“Let’s see,” Bill says, and I can hear the sound of his keyboard clacking in the background. “It’ll be two women. Vivian Treadway, and someone named Clover Daly.” I scratch the names on an old takeout menu floating around the counter so I can do my reconnaissance later.
“Thanks.”
“Good luck on Tuesday,” he adds before hanging up. I roll my eyes, barely getting my phone away from my ear before it begins buzzing again. I look at the screen to see if Bill’s already calling me back because he forgot something, but I curse when I see the name on the screen.
“Deacon.” I haven’t bothered calling him “dad” in years. The asshole never deserved that title. I try to limit contact with him where possible, but I know avoiding his calls will only piss him off. Something I’m keen to do half the time, but I’m strategic. There’s a time and a place to piss a man like my father off.
“To be clear, you’ll be signing a relationship contract with whoever gets the role.” He says, completely forgoing any pleasantries or even saying “hello”. But then again, that’s like Deacon – nothing pleasant anyways. The way he’s framing this conversation is already setting me off.
“I will have a conversation with my agent and get back to you on that,” I hedge.
“It’s not up for debate. You were alright with it when it was Hailey, therefore you’ll be alright with it when it’s someone new,” he says matter-of-factly. I grind my teeth together. “As we’ve discussed, Roman,” he says my name like it exhausts him, “you’re lucky to have this role. Plenty of actors would’ve killed for this opportunity, but given that you’re anEverett, it went to you. The very least you can do is support publicity efforts with it.”
I close my eyes and sigh.
Of course, there he goes making me feel like shit again. Mentioning our family name like it’s the only reason I have this role. The only reason I’ve hadanysuccess. And while it’s true that my siblings and I have followed in the family’s footsteps, we’re all talented in our own rights. I’ve acted in dozens of films, and have always gotten good reviews where my performances are concerned. Yes, my family name opens doors, I’d be a naive idiot to think otherwise. But what my family name can’t do is imbue talent. And I know I’m talented.
“Understood?” Deacon snaps on the other end of the line, pulling my focus back.
“Fine, but I’m not happy about it,” I say.
Deacon laughs briefly on the other end of the line. “Like I give a shit,” and then the call ends.
Chapter Two
CLOVER
“Are you serious?” My hands shake as I try to hold the phone against my ear.
“Surprisingly, yes,” Anita, my agent, answers.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Anita.
“They reviewed your self-taped audition and have requested you come in for a chemistry read with Roman Everett on Tuesday.”
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I can’t help but give an excited little jump.
When Anita had told me that the role of Ariadne McCoy—aka Moonbeam—was up for grabs in the upcomingDarkness Risingmovie, I never thought she’d score me an audition.
Being her newest client, I thought she’d prioritize other people on her roster, and that I’d be an afterthought, similar to how I was at my previous agency. But it turns out Anita is like a god damn bloodhound when it comes to getting auditions, and I silently thank my lucky stars for the fact that I get to be one of her clients.
“I’ll send you the details,” she says around a mouthful of something, “Clover?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t screw it up. This isn’t only your reputation. It’s also mine,” she says, before hanging up abruptly.
Blowing out a breath, I look around my room incredulously. What just happened?
The urge to let out shriek is nearly all-consuming, but I hold back. The last thing I need to do is give my roommate, Maren, a heart attack. Then again, I’m not entirely sure she’d be bothered enough to come looking if I did scream.
It’s times like this when I wished my roommate and I were closer. It’d be nice to share in this news with someone, but Maren’s always been a bit aloof, perhaps even cool toward me. At times she’s even been rude. And while I have no problem calling men on their bullshit – becausewheredo they get the audacity? I’ve always had a tougher time when it comes to navigating relationships with women, and have had the unfortunate tendency to turn more into a doormat with them.
When Maren first moved in I wasn’t anticipating slumber parties and baking together, but it would be nice to feel like my roommate doesn’t actively dislike me. That’s the problem with being in this industry. At least, it’s one of many problems, I’m coming to learn.
Actresses are constantly being pitted against one another, all fighting for the same roles and vying for the attention of the same casting directors and agents. There’s always a battle to be the thinnest, prettiest, and most talented girl on the roster – and in that order no less.
While I’d initially made a few friends when I moved out to LA a couple years ago, the relationships fizzled out pretty quickly when we inevitably would go up against each other for the same few roles. One of the last friendships I lost was due tome scoring the lead in an eczema commercial for crying out loud.
