Page 35 of Off Script

Smoldering scorn replaced her sorrow. Jada couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer, openly glaring at Daniel from her measly end of the table. How dare he interject like that, speaking for her and the actual creator and show execs’ potential vision for future seasons. But of course, no one called him out on it. Jada sat there, silently fuming during the rest of the conference’s talk. When it ended, she planned to bail but got stopped by people wanting autographs and asking her more questions she couldn’t answer. In all the meet and greet chaos, she lost track of both Mikayla and Alia. When she finally had the chance to seek them out so they could leave, Daniel stepped into her path.

Looking down at her with cold, perceptive eyes, he said, “Jada, I hope you enjoyed your last hurrah.”

“Daniel, don’t bother speaking to me. I much prefer the silent treatment you’ve been sulking in since I got here.”

Jada started to move past him but Daniel grabbed her arm, whispering in her ear so none of the nearby fans or cast members could listen in.

“You can act as high and mighty as you want, but we both know who won here. You thought you could do better than me, but here you are. Trying to weasel your way back on the show. But you never will. I’m still the top dog, while you’re off begging my mom for scraps.”

Pulling out of his grip, mostly to hide the tears brimming in her eyes, Jada kept her face turned away from her ex, but her back was ramrod straight. With a steady, aloof tone, she replied, “You’re right about one thing, Daniel. You’re definitely a dog.”

Yet, even as Jada got in the last word and walked away, Daniel’s words stuck with her. Weeks later while on those crappy auditions, his words echoed in her head. They made her forget lines midmonologue and second guess every acting choice. Imposter syndrome swallowed her whole as she doubted her worth as an actor and hated herself for being weak and unable to rise above his verbal abuse and lies.

And after seeing him at the lounge tonight, Jada worried Daniel’s phantom and the wound he left wouldn’t stop haunting her. Lost in her negative thoughts, it took Mikayla poking her with an ice-cream spoon to get her attention again.

“Look, I know that bastard put you through the wringer, but you’re stronger now. You’re tough. Don’t let him control you emotionally.”

“You’re right. I am, and I shouldn’t. I’m going to go on with my life and get through this deal with Tristan,” Jada said.

“Speaking of Tristan, do you feel like something may be developing between you two?”

“What can develop between us, Mikayla? It’s a business arrangement. Not to mention we’re not completely lily-white innocent either.” Jada spoon jabbed her cousin in return over their bad judgment.

“True. I guess you’re right. You’ll get out of it what you can. Then move on.” Mikayla agreed with her.

As the two of them sat and finished their ice cream, Jada continued to mull things over.

Yes, she had learned a lot over the past few years. In particular, the very hard lesson about not dating leading men who would ultimately lead you on. In that respect, Daniel and Tristan were the same. Daniel showing up reminded her of that fact. Both men were players and Jada would be stupid to forget that. It didn’t matter how Tristan looked at her or touched her—or how her heart beat a little faster every time he did. In spite of all these things, Tristan was still a heartbreaker.

She wouldn’t give him the chance to crush hers.

11

If Tristan’s date with Jada last night hadn’t been challenging enough, his mission the following day felt even more daunting. Standing outside the head office for Bright Futures, the previous warm and fuzzies he had for the nonprofit were vastly overshadowed by his anxiety over what he’d face inside. LeeAnn had come through in getting him some face time at the board members’ monthly meeting. Now that it was time for him to state his case, worst case scenarios rushed through his mind.

What if it was already too late and they’d chosen to bring on someone else? Like a cookie cutter, former Disney star. They’d win Tristan’s mentees over by promising the kids free trips to Disneyland, and Tristan’s time with them would become a distant memory. Then again, a lot of Mouse House alums didn’t have squeaky-clean records either. Some of them weren’t even allowed near children anymore. Still, Tristan couldn’t shake the feeling he was on a high stakes audition, trying not to be replaced by some perfect Goody-Two-shoes like Zac Efron.

Unlike a real audition, Tristan didn’t have a legendary courtroom monologue to persuade the board. He would simply do his best and hope that was enough. As he stepped inside bravely, the receptionist, Xavier, greeted Tristan with his usual pep. Either he was none the wiser about Tristan’s media debacle (unlikely) or working in social services had made him more forgiving. LeeAnn passed by the lobby before Tristan could feel any more uncomfortable about his current predicament.

“Psst! Tristan!” LeeAnn gave him an urgent wave. Bracing himself for a blast of LeeAnn’s frenetic energy, he made his way over to her.

“Hey, LeeAnn, how’s it going?” Tristan asked cautiously.

“Don’t give me the sheepish look.” LeeAnn gave him an admonishing pat on the shoulder. “You have kept me busy, sir. I spent this morning before the board meeting buttering them up for you.”

“And I can’t thank you enough for being in my corner,” Tristan assured her.

Knowing the extent of LeeAnn’s charisma, Tristan’s tension eased somewhat. As she escorted him down the hallway, linking her arm through his, she insisted on hearing his answers first hand.

“Now, tell me the real story behind all this madness.”

“Well, like the press release said, the whole scene on set got misconstrued. I recently broke up with Angela and sort of fell for Jada. It’s just easier to rehearse scenes with her when Angela’s being difficult.”

“And Angela’s ‘difficultness’ was also the reason for the bar fight?” LeeAnn asked, her tone slightly more skeptical this time.

“In my book, yes. But obviously, I don’t plan on saying that in there.” Tristan nodded as they stopped in front of an intimidating, closed door.

“Good idea. Stay accountable, but for the love ofGod, please don’t say you’lldo better. I’m so sick of seeing that on every Notes app or Instagram apology tour. Be sincere, say what helping the kids means to you. Got it?”

---