Chapter One

3:59

Hollywood Hotties

Never did I ever believe this could be my life: lounging next to a pop star on a rooftop deck with pink lemonade and the Hollywood sign in the distance.

Sliding my dark sunglasses back into place, I sigh over my crazy luck.

Now that I’m in the land where dreams come true, I realize growing up in a small ranching town limited my vision for the future. Not much happened there, and no one bothered to dream of more.

I worked at the Seed and Grain emporium in high school. My dad was a ranch manager and my mom was the cook. We lived in a tiny house on the property of the second biggest ranch in the area. I dated the owner’s son. Everyone thought I’d marry him after high school, because what a huge step up that would be for me, right?  But I didn’t. I did dream about more than becoming the wife of a rancher. So I left town after graduation, to his and everyone else’s dismay. 

Instead, I left town to his and everyone else’s dismay. But what about my dreams? Why was it a forgone conclusion that I’d marry Ross with his massive ranch and his minimal…everything else? I at least wanted a shot at achieving something more.

When I was a little girl, I escaped into books. I got lost in other realities, other worlds. Eventually, I dreamed of becoming an author. I wrote little stories and read them to my stuffed animals. In high school, I imagined I’d write a novel, have a best seller that could be made into a movie like the few that come through our town’s one screen cinema. I trusted Ross enough to tell him about such dreams, but he laughed and literally patted me on the head, saying I was cute but what could I possibly write about.

I kept those dreams to myself after that.

After my parents urged me to find some kind of financial stability, I settled for college on the other side of the country. I got my degree in business because I didn’t know what else to do. My parents wouldn’t understand a degree in creative writing. They’re too practical to think past paying bills and starting a family, but there was no way I was ending up a ranch wife before I turned twenty-one. I stayed away from Silver Valley until I finished college to avoid that very fate.

Who could have predicted moving home after I graduated would land me the trip of a lifetime to Hollywood. Or that I’d end up friends with a pop star? Not to mention having our names wrapped up in some dirty Hollywood rumor before we’d even met.

Taking another sip of lemonade, I smile at the crazy turn of events.

This may be the only glimpse I have at life outside of Silver Valley. All I know is I’m going to enjoy every single minute of my time here before I’m forced to head back to my grim reality and a job at the Seed and Grain emporium once again.

“I can’t believe this is real life,” I say with a sigh, stretching like a cat after a nap. 

“Believe it.” Brianna says. “Bumping into Zack at the Grab n’ Go had to have been fate. Even though your name got dragged through the mud with ours because of it, I’d say the drama was worth it.” She raises her lemonade glass, clinking it against mine when I meet hers.

“Agreed. It was.”

“I know Hollywood doesn’t have the small town charm you’re used to, but it’s been good to me.” She laughs. “Mostly, anyway. It brought me Zack. Although I can only imagine how romantic the landscape in Silver Valley is during the holidays.” Brianna reclines on her lounger with a dreamy smile, likely picturing a postcard version of Christmas back on the ranch.

Which couldn’t be further from reality. 

“You’d be surprised how much reality can ruin a good landscape or at how many rumors I’ve already been dragged into back there. I’m used to my name being tossed around.” Groaning, I admit my secret grudge. “Hallmark has ruined small towns forever.”

I know Brianna deals with drama daily, much worse than anything I’ve had to go through. But still… Every old biddies head shook when I left Ross to go to school, but no one ever insinuated I was some floozy cheating with a pop star’s boyfriend until fame and fortune were involved. Normally, I’m proud to hold an “everything will be okay” mindset–which is starting to erode the more I picture my hometown. I found my sunshine again out in Hollywood, my blue sky and bright future. Going home again steals my joy and I’m dreading it.

“Small towns aren’t sweet.” 

Hallmark might disagree but that network really got it wrong. Not all towns with population challenges are charming and full of holiday spirit.

Brianna leans in. “Oh, spill the tea. I’d love to hear all about small town life. Was Zack as big a nerd as he says he was?” She sips her lemonade expectantly.

While she also happens to be a pop star with rising fame and fortune at her fingertips, Brianna’s the most down to earth woman I’ve ever met. So much so, it’s jarring how normal she is while living in a fantasy of headlines and sold out shows. Now that she’s fallen in love with the son of a rancher, her personal life is every girl’s dream.

“He sure was.” I laugh as I picture Little Zacky, as we used to call him, with his shaggy brown bowl cut and overbite. Although I can admit he aged well. His sharp jawline and lean muscles turn heads.  “I remember the first time his face was put up on a billboard for the Seed and Grain emporium, the biggest of the four ranching supply stores we have in Silver Valley.” I lean in to Brianna with a raised brow. “He shocked everyone when he won that karate championship. Ross was fit to be tied. Then he went and became a local celebrity model?” I laugh. “No one knew what to do with him.”

My ex hated Zack because he couldn’t mess with him anymore. That was a huge red flag I should have recognized at the time. I regret the wool over my eyes now. I’d blame small town ignorance but in this day and age, I have no excuse.

“And if it wasn’t for his black belt, I may not be with him.” Brianna reminds me. Zack was hired to protect her because of it. “I still love watching him go through his karate routines.” A wistful expression washes over her. “So hot. And his Star Wars nerdy side isn’t bad either.” She winks.

“I heard that,” Zack says from the top of the stairs. He heads our way wearing a gray athletic shirt and black board shorts carrying a tray of snacks and more pink lemonade the exact shade of Brianna’s bikini top. Her best friend, Char, follows him with bouncing red curls and her own concoction of food.

“I brought back-up supplies for when we’re still starving after consuming the kale buffet Zack made,” she says, hoisting chicken wings and fries onto the table. Char is loud where Brianna is quiet, but in a supportive bestie way that reads protective. She and Zack butted heads at first, but they’ve come together on their shared goal of keeping Brianna safe.

“There’s more than kale here.” Zack counters.

“Air doesn’t count.” Char side eye’s him with that zinger. Brianna and I cover our laughs with a fake coughing fit.

“Damn. You and Jacob never back off, do you.” Zack shakes his head, grabbing a handful of–yes–kale chips before sitting on the lounge chair with Brianna. Their legs smash together as they snuggle close.

I’m not attracted to Zack, but I sure do envy their closeness.

“Blech. Never mention his name again,” Char says with force. She plops into a chair next to me. “He’s the worst.”

Zack rolls his eyes. I don’t know the deal between Jacob and Char but now I’m curious.

“This lemonade packs some heat, am I right?” Char says after a sip of hers.

“Um, no hon. Mine is unleaded.” Brianna looks at Zack for confirmation. He nods.

“Mine, too.” I add.

“Oh. I leaded mine.” Char says with a shrug. “It’s a party, right?”

Bree and I shrug while Zack shakes his head but we don’t dwell on it much longer. Conversation turns to other things as we munch on food and enjoy the perfect weather. Brianna suggests we go for a swim later while Zack makes us dinner. 

It’s funny to watch my high school friend embrace his boyfriend side so wholeheartedly. He loves taking care of his woman.

We head down the spiral staircase from the rooftop deck to the back patio where Brianna has an outdoor kitchen and an in-ground pool. While Bree and I enjoy the hot tub Char sits out at the table not wanting to get her hair wet then have to go through her curly girl routine again. We talk about my visit and all of the fun things we did as Zack fires up the grill. I notice Char texting someone pretty consistently, but she doesn’t mention who. She’s Brianna’s best friend, but she also serves as her manager. Conducting pop star business is a twenty-four hour job. 

“Zack said you’re starting plans for a tour.”

Brianna nods. “I’m feeling more confident with him by my side. That stalker situation had me in hiding but it’s behind me now. Char’s in talks with a new band to open for me. We’re testing them out during my Vegas show next month.”

“Oh, wow. The inside scoop. What’s the band? Have I heard of them?”

“Not unless you’re hanging out in the L.A. club scene. It’s four guys called Citizen One. They’re a mix of rock and pop punk with an edge of soul.”

“But don’t call them a boy band because that would piss them off,” Char adds. “I’m texting with Curt right now. He freaking slid into my DMs and hasn’t stopped promoting his band since. Looks like it was a good strategy, though, considering I’m about to send him a preliminary contract for the Vegas show.”

“Yeah, never heard of them. But they sound interesting. I’ll look them up.”

“Better yet, I’ll send you an album. You need the vinyl for the full effect,” Brianna says.

“I don’t have a record player.” Another small town myth debunked. We don’t all have vintage furniture and sound systems in our attics.

“Then I’ll send one of those with it.” Brianna winks and we both laugh.

Being friends with a pop star has its perks.

“And look at that.” Char blurts, holding up her phone displaying the latest Star Tracker article about Brianna. “It’s still going strong.” #Reunited–the hashtag Bree came up with to counter paparazzi rumors about Zack and I cheating on her–is continuing to trend. 

“Knew it had shelf life.” Brianna smirks. 

I’m surprised it worked so well, to be honest. I'm hoping everyone back home has forgotten about it. I wasn’t kidding when I said small towns aren’t sweet. Some of them are kind of twisted. 

I’ll be returning to said twisted town in a matter of hours. My flight leaves tomorrow morning and I’m dreading being home. Back to my warped existence in a town going nowhere unless I want a rancher’s life.

Newsflash: I don’t.

Maybe my angst at my living situation will finally spur me to write that novel. Small town life meets psychological thriller with a romantic subplot. The psyco part will be born of my loathing for the place and the dolts that live there, minus Zack and his family of course.

“Honey,” Brianna calls to Zack, “that is a ton of corn cobs. Who are you trying to feed, a baby elephant? 

“No, but Jacob and Clinton are stopping by and the two of them combined can put most of this away.”

Char groans with an eye roll. 

“Don’t you like corn?” I ask.

“Love corn. Hate Jake.”

“Not this again,” Zack mumbles.

“What’s wrong with Jacob?” I ask her knowing the guy prefers his full name over a nickname and that Char refuses to use it.

“He’s cute and all, but that ego is bigger than Bree’s bank account. Jake is every cliche in Hollywood. A player lacking talent, riding on his good looks as long as possible and flirting his way across town.”

“So you do think he’s good looking?” Brianna smirks.

“No comment.” 

“Is that your official statement?” She presses.

Sliding her sunglasses on, Char repeats, “No comment”

“Seriously, Char. What happened between you two?” Brianna asks. I grab a handful of popcorn from the bowl next to the kale chips, ready for someone else’s tea to spill. But before she opens her mouth to answer, two more guests arrive.

“Chicken wings? Nice.” The hated guy in question, Jacob, says while rubbing his hands together like an old timey villain. He’s followed by a storm cloud in the body of a six-five muscle man.

Clinton. Brianna’s head of security and the grumpiest human I think I’ve ever met.  And at the same time, the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. 

If only I weren’t flying back home tomorrow, I might shoot my shot.

But according to the rumors I’ve heard about him from Brianna and Char, he’s recovering from a divorce and navigating life as a single dad.

I’m in no position to get involved with that. I’m having a hard enough time navigating my own life, let alone two others.

So I’ll admire the guy from afar, and dream a little about those brooding eyes.

Maybe I’ll even be inspired to write about it.

After all, the escape from my reality is all I’ve got.

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