Jared: Rae! Text me back.
Jared: I know you’re working today, but I need you!
Jared: It’s an emergency
Jared: Not a 9-1-1 emergency (don’t want you to worry)
Jared: Call me!
A slew of messages from my brother lay waiting on my phone when I finally have an extended break on set. I skipped lunch; there wasn’t time. But now I’m out of snacks, and I can’t leave until they finish shooting for the day. I grab a banana from the craft table and peel it as I walk outside to call Jared back.
“Finally! Jesus! What does a guy have to do to get you to call him back?”
I cringe a little at his choice in words. My brother can be dramatic. He has a flare for making everything about him. I am, after all, the one who was stranded on the side of the road not ten hours ago. Without a doubt his emergency won’t top mine, yet I can’t find it in me to be annoyed. “What’s going on?”
“I’m elbow deep in a cashmere catastrophe.”
“Is that some new sex position?” I say through a bite of banana. “Your husband is a lucky guy.”
“Shut up, Rae! This is serious. My new sweater is ruined, and it’s all because of Marilyn’s viper lip stain.”
“It was easier to deconstruct your ramblings when we lived in the same state.”
“Lip stain, bloody fucking lip stain marred my cashmere sweater. Tell me I’m not trashing a hundred bucks. Give me hope.”
“Send me a photo of the damage and I’ll ask around. There’re a few people on set who might know.”
“You’re my hero. You know that? Even two thousand miles away and you still save the day.”
Homesickness, a pang sudden and unexpected, tightens my throat. “I do what I can.”
“Hey, baby girl. Everything okay?”
“It’s fine,” I say brightly.
“We both know it’s not. Especially when you say it is.” I can practically hear his scowl through the line.
“Just been a shitty day. Iron Maiden let me down today.”
He gasps. “Not that hunk of metal!”
“Shut up.” I roll my eyes. “She’s been good to me, or rather was until this morning.”
“What do you need?”
Ten grand to buy a reliable replacement. “Nothing yet.” I try not to sigh, or allow another wave of anxiety to claim the last of my nerves. There weren’t any messages or missed calls from Jude, and though I don’t think he’d leave me stranded and steal my broken car, I don’t really know anything about him other than he’s important enough in Hollywood circles to get invited to red carpet events. Definitely not someone with anything to gain by jacking my car.
But he did promise he’d get back to me by the end of the day, and it’s almost six. He seemed sincere, but maybe I’m a fool for believing him. The thought of having to figure out an alternative ride home causes my temple to pound. “I won’t know what she needs until I hear back from the mechanic.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need to borrow money. I could talk to Logan. I’m sure we could swing a couple grand. I hate that you’re all alone there.” And that right there is why I can’t accept his help. My big brother will always try to rescue me. But I need to make this work on my own. I have to if I expect him to see me as an adult.
Asking our parents is out of the question. They get by, but there isn’t much left after necessities. Besides, my dad is set to retire this year. I won’t derail those plans. Not when moving to Los Angeles was my idea.
“I’m fine. Besides, there’s always public transportation.” It’s how I got around in Chicago, though granted, everything was much closer. I lived in the city, and worked in the same building every day. Here is different. Some of my work has me on set for ten-hour days, like today, and others book me in San Diego for a two-hour photo shoot prep.
“Your roommates wouldn’t come get you?”
“I’m sure they would.” But really, I’m not. We don’t have years of history, or a shared college experience. I’m just some girl sharing a room. I help them make rent. I lean back against the building’s exterior and hold back a groan. Closing my eyes, I allow the evening sun to kiss my face and force a lightness into my tone. “It’s fine, Jared. Don’t worry.” The last thing I need is his concern balanced on top of my own fears. “I’m a big girl, and I’ll pull on my big girl panties.” I’m almost thirty, and in some LA circles that’s practically ancient. Besides, this is part of the reason I moved to the West Coast. To find myself. To prove I don’t need a man, or anyone else, to handle life’s messes. I can deal with a broken-down car, even if it breaks my bank account. “I should get back to work.”
“Wait. You never told me about the hottie. Or why you sent me his number this morning. I am a happily taken man, but damn, sis, that’s some eye candy.”
I think about Jude Lawrence and his devilishly handsome smile. I should tell Jared how he delivered me to work. Or the puppy snuggles. But for some reason I don’t. Maybe because my brother will blow it out of proportion. Make it more than what it is. Plant a seed of hope for more, when I know damn well I have no business pursuing anything with a man like Jude Lawrence. “I’ll fill you in later, but if I end up missing, that’s where you point the police investigation.”
“Cryptic much? You sure everything’s okay?”
“It will be.” I infuse every ounce of positivity into my words. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. Promise.” Hell, I almost believe myself.
“I love you, Rae babe.”
“Love you too.” Ending the call, I chuckle as it immediately lights up with a string of texts. The photos showcase my brother’s sweater and sure enough, it
