Page 6 of Star Pupil

Chapter 3

Avery

The last two weeks had been the best of my life. I was still working just as hard as I’d been since I’d arrived on set, but I barely noticed. My mom didn’t even get on my nerves nearly as often as she had. Nothing did. It couldn’t be because I was so focused on the four hours I spent each day with Griffin. I would gladly suffer through the rest of it for the time we were together.

By some quirk of fate, my mom still hadn’t realized my set teacher had changed. I had her complete disinterest in my education to thank for that because she would flip her lid if she found out I was alone with Griffin in my trailer each and every day. She would assume the worst, and it wasn’t like I could even deny it without her thinking I was lying, because I wanted it to be true so badly.

I dreamed of him, day and night. I imagined what it would be like if he returned the feelings that had grown within my heart from the moment he lifted my hand to his lips—or maybe even before then, when I’d seen him framed in the doorway of my trailer. Not only was he drop-dead gorgeous, but I’d discovered he was also incredibly smart and one of the most considerate people I’d ever met.

He was always doing little things for me. Holding the door open for me and making sure it was locked behind us when we were done with my lessons. Brushing my hair away from my forehead. Bringing me small gifts, like my favorite snacks and drinks. One time, he’d even brought me a vase filled with blue irises, to make up for missing my birthday the day we’d met. When we were together, it always felt like his focus was fully on me.

He really was the perfect man, which was why I had to be imagining things when I thought he was flirting with me. He was ten years older than me and way out of my league. There was no way he could actually be interested in me like that, something I had to keep reminding myself of each and every time he left my trailer. It was when we were together that I had the hardest time remembering.

Gazing at him from the corner of my eye, I couldn’t really blame myself for the enormous crush I had on him. Any other woman who found herself spending time with him like this would feel the same way, I had no doubt about it.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I wasn’t, not really. I’d had this horrible feeling in the back of my mind that this was all going to come crashing down around me, and soon.

He raised his arm and stretched it on the top of the bench we were sitting on, just over my shoulders. Feeling the warmth of his muscular body along my side, I had to bite my lip to keep myself from moaning. The deep breath I took to steady my nerves only made it worse, filling my nostrils with his scent. Shivers ran down my spine as goosebumps popped along my arms, intensified by the sound of his husky voice in my ear.

“You don’t seem fine to me, Avery.”

“I’m thirsty.” It was a lame excuse, but it worked because he slid out of his seat to head to the fridge and grab me a drink. I let out the breath I was holding, relieved to have a moment to pull myself back together before I did something truly stupid, like telling him how I felt.

Thank goodness for lucky timing because my mom stormed into my trailer while Griffin’s head was stuck in the fridge. This was bound to be bad, but it would have been worse if she’d found me cuddled up against him. She must not have seen him at first because she didn’t bother using the fake concerned mother tone she usually took around strangers or anyone she thought might be important.

“Avery Rose,” she snapped. Uh-oh, a rant was sure to follow because she only used my first and middle name when she was pissed. It made it terribly awkward for me when she’d insisted it was going to be my stage name since I heard her voice ringing in my ears every time I heard it. “You need to get your big butt out of here and get back on set. One of the production assistants just mentioned to me how unusual it is for an actress of your age to still spend all these hours studying each day. It’s just not done, and you can’t afford to piss anyone off. This is your big chance and I’m not going to let you squander it. There will be plenty of time for you to get your GED or something, but you’ve only got this one opportunity to make a good impression with the studio.”

“Mom. Stop.” I stood and moved towards her, hoping to be able to have this conversation outside, away from Griffin. My newly found luck took a turn for the worse because Griffin closed the refrigerator door and stepped forward at the same time.

“Mrs. Rose,” he said smoothly. “I can assure you that the studio has no such concerns about the time Avery spends on her education. It’s my understanding that it was even detailed in her contract with them.”

“It’s Ms. Thornton,” she snapped before switching her gaze from me to Griffin. Once she caught sight of him, her entire demeanor changed. Her shoulders thrust back to shove her boobs up higher, her scowl turned into a seductive smile, and her eyes gleamed with appreciation.

Holy heck, when I’d thought no woman would be able to resist Griffin, I hadn’t been thinking about my own mother. I just—no. Heck no! My brain couldn’t even go there. I wouldn’t be able to bear it if Griffin returned her interest.

“I can understand why my daughter is so interested in her education if it means spending time with you,” she purred at him. Literally, purred the words like a cat in heat. I was torn between being mortified and pissed the heck off.

“Mom, please,” I growled, settling down a little when I felt Griffin’s hand at the small of my back.

“What?” she asked innocently. “I meant it as a compliment.”

“Exactly,” I sighed.

She ignored me, keeping her focus on Griffin. “Please, call me Tori. And you are?”

“Griffin,” he answered, stretching out his free hand to offer it to my mom. If he kissed her knuckles the way he had mine, I just might punch someone. Him. Or her. Maybe both.

I heaved a sigh of relief when he shook my mom’s hand briefly, dropping his arm back to his side in the matter of a few seconds. His other hand stroked my back gently, as though he could sense my unease and wanted to comfort me.

“I’ve been assigned as Avery’s new set teacher so I can help her with her college prep work since Mrs. Stanton and Miss Bright have their hands full with the other students on set.”

The mention of college succeeded in wiping the seductive look right off my mom’s face. “There must have been a mistake of some kind. My daughter doesn’t need your assistance with college prep since she has no plans to attend one in the Fall.”

Only because she refused to listen to me when I told her I wanted to go. She didn’t want to hear it because if I did it would limit my opportunity to cash in on my fame, as she put it. I’d already made enough money to pay for college and then some, but she didn’t care. I had a feeling I’d never be able to make enough money to keep her satisfied.

“You’re more than welcome to call the company in charge of the set teachers if you have any questions. Olivia should be able to answer them for you.”

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