On the Outside (Caught Inside #3) Read online

  “Kace, enough!” Xavier’s shoulders rose and fell. His fist tightened, clenching and unclenching. “We’ll discuss this later.”

  I gulped. “Who…”

  “We’ll discuss this later.” Xavier pushed forward without bothering to throw a glance.

  “You didn’t answer my question. Who were you talking about?” I mumbled, staring down at my feet. I braved one look up and spotted the siblings jumping into Xavier’s car and driving off.

  Chapter 19

  A week later…

  Call time was at five in the morning.

  Five in the morning!

  I didn’t even know there was a five in the morning. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit there, but you get my drift.

  After a week of silence from Xavier—not to mention a week of no surf lessons—I suddenly found myself heading toward the first day of shooting, silently cursing my fateful instructor on the way. As luck—or rather bad luck—would have it, Wyatt emailed the cast to inform us that our shooting schedule had to be shuffled around. Due to weather, money, and some other bullshit, our first scenes to shoot would be at the beach! How the hell was I supposed to surf without Xavier there with me?

  “Don’t worry, Harper. They’ll just fire you on your first day on set. No biggie.” Gripping my brand new tumbler in hand (I chucked the Bennington cursed one eons ago), I climbed the steps to the makeup trailer and sighed. The first day of anything is always difficult. Add some self-absorbed actors, anal retentive producers, and a clueless actress, and you have yourself a deadly cocktail.

  “Harper?” a small voice, which sounded a whole lot like Kacy, called out to me.

  I turned in a hurry, knocking over a container of makeup brushes. A small woman with jet black hair and fiery almond shaped eyes lunged forward before the brushes scattered across the floor.

  “I’m sorry!” I yelped. “It’s just—”

  “Too early,” she finished for me. “No worries. You’re lucky I’m a morning person. My name is Piper, by the way. I’ll be doing your makeup throughout the film.”

  A kind smile spread across her face and I immediately calmed. “Thanks…it’s nice to be greeted by a nice face for once.”

  “Do people hate you or something?” The petite Asian woman pointed to a nearby makeup chair and grabbed a black dressing gown. As she shook the garment out I couldn’t help but think it looked vaguely similar to a vampire’s cape. Hopefully that wasn’t another bad omen about this movie. Needless to say I’d had enough already.

  I took my seat, wiggling my ass into the uncomfortable cushion, and gulped. “They probably do. You know, because of rumors and all that jazz.”

  “Ah, say no more. Once I did makeup for the nicest actress ever. And I mean ever. If there was a competition for sweetness, she would have taken the crown hands down.” She waved a perfectly manicured hand in the air as she spoke. Face falling, she clucked, “I felt extremely bad for her.”

  My ears perked up. “Oh? How come? What happened to her?”

  “There was a whole online forum of people just trolling and hating on her, all because of some farfetched rumors. I had no idea how she found the courage to face the public day after day. You know what, though?”

  “What?” I just about whispered.

  “It made her a stronger person. She even won an Oscar last year.”

  That certainly piqued my interest. “Who are you talking about?”

  She wagged a hot pink fingernail at me. “Sorry, not at liberty to divulge that information. Just take my word for it.”

  “Uh, okay…”

  Her prim features broke out into a sincere smile. “You will get through whatever crap you’re facing right now. It must rain for flowers to grow, you know.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” A soft smile tickled my lips.

  “And sometimes you just have to hear it again.” She stomped on a pedal under my seat, causing me to rise up a few inches. “Now sit back and let me make you even prettier than you already are.”

  I gripped my plastic tumbler and felt my smile grow wider. Maybe there were still nice people in this world…

  Even if at times I didn’t feel like one of them.

  ***

  “Why are you holding the board like that?” Wyatt stomped over to me and practically slapped the longboard out of my hand.

  Gasping, I struggled to prop the baby blue monstrosity against my hip. “Holding what like what?”

  “Holding that board like you’ve never surfed before.” He pursed his lips and eyed me up and down. “You’re really not giving me much confidence, Montgomery. Based on your resume and what Xavier said about you, I thought you’d be able to handle this role.”

  “Don’t worry. I got this. I’m good.” It was a blatant lie. I wondered if Wyatt could see through it. If he could, it’d just be further evidence that I wasn’t as great of an actress as I made myself out to be.

  The realization was sickening.

  My director ran his thick hand through his sun-bleached hair and nodded once. “Fine. Just don’t drown out there. This movie’s over budget enough as it is; I don’t need a wrongful death suit waiting for me.”

  Before I could reply, he turned toward his seat, which was perched at the edge of the pier, muttering curse words under his breath. I shook my head and scowled. “What a jerk.”

  “Yeah. Such a jerk,” Piper agreed, appearing next to me. Smiling, she rose on her tip-toes and fussed with my hair, which I thought was a waste of time given I’d have to jump in the ocean soon…to surf, which I still had no idea how to do.

  “Hey, have you seen Xavier Greene? You know, our producer?” I glanced around and felt my lips tremble. I’d never been in the water without him by my side. Though I didn’t expect him to show up at the eleventh hour to save me, I couldn’t help but hope there was a slight possibility that he would.

  Piper frowned in confusion. “Oh, you didn’t hear?”

  The blood instantly drained from my face. “Hear what?”

  He couldn’t have quit, could he? Unless he was closer to Riley than I thought…

  “He’ll be gone for the next two days. He volunteered to do some bitch work for Wyatt, which was really nice…and odd.” Piper shrugged her slim shoulders and continued to fuss with my hair. “He’s about as egotistical as Wyatt is. I’m really surprised he went along with it.”

  “I’m not,” I whispered.

  “What was that?”

  “Never mind.” I shook my head and eyed the pounding California surf. Letting out a small whimper, I muttered, “Let’s just get on with this.”

  Piper threw me a strange look and took a step away from me. “Good luck.”

  I nodded my head, trying to soak in all the good luck I could muster.

  Xavier wasn’t kidding about Wyatt. After some overly meticulous blocking and lighting, I finally took my place at the shore. Dipping my feet into the ice cold water, I stared out into the ocean and felt myself relax with the feel of the sun beating on my back. It was finally time to escape into the land I loved—acting. It was quite fitting that my first shot would be a solo. Though I was sure that working with Charlie would be a lot better than working with Coby, I was a bit happy that I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone but myself—for a day at least.

  “Harper! You ready or are you just going to stand there daydreaming all day?” Wyatt shouted through a bullhorn.

  And maybe worry about Wyatt.

  I winced at the electrical feedback and took a few deep breaths. I hated Wyatt. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Actually there was one but—he was my boss and right now I couldn’t afford to lose another job. I just had to grin and bear it.

  “Sorry, Wyatt! Just trying to get into character.”

  Wyatt let out an audible snort before shouting, “Action!”

  I took one last deep breath and stepped into the ocean. For my first scene I didn’t need to speak any lines. However, I felt as petrified as I would be if I had to r
ecite the entire Iliad.

  “I said action!” Wyatt practically screamed, prompting me to walk farther out into the waves. I bit back a gasp as the cold water splashed against my bare thighs. The marine layer hadn’t fully dissipated from the sky, leaving the water a lot colder than I would have liked. As I waded into deeper waters, I felt as if ice cold knives were stabbing at my body. I fought back a shiver and walked forward until I was halfway submerged in the water.

  Trying my hardest to remember Xavier’s lessons, I placed my board onto the water and began to paddle out beyond the break. Each splash of ice water made me further question my sanity. Why the fuck did I agree to this movie?

  To my relief I made it out past shore break, allowing myself to relax until I was sitting pretty on top of my board staring out into the horizon. A small part of me hoped there wouldn’t be any good waves to catch, but of course life—and karma—liked throwing obstacles in my way. I must have been a real bitch in a past life.

  Like you are in this one?

  I grunted in annoyance, but remembering the camera was on me, I tried my best to place a serene expression on my face. Of course that serenity didn’t last too long.

  “A wave’s shouldering behind you! You better catch this one!” Wyatt’s ear piercing voice screamed above the roar of the ocean.

  Nodding my head in self-affirmation, I spun my board around and threw my stomach onto the epoxy surface.

  “You can do this, Harper. Remember Xavier’s lessons,” I muttered under my breath. A good amount of saltwater entered my mouth, causing me to gag. Deciding that speaking his lessons out loud was probably a bad idea, I resigned to thinking about them.

  Jump on the board and paddle out…

  Prop up on your board…

  Read the waves…

  Go!

  I zoned out, allowing muscle memory to take over. Unfortunately, muscle memory didn’t work if you were extremely bad at what you were doing.

  “Argh!” I screamed out loud as I pearled off my board, flying over the nose. Soon I found myself underwater, completely disoriented. In the dark ocean I had no idea which direction was up and which was the path to drowning.

  Don’t embarrass yourself again, Harper. You can do this. Just blow an air bubble. Whichever way it floats is up.

  Ignoring the thrashing of my heart, I blew an air bubble and watched it float away from me. Following its path, I finally surfaced and swam toward my board, which was bobbing as calmly as could be.

  “What the heck was that?” Wyatt’s annoying voice boomed over his loudspeaker as soon as I surfaced. “Go back and try it again!”

  “Great to know you care about my well-being.” I rolled my eyes and pulled myself onto the board. Sliding my body against the bumpy surf wax, I felt my resolve weakening. “Who am I kidding? I can’t do this. Why am I even subjecting everyone to my stupidity?”

  Groaning, I paddled back outside the thrashing waves. Pushing myself up, I ignored the angry yells coming from my beloved director and just took a moment to center myself. However, despite how much I tried I could not relax. There was no way I’d be able to do this…at least without Xavier. I might as well pack up and start heading home. I was sure there was a line of women ready and willing to take my role.

  “Can you at least try?” Wyatt screamed again.

  With a shaky nod I tried again…and again…and again. By my fourth wipeout I paddled toward shore—toward expressions of doubt, anger, and…

  Xavier?

  Chapter 20

  “Why are you here?” I rung out my saltwater-drenched hair, ignoring the elementary school-like tantrum Wyatt was having behind me. Muttering something about taking five, our director stomped off toward the crafts table, no doubt looking for a beer or some hard liquor. Xavier stood in front of me in all his chiseled glory, looking like an archangel come to save me.

  Xavier’s upper lip twitched slightly, but he kept his expression as calm as possible. “You’re forgetting my butt’s on the line too. I told Wyatt I’d help you out and here I am. Judging by what I just saw, it’s a good thing I came.”

  “So you’re here for Wyatt and not for me?” I shot back angrily, though deep inside I knew it was ridiculous I expected so much from him.

  His jaw clenched. “Listen, I can’t just leave you hanging like that. Unlike some people, I care about my friends.”

  “What’s your problem? Why do you care so much about your sister’s friend?” I was speaking out of my ass and I knew it. Riley deserved to be cared for. She was that great of a person.

  “Somebody has to care about Riley,” he shot back angrily. “Besides, don’t you think I am her friend too? We all grew up together. She’s like a little sister to me.”

  I bowed my head, feeling awkward, stupid, and guilty. “Like I told Kacy, I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

  “So you didn’t mean for his penis to fall into your vagina?”

  “Wow, what is it with you Greenes? Do you have to be so crass?” I asked, scowling.

  “Hey, I’m just being honest. Accidents like that don’t just happen. They’re usually premeditated.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What if I say I was drunk that night?”

  His face paled. “He didn’t…he didn’t force himself on you, did he?”

  “What?” I asked in shock. I shook my head in a hurry. “No, of course he didn’t.”

  “Well, that’s good…I’m glad you weren’t hurt.” He tugged at his Adam’s apple and cleared his throat, quickly looking away.

  “But you aren’t glad that I did it,” I finished for him.

  “Who would be? That was a pretty low thing to do. Besides, you hurt somebody I care about.”

  My blood was boiling. Why didn’t anyone ever think to listen to my side of the story for once? They were always so busy drawing lines between invisible dots that they forgot to focus on one of the most important things—the facts, which I had!

  In a muted tone, I replied, “Riley and Aaron were broken up, Xavier. For a long time, mind you. Despite this, I tried to fess up and tell Riley as soon as it happened, but she didn’t answer my calls. Do I regret that it happened? Hell yes. Would I do it again? Of course not. There were no feelings involved at all.”

  “There weren’t? Not even before?” he asked doubtfully.

  I was flustered. “Is that what got your panties in a bunch? You all thought I was messing with Aaron before the breakup?”

  He shrugged. “Kacy said that Riley mentioned you guys were a bit friendly before they ended things after he cheated. Not to mention you had his number on your phone the whole time he was trying to get back together with her.”

  I rolled my eyes. “He looked me up. That’s how he got my number. He thought I’d be the bridge back to Riley and the only reason that we were friendly was because I was being a good friend and trying to distract him so he wouldn’t stalk her. Granted, he did take a surprise trip to Mistcoast, but that’s beside the point.” Xavier opened his mouth to speak, but I quickly pressed my index finger against it. “Don’t even say anything. I know I didn’t do anything wrong. I never liked him like that.”

  His lips felt soft against my fingertip. I pressed a bit harder and could have sworn he puckered his lips a tiny bit.

  I took a step back and begrudgingly dropped my finger. “Before you and your sister judge me, be sure to get all the facts straight first. I would never see a friend’s boyfriend behind her back. In fact, I was the one telling her to forget about him to begin with.”

  “Fine, then. Good.”

  A moment of silence passed between us. Riding on the waves of our awkward conversation—no pun intended—I asked, “Tell me the truth…this wasn’t all about Riley, was it?”

  He blinked in surprise. “What?”

  I lifted my chin. “You heard me. You’re mad because of something else.”

  He rubbed at his newly buzz cut head, scratching at it loudly. Though I was never one for guys with short hair, the new do r
eally complemented his cheekbones. Gosh, was he handsome.

  “Um…I guess it just bugged me to think you’d go for someone like Aaron. I always thought the guy was a douche—”

  “That he is,” I agreed.

  “Yeah…” His voice trailed off as he shifted his weight uncomfortably. The wooden pier groaned underneath his weight. “It wasn’t just that. It bugged me to think I’d be such a bad judge of character. Despite everything the casting agents warned me about you, I thought you had a pretty nice and decent head on your shoulders. I’ve never been wrong about a person before and I hated to think I was wrong about you particularly.”

  Cue my beating heart. “Why?”

  He shrugged and looked off into the distance. From my periphery I could make out Piper gesturing toward me. My head snapped in her direction and in response she mouthed, “Do you like him? Keep talking!”

  I shook my head and frowned.

  “What’s got Piper all riled up?” Xavier suddenly asked.

  I yelped and turned back around at the same time Wyatt stomped over to us. He took a moment to eye Xavier before sneering back at me, “What the hell was that, Montgomery? You cost us about an hour of time! We’re already struggling enough as it is.”

  I gulped. “I-I’m sorry. I…”

  “I, I, I.” Wyatt shook his head. “That’s your problem, isn’t it? You only think about yourself? You Hollywood divas are always such a pain in my ass.”

  I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Huh? I’m not a diva.”

  Xavier suddenly cut in, interrupting us. “Wyatt, we talked about this and I was stupid to think I could stay away from shooting. You know what we have to do.”

  I blinked in confusion. “Wait, what are you guys talking about?”

  Wyatt tapped two fingers against his bullhorn and sighed. “Okay, in the water. Both of you.” Slowly turning toward me, he let out an exasperated growl. “But if you screw up again, I have no choice but to recast. Got it?”

  I nodded weakly.

  “Good.” His head bounced between us. “Any questions?”