Page 5 of Lucky Star

Sitting outside Sarah’s house two nights ago like some sort of stalker, I’d decided that it was time I man up and make things right between us. And by ‘right’ I meant it was time I told her how I’d felt all these years.

Walking into my empty apartment last week after having auditioned for her boss, I’d missed calling her to rehash the experience. Whenever I’d had even a small iota of success, Sarah was the first phone call I’d make. She was the only person outside of my agent who understood the world I lived in, and her support was a large part of what kept me going.

But without Sarah to lean on ... shit, I didn't even want to think about it.

I also didn’t want to think about the fact that even though I’d nailed my initial audition, I hadn’t gotten a call back. I knew how this worked, and I’d all but given up hope.

But my agent, the great Julie Wasserman, had told me to stay calm, wait it out, and try not to freak the fuck out.

Easier said than done.

Especially when my phone buzzed in my pocket, her name lighting up the screen.

“I should take this,” I told my parents as I stepped out of the room to answer.

Not one for polite pleasantries, Julie jumped straight to the point. “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

My stomach sank. I could guess the bad news. “Why don’t you give me the good news first. I could use it right about now.”

“You’re in.”

“What?”

“The Ties That Bind. You’re in the home stretch, kid.”

“Not only did your audition earn you a sit-down with Broderick, but I have it on good authority you’re one of only three actors being considered to play Xander.”

No fucking way.

“Yes fucking way.” She laughed, a throaty sound that I chalked up to the pack of cigarettes she smoked a day.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I knew the hard way not to get too excited too soon. “This isn’t the first time it’s been down to me and some other guy, only for him to get the job instead.”

“You can’t think that way, Cameron. You’re talented, and you’re still relatively young. Besides, Jeremy Renner didn’t make it big until he was thirty-seven, and he’s Hawkeye now, goddamnit. Fucking Hawkeye, Cameron!”

I let her enthusiasm wash over me because, yeah, a Marvel comic book hero was pretty bad ass. Just as quickly though my mood sobered. I wasn’t up for a role in a Marvel movie, and probably never would be. I’d once read for a recurring part on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a Hydra mercenary but hadn’t gotten it either. Julie had told me afterward the casting director had liked my intensity but had said I was “too pretty to play a bad guy.”

I’d heard that so often that I’d almost asked my best friend Mike to break my nose for me. Almost, but not quite. Because shit, that would have hurt like a motherfucker and I wasn’t ready to suffer quite that much for my art. Besides, I liked my face as it was just fine.

“So anyway kid,” Julie continued, using the nickname she’d given me even though she was only five years older, “I know you’re flying out to Ohio soon, but I need you back in L.A. the day after tomorrow for a sit down with Broderick.”

“Shit. I’m already here. My flight back is in three days.”

“That’s not going to work.”

It really wasn’t. But this wasn’t an opportunity I could dick around with. “I’ll have to get creative, but I’ll make it work. Go ahead and confirm the meeting.”

“I already did,” she answered with supreme confidence. “I knew you’d drop everything for this, so I didn’t even hesitate.”

I was going to have to drop everything. I’d had one goal in making this trip home, but I’d also wanted to spend some time relaxing with my family. My oldest brother Chris lived in Cleveland Heights, and I’d had it in my head to hit up our favorite brewery before heading back to California. Now, I’d have to table those plans until my next visit, whenever that might be.

“Okay. Yeah, that sounds great. And thanks, Julie, you made this happen.”

“I did no such thing. All I did was make a few phone calls. This is all you. But hey, if you want to remember this come Christmas, Chanel No. 5 is my favorite.”

I heard the click that signaled the end of our call, Julie having hung up before I could say goodbye. I stared down at the blank screen in my hand, shell-shocked. I didn’t want to get my hopes up … but damn. Landing this part would be huge! It would literally change my life.

When I walked back into the living room, my mom was cozied up in my dad’s lap, her head resting against his shoulder. “Hey pumpkin,” she said, sitting up.

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