Page 4 of Hot Mess

“Right, and that now means the studio wants you to stop showing up as a stag at events and leaving with different starlets.”

“Oh, come on! This isn’t the nineteen thirties where studios get to control every aspect of an actor’s life,” I pointed out.

“Are you so certain? Your contract with Strategic is pretty damn intense. Did you read all of it?”

“Yes, I read my contracts. You and I read it together with that lawyer you hired.”

“Okay, then you’ll remember the whole subsection on your image?”

Fuck. I hadn’t remembered the subsection, not until Isaac reminded me of it.

I brooded for a few moments, wiping the glowering expression from my face as soon as Carly carried her giant makeup kit downstairs.

“I got your cash-app, thanks,” she told Isaac.

He leaned in and did that fake kiss-kiss to each of her cheeks, European style.

“See ya, Carly.” I waved as she left.

Isaac reached out and put my hand down. “Movie stars don’t wave to the help.”

“Nick Sadler thanks the people who do the work. He acknowledges the little guy, the person who gets him where he needs to be. Nick Sadler is not above being properly humble.”

“Well, I guess you do remember the part on how your image should be. Yes, being a nice guy is good for the image. But what’s also good for that image, is having a consistent female companion who you show up at events with and leave with.”

“So you’re saying the studio wants me to get a girlfriend?”

“Yes, and no. They would like for you to find an event companion. You do not have to be in a relationship with the young lady.”

I groaned. Young lady. I know as far as Hollywood was concerned, I hit my stride a little later in life. But their idea of age-appropriate co-stars was pushing the boundaries of age appropriate. The actress who had played Ishtaria had barely been nineteen. Almost twenty years younger than me.

“Who do they want?”

“I have a list of acceptable models and actresses. Rogers’s assistant said they wouldn’t object to you being seen with that model Nikki Jackson.”

“Nick and Nikki? Are you serious?”

“You already have a couple’s name. People could call you the Nicks.”

This time when I stared at Isaac it was with a combination of disbelief and horror. I did not want a couple’s name. I shuddered at the thought. And I didn’t want to be stuck with some boney model who might get ideas into her head that this was something more than what it would be, a contractual obligation with my studio.

“Pass,” I grumbled. “Who is next on the list?”

3

KAYLA

My cousins didn’t understand personal boundaries. Jessie’s friends really didn’t. They were all crowded into the bathroom with me. It wasn’t a big room, but it was the only room with a big mirror. Jessie stood behind me and her friend Clair stood in front of me as they hauled shape wear over my body. I felt like a sausage being stuffed into a casing.

I kept trying to cover my breasts. Even though I had a bra on, I felt naked.

They grunted as they pulled it over my rib cage.

“What if I have to pee?” I asked.

“There is a slit in the bottom just pee carefully.”

“I’m wearing panties.”

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