27. You’ve been amazing
You’ve been amazing
SIX MONTHS LATER…
“This is… an offer?”
“Yes.”
“But I haven’t auditioned.”
Lorne Adams blinked as if Hunter was confused. “Why would you audition?”
“That’s the process.” Hunter fought a blush because he was being an idiot.
“They already know they want you, Hunter.” Lorne smiled like Hunter was an adorably confused child. “So do a lot of other people, so if you don’t want this role, we can find you something else easily. This one is the most high-profile, with the most money.”
Hunter stared at the script he’d been up late last night reading.
It was a co-starring role in a new superhero franchise that also starred two top-tier, super-famous New Zealand-born acting brothers.
He fingered the edges of the pages, ignoring the mouthwatering Cobb salad also in front of him. “How much?”
It wasn’t about the money because Hunter knew whatever they offered would be more than okay. Eighteen months ago, he was bartending at Range for fuck’s sake. Lorne smiled. “Well, they started at one-five, but I countered, and they caved immediately, so we’re looking at two-five now.”
Two-five? Hunter wasn’t entirely sure what that meant.
It must be twenty-five thousand. Or maybe two hundred and fifty.
He knew from reading Variety and Deadline that Oli Byrne made about three million on his last picture, and the older Jack Byrne made four on his.
But surely they wouldn’t give Hunter nearly that much.
He’d only been in Platonic Planet and Staycation, which only hit theaters last week and wasn’t doing great, although people loved his performance. Hunter reached for his water glass.
“I know two and a half million is less than the Byrnes, but they signed on early. Still, I think—” Lorne stopped because Hunter began choking on his water. “You all right?”
Hunter tried not to pray that the floor in the fancy Wolf Gang Puck restaurant would open up and swallow him because that would mean he’d never see that ridiculous sum of money. “Sorry. Wrong pipe. I’m fine with two point five… million.”
Lorne studied him as he sipped a dirty martini.
Hunter wasn’t comfortable enough around Lorne yet to drink.
He’d only been Hunter’s agent for a month.
He didn’t want Lorne to think he wasn’t a serious actor, and drinking at a business lunch felt unserious to Hunter.
Lorne put down his drink and smiled. “Margo told me you had confidence issues, but I didn’t realize it would be so charming.
Hunter, this is just the beginning. If all goes to plan, you’ll be making ten million a film in five years. ”
Hunter’s whole body started to tingle, so he took another gulp of water and picked up his fork.
Food would help ground him. Lorne had been one of the many business cards shoved in his pocket at the premiere of Platonic Planet, and he was the only one who didn’t try to shit-talk Margo.
In fact, he’d praised her when Hunter had agreed to a meeting.
Margo had taken the news of his departure with a smile and an “I told you so.” She’d told him to keep in touch, but he hadn’t, of course. He thought it would be weird.
“You talked to Margo?”
“Didn’t have a choice.” He chuckled as he cut his prime rib.
“Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t blowing smoke up your ass when I said I liked and respected her.
I do. But she cornered me when I was at Mickey Fine’s one morning, grabbing breakfast. She insisted on telling me what she thought you needed from me.
And warned me she’d ruin me if I fucked you over. ”
Hunter smiled. “She’s a good one.”
“She is, and she trusts me, and I hope you do too.” Lorne paused to chew and swallow his bite. “So, two-five with two percent on the back end? Yeah?”
“Yeah. I liked the script. It was edgier than most superhero stuff without being depressing, and it was uplifting without being cheesy.” Hunter took a bite of his salad. “I’m in.”
After lunch, they walked through the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire together.
Hunter thanked the doorman as they stepped out into the drive, which sliced its way between the two hotel towers that made up the property.
They both handed the valet their tickets.
Lorne’s car was brought up first. He slapped Hunter’s shoulder and shoved on his sunglasses. “Congrats, Hunter.”
“Thanks. Seriously. For everything.”
Lorne got into his car, and Hunter waited for his, which was probably buried somewhere in the bowels of their underground.
A dented old Kia didn’t usually get prime parking from the valets in Beverly Hills.
He could get a new car now. He had to, really.
Although Margo had once told him Brad Pitt drove a minivan around town because no one expected to see Brad Pitt driving a 1991 Dodge Caravan.
Maybe the Kia was a perfect decoy. He really did get stopped everywhere since Platonic Planet debuted at number one and still sat there, six months later. It was a record never seen before.
He put on his sunglasses, realizing that he was probably going to be noticed now as he waited for his car, and pulled out his phone.
There was a text from his mom. She wrote in all caps, which was common nowadays because she was constantly excited about his life, about seeing an interview of his on a Canadian national entertainment news show.
He smiled. She was so excited for him—and she seemed so proud, and that was the best part of this whole thing.
Mom
HOW WAS THE MEETING? DYING TO KNOW!
I’m going to film another movie. I’ll tell you more later. How are you feeling?
Mom
YAY! SO PROUD! GOOD MONEY? I’m fine. I look like a Chia Pet.
Hunter laughed under his breath. His mother’s hair has started growing back in now that the chemo was done, and she hated it.
You can still wear a wig until it’s longer if you’re uncomfortable.
Mom
it will grow FASTER if you tell me more about the NEW MOVIE!
Later. I have to drive home and get ready for an event tonight.
Mom
What event?
A party thrown by Louis Vuitton. I’m a brand ambassador, remember?
Mom
HOW COULD I FORGET? You brought home that GORGEOUS necklace for me on your last visit. I wore it EVERY time I go out. Even just to the store!
Hunter smiled. She’d looked so elated when she opened the box and immediately asked him to return it because it cost too much and she’d rather he had the money.
And when he refused, she wore that necklace to her last chemo treatment and showed it off to all the nurses proudly, his dad had told him later.
Hunter couldn’t be there because he’d had a post-release press out with Mikayla.
Gotta go. Love to you and Dad.
Mom
He’s apartment hunting as we speak.
His smile dropped. It was still hard to wrap his head around the fact that his dad was getting divorced.
Also, he didn’t understand why he was getting an apartment.
He’d moved in with Catherine and taken over Hunter’s spot in the guest bedroom while she was undergoing the last of her treatment and Hunter had to be in LA for work.
Hunter FaceTimed them regularly and had never seen either of them so happy despite the circumstances.
He didn’t have his parents getting back together on his bingo card, ever, but now he couldn’t understand why it wasn’t officially happening.
Still, he didn’t want to talk about it with either of them because he thought it would get awkward.
Plus, they were adults, right? They could figure it out.
Don’t let him take a place he hates. You know how he gets frustrated and just gives up.
Mom
I know. BE SAFE. Have fun. LOVE YOU!
Love you.
As Hunter tucked his phone into his pocket, he saw his car coming up the curving ramp from the underground parking. A black Cadillac Escalade pulled up just in front of Hunter as he walked to where the valet was parking his car. “Hey! Hunter Law! Can I get a picture?”
He turned his head, fully intending to smile at whoever recognized him, until he saw who it was. Hannah Wolfe was handing another valet her keys and staring at Hunter with a big, glossy, pink-lipped smile. His heart sank. “Hey. Hannah.”
She nodded and walked right over as Hunter quickly slipped the valet a five-dollar bill.
He wished he could just rush around the front of his car, hop in the driver’s seat, and zoom away, but that would definitely be rude.
She was laughing as she approached. “Fooled ya! You looked so sweet, ready to smile and take a selfie.”
“Part of the job, right?” Hunter replied, hoping his voice didn’t reflect the tension he was feeling.
He hadn’t seen Hannah in person since she was on tour with Colby.
That had ended a while ago, along with the fake relationship.
At least that’s what the media was speculating since Colby and Hannah weren’t seen out and about together anymore.
“I can’t believe I’m running into you!” She hugged him like a dear friend. “How have you been? I mean, do I even have to ask? Obviously you’ve been amazing. Your movie is number one. Everyone is freaking out about you. I loved it! My God, you are so sexy in it!”
She finally pulled back and, judging by the smile still on her face, she hadn’t noticed the lackluster way Hunter had returned her hug. She continued to grip his shoulders as she said, “Colby is going to shit when I tell him I saw you!”
He nodded outwardly but cringed inwardly. “Congrats on the song, by the way. The one in that movie. I hear it’s going to be nominated for an Oscar.”
“That’s the buzz, but I try not to think about it,” she replied. “Don’t want to jinx it. Besides, it’s silly that he gave me writing credit. He did all the real work. I just helped with the bridge.”
“And you sing on it too.”
She waved a tiny hand in the air. “Anyone could have done that.”
Hunter gestured to his car awkwardly. “I need to get going. I have a thing tonight.”