Do you think you can toy with me
Avery Hayes had landed the lawyer role long before Bryce Sterling's trial even started. The contract was signed and everything; she was just waiting for the production to start so she could get on set.
The next day, Avery was taking Shane Croft to the film set when a car horn blared from their left, just as they were leaving Summit Ridge Condominiums.
"Avery! Shane! I'll give you a ride!"
Leo Foster's head poked out of the car window, a wide grin on his face as he waved them over. Avery couldn't help but smile back as she walked over to the car.
"First thing when you get to New York, you need to have Ms. Marks get you a car," Leo said casually, rolling up the window after she'd settled into the passenger seat. "It'll be a pain to get around otherwise."
Avery just nodded. "What are you doing up so early?"
Leo glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "I made a point of getting up to take you to the set."
A genuine smile touched her lips. "Well, that's a first. I can't believe you actually remembered my schedule and got here on time."
Ever since that short drama he'd invested in had wrapped, he'd been living on a flipped schedule, out all night with Ethan Rhodes and the guys. For him to drag himself out of bed this early to play chauffeur was, frankly, a huge deal.
Leo lifted his chin, looking pleased with himself. "Of course. And you owe me lunch for this."
"Anything you want," Avery agreed without a second thought. "My treat, as soon as I'm done with this role."
She really did owe him. All four of her special guest appearances had been thanks to him pulling some strings. A free meal was the least she could do.
They joked around the whole way, and before she knew it, the car was pulling into the studio lot in Hollywood. Shane peeled off to park while Leo walked Avery onto the set.
The show she was joining was called *The Gilded Spoon*, a period drama about a female restaurant manager who claws her way up to become a powerful merchant. It was a big production, and when they arrived, a production assistant immediately led them toward the casting director's office.
There were already three other guys in the office when they walked in, all young, handsome, and built like models, standing quietly off to the side as they waited. Avery took one look at them and positioned herself just behind Leo.
In this business, talent was one thing, but connections and knowing how to play the game were everything.
The fact that Leo had skipped a morning of sleep to personally drive her here told her this production might not be as straightforward as *The World's Game* had been.
If there was some shady business going on, she was smart enough to let him do the talking.
"Well, look at this," Leo said, his voice dripping with attitude as he took in the scene. He swaggered into the office, his eyes landing on the three actors. "Starting the day bright and early? What are these guys auditioning for?"
"Oh, Mr. Foster! You're here!" The casting director, a man with a slight gut stuffed into a brown leather jacket, practically tripped over himself to greet Leo, his hand outstretched. As he rushed forward, his eyes flickered to Avery, and for a split second, they lit up with interest.
Leo gave the man's hand a brief, dismissive shake, his gaze already back on the three actors. "So? What role are they auditioning for?"
The director's fake-friendly smile didn't falter. "Well, you see, the lawyer role is pretty important. The production team wants to see a few more people so we can compare our options."
The temperature in the room dropped. Leo's face went completely still.
He stared at the director, a slow, mocking smile spreading across his lips.
"Right. You should definitely compare," he said, his voice dangerously soft.
That was not what the man had said on the phone last night.
Avery already had the part. Was this guy seriously trying to walk back a signed contract?
Leo pulled a cigarette case from his pocket and stuck a cigarette between his lips. "Auditioning a few more people, huh? Is that your idea, or the director's, Miranda Lynch?"
He shielded the flame with his hand as he lit the cigarette, then blew out a perfect ring of smoke. The casual act did nothing to hide the ice in his eyes. He was pissed.
Avery didn't say a word, just watched the casting director from behind Leo, her expression unreadable.
What was this production team thinking? Both sides had signed the contract right after her audition.
Backing out now meant paying a penalty, which, while not huge, was still a stupid waste of money.
And were they really willing to screw over Leo?
Did they not care about pissing him off and losing potential investment for their show?
She frowned, trying to piece together their game.
In front of her, Leo was done playing nice. His eyes swept over the three other actors before locking back onto the director. "What agency are they with? Didn't you tell everyone the lawyer role was already signed to my company, Stellar Media?"
The casting director's face stiffened, the friendly mask finally cracking.
He clearly hadn't expected Leo to call him out so publicly.
He awkwardly pulled his hand back. "These three are new talent from Zenith Entertainment. We already promised them a cameo. For the sake of the show, I think it's best to let a few people compete for the role."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Avery, and the phony smile returned. "Besides, the lawyer is a male role. This young lady is incredibly beautiful, but she might not be able to handle a part like this."
Leo let out a sharp, cold laugh. "A little late to bring that up, don't you think? That's not what you said when you saw her audition. The deal was made. So why didn't you say a word then? Are you playing me for an idiot?"
He leaned in, his voice low and menacing.
"You think I'm some chump you can just mess with?"
The rapid-fire questions left the director sputtering, beads of sweat popping up on his forehead.
"You know what? I'm done," Leo snapped, flicking his cigarette away. He turned on his heel, his expression pure disgust. "I can't be bothered to argue with you over a guest spot. Wasting my breath on you is beneath me."
Seeing him walk, Avery lost all interest in the role and followed him out of the office without a backward glance.
She wasn't an idiot. This crew had probably never intended to give her the part, especially since she'd be playing a man.
The director's easy approval during her audition suddenly seemed suspicious.
They had been stringing her and Leo along from the start. She just couldn't figure out why.
Back in the office, the casting director's face soured as he watched them leave. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he rushed out after them.
He cut Leo off, his face plastered with a desperate, suck-up smile. "Hey, Mr. Foster, don't be in such a rush! Our director, Miranda Lynch, she said there's another role in the show... It's perfect for this young lady. In fact, she's holding it just for her."