Page 23 of Notorious (Hollywood Heartthrobs #2)
CONNOR
T he transition from actor to director was the hardest, most fulfilling change I’ve made in my career. And I accounted a hundred percent of that to Ollie.
Along with his organizational skills and brilliant contributions to the script, he strengthened the impact of the story and made filming a breeze.
He met and befriended every single person in front of and behind the camera, which formed a tight bond on set.
Ollie made everyone feel equally important as the person standing next to them.
And we worked well together. Through casting both the key players and the extras, hiring the experienced crew; who once they met Ollie, volunteered to work with us despite how green I was in the position.
For the first time on set, I learned names and faces, listened to their experiences and gained insights on how to make setting up a shot and filming the sensitive content much easier. After working on the movie for close to a month, I found myself as relaxed and included as if we all were family.
Speaking of family, even the Landon, Lyric, and Linus became invaluable parts of the crew.
Lyric worked with the camera operators, learning about positioning and how to capture the scene.
Landon bounced between all the jobs, helping whenever someone needed it, and making friends with everyone.
Linus had two departments he found he liked. Costume design and the makeup department. He absorbed everything he saw, and when they set him loose on the light touches of Kaid’s makeup, the head of the makeup department welcomed his help and even offered him a position if he wanted it.
Gracie even came aboard as the line producer.
The camaraderie on set grew stronger as my boyfriend and his best friend become the support system for all the cast and crew, and since the subject was a heavy one, both kept up a constant stream of contact, ready to get a therapist on set if the story’s subject became too stressful.
The one unknown when we started auditions was adding actress Adalyn Campbell-Parker as Kaid’s co-star and love interest. Although I never worked with her, former co-stars contacted me and advised against hiring her as Kaid’s love interest, citing her reputation for being difficult.
But Ollie and I agreed to meet with her at the Black Rock Production offices. The last thing Ollie would allow was past rumors to affect someone’s future.
“Mrs. Campbell-Parker?” Ollie inquired when a statuesque honey-blonde walked tall beside Andy as he escorted her in and introduced her. “I’m Ollie, the script supervisor, and this is Connor, the director. It’s nice to meet you.”
She gave him a small smile and nodded to me. As Ollie led the way into my office, I waited until she settled on the chair before I placed a hand on Ollie’s back and directed him next to me on the loveseat next to the window.
“It’s just Campbell. And please call me Addie. Thank you for giving me a chance to play this part. The script differs from what I look for, but it’s a challenge I’d like to take on.”
“I’m so happy you see the potential in the story. Have you worked with Kaid Landry before?”
She blinked at Ollie. Because anyone in charge of making a movie learned the resumes of the actors and who they’ve worked with in previous films.
But something about Ollie’s disarming question had her relaxing back in her seat. A few seconds later, she shook her head. “No, I haven’t worked with either Kaid or Connor here.”
“Well, I see it as an opportunity to learn from each other. This is my first time anywhere near a movie set and it’s Connor’s directorial debut. And with the spectacular support that Spencer, Lee, Connor, and Kaid have taken Black Rock, I’m excited to see how this movie turns out.
“And while I know it’s not customary to offer something in such a professional setting, but I would love to be here for you if you ever need a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on.
We both want to support those who work on this film and understand there are off days where your heart or head aren’t present.
We feel there’s no need to keep issues to yourself, especially if we are here to help, even if it’s just a conversation or a pep talk. ”
With the knowledge that Ollie’s way of connecting with people stood out among the typical Hollywood crowd, my heart lurched in my chest when her face crumpled and tears streamed down her face.
Ollie, without hesitation, pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back as she sobbed against him.
I stood there, horrified that we might have caused this reaction.
“Oh, honey. Whatever’s wrong, we can figure it out.” My boyfriend’s kind words only made her cry harder.
After a few minutes, she pulled back and accepted the tissue Ollie handed her.
“Sorry—”
“No, please don’t apologize. If you want to talk about it, whatever you say will never leave this room. And if you’re not ready, that’s fine too. Our door is always open.”
She cleared her throat, and I somehow expected her to get back to business, but because Ollie was Ollie, she gripped his hands and admitted, “I found out about a year ago my husband has an entire other family with two kids who live only an hour away from where we... where I live. Of course, I filed for divorce, but he’s been contesting everything from the house to the money I’ve made to support us, and my lawyer is a moron.
Although I believed my husband was supporting me by not working and helping me during my career, it turned out he was just stealing from me. I’m so fucking dumb.”
“No, you’re not,” I said. “You put your faith in someone who was supposed to love you and support you, but he put his own selfish needs first. But I know someone who can help you out.”
I texted Emilia as Ollie clapped his hands together. “His sister is vicious for her clients and will connect you with someone of equal ferocity to represent you. You’re in excellent hands.”
I have an employee who needs a better divorce lawyer. You can’t do it because of the conflict of interest, but who’s the next best to you?
Why?
Husband cheated, has an entire other family, but has taken her money over the years.
My sister, despite hating the term, was a champion for women, or of anyone who needed help. She wouldn’t stand for this and several seconds later, my phone rang.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Nope, can you help?”
“Yes. Put her on the phone.”
Before I did, I said, “Addie, this is my sister, Emilia. She’s a sought after divorce attorney and she’ll put you in contact with one of the best to represent you. Would you like to speak to her?”
“Yes, please.”
I handed her my cell and rose at the same time Ollie had, and with a firm hand on his back, we exited the office, closing the door to give Addie some privacy.
As we walked into the conference room next to my office, I asked, “What do you think?”
“To be honest, I think she’s perfect for the part. Despite being drop dead gorgeous, she has the vulnerability we’ve been looking for. But if the thought of the story hurting her… well, we’ll leave the decision in her hands.”
After her conversation with Emilia, something settled in Addie.
She became an integral part of script changes, working out the motivation for her character to want to stay after being cheated on.
We’d implemented her suggestions since they were from a perspective we never considered, or couldn’t, because of our gender.
It was great to see how everyone contributed to make the story come alive.
As we were starting our day at the start of the second month of filming, I heard a disruption outside the stage doors, but I paid it no mind. Security was tight on the lot, and if someone wanted to get on set, we had Thomas and a few others who could keep them out.
My phone dinged with a text message, and when I checked it, it was from my agent, Maggie.
Call me.
While Ollie walked around approving the set decorations, I had a moment before I framed the first shot, so I dialed the number.
After the scandal of Mason and Spencer years before, I had been looking for a new representation.
News broke about my foursome in Vegas, and my agency dropped me as their client.
Spencer explained how hard Maggie and her team worked to contain the shitstorm Mason’s outing of Spencer as bisexual had.
She also scheduled the infamous interview for the couple, introducing Lee to the world as his partner.
My decision was obvious after meeting with her.
And after years of working together, she’d not only become a friend, but she was one of the fiercest allies I’ve ever had.
“Hey, Maggie. What’s up?”
There was a measured sigh before she asked, “I take it you haven’t heard the news?”
I groaned, unable to keep the sound from escaping my throat, as I wondered what made-up story the press or someone from my past had spun about me this time.
Ever since meeting Ollie last May, over eight months previous, I’d only had eyes for him.
Soon after we started dating, I realized Ollie was the man for me and would be for the rest of my days.
And when I committed myself to him, there was no doubt in my mind I would stay faithful, especially since temporary flings didn’t even come close to the happiness and contentment I felt with the man.
I would never hurt Ollie.
And despite us being photographed at the triplet’s school and the paps hanging out in front of the gate of the house for a couple of days, we gave them no news to share, and the media soon gave up.