Page 4 of Game Changer

Chapter2

Buckie

My phone ringing in the distance stirs me from my sleep. I swear to God if this is my PR team telling me something else about this stupid film premiere, I am going to lose my shit. I’ve lost count of the calls and emails I’ve received about hotels and flights from almost everyone at the agency. My poor PR rep Shelly has been on the phone non-stop since we got the notification that it was going to be in London. She’s had to sort out all the cockups they’ve made because they won’t let her get on with her own job. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

I reach across the night stand I left my phone on and seeing Shelley’s name has me groaning. I contemplate declining the call, but I know if I don't answer her, she'll only keep calling. Or worse, turn up at my door.

“Morning Shelly, what can I do for you?”

“I’ve been trying to call you all morning. It's almost noon. You're supposed to be at a meeting at the studio. Stop ignoring me and get yourself up and dressed.”

I take the phone away from my ear and check the time. Shit she's right.

“Sorry Shelly I completely forgot to set my alarm. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

“I’ll send a car. I don't want to get into trouble for you being late again. I already get my arse chewed out for everything you do. I feel like a glorified fucking babysitter sometimes.”

“Okay Shelley, I already said I was sorry I'll see you shortly.” I hang up before she can say anything else. And immediately feel awful for shouting at her.

I give my phone a quick once over, checking in on Instagram and Twitter. I want to see what's happening in the world, since I've lost half the day already. I notice my personal email icon has a notification of an email. Only a select number of people have this email address so I know it can only be one of a few. I open the app and see it's a message from Zara. As happens anytime I see her name, my belly flutters. I miss her so much and it's a shame that we lost touch the way we did. My life has been busy since I came to the states. Ever since I got my big break five years ago, I've been filming and doing press junkets non-stop. You have to stay relevant if you don’t want to fade into obscurity in this town.

I open her email and smile at her usual greeting,

Hey Buck,

Heard you're going to London. Well you know you better be coming to Glasgow too. Hopefully this time I'll get to have drinks with my bestie. I have so much to show you.

Lots of love Zar. XX

I have a lot of making up to do to this woman. I’ve let her down dreadfully. I promised her we’d never lose touch and yet that's exactly what happened. She was my best friend, and I miss her so much. It’s awful that we filmed most of this movie in the Highlands of Scotland and I didn't get the chance to go and see her. I didn't even get to see my parents when I was there. I know I have a lot of explaining to do to her.

I send off a quick reply hoping it's enough and head for the shower.

* * *

The meeting with the studio PR team went as expected. They told me the usual. Venues where the interviews will take place. Questions to expect, questions to answer, questions I shouldn't answer. Things I'm not allowed to say. Everything to expect at the premiere. I've done enough of these now to know exactly how to behave.

Shelly and I have decided to come to a coffee shop to discuss my itinerary. She needs a complete run down of my flights, hotels onward travel and what I'll be doing in the UK. I've decided to spend a couple of weeks back home because I need some time with my parents and my friends. I have to make up for lost time, especially with Zara.

“You're sure you're okay with a first-class ticket this time. We couldn’t get the studio to swing for a private plane,” says Shelly toying with her mug.

“You know I don't care about that Shelly. I wouldn't even care if I was in economy.”

“God Buckie, I sometimes wonder if you're actually cut out for this business. If you were anyone else, I'd be getting screamed at for not getting you a private plane.”

“It doesn't matter to me. I'm not some airhead diva. To be quite honest with you I'm actually looking forward to going home. Glasgow is the only place I don't get mobbed. Us weegies don't give two shits about celebrities. They're people the same as everyone else.”

I shrug my shoulders and take a bite of my lemon muffin. I notice a couple of young women on the other side of the coffee shop staring, and I roll my eyes.

“See, point in case.” I nod to where the women are sitting. “I can't wait to be normal for a few weeks. As much as I love my job, I don't like the scrutiny that comes with it.”

“I understand. I've been doing this job long enough to know how hard it is on you guys. Everyone wants a piece of you and sometimes it gets overwhelming. I don't blame you for wanting some downtime with your friends and family. Listen I'm sorry about shouting at you earlier. I've been getting it in the neck from the studio execs every time you're late. And when they get on at me, they also get on to Margot. And you know what she's like.”

Yes, I do know what she's like. With a nickname like Dragon Lady it's easy to understand. I didn’t coin that phrase for her, but I certainly use it from time to time.

“Oh I know all right. I've had run ins with Margot on a few occasions. I've only had to remind her once though who works for who.”

Shelly gives a little giggle and I'm glad I've cheered her up.

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