Chapter 206: Chapter Forty-Four

Jaymeson

Demetri alternated between eyeing me like I was high and shaking his head, before he finally resorted to muttering to himself. Pretty sure this was one of those times he wished he still did drugs.

“You fell fast.” He shook his head. “Less than two months and you're proposing.”

“When you know, you know,” I teased.

His eyes narrowed, and then he pointed. “We're getting married first.”

“You and me?” I asked innocently.

“Jackass. Me and Lyss. Don't go raining on our parade, I want to have sex again. Lots and lots of sex. I will not have my British brother cock-block me!”

“Shh.” Alec gave me an irritated look. “She's sleeping.”

It was just us three and Dani.

The girls had gone to get food and thought it might be smarter to keep us all secluded in the room so we wouldn't be responsible for another nurse passing out.

I think she was just overworked and exhausted.

But Demetri was convinced it was his presence. Yeah, good luck with that one, Alyssa. He was still as cocky as ever.

My phone started ringing.

Peter.

It was the third time he'd called me that day.

“I'll be back, guys.” I answered the phone and walked hastily into the waiting room. “I won't change my mind.”

“Jamie,” a gruff voice said. “This is Danny Erickson, I'm sitting here with your agent discussing the movie's future.”

“Sir.” I cleared my throat. “I'm sorry that I turned down the in-person audition, but there's no way I could leave—”

“I understand, son.” His voice was gruff. “I lost my little girl to a car accident when she was seven. She was riding her bike in the street and got clipped.”

I sucked in a breath. “That's awful, my condolences, sir.”

“What I'm trying to say, and what I've been telling your agent for the past two hours is… you need to do what you need to do. But this movie? It's not going to get made unless you have the lead.

It felt good to be wanted, but I couldn't leave Pris. “I just asked my girlfriend to marry me.”

“Congratulations!” Danny sounded genuinely happy. “Would that be the girl who did the scene with you?”

“Yeah,” I said in a voice that probably sounded more blissful than business.

“Great, that makes this so much easier.”

“This?”

“We want her to play the role opposite you.”

I almost dropped the phone.

“Pardon?” I squeaked, pounding my chest like I'd just swallowed a bug. An unknown? They were going to give the part… to Pris?

“I've surprised you.” He chuckled. “Your agent poured himself a drink, I'm not sure if it was in celebration or stress. At any rate, it's my movie, and I have full control of casting.

“The chemistry you both demonstrated was unlike anything I've seen in a very, very long time, son. Now, Peter has explained your situation in great detail.

“Yes.” This was happening. Holy shit. “Yes, I'll do it.”

“Fantastic.” I heard a few claps. “We didn't want to film in Louisiana anyway. It didn't have the right feel.

“Oregon has some great tax breaks, so we'll be saving money filming in that location anyway. Alright, pre-production's set for two weeks.

“Do you want me to tell her?” Please let me tell her.

“Of course! We'll be in touch, Jaymeson.”

“Sir.”

I ended the conversation and stared at my phone for a good five minutes before mindlessly shuffling back into the suite.

“Everything alright?” Alec popped his gum and leaned back in the chair.

“Yeah.” I stuffed the phone back in my pocket. “Um, I got the part.”

“Awesome.” Demetri pumped his fist in the air. “I love happy endings. The whore discovers a heart and lives happily ever after in Oz under a rainbow of pot o' gold.”

“Uh…” Alec patted Demetri's shoulder. “I think you're mixing your fairy tales up with the great wizard and Lucky Charms.”

“Damn, I'm starving,” Demetri muttered.

“They're offering the other lead to Pris.”

Demetri fell back in his chair. Alec caught him before he hit the ground. Both of them cursed then winced as Dani moaned in her sleep.

“How?” Alec asked while Demetri said, “Does she know?”

“We did the audition tape together. It was…” Hot. That's what it was. It was amazing. The first time I'd said I love you out loud.

Alec clapped his hands. “Dude, stop spacing out. You're worse than Demetri, and you don't have the excuse of having no brain cells left from drug use.”

“I love my brother. I love my brother. I love my brother.” Demetri squeezed his eyes shut and repeated the mantra.

“Boys!” Nat entered the room lifting bags of food in the air. “We brought you food!”

We fell silent.

The girls stared at us.

We stared back.

Demetri coughed.

“Er, something wrong?” Alyssa asked with a weak smile in place.

“Priscilla's going to be in a movie!” Demetri blurted, then covered his mouth while Alec smacked him on the back of the head. “Sorry, I'm hungry. I can't control myself when I'm hungry.”

Groaning, I looked back to Pris.

Her eyes narrowed. “What?” She shook her head and let out a nervous laugh. “That's impossible.”

“They liked the audition video we did.” I smiled encouragingly. “Danny Erickson just called me. Not only does he want you to play opposite me, but they're going to film here.”

“We have got to jump on that soundtrack.” Alec elbowed Demetri in the ribs. “Call Stan.”

“Are you serious?” All color drained from Pris's face. “But what if I'm horrible?”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“You'll be fine.” I took slow steps toward her. “I promise. You'll be with me.”

“But—”

“Dude, she may need Demetri's paper bag,” Alec interjected.

“Funny,” Demetri grumbled under his breath.

“Love.” By the time my fingers grazed her jaw, color was returning to her cheeks. “We'll be together. I was all set to turn it down, and then he said your name.

Nat and Alyssa sighed.

Yeah, the guys were probably going to poison my cereal.

“Okay.” Pris's brown eyes were wild with excitement. “But, if I suck, you have to make me better.”

“Oh, I'll make it all better,” I murmured, kissing her.

“There he is!” Demetri announced. “Damn, I was worried for a second. It's always hard, you know? Losing a whore.”