Hollywood Love Read online

  EDITED AGAIN TO ADD: The baby’s name is Branson Johnson! Isn’t that adorable?

  Wednesday, November 18th

  NEWS FLASH

  This is pretty much the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.

  After the whole water breaking on my pumps and me possibly stretching the truth about them being Prada instead of Jessica Simpson when they were replaced, I thought I had been blacklisted. Over the last two weeks, I kept waiting and waiting, wondering when and where the Love Struck movie premiere would be held.

  And when would I get my precious invite?

  But here’s the deal.

  There is no premiere.

  What? No red carpet? No beautiful gowns? No wiping spilled drinks off Knox Daniels’s junk? What’s a girl to do on a Tuesday night in this town?

  Also, where are the sexy trailers that leave us drooling and sharing them millions of times?

  That’s just it. Other than a few well-placed lightning bolt graphics in key demographic areas and a way too short but completely captivating leaked scene of Keatyn and Knox making out, there’s been no marketing whatsoever for this premiere.

  What is this voodoo magic?

  As much as I love Knox and Keatyn, I fear that their pet project is going to fail.

  But this afternoon, I received a ticket, inviting me to come to a movie theater for a special showing of the movie.

  Of course, I went.

  I checked in, loaded up on free hot, buttered popcorn and Diet Coke, and made my way into the theater—but that’s when things got crazy.

  Standing just inside the theater were Knox and Keatyn. They were dressed casually—Knox in a pair of dark jeans that hugged his ass amazingly and some kind of shirt that needed to come off, and Keatyn in jeans, boots, and an adorable Love Struck T-shirt.

  And they greeted every single person. I’m talking made eye contact, spoke to them, shook their hand, and passed out hugs. (I may have held onto Knox a tad too long, but whatever.)

  It was the best premiere I’d ever been to, and I hadn’t even seen the movie yet.

  So, let’s talk about the movie. Actually, I can’t just talk about it. I’m going full-on rant here.

  YOU WILL LAUGH. YOU WILL CRY. AND YOU WILL CRY SOME MORE. I’M TALKING UGLY CRYING, PEOPLE! The beauty of this film is undeniable, and I can see why they chose not to do some over-the-top party.

  Because this film speaks for itself.

  Can you say Oscar nominations for our favorite on-screen couple? And, Lordy, I’d thought the sex scenes in Trinity were hot. These were a whole other level. Because they weren’t just hot. You could feel their love oozing off the screen during their most passionate moments. The sets were beautiful, the costumes lush. And the score will be playing on repeat in my home for the next two years.

  After the movie finished, Keatyn and Knox spoke to everyone again as we filed out of the theater in awe. They thanked us all for coming and told us they secretly moved up the release date to this Friday. They handed out Love Struck T-shirts—just like the one Keatyn was wearing. And I may have gotten to hug Knox again. (I’m sure I had mascara all over my face after bawling my eyes out, but whatever.)

  Now here’s where things get really cool for—well, everyone.

  Keatyn and Knox are going to be showing up at movie theaters across the country. Randomly. Can you imagine? You walk into your local theater, and there are Knox and Keatyn, waiting to greet you. To personally thank you for coming to see their film.

  I know once word about this gets out, movie theaters will be packed.

  As they should be.

  Tuesday, January 26th

  NEWS FLASH

  It’s that time of year again! Can you believe it’s already been a year since we were last waiting for the Oscar nomination announcements? Where has the time gone?

  And what a difference a year makes. I am not only awake, but I’m also fully made up and sitting in a conference room at five o’clock in the morning. Because I was one of the reporters who was invited!

  As a child, I used to hold a microphone, look in the mirror, and practice saying, “I’d like to thank the Academy.”

  But, right now, I really don’t want to thank the Academy.

  Because who gets people up so fucking early?

  I’m just here because I need to know if Knox and Keatyn’s film—that I have now seen not one, not two, not three, but FOUR TIMES, PEOPLE!—will get any nominations.

  I wait.

  Not so patiently.

  I’m given a cup of coffee.

  It makes me jittery—and even more impatient.

  All the boring awards are announced first. And I’m wondering why getting up so early is considered an honor. But as I look around at the well-known reporters sitting up straight and waiting on baited breath to report this news, I realize that I’ve officially made it.

  Wait.

  What was that they just said?

  And the answer is …

  YES!!!

  Love Struck has not only been box office gold, but it’s also been nominated for EVERY major film award.

  Congrats to my favorite on-screen couple! I can’t wait to see you at the Oscars!

  Now, I have to figure out how to get a ticket. Maybe I could be Knox’s seat holder. Oh my goodness, I’m fanning myself as I have a flashback of Knox’s naked seat—and by seat, I mean, his ass—in the movie. Because can you imagine being the holder of that? Maybe I should send the Academy a note, letting them know that since I’ve already held his, um, cock-tail, I’d be the perfect one for the job.

  Or …

  Sorry, caffeine has FINALLY kicked in.

  I know what I need.

  Captive Films, people. Are you reading this? If so, I am begging you. Can I pretty please with cotton candy on top of the Ferris wheel at sunset get an invite to your party?

  I’ll do anything!

  (Within reason.)

  (Sorta.)

  Sunday, February 28th

  Keatyn & Aiden’s beach house - Malibu

  KEATYN

  I feed the babies and then get them tucked in and back to sleep as the dawn begins to light the night sky. The babies are ten months old and finally sleeping through most of the night. They were small when they were born, as to be expected with triplets, but are pretty well caught up now.

  Asher and Aubrey are all sprawled out in their cribs. Even in their sleep, they remind me of Aiden. Aspen sleeps more like me, all curled up into a ball. At this age, they are starting to have their own little personalities, which makes it so much fun. All three are babbling. Asher, the oldest by a few minutes, is already saying a few words and seems eager to converse with anyone who will listen. Aubrey and Aspen seem content with babbling to each other. Aiden thinks that Aspen will be the athlete of the three. While the other two are happy with crawling everywhere, he’s already an expert at cruising—pulling himself up to standing and then using furniture to help him get around. I don’t know for sure if it shows athletic ability or just that he’s willing to try anything first, to forge his own path.

  I close my eyes and soak up the silence, that wonderful sound of your sweet, content babies sleeping.

  I love getting up in the morning with them and having that time when nothing else is happening in life. Normally, I go back to bed and snuggle up with Aiden, but this morning, as I move through the house, I stop to look out the window at the ocean.

  And maybe it’s because of what day it is. Or maybe because it’s been a while. But I feel the ocean calling to me.

  I quietly sneak back into the bedroom, grab a bikini, throw it on, and then make my way out to the garage. My dry suit is hanging in its usual spot, my board waiting for my return.

  I remember how I thought I was going to pass out when Brooklyn surprised me with the hot-pink-and-orange custom graphics surfboard for my sixteenth birthday. My hand flits across the rail to the Life Is Divine Chaos sticker he added before he left to go on the pro tour. I spend a lot of time wax
ing the board, doing it exactly how Brooklyn taught me, then put the dry suit halfway on, leaving my upper body exposed to the elements, and make my way down to the sand.

  Before Brooklyn would go out to compete, he used to kiss the Chaos tattoo on his wrist for luck. I kiss my finger and then reach down and press it against the Chaos tattoo on my hip. I zip up my suit and go out into the water.

  The light hits the water, causing it to sparkle. The sun feels warm on my face. It feels good to be on a board again. I close my eyes and remember him. A montage of our life together—from the day I met him when he taught me how to surf to the day I heard he’d died.

  Tears roll down my face as I look up to the sky and ask him why for the millionth time. Why was he surfing in a storm? Why did he have to be so reckless with his life?

  I’m sitting on my surfboard, just letting the waves push it to shore, and then swimming back out. I’ve yet to get up on it. For some reason, none of the waves feel right. Maybe I shouldn’t even be out in the water or on a surfboard today of all days.

  And it doesn’t help that the Academy Awards are tonight. Or that Captive Films’ Love Struck was nominated for so many awards. I fought with Dallas and Riley to keep the name when we sold the company, but it was worth every penny.

  I’ll never forget the day, when our ordeal with the stalker was over and we were finally back together on our beach.

  “I think the new name should remind us of this, Brooklyn. Of all we went through. Of how we’ve both changed. I don’t ever want to lose sight of what’s important in life again.”

  B reaches in his pocket and pulls out a joint. “Haven’t had one of these in a while. What do you think?”

  “I think I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” He lights up, takes a few puffs, and passes it to me.

  “Ah,” I say, relaxing completely.

  We don’t say anything.

  Just smoke in a comfortable silence.

  “Captive Films,” he finally says.

  “Captive?”

  “Yeah. Vincent held our lives captive.”

  “And we wanna hold our audiences captive.”

  He grins. “Exactly.”

  “That’s perfect. You cool with having that name on your surfboard?”

  “I’d be honored.”

  I open my eyes and look down at my board. Opposite the Life Is Divine Chaos sticker is the one with the Captive Films logo.

  Brooklyn is getting ready to start his second year on tour. All our friends are coming over to hang out all day, but it’s just me, Aiden, Damian, and Brooklyn who got up early to surf. We’ve got our boards in the sand, waiting for the sun to come up, when B runs his hand across our boards.

  “Something’s missing,” he says.

  I look closely at my board, checking that it’s properly waxed.

  “It looks good to me,” Aiden says.

  “So does mine,” Damian agrees.

  Brooklyn pulls three stickers out from behind his back and carefully places them on each one of our boards. “Just because you’re not going with me doesn’t mean we’re not all on the same team,” he says.

  Brooklyn wouldn’t want me to be out here, crying. He’d tell me it was a waste of good waves, but I can’t stop the tears. Through the haze, I see Aiden on a board, swimming out toward me.

  “What are you doing out here? You haven’t surfed since … Brooklyn.”

  “You know what today is, right?”

  “The Academy Awards, of course.”

  “And February the twenty-eighth. The day B died.”

  He sucks in a breath of air. “I didn’t realize. Things have been so busy with the babies and with your nomination.”

  “I still miss him, Aiden.”

  “I can tell you’ve been crying,” he says, gently brushing his finger across my cheek. “He’d be proud of you. Especially today.”

  “I’m not sure about that. I’m really nervous, and he’d probably tell me I just needed to chill and let fate figure it all out. But I wish I could just make it happen. I really want Knox to win Best Actor. And I really want Riley to get Director or Best Picture.”

  “And what about you?” he asks, gliding his hand down to my shoulder.

  “I’m not going to win, Aiden. The other nominees … well, you saw the list. Half of them are my idols, and the others have all won before.”

  He leans across his board and kisses me, causing warmth to spread throughout my body—the fire that is and has always been Aiden heating me up.

  “Your mom called this morning. Apparently, the whole family is coming to the Captive Films watch party. They’re even making Lincoln join in the fun. Can you even imagine how bored the kid will be? But they all want to celebrate with you regardless of the outcome.”

  “Aiden, please. I came out here because I don’t want to think about it. It’s all anyone has talked about since they announced the nominees.”

  He nods and then takes my hand.

  I breathe in the cool, salty air and relax.

  After a few moments, I start to feel the waves building underneath me. I drop Aiden’s hand, flip my board around, and paddle out, sensing the right moment—feeling the wave gathering strength, knowing it will be the perfect one.

  Then I do it. For the first time since Brooklyn died, I get up on my board. I feel like I become one with the ocean as a combination of weightlessness and power fills me. Time ceases to exist, but at the same time, I know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

  “Life is divine chaos, Keats. It’s messy, and it’s supposed to be that way.”

  When I get to shore, emotion overcomes me, and I clutch my chest as I look up at the cloudless sky above me.

  Memories flash through my head. Brooklyn saying I was a natural. Vincent dying in my arms.

  “My grandmother would be proud I met the girl I’m going to make a star here, on her beach.”

  As the chaos inside me threatens, I turn around and watch Aiden catch a wave. He rides it to shore, drops his board in the sand, and then pulls me into his arms.

  A godly smile spreads across his face. “You looked good out there.”

  “It felt good. I also realized that what I told you was the truth. I don’t care if I win. I thought maybe I was just subconsciously telling myself that, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Especially after Vanessa sent me the Vegas odds. I’m a long shot. But being out there, I realized that none of it matters.”

  “Regardless of what Vegas thinks, I’d still take the bet,” he says, raising an eyebrow at me in challenge.

  I cock my head. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes. The question is, what do I get if you win?”

  “Aiden, seriously, it’s not going to happen. Sure, Knox and I won the People’s Choice Awards for best actor and actress, but we always do. I don’t need an award to prove my success. I’m just thrilled—”

  “To have been nominated,” he says, kissing me. “Give me a fucking break.”

  “Aiden! But it’s the truth. I would much rather it be a commercial success. I already financially bet on the movie, and we’re all definitely reaping the rewards.”

  Aiden spins me out of his arms in a silly dance move. “That’s the answer then.”

  I squint my eyes at him. “What’s the answer?”

  “What I get if you win.” He pulls me back close.

  I kiss down his neck, breathing him in. “What could you possibly want, Aiden? We have each other and three beautiful babies.”

  He pushes my chin up so that I have to gaze into his gorgeous green eyes. “Who will be celebrating their first birthday in a few months.” He gives me his grin and raises his eyebrows. “We always said we wanted at least four children.”

  “Yes, well, that was before we got three babies at once. Are you saying that’s what you want? That, if I win an Oscar, we have another baby?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” His eyes sparkle. “You’d better plan your speech becaus
e, despite the odds, you’re going to win. I just know it. It’s kind of like when I won the Mr. Eastbrooke contest.”

  I start laughing. “What are you even talking about? That was high school.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I really wanted to win—not because I needed another trophy, but because I wanted to prove a point.”

  “And what point was that?”

  I get the grin. The grin that grows into the megawatt, brighter-than-the-sunset smile.

  The sunlight is hitting his strong, stubble-covered jawline. I slide my hands up onto broad shoulders that still taper down to a lean torso. And my eyes fall on the little freckle on his cheek. Just like it did on the day I’m pretending not to remember. The day he took my advice and risked making a fool of himself in front of the whole school just to show me that he loved me.

  “You know exactly what it was. That the only people you should care what they think are the people you love. And the people you love want you to win. What do you say? Do we have a bet?”

  “Sure. Why not?” I say, giving him a steamy kiss.

  NEWS FLASH

  Live update from the Oscars Watch Party!

  I’m not usually one to brag, but if you aren’t following me on social media, you totally should be.

  BECAUSE I AM AT THE CAPTIVE FILMS OSCARS WATCH PAR-TAY!

  #sorrynotsorry

  The crew from the movie is here, minus the ones up for awards, but, people, Tommy Stevens, Abby Johnston, and their adorable preteen son, Lincoln, just walked in. Can I just say, this couple embodies my life goals? They look so happy and in love, and Abby looks like she is still thirty. I don’t know how she does it.