
He goes quiet, thinking for a moment. “There’s a great tattoo museum in Long Beach. And the Getty has an amazing collection. Or there’s the Broad downtown, if you’re into contemporary stuff.”
I perk up. “The Broad? I’ve heard of that.”
“The Broad it is, then.”
Evo points out landmarks and tells me stories about filming locations and celebrity sightings. It’s like having my own personal tour guide, and soon I find myself relaxing into my seat, enjoying the experience.
The Broad—a stunning contemporary art museum with an impressive collection—is even more incredible than I expected. I spend about an hour wandering through the exhibits, taking photos of pieces that inspire me, and making notes on my phone about techniques I want to try.
Afterward, he drives me to Melrose Avenue, where I find a cute, edgy boutique with unique clothes that are just my style. So, using Rowan’s card, I buy a flowy, white maxi dress that would go great with my black Chucks.
For lunch, Evo takes me to a food truck that serves the most amazing Korean-Mexican fusion tacos. We eat at a small park next to the beach, people-watching as tourists and locals walk by.
It’s beautiful. A gentle breeze pushes a lock of hair across my face, and I brush it aside with a smile before taking another bite of my taco.
“I probably shouldn’t ask, but… you and Rowan, huh?”
My heart lurches in surprise, voice muffled in an attempt to talk around the food I’ve just shoved into my mouth. “What about us?”
Evo shrugs his massive shoulders. “Just wondering if it’s the real deal. He’s different with you.”
My heart skips. “Different how?”
“More... relaxed, I guess? Less guarded.” He takes a long drink of his water.
“I take it you’re more than just his driver slash bodyguard?”
“In some aspects, yeah,” he says with a soft smile. “I’ve known Rowan for about ten years now.”
“Ten years is a long time,” I say thoughtfully, wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of my mouth. “You must know him pretty well.”
“Better than most,” Evo admits with a slight nod. “Which is why I can tell when someone’s good for him.”
I’m not sure how to respond to that, so I focus on finishing my taco instead. For all his intimidating presence, there’s something almost fatherly about the way he talks about Rowan.
When we finish eating, Evo gathers our trash and disposes of it in a nearby bin. I stretch my legs, enjoying the feel of the sun on my skin before reluctantly heading back to the car.
As I slide into the backseat, I realize I have no idea what’s next on our impromptu tour. “So what’s next?”
Even though Evo’s expression stays neutral, there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Mr. Cole gave me specific instructions. It’s a surprise.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course he did.”
Evo chuckles as he pulls away from the curb.
The drive takes us back into the heart of Hollywood, and I watch through the window as the scenery shifts. Palm trees line the streets as tourists with cameras crowd the sidewalks.
When Evo finally finds a place to park the car, I look around in confusion. “Walk of Fame? Really?”
“Mr. Cole thought you might want to check it out.” There’s something in his tone that makes me suspicious.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
He just smiles mysteriously and gets out to open my door. “Come on.”
Stepping out onto the busy sidewalk, I’m immediately overwhelmed by the crowds of tourists snapping photos of the stars embedded in the concrete. Street performers dressed as superheroes and movie characters pose for tips while tour guides herd groups past souvenir shops.
“Follow me.” Placing a protective hand near my back, he guides me through the throng.
We walk for a few minutes, weaving through the crowd. I’m trying my best to take it all in. The iconic Chinese Theatre looms ahead, while handprints line the cement underfoot with an endless stream of actors and rock stars.
“Here we are,” Evo announces, stopping abruptly.
I look down at the star beneath my feet, and my heart stutters. There, embedded in the pink terrazzo, surrounded by the brass emblem of a movie camera, is Rowan’s name.
“Holy shit,” I breathe, crouching down to touch the letters. “He has a star on the Walk of Fame.”
Of course he does. I had no idea. The fact that I blocked out everything that had to do with Rowan Cole, including refusing to let my brother tell me anything about our childhood best friend, is the reason why this news comes as a surprise.
Something about seeing physical proof of everything he’s accomplished hits differently aside from knowing he stars in movies for a living.
Tracing the letters with my fingertips, I think about the cute, gangly boy who used to hang out and read with me in the treehouse.
A boy who thought reptiles and insects were gross, but let me show him anyway.
A teenager full of dreams about making movies someday.
And the young man who left Lakeside—and me—behind to chase them.
Despite already knowing how successful he is, the realization comes out of nowhere. He did it. He actually did it.
“How long has this been here?” I ask, looking up at Evo, heart aching in my chest.
“About three years,” he replies. “The ceremony was quite the spectacle. Half of Hollywood showed up.”
An image of Rowan in a tailored suit, flashing his signature, devastating smile as he accepts the star flashes through my mind. I wasn’t there. I was back home, probably cursing his name.
“Want me to take your picture with it?” Evo offers, holding his hand out for my phone.
“Sure.” Handing it over, I squat down next to the star, feeling weirdly emotional as I look up, smiling for the camera.
Evo snaps a few photos, but just as he’s giving me back my phone, I notice a guy with a professional camera zeroing in on us, moving fast through the crowd.
“Holy shit, it’s Lizzy Cade!” he shouts, camera clicking rapidly. “Rowan Cole’s girlfriend!”
My stomach drops as he hurries closer, shoving tourists out of his way.
“What’s the story with you and Walker Prince?” he yells, thrusting his camera in my face. “Is there trouble in paradise with Rowan Cole? Are you just a cover for him and Carrie Southern?”
Quickly, I back up, nearly tripping over my own two feet. “No... no comment,” I stutter.
The next thing I know, Evo steps between us, his massive frame dwarfing the pudgy photographer. “Back off,” he growls.
“Public space, man!” The pap tries to maneuver around him, but it’s like trying to sidestep a mountain.
Still, the paparazzo manages to get a little closer, his camera lens inches from my face. “Come on, give me something! How long have you two been together? Is it serious?”
More cameras appear as if out of nowhere. Suddenly, we’re surrounded by shouting and flashing lights. My heart pounds as I press against Evo’s back.
“Is it true you’ve been in love with him since you were kids?”
“Are you sure you’re not just using him for his money?”
“What’s with the matching tattoos?”
Wait. Matching tattoos? We don’t…
Evo turns, forging a giant human barricade between me and the flood of paparazzi, and grabs my elbow.
“Move!” he barks at the growing crowd as he firmly guides me back toward the car.
When a particularly aggressive pap lunges forward, trying to get a shot around Evo’s massive arm, his camera smacks against my shoulder, and I yelp.
It’s more in surprise than pain, but that’s when Evo really loses his shit.
With one massive hand, he grabs the camera and shoves it back into the asshole’s face. Not hard enough to hurt him, but definitely enough to make a point.
“I said back! The fuck! Off!” he roars.
The jerk stumbles backward, clutching his camera. “You can’t do that! I’ll sue! I got that on video!”
“Fucking try it, asshole,” Evo snarls, using his body as a shield as he hustles me toward the SUV.
By now, a large crowd has gathered to watch. Tourists with cell phones are recording everything.
My face burns with embarrassment and fear as Evo practically lifts and shoves me into the car, slamming the door shut before hurriedly jogging around to the driver’s side.
Even though the tinted windows provide instant relief from the chaos outside, I start to shake, adrenaline coursing through my veins as Evo slides into the driver’s seat and peels away from the curb.
“You okay back there?”
“Yeah.” The lie comes out a little shaky as I wrap my arms around myself, hunkering down in my seat. “Just wasn’t expecting that to happen.”
“Sorry. Should’ve been more careful,” he grumbles, jaw tight with anger. “That’s the worst part of this business. Those vultures have no fucking boundaries whatsoever.”
“Are you gonna get in trouble for shoving that guy?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. I’ve had to do much worse to protect Mr. Cole. Just like I would to protect you. That’s the job.”
I nod, trying to calm my racing heart. “Where are we going?”
“Back to Paramount,” he answers firmly. “Meetings should be wrapping up soon, and after that little scene? I think it’s best we call it a day.”