“Hmm, thank you.”Was I supposed to compliment her back?
Before I could decide, she took out my flaccid cock and wrapped her lips around it, her tongue immediately getting to work. I shuddered, telling myself this was happening, like it or not.
Aware of Eliot watching me from across the room, I shut my eyes and placed my hand on the redhead’s head, rolling with the scene.
CHAPTER THREE
The phone started ringing right when I entered my apartment.This is it!I dropped my groceries and ran into my bedroom to answer the call. “Hello?”
“How are ya, Sugar?”
“Hi, Agatha! Did I get it?”
Her long sigh was enough of an answer. My heart dropped to the floor. I leaned against the wall and rubbed my face. “Are you serious?”
“It was very close. They’ll be in contact if something changes.”
That movie would never be a hit, but it could have been my first attempt at a comedy, which I always wanted to try. Not to mention that I was the living definition of “beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Is there anything else?” I half-begged.
“Nothing right now, but you know how quickly things can change. You scoredHigh Lifeafter only two auditions.”
True, but it felt like a decade ago, as my bank account would attest.
“Is there maybe… oh, I don’t know, a commercial that I can do?”
She laughed. “You think it’s easy scoring commercials these days?”
I tried to keep my frustration at bay. “Well, I can’t just sit and wait like a dummy. I’m still taking acting classes, but they don’t come cheap, and they definitely don’t take up my entire day.”
“I hate to be a bitch here, but have you thought about being a waiter temporarily? Maybe a bartender? You’ll make great money once you show them your smiles.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “This wasn’t the plan. After the Globe—”
“Come on, Jonah, you’re a smart guy. A plan? This is Hollywood! Nobody cares about your plan. Just hang in there and keep improving your acting. Maybe talk to Eliot about helping you out. You can’t work anywhere that isn’t chic.”
It took me a moment to process her words. “Wait, how do you know about Eliot?”
“You told me.”
“I didn’t. I tried calling you the other day to tell you about going to Pickles, but you were busy.”
“Well, Eliot knows many people, and one of them must have mentioned it. Think about what I said. Ego doesn’t pay the bills—unless Ego is a sugar daddy. I’ll be in touch if anything comes up.”
“Fine. Thanks.”For nothing.
Even though I’d just gotten home, I needed to clear my head. I entered my car and drove aimlessly around Norwalk, where I lived. I passed by billboards forBatman ReturnsandWayne’s World. The year was shaping up to be packed with blockbusters, but that had nothing to do with me. Less than a year ago,High Lifewas on billboards as well—albeit, only on small ones. But that hadn’t stopped me from glowing with pride.
After an hour of driving aimlessly, I headed back home. My head might have been a bit clearer, but my mood was still in the gutter. I slumped on my bed and let the ceiling fan cool me down.
I debated whether to call Eliot. After my strange and slightly traumatic visit to Pickles, Eliot gave me his home number and told me to keep in touch. He might have just been polite, but I had nothing to lose by trying. I took his number from my wallet and dialed his home, worried he might have forgotten me in the week that had passed since we met. He must be meeting dozens of people every night.
“Hello,” he answered, his voice as deep and rich as I remembered.
“Um, hey, Eliot.”
“Huh, if it isn’t the talented Jonah Carter.”
