“That’s the one,” she pipes enthusiastically.
Rumors have been circulating that Wes was going to write a script. He must have been keeping it under wraps because no one has been talking about it as of late.
“Who picked it up?”
“Paramount. The offer is your standard with incentive. I’ll courier the script over.”
“Sounds good, thanks, Shannon.”
“You doing okay?”
“I’m living.” Which is more than I can say for Blake.
“Look, I know this isn’t the right time, but I’ve gotten in touch with Leann just as a precaution.” Leann Shear is my publicist who is hell-bent on making sure Blake’s “incident” doesn’t harm my career. Having an entanglement with a Hollywood has-been who just committed suicide is apparently bad press. I couldn’t give a shit. Anyone who knows me knows my brand and also knows that Blake West was my best friend. It’s not news. People can speculate all they want about his demons. My reasons for being silent about what he did aren’t because I’m some asshole who can’t admit we were close, it’s because I have no fucking idea what to say.
“No comment, that’s our stance. I mean it. No matter what surfaces. I’ll make the call on this.”
“Lucas—”
“Shannon,” I bark, “this isn’t negotiable.”
She pauses over the line. “Understood. Look, I hate to pressure you at a time like this, but Wes is anxious to get started.”
“How long?”
“As soon as they find the lead. Everyone else has been cast.”
“Who’s signed on?”
I hear the clutter of paperwork in front of her. “Looks like he went with a few up-and-coming for younger parts, Adriana Long as the wife and Matt Roth signed up too.”
I’m impressed. Both have grabbed gold in the last few ceremonies.
“Send the contract so I can take a look.”
I hear the click of her keyboard. “Done. Wes wants to set up a meeting for the day after tomorrow.”
My cynical brain wins. “Who dropped out?”
Her silence confirms it.
“Shannon, if they’re already pre-production, who the hell do you think you’re fooling?”
I’m not pissed at being second choice, I’m pissed at the way my agent thinks I’m still too fucking naïve to figure it out. Years ago, I wouldn’t have blamed her. It’s a different story now.
“Shannon? Who dropped out?”
“Will Hart. Schedule issues or something.”
“I’ve told you a thousand times this shit makes you look shady,” I snap.
“Sorry, Lucas, I just…you know how it is.”
I shake my head in frustration though she can’t see it. “I don’t need my ego stroked, I need honesty. You think you’re capable of that? I don’t want to have this conversation again.”
“Jesus, Lucas,” Mila whispers from behind me. I don’t know how long she’s been there, but her tone tells me it’s been long enough.
Shannon’s silence confirms she’s just as shocked by my bite. “Sorry, Lucas, it won’t happen again.”