Stunt Doubled: A Movie Star Standalone

But I was wrong because the afternoon was actually kind of fun. I’d never had an unhealthy fascination with clothes, but it was fun to try on pretty outfits. None of them seemed suited for the desert setting, but that was their problem, not mine. Or perhaps that was Sierra’s problem.

I still didn’t know what the hell the movie was about. The costumers provided some clues, but their version of the movie didn’t sound anything like Aiden’s version. Maybe it really was all over the place and that’s why that assistant director had been so cranky.

It was fun playing dress up, but eventually, there wasn’t anything else for me to do there. They’d taken notes and, in some cases, quick videos of the way I moved in the outfits so that they could make adjustments later.

My good spirits only lasted until I was back outside in the sun and heat. Then it was back to Tina’s office to sit there like a kid waiting for a parent to pick her up after school. It was ridiculous. I’d taken charge of my own career when I was eighteen. Probably even before that. And now I had a fake job, fake brothers, and a very real estranged father.

Speaking of fake brothers, Tanner showed up to drive me home since we’d come in two different cars this morning. As long as I didn’t have to ride with Aiden, I was happy. It was strange, though, because Tanner was every bit as handsome as Aiden—that’s how identical twins worked—but he didn’t raise my hackles like Aiden did every time he opened his mouth.

Not that Tanner stayed quiet. He asked me about my life in Tennessee. Since most of it consisted of my failed career, I chose instead to tell him about Tonio’s new business endeavor.

“And how’s that going?” Tanner asked once I explained what all it entailed.

“It seems like it’s going really well. I think it’ll take them a year or two to break even and start making a profit, but people in town seem to love the place, and he and Emma and the others all like working together.” I exercised a little caution when speaking about the life my brother, Emma, and their partners lived. It was a little out of the ordinary, but it worked for them.

As Tanner drove down the highway, I thought more about what Tonio had done. He hadn’t waited for an opportunity to fall into his lap. He’d planned and worked hard and made it happen. Now he was his own boss and worked with his best friends.

“I admire him,” Tanner said after a long pause.

I looked over at him. He had his cowboy hat on today even though it scraped the ceiling of the truck. “You don’t even know him.”

“I know, but the way you described it, he forged his own path. Not like me.”

“You’re a stunt man working on a major motion picture. That sounds like a pretty good path to me.”

“Yes, but I didn’t exactly create it myself. As a teen, I looked up to Mac and I was always begging him to teach me things. Stage fighting. Various martial arts moves. Then Aiden started getting parts in movies and needed a stunt double. I just kind of fell into it.”

“You must be good or you wouldn’t still be doing it.”

Tanner smiled. “Thanks. I think I am good. But still… I wonder what I’d be like now if I’d had to fight for my career.”

“You do fight for your career. That and stunt driving are pretty much your main things, right?”

He chuckled. “Not that kind of fight. Like, if I’d had to struggle and sacrifice to make my way in the world like your brother has. If I’d done that, maybe I’d be more assertive now.”

I nodded, kind of understanding what he meant, but kind of not. “I think Aiden’s assertive enough for both of you.”

Tanner slowed down to make the turn off the highway. “I suppose, but a person’s supposed to have certain qualities on their own, not just when averaged with their twin.”

“Then may I suggest that Aiden become more like you instead of the other way around?”

Tanner chuckled as he drove down the small street. A middle-aged woman was leaving the house, and Tanner waved at her. Evidently, she’d just delivered our evening meal. The SUV was in the driveway, so I figured that Ford and Aiden were already here. “Hang on a second,” Tanner said once he shut off the engine. He hopped out and came around to my side to open the door.

“Seriously?” I asked.

He gave me a sheepish smile. “Something about the hat makes me feel I should be more courtly.” He reached up and tipped his hat and said, “Ma’am.”

I laughed and shook my head.

So, the drive home with Tanner wasn’t bad, but dinner was. Not the food—that was good—but Aiden was a jerk, and Ford asked what I’d done today, and it was irritating and embarrassing to tell him how little I’d been needed. I did my best to make it sound as if the costume department wouldn’t have managed without my help, but I didn’t convince anyone, least of all myself.