Page 7 of Wandering Wild

I don’t get a chance to interrogate Gabe until we separate from Charlie and Ember at the hotel later that night, after hours spent riding the Skyway over the valley and walking to Katoomba Falls. Aside from Charlie’s continued coolness, the afternoon was nice. Fun, even. Ember reminds me a lot of Summer—if Summer didn’t have the weight of the world on her shoulders—and I enjoyed hearing about her application to a prestigious drama school and her hopes of becoming an actress. She didn’t badger me for advice or ask for help reaching her goals; instead, she stated upfront that she wants to make her own way, even—and especially—knowing all the hard work it will require. I can’t help respecting her for that.

Charlie, however, remained a locked vault during our hours together, and I feel as if I know less about her now than I did upon meeting her. My frustration only grows when we finally say goodnight to the girls, since all Gabe can tell me is that Ember won the competition, but she’s recovering from a chest infection and her doctor advised her not to risk being out in the elements just yet. Because of that, I’m stuck with her best friend, who spends half her time ignoring me, and the other half looking like she wants to spit on me.

“You’ve got your work cut out for you,” Gabe warns as we walk down the homey-feeling hotel corridor toward our rooms. “If I’d known Charlie would be an issue, I would have organized a redraw.”

My ears perk up. “Can we do that? Postpone for a few days and—” I stop, knowing it’s useless. Hawke’s team are already here and ready to go.

“You’ll find a way,” Gabe says, patting my shoulder. “You’re Zander Rune. No one can resist you.”

I wish I had his confidence. All I can think about are Charlie’s cold, violet eyes flashing with resentment whenever she looks at me.

We halt outside Gabe’s door, and his serious gaze locks on mine. “Whatever it takes, you need to get through to her. Because if you don’t...”

He doesn’t finish, but he also doesn’t need to.

My throat is dry when I respond, “See you in the morning.”

He takes the hint, nodding once and vanishing into his room.

I continue along the hall until I enter my own suite, barely taking in the dimly lit space. It’s still early, but I want a good night’s sleep before my morning departure, so I prepare for bed. The problem is, when I burrow beneath my blankets, I can’t get my brain to shut down. I keep replaying every interaction with Charlie, wondering why she dislikes me so intensely. Apparently she was once a huge fan of the Lost Heirs franchise—which means she was once a fan of me —so I can only assume her current prejudice comes from what she’s heard in the media. If I didn’t need her help improving my image, then her unfair judgment wouldn’t matter so much, but I can’t deny that it hurts.

I sigh and roll over, trying to silence my thoughts, but sleep continues to elude me. I finally admit defeat around midnight and push back my covers, deciding I need some fresh mountain air. I don’t have a balcony, and I can’t get my windows to open, so I tug on a hoodie and sweatpants and leave my room.

The hotel is unnaturally quiet as I walk along the carpeted hallway toward the elevator, reminding me that Katoomba is a small country town, and tourists come for the scenery, not the nightlife. Even when I step into the lobby, the only person I see is a middle-aged man dozing behind the concierge desk, and I slip past him, heading for the glass doors at the rear of the building.

Outside, the crisp September air is colder than I anticipated—just forty-five degrees according to my weather app, or seven in the local Celsius metric. Until now, I haven’t given much thought to what physical challenges this trip will bring, but as I stroll down the cobblestone path toward the hotel’s private tea garden, I wonder about Hawke’s plans for Charlie and me. While I’m not worried about the adrenaline side of things, or even the general discomforts of camping, I’m definitely apprehensive about the quiet moments, since Hawke often uses them to ask his guests prying questions. His wilderness camps are known to offer counseling sessions as part of their programs—or the rehab ones, at least—and while he’s not a trained therapist, he’s learned a thing or two from his employees about how to get people to open up. It’s why Gabe and Valentina want me on his show—to have those vulnerable conversations that remind viewers I’m a real person—but knowing it’s a PR strategy doesn’t lessen my unease about airing my private life so publicly.

Reluctant but resigned, I continue walking until I reach the small garden illuminated by fairy lights. It ends at a glass railing atop a cliff, overlooking the shadowy outlines of the Blue Mountains beneath the moonlight. I shiver at the beauty of the misted peaks and take a moment to just stand there, marveling at the sight. But then a shuffling sound causes me to whip around, only to find Charlie sitting on a wooden bench, staring at me.

Unsure of my welcome, I consider leaving her to her thoughts, but change my mind at the last second and hesitantly ask, “Can’t sleep?”

I half expect her to ignore me, but she surprises me by answering, “Ember snores like a bear with a sinus infection. It’s astounding how someone so small can make such a loud sound.”

I chuckle, partly from what she said, but mostly because I’m relieved she’s not scowling at me. “My friend Summer is the same.”

Charlie tilts her head, causing her fleecy blue pajamas to shimmer under the fairy lights. “Summer West?”

I nod, then share, “My co-stars and I used to nap on set, but if Summer fell asleep first, no one else was able to. She also sleeps like the dead, so whenever her snoring kept the rest of us awake, there may have been a few, uh, retaliating pranks.”

Curiosity touches Charlie’s face. “What kinds of pranks?”

Eager to capitalize on her non-hostile mood, I send a mental apology to Summer and offer the first example that comes to mind. “Did you ever see that movie The Parent Trap ?” At Charlie’s confirmation, I go on, “We were shooting the third Lost Heirs film on location, doing the lake scene over and over until we were all exhausted. But the moment Summer dozed off, no one else stood a chance at sleeping, so we found an inflatable mattress and let her enjoy her own version of a waterbed.” I adopt a suitably chastised look. “She ended up drifting so far out that we needed a boat to bring her back in.”

Miracle of miracles, a smile quirks at Charlie’s lips. “And she’s still your friend after that?”

“Amazing, isn’t it?” I grin. “She tells me it’s because I’m irresistible.”

I know immediately it was the wrong thing to say, since Charlie’s face turns to stone. Since I can’t take the words back, I rush to add, “Like a sad little puppy dog. Her words.”

I’m unsure if I helped myself or made it worse.

“Why are you here, Zander?” Charlie asks, covering her hands with her sleeves to ward off the cold.

“It’s the time difference,” I say, unwilling to admit that she’s the reason I can’t sleep. “It’s just after seven a.m. back home, so my body thinks?—”

“Not here as in why you’re awake,” Charlie cuts me off with an exasperated look. “Here as in”—she waves toward the moonlit mountains—“ here . Australia. Doing this competition. And don’t feed me some line about it being fan service. I want the truth.”

To delay answering, I ask, “May I sit?”

She deliberates for a moment, then slides over on the bench, hissing quietly and grumbling, “You’re lucky I warmed that spot up for you.”

I press my lips together to keep from laughing, a near-impossible task when she wiggles her backside to heat her seat faster.

“Thanks,” I say as I drop down beside her. And then I proceed to lie through my teeth. “I’m here because I thought it might be a fun thing to do before I start shooting my next film. I’ve always admired Hawke’s show, and I love being in nature, so?—”

“Cut the bull,” Charlie interrupts, her eyes slitted. “I saw your face when you met Ember and me earlier today and realized I’m not some starry-eyed fan. You looked about two seconds away from full-blown panic.”

I swallow, before murmuring, “I thought I hid my reaction pretty well.”

“Then you’re not as good an actor as you think you are.”

Ouch.

I don’t reveal how much that stings, and instead lean in close as if to share a secret. “Has anyone ever told you that actors are terribly insecure?”

She cocks an eyebrow. “You don’t seem the type to be insecure about anything.”

Our gazes lock as I reply, pointedly, “Guess I’m not such a bad actor after all.”

To my relief, an amused light enters her eyes. I make a snap decision, knowing Gabe will murder me if he finds out, but also aware that it might be the only way to do as he instructed and get through to Charlie.

I tell her the truth.

“You’re right,” I say, straightening on the bench. “Your first words to me made it clear you weren’t a fan, and I did have a moment of panic.”

“But why ?”

“Because I need you.”

Her body turns rigid. “Excuse me?”

I stretch my legs out on the grass, casting my gaze over the darkened view. “From the way you act, I’m guessing you’ve seen the negative media reports about me.”

“You mean like how you were charged with a DUI?” Her tone is like acid. “Yeah, I’m aware.”

Her sudden hostility makes me long to defend myself, but I stay on track. “That—and a few other things—have meant that the next movie I’m meant to be shooting?—”

“ Titan’s War ?”

“That’s the one. The studio has threatened to cut me from the lead if I don’t clean up my public image. They’ve given me a fortnight.” I pause. “Less now.”

There’s a beat of silence, before a sound of bitter amusement leaves Charlie. “So the competition is a PR stunt. You need a fan to help make you shine; something genuine and not scripted.”

“Yes,” I confirm, impressed by how quickly she put it together. “I need the studio—and the world—to see I’m not just a bad boy with an image problem.”

Her brow furrows as she looks away from me and into the garden. “Does this have anything to do with what happened to Summer last year, and how you?—”

This time it’s me who interrupts her. “Not directly, but that’s certainly made things difficult for me, and it’s part of the reason why I don’t want to lose this movie. Well, that, plus it’s a kickass role, and I’ll be devastated if Titan goes to someone else.”

“And humiliated.”

I jolt. “Pardon?”

“It was announced months ago that you’re playing Titan Wolfe,” Charlie says. “If they cut you, it’ll be pretty obvious why. The gossip sites will have a field day.”

Now I’m the one looking out at the garden. “Thanks for the reminder.”

There’s another pause, before she says, quieter, “Sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

“It’s fine.” My voice is harsher than I intended. “It’s not as if I’m oblivious to how it would play out. That’s why I’m here, after all. To try to keep that from happening.”

“Which leaves you with a problem,” Charlie says. “Me.”

“You,” I agree. With a rueful smile, I add, “Here I was, worried about surviving four days with a stalker-fan, only to discover I’ll be with someone who is the complete opposite. I never imagined that could be worse.”

“Gee, I’m flattered.”

I nearly backpedal, but then I see the reluctant humor in her gaze. An idea comes to me—it’s a risk, but at this stage, I have nothing to lose. But first, I have to make sure I’m right about her motives.

“I answered your question, now it’s your turn—why are you here?” I shift into a more relaxed position. “You’re clearly not thrilled about any of this, so why did you agree to take Ember’s place?”

Charlie uncrosses her legs only to cross them again, her own stalling tactic. “She’s my best friend. I’d do anything for her.”

“Seems a bit of an extreme ‘anything.’”

There’s silence for a moment, before Charlie says, “I don’t know how much your people told you, but Ember was sick.”

“Gabe mentioned she had a chest infection. I’m glad she’s?—”

“No.” Charlie shakes her head. “She was sick, as in sick . For years.” Her throat bobs, and a haunted look comes to her features. “She was diagnosed with leukemia when we were fourteen.”

My stomach pitches. I can’t reconcile the thought of the bubbly, effervescent girl I met today with someone who had to endure that kind of nightmare at such a young age.

“It was—I can’t explain what it was like. For her. For her parents. For me.”

Charlie’s voice cracks on the final word, and I fight the overwhelming urge to comfort her.

Pulling herself together, she continues, “She entered remission earlier this year, and she’s doing well now, but this recent infection hit her hard. When she won the competition, she learned she could still meet you if she transferred the prize to someone else.” Charlie blows out an aggravated breath. “So, yes, it’s an extreme ‘anything,’ but after everything she’s been through, and how much she’s been there for—” She breaks off quickly, before changing direction to finish, “She’s my best friend, and meeting you has always been her dream, so of course I agreed to do this trip in her place.”

“Even though you don’t want to be here?”

“Even though I really don’t want to be here.”

I hold her eyes. “And why is that?”

“A lot of reasons.” She looks past my shoulder. “This may come as a shock, but you’re not as irresistible as Summer West claims.”

I wince, wishing I could turn back time and retract that statement.

“You don’t like me,” I say, a statement, not a question.

Charlie rolls her eyes. “At least your observational skills are better than your acting abilities.”

Ouch, again .

“Since you’re deflecting,” I say, “I assume you’re not going to share why you have a problem with me, despite never having met me before today?”

“And he’s smart, too,” Charlie murmurs, plucking at a thread on her pajamas.

It takes effort to keep from reacting. Instead, I implement my idea. “Then in that case, I propose we make a deal.”

That brings her eyes back to me. “A deal?”

“You help me with my image problem,” I tell her, “and I’ll give you something in exchange.”

Charlie snorts. “You don’t have anything I want.”

“You said you’d do anything for Ember. You also said Ember’s dream was to meet me, but that’s not entirely true, is it? Because Ember told me today that her dream is to become an actress.” I fortify myself against the way Charlie stills in the moonlight, and continue, “You might not think I’m much of an actor, but most of Hollywood does , which means I have the contacts to help Ember get a foot in the door.”

Charlie shakes her head. “She doesn’t want help.”

“She told me that as well, and I admire her immensely for it. But she’d also be a fool to turn down any advantage she can get, especially from someone like me”—just saying that makes me want to punch myself in the face—“and deep down she has to know it. As, I’m sure, do you.”

When Charlie looks torn, I go in for the kill: “I’ll put in a good word for her at the drama school she’s applied to, and if they offer her a place, or even if they don’t, I’ll talk to Gabe about getting her some auditions. We can connect her with local agents, or ones abroad, if that’s her desire. Whatever she wants, I’ll do what I can to open doors for her.” I drive my point home by finishing, “As unfair as it is, in this industry, it’s as much who you know as it is what you know. And I happen to be someone worth knowing.”

Charlie’s skepticism is clear. “With all the bad press you’ve had lately, how can you help her, when you can’t even help yourself?”

“That’s where our deal comes in,” I say. “It’s mutually beneficial. Once my public image is back to where it should be, I’ll be better able to help Ember reach her dreams.”

I can see Charlie struggling with this, her love for her friend warring against whatever problem she has with me. But, finally, she grits out, “What would I have to do?”

Hope blossoms within me. “Not much. You’d just have to rein in the attitude a little.”

She splutters. “ Attitude? ”

I send her a look. “What would you call it?” When she says nothing, I continue, “You don’t have to act all fangirl-obsessed, but it’d help if you didn’t glare daggers at me while the cameras are rolling. No sarcastic comments, no passive-aggressive remarks, no ignoring me. Treat me like... like...” I think quickly, and settle on, “Hawke. Treat me like you’ll treat him.”

“I like Hawke,” Charlie says.

“Exactly.” Under my breath, I add, “Though, I find it supremely unfair that you haven’t cast judgment on him like you did me.”

“Hawke didn’t give me a reason to hate him,” Charlie states.

“And I did?”

Her eyes are flinty. “Yes.”

“But you still won’t tell me that reason?”

She turns away from me. “It doesn’t matter. After this week, we’ll never see each other again.”

There’s a strange burning in my chest, as if her words pain me, but that doesn’t make sense, since I’m just as eager to be rid of her as she is me.

“Do we have a deal?” I ask.

“Of course we do,” Charlie says, huffily. “I’m already stuck with you. I might as well get something out of it.”

“Technically, what you got was Ember meeting me today.”

“And now that that’s happened, what’s to stop me from flying home tomorrow?”

I freeze, realizing she’s right—there’s nothing stopping her. She and Ember could vanish in the night and I wouldn’t know until we’re due to meet Hawke’s producer.

“Relax, Zander,” Charlie drawls. It’s the first time she’s said my name, and a different kind of warmth fills me, making even less sense than the earlier burning sensation. “I might not want to be within a thousand kilometers of you, but I agreed to see this through, so you can lose the look of fear—I’ll still be here in the morning.” She sighs, then forces herself to say, “And I’ll try my best to make you look good. At least while the cameras are rolling. I can’t promise about the rest of the time.”

Relief slams into me, and I send her a wide, grateful smile that makes her breath hitch, before she blinks and looks away, frowning.

“Thank you, Charlie,” I say, with genuine feeling. “And, hey, you never know, maybe we’ll manage to have some fun over the next few days.”

She stands up and dusts the seat of her pajama pants. “That depends on your definition of fun.”

“Okay,” I amend, rising as well, “maybe we’ll manage to resist pushing each other off a mountain over the next few days.”

A hint of a smile touches her lips. “That sounds more plausible. Still not guaranteed, though.”

Recalling her modification to our deal, I say, “I’ll be sure to watch my back when the cameras are off.”

Her eyes dance in the moonlight. “I did say you were smart.”

“I have to be, since apparently I’m a bad actor.”

She looks down at the ground, and I know it’s to hide her amusement. I just don’t know why she’s not allowing herself to be amused. But I have four days to figure it out, and while earlier tonight that thought filled me with dread, I’m now looking forward to it.

What I’m not looking forward to is being awake and ready to leave in five hours, so I gesture toward the path and say, “Do you think Ember will have stopped snoring by now?”

“If she hasn’t, she’ll get a pillow in her face.”

Her dark tone nearly makes me laugh, but my mirth turns into something softer when she asks, hesitantly, “Will you be able to fall asleep this time?”

The warm feeling from earlier intensifies. “Yeah, my mind is a lot calmer now.”

“I’ve been told I have that effect on people.”

This time I do laugh, but I stifle it fast when she glowers at me. She can’t hold the expression though, her own features still working to hide her humor.

A few hours ago, I was cursing the effect jet lag had on my body. Now I’m grateful for it. Because it led me out to this garden and to Charlie, and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful about the future.

I wish Summer was here so I could talk to her about everything that happened today. I wish Maddox was here to tease me about fumbling my way through tonight’s conversation. I wish both of them were joining me on tomorrow’s survival trip, if only so I wouldn’t have to face the ghosts of my past alone. But I learned long ago that wishes are nothing more than wasted words, and to place hope in them only results in heartache.

“Zander?”

I jump at Charlie’s voice. “Yeah?”

She looks closely at me. “You okay?”

I cover my discomfort quickly. “Just ready to crash. You may not have heard, but I’m a high-maintenance actor and I need my beauty sleep.”

She doesn’t believe me, but goes along with it anyway. “Time for bed, then.”

Together we head back up the path to the hotel, neither of us saying anything as we part ways, both knowing we’ll see each other again in a few short hours.

And then the real acting will begin.