Beautiful Abyss (California Dreamers #3) (11 page)

“Mae Russell has been cast as the lead in
All About Ava
. That’s the show I’m auditioning for. I’m supposed to be her older brother.”

“You could be her brother,” Nellie tells me.

“You’re not just saying that?”

“I’m not just saying that,” she assures me. “You’re both charismatic and attractive in the same way.”

Roscoe pokes her arm. “But not as attractive as I am.”

Her lips tighten and she glares at him. “Not as attractive as you. Not to me anyway.”

He grins. “That’s all that matters.”

“I’d better call Abby and give her the good news.” I eye the two pieces of toast that are sitting in the center of the table. “Are you two going to eat those?”

“Help yourself,” Nellie tells me.

I grab them from the plate. “Thanks.”

***

Abby doesn’t answer her phone the first five times I call. I’m starting to panic. She always answers my calls on the first ring.

Something is wrong. I just know it. I debate going over there on my moped.

She told me she wasn’t going to work at the nursery until later in the afternoon so she could take Sadie to the park.

I try phoning one more time and when she doesn’t pick up I decide I need to see her.

Has she changed her mind about me? I try to remember if there was anything that happened on our date last night that could have made the wrong impression.

When I left she told me she was excited to see me again. We made plans to meet for brunch on our next date.

“Good luck with your audition,” Nellie tells me as I make my way to the front door.

“Thanks, I’ve got to stop by Abby’s place first.”

She frowns. “Is something wrong?”

I shrug. “I have no idea. She won’t answer her phone.”

***

I’ve never driven my moped so fast before. I know I’m straining the engine, but I don’t care. I know something is not right and I have to see Abby.

Luckily her aunt and uncle’s car is not in the driveway. They’ve probably already gone to the nursery. Once I’m parked I practically run to the front door and start pounding.

When Abby finally opens the door I try my best not to gasp. Her eyes are red and swollen like she’s been crying.

“What’s wrong?”

“What are you doing here?”

We both stare at each other, neither one of us actually answering the question the other asked.

All I want to do is take her into my arms and make whatever is hurting her go away. But something stops me. The look on her face tells me to proceed with caution.

“You wouldn’t answer your phone,” I state.

“I can’t.”

“But why? I don’t understand. Please tell me what’s going on.”

She blows out air as she wipes at her eyes.

I want to kiss her and tell her that everything is going to be alright, but I’m not sure it is. She looks like someone just died.

“Is Sadie okay?” My stomach knots when the words pop out of my mouth. She has to be okay.

“She’s fine,” Abby replies quickly.

“Your aunt and uncle?”

“They left for the nursery a little early today to get set up for a big sale.”

“Can I come in?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

My chest tightens and I feel like I can’t breathe. “Are you breaking up with me?”

Tears begin to stream down her face. “I don’t know.”

Fuck it
. I pull her into my arms. I expect her to pull away, but she melts into me instead. I hold her as tight as I can and allow her to cry.

When the waterworks start to subside I place my hand on her face and look deep into her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“Dex and his dad stopped by earlier. I think I told you his dad is a lawyer. He told me that he and Dex didn’t approve of me having
strange men
around Sadie. They didn’t think it was
appropriate
. Dex’s dad threatened to take me to court and sue for custody of Sadie if I continued to
engage in behaviors
that they believe make me an
unfit mother
.”

I can hear the words coming from Abby’s mouth, but they don’t make any sense. How could anyone ever call Abby an unfit mother? Especially someone who hasn’t taken any responsibility for Sadie at all.

“Can they do that?” I ask.

She shrugs. “I have no idea. He’s a lawyer. And I don’t have any money to hire one myself.”

“I have money,” I tell her even though I have no idea how much a lawyer costs. “If it’s not enough I’ll get more.”

“You can’t do that,” she tells me. “Supposedly you’re the problem. Or my dating you is.”

“
He
can’t do what he’s doing to you. You’re a fantastic mother, and he’s an irresponsible prick. He’s just pissed off because he can’t have you whenever he feels like it anymore.”

She sniffles. “I just don’t know what to do.”

“I do,” I tell her.

She frowns. “You have a solution to this problem?”

“Do you still want to be with me?” My eyes search hers.

“Of course I do,” she says without hesitating.

“I have to go to a callback for that television show. That’s actually what I came here to tell you.”

Her face brightens a bit. “That’s fantastic.”

“As soon as I take care of that, I’ll help you deal with this.”

She places her small hand on my cheek. “Please concentrate on your audition. I know how important landing this role is to you.”

“Nothing is more important to me than you and Sadie,” I tell her.

She gives me a quick kiss. “Break a leg. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to say instead of good luck?”

***

Mae Russell is much smaller in person than she looks onscreen. I’ve noticed that most actors are tiny in real life. That’s one thing that makes me unique and a standout in the business. I’m a big guy, and I look huge compared to most other actors.

Which is perfect for someone who is supposed to be a former football player. The character, Beau, is supposed to be a dumb jock. If I had a dollar for every time someone used those words to describe me I’d be so wealthy I wouldn’t need to act at all.

“Thanks for coming in today,” the casting director tells me. “We’d just like to get an idea how you read with Mae and how the two of you look together.”

“Great.” I give them the best smile I can master, or is it
muster
? Who knows?

I have to admit that it’s hard for me to think about anything but Abby and that mindfuck Dex has pulled on her. The guy is a piece of shit and continues to demonstrate just how shitty he is.

“Mae, whenever you’d like to start,” the casting director says.

There are two other people seated at a table with her: the guy who is directing the pilot episode and the creator of the show. They’re all staring at me and not Mae, which is making me nervous.

Once again I don’t have any real lines. I just say
okay
and
yeah
a few times and then at the end of the scene I pick her up and carry her away as a joke.

Mae is a great actress. She says all the lines so convincingly I feel like I’m having a real conversation with her. I make a snap decision that I’m going to pick her up a little before she’s expecting it, so she’ll react like it’s a real surprise.

When I lift her into the air she squeals and starts hitting me just like a real sister probably would in that situation. I give the audience a big, smug grin before I carry her away.

The three big wigs watching us actually applaud.

“You can put me down now,” Mae says.

I got so carried away with the scene I forgot.

When I carefully place her back on the floor she puts up a hand for me to high-five her.

“You’re cool,” she tells me.

“Thanks.”

“I hope you get the part.”

“Me too.”

***

The casting director said they’d let me know in a few days. They want to start shooting as quickly as possible because Mae just signed a contract for a major role in a big studio film.

I never thought I’d say that an acting job wasn’t the most important thing in my life. Landing a big job like
All About Ava
has been my dream for over five years.

But now I have a more important dream to make a reality: one that includes Abby and Sadie.

I stop by one of the upscale malls on my way home from the callback. I comb every jewelry store until I find exactly what I’m looking for. It’s an expensive purchase. More than I’ve spent on anything in my life. Hopefully Abby will like it as much as I do.

***

“What’s that?” Nellie corners me in the hallway as soon as I enter the condo.

Her eagle eye spotted the small velvet jewelry box in my hand.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell her because I don’t feel like hearing a lecture about how crazy my idea is. I know it’s crazy and I’m still going to do it.

I would do anything for Abby. And I would do anything to be with her.

Nellie doesn’t give up that easily though. I should have known. “That small box in your hand.”

Before I have a chance to stop her she grabs it from me and opens it. She lets out a gasp. “Is this an engagement ring? For Abby? The two of you just started dating. Are you insane?”

“Yes. Yes. I know. Maybe.”

She frowns. “A few weeks ago you were a one-night-wonder manwhore and now you’re asking a nineteen-year-old to marry you? I think you’ve just given me whiplash.”

“Abby and I aren’t into the whole bondage thing, but if that’s something you and Roscoe want to explore more power to you.”

“
Whiplash
,” she repeats. “I wasn’t talking about actual whips or bondage. We’re not into that either. Whiplash is what happens to your neck when it moves too fast.”

I stare at her because I really have no idea what she’s talking about. “Abby’s ex, Dex is giving her a hard time about seeing me.”

Nellie laughs. “Her ex is really named Dex? Dex the ex?”

I laugh with her because the jerk deserves to be mocked. “Abby is intimidated because his dad is a lawyer and he threatened to take her to court. I don’t think he can do anything if Abby and I are married.”

“I’m not sure whether that idea is incredibly smart or incredibly stupid. It could probably go either way.”

“The story of my life,” I joke.

“If by some miracle she does say yes when are the two of you going to tie the knot?”

“What time is it now?” I ask.

“You can’t be serious.”

“It’s not that far to Las Vegas. We’ll just need to borrow a car.”

Nellie points a finger at me. “If you actually get Abby to accept your proposal I’ll personally drive the two of you to Las Vegas. Roscoe should be there. You’ll need a best man, won’t you?”

I didn’t think about all of the details. “What if Abby is one of those girls who always dreamed about a big wedding?”

“Do you think she’s one of those girls?” Nellie asks.

I shake my head. “Probably not.”

“Text me if I need to fill my car with gas for a trip to Nevada.”

***

By the time I make it back to Abby’s house her aunt and uncle’s car is parked in the driveway.

Shit.

I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this in front of them.

My heart is beating so fast I feel like it’s going to leap right out of my chest. She’s got to say yes, I tell myself. I can’t think of any other options. If she says no I may never get to see her again.

And that’s not an option I want to consider.

I take in a deep breath as I head for the front door. I remove the ring box from my pocket before I knock on the door.

One of two things will happen: she’ll either think my proposal is incredibly romantic, or she’ll think it’s completely insane.

Right now I think it’s both.

Just my luck it’s her uncle who answers the door.

“You can’t be here.” He tries to close the door in my face, but I’m too quick for him. I slip my foot in the doorway so he can’t shut it.

“I have to see Abby,” I tell him.

“Nope.” He gives me an evil glare.

“I know Dex and his father were here and that they threatened Abby.” I open the ring box and hold it up so he can see the very large and shiny diamond.

His eyes go wide as he stares at the ring.

“I’d like to ask Abby to marry me. If I’m her husband Dex and his dad can’t keep me away from Abby and they can’t keep me away from Sadie. I’ll be her step-father and we’ll be a family.”