“What?” Star gasped, looking at his friend. “My character gets pregnant! How the fuck do you know that?”
“I got to see the script a couple of days ago. Sometimes Master Anubis lets Master Thor read the scripts, and I get to see them.”
“Oh,” he said just as his cell phone rang, and Star glanced at the screen, seeing it was an unknown caller. The first time he'd received an unknown call, Star answered it, but no one spoke. He figured the person had called the wrong number. After that, the calls came twice more before he blocked and deleted the number.
“Aren't you going to answer that?” Chase asked.
“No, it's probably the wrong number.”
Star had been feeling uneasy lately, but he could explain why. The phone calls were coming more often than before. Star wondered if he had a stalker or maybe Thornton had found him. It wasn’t like he was hiding, since his face was plastered everywhere in magazines and television programs and commercials, and soon the episode he did forThe Travelerwould be available to anyone with the After Life Streaming subscription. So if Thornton wanted to find him, he could. But Star didn’t think the calls were coming from his ex-boyfriend. He knew that Thornton wasn't the type of person to hide, no matter what world he lived in. He would confront Star.
Star knew he should probably call the police and report it, but who would believe him? In his last life, he’d had no one to stand by him when he was being used and abused. Or maybe he was being paranoid, and it was all in his head since he was waiting for his world to come crashing down around him, or the new life he had been curating would all disappear one day. But he couldn’t explain that to Chase or anyone because he didn’t want them to call him crazy.
“Fuck, I need to go. I'm meeting my family for dinner.”
"Really, that's pretty cool,” Star said, trying to keep the sadness out of his voice, realizing everyone he knew in Valleywood had someone or a family to have dinner with. It was good that Star had a work thing or he would be alone. Vivienne would have attended the dinner with him, but she had a hot date with some guy she met on set a few weeks ago. Star had originally wanted to play matchmaker and set her up with Dent, but he hadn't seen Dent since they got to Valleywood. Not only had Dent been going back and forth between here and California, but they talked on the phone often, and funny enough, he was also out on a date.
“You seem deep in thought. Are you happy about seeing Anubis tonight?”
Star's brows furrowed. “Why would I be? I'm glad I'll get to see the script finally.”
Chase stared at him as if he was trying to see right through him. “Still denying your attraction to him, huh?”
“When did I ever say I liked him? And why do you always bring him up every time we talk? Damn, you do know there are other good-looking men in Valleywood?”
Chase chuckled. “Of course I do. But I know how much youadmireLord Anubis. Maybe after dinner tonight, you guys can slip away from the rest and...”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Didn't you tell me to be careful because it's a full moon?” Star snapped without any real anger. “Get out. Aren't you late for dinner or something?”
Chase laughed. “Just in case you want to hook up before the dinner, I left his number on your coffee table,” he said as he disappeared.
Star shook his head at Chase's antics, but he couldn't help looking at the coffee table and seeing something scribbled on a piece of paper. Picking it up, he stared at the numbers written on it, debating if he should really give the man a call. He hadn't seen him in months, and for some odd reason, he was missing him more than he should when all they were was one sultry night together and a few interactions on set.
Sighing, Star put the paper down and stood. “He probably wouldn't answer my call anyway. And why would I call him when I'm going to see him soon?”
He glanced back at the number. Shaking his head, Star grabbed his keys and, coincidentally, the slip of paper and went for a walk, heading toward the bridge that had been built up a little more since the last time he walked on it. It was a beautiful evening, and with the setting sun mirrored over the water, he couldn't help but let his mind wander, hoping for some perspective on his life. He had the entire weekend to himself, and wasting it would be a shame.
Tanner was right. After he'd finished wrapping up his scenes withThe Traveler,he'd gone from one photo shoot to another, late-night talk shows, podcasts, game shows, and guest roles on a few other popular television series, and currently, Vivienne was in talks for him to have a part in a sci-fi action movie. His star was slow going but steadily rising, and he was in no rush and had no complaints about his career. And although he had wanted to put his love life on hold until he was famous, he didn’t like loneliness. He had to admit, he wanted someone to share in his highs and lows. It was great that he had his friends, but it wasn't the same as having a lover. Star hated feeling envious of other couples; it reminded him of when he was with Thorton.
Leaning against a beam, he stared into the water, wondering if he would always be afraid to trust anyone with his heart again. Anubis might’ve been a nice guy, but he seemed like a player who would drop Star like a bad habit when someone cuter and more submissive came along. But who said he couldn't be the one to leave first? Until Thornton, Star had never seen or thought of himself as weak. And he also wasn't a player, but no one said he couldn't be now. He had a new life and could make his own destiny.
“Am I putting too much hope into something that’s not even there?”
Plus, they were going to be working together soon. It wouldn't be good for them to mix business with pleasure. He was new to the entertainment world, and he didn't want word to get out that he had slept with the director. Star shook his head. People might think he got the lead role in theMy One-Night Standseries because of his relationship with Anubis. He felt something for Anubis, even though most of their interactions have been through work, and there was an undeniable sexual attraction. From what little he knew about Anubis, he did like him and wanted to get to know him.
“Maybe it's my obsession with the man.”
Star tsked and stuffed the paper back into his pocket. He looked at the time and headed toward Pharaoh’s Feast. Star had never had Egyptian food before and was excited to try it since it was rumored that the chef catered the menu to fit the restaurant's name, serving authentic dishes from ancient Egypt.
* * *
Anubis walkedinto Pharaoh’s Feast with Tyrek by his side, ignoring the look of pity he saw in some people's eyes. The place brought back memories of a time when gods like him were worshiped and not feared or thought of as myths. Pharaoh’s Feast was decorated in dark brown, with walls painted beige, with hieroglyphic calligraphy art, and the furnishing added to the decor.
It had been so many weeks since the awards, and like always, he hadn't won, but Anubis wasn't upset about it for the first time in a long time. He’d had a great night and a beautiful date by his side. Bastet had charmed everyone that came into her presence, practically taking away the spotlight from the actual winners of the night.
“Sir, I will go and check on everything in the kitchen,” Tyrek said to him.
“Go, I'll take care of greeting everyone.”
