Lights camera passion, p.1
Lights, Camera, Passion, page 1
CONTENTS
Warning
Roman
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Jacoby
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Roman
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Jacoby
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Roman
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Jacoby
Chapter 22
Roman
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Jacoby
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Part Two
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Jacoby
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Roman
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Jacoby
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Roman
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Jacoby
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Roman
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Jacoby
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Roman
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Jacoby
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Epilogue
About the Author
Also By
Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2024 by Isabel Lucero
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks are not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
WARNING
There’s off page parental death and a scene that showcases the grief of losing parents. If you’d like more details, please reach out to me.
ROMAN
PROLOGUE
This just in, Ryan. It looks like we can announce the two actors who will be portraying everyone’s favorite book couple, Andrew and William. You, of course, know them from the number one New York Times Bestselling book, Another Life. Playing Andrew is the hot new actor on the block, Roman Black. You’ve probably seen Roman in Broken where he played a troubled teen wanting to get his mom out of an abusive household. There was also In School Suspension where he acted alongside Faye Crespo in the high school rom-com.
“Oh, yeah. Didn’t they date?”
“That was the rumor.”
“And everyone’s going to love this, Jules. Playing William is none other than Hollywood sweetheart and heartthrob, Jacoby Hart.”
“It’s in the name, Ryan.”
“Indeed it is. Jacoby is known for his roles in Never Forget Me and The Artist. Both of these emotional films showcase his acting chops and versatility.”
“Don’t forget The Voyeur where he showed the world a lot more. The erotic thriller was the number one movie in the world for several weeks.”
“Oh, I don’t think anybody is going to forget that one. Wasn’t Faye Crespo in that too?”
“She was. I believe there was a bit of contention between the actors when it came to Faye.”
“Well, let’s see if they can bury the hatchet and bring the chemistry we know William and Andrew have in the book.”
“I hope so, Ryan. This is one of my favorite stories, and I definitely don’t want to be let down.”
“You and the rest of the world.”
“All right, let’s move on.”
I turn off the TV and throw the remote at the couch. “See? They like him more. He gets compliments on his acting skills and looks while I get questioned about who I was dating.”
“They said you were a hot new actor,” my sister offers, gesturing to the black TV screen.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not that new. Also, did you hear the way they said his announcement? ‘Everyone’s gonna love this’ with an emphasis on love. They made it seem like his casting was more important.”
“They’re gonna love you,” Chelsey says, reaching for her phone. “He’s just been around a bit longer. I mean…he’s Jacoby Hart.”
I drop onto the couch with a scoff. “I can’t believe I got this incredible role but I have to act opposite him.”
“Why do you hate him so much?”
I snap my head at my sister, who’s now focused on her phone. “Do you not remember what he said about me in that interview with CNT?”
Her brows furrow and she finally meets my gaze. “No.”
“Right, because when asked about the rumors that we might be playing brothers in that movie I didn’t get picked for, he acted like he had no idea who I was. When told again, he laughed that smug fucking laugh and said, ‘Oh, I hope not.’ Who fucking does that? Entitled little shits, that’s who. I bet he’s the reason I didn’t get that role.”
“He doesn’t have that much pull,” Chelsey says. “Otherwise you’d probably not be in this movie.” Before I can open my mouth to argue, she shoves her phone in my face. “Look. They love you.”
I scroll through the comments under the announcement from the studio.
Oh my godddddd. This is gonna be so good!
Jacoby and Roman in the same movie?? Take my money!
Roman is so hot.
Jacoby. The love of my life.
They are going to be so good together. Oh my god, I’m so excited.
They better not mess this up for me.
Screaming, crying, throwing up.
Need the trailer ASAP.
My ovaries.
My gay heart is so happy.
Roman is my man, so y’all better back off.
I give her back the phone and she grins. “Hope you can play nice. You know how readers are when it comes to book-to-screen adaptations. They’re gonna have high hopes, and you can’t hate the man you’re supposed to love with every fiber of your being.”
“Hey, I’m an actor,” I say with a shrug. “I will out-act that douche, Jacoby, at every opportunity. The world will believe what I want them to believe.”
Chelsey shakes her head. “You started this whole beef. You know that, right?”
“I did not.”
“You dated Faye when he was dating her.”
“I didn’t know they were dating!”
She purses her lips. “Everyone knew.”
I scoff. “He slighted me at an event first. He looked me up and down like I was a peasant and he was the king of England. I was trying to be nice, but that’s when he showed me how snobbish he is.”
“And that’s why you dated his girl?”
“Yea—no!”
Chelsey laughs. “Anyway, filming starts soon, right?”
“We meet next month for rehearsals and table reads, then we start filming.”
“How long?”
“Three months or so.”
She lets out a low whistle. “That’s a good amount of time with your BFF. Not to mention all the promo you’ll have to do. Cute little videos and pictures. Interviews. Especially since the movie doesn’t come out till when? Next year?”
“Why do you like to make me mad?”
She leans over and kisses my cheek. “It’s so fun. I love you. I gotta run, though.”
“Will I see you before I leave for Montana?”
“Of course.” She gets to the door and turns around. “I’m proud of you, kid.”
I smile at her. “Love you.”
CHAPTER ONE
“All right, guys. So, I might do things a little unorthodox, but I swear by my methods, and you just gotta trust me on this,” the director, Mike Campo, says to me and Jacoby.
“I trust you, Mike,” I say with a charming smile.
“Good. Now, since part of the story takes place in a remote cabin, forcing William and Andrew to get reacquainted under unusual circumstances, I’m putting you two in a cabin for three days. I believe I mentioned this to you at the audition, but it’s been a while since then. You will be supplied food and everything you need, but I’m getting you into the headspace of the characters before we start filming. My understanding is that you two don’t know each other real well, right?”
Jacoby and I glance at each other, jaws tense.
“No, we do not,” Jacoby answers.
“Perfect,” Mike says, clapping his hands together once. “My assistant, Sheera, will take you to the cabin, and your belongings will be delivered to you. The rest of the cast will start rehearsing and doing table reads, and you two can jump in when you’re done here. Thanks, guys. I’ll be in touch.”
He’s gone before we can say anything else, quickly replaced by a woman with beautiful umber skin and jet-black hair. “A truck is coming now. Your luggage is in the back. Do you have any questions?” she asks.
“Are we allowed to have our phones?” Jacoby asks.
“Mike would rather you not have your cells. William and Andrew didn’t have service, but since we’re in the real world and something can come up, we do have the cabin outfitted with a landline that will be at your disposal. I will get you the number, and you can pass it on to your family if they need to get in touch with you.”
A black truck pulls up in front of us, and Sheera goes to the back door, opening it up.
Jacoby and I glance at each other again before marching to the vehicle and climbing into the backseat.
A Black man with a bald head drives us in silence through the snow-covered land where massive pine trees surround us. Jacoby sits to my left, typing out a million text messages, probably attempting to stop this forced proximity thing from happening. I send one message to Chelsey to let her know about the cabin plan and then put my phone down.
Jacoby frantically types like he’ll die if he doesn’t get these messages out before we get to the cabin. I peek at the screen as covertly as I can and see an email.
RE: Douchebag.
My brows furrow as I attempt to scan the actual message but I only catch glimpses of words here and there.
He
I told you
will not be good
kill
rather die.
“What the hell?” I say aloud, not meaning to.
Jacoby’s head jerks toward me while his hands angle his phone away. “Are you reading my fucking emails?”
“Are you being a fucking baby?”
He turns his phone off, scoffing. “You’re so full of yourself, you know that?”
“Not as much as you are. Are you really crying to your agent about doing this with me? And I thought you were a serious actor.”
“You have no idea what I’m talking about or who I’m discussing it with.”
“Oh yeah? So, who’s the douchebag?”
“Funny that you see the word douchebag and automatically assume I’m talking about you.”
“Oh please. I know you hate me.”
The driver clears his throat, stealing my attention. When I look forward, I catch his brown eyes in the rearview mirror.
“We’re here,” he says. “You guys can head inside, and I’ll bring your luggage to you.”
“Thanks,” Jacoby and I grumble at the same time.
I slam my door harder than necessary and round the back, picking up speed so I can get inside before Jacoby does.
He scoffs when I shoulder check him on my way up the stairs. In my defense, it was an accident, but I’m not about to apologize. If he thinks I’m a douchebag, then I guess I’ll act like one.
When I open the door, I’m startled to see Sheera standing in front of it, a phone in her hand and a pad of paper in the other.
“Here’s the number to the cabin,” she says, handing me the paper. “Send it to whoever needs it.”
I take out my phone and send the number to Chelsey before I try to hand her the pad. She points behind me where Jacoby walks in, brushing snow off his shoulders.
“Here,” I say, thrusting it at his chest.
“Let me give you a quick tour,” Sheera says, strutting through the living room in knee-high black boots and a matching trench coat. “There’s a fireplace in here and in the master bedroom. The wood is stored in a mudroom near the back door.”
“I claim the master,” I state.
“Uh, I don’t think so. I think since I—”
“Boys,” Sheera says, turning around. “There’s only one bedroom. That’s the master.”
My eyes find Jacoby’s, both of us as frozen as the ground outside.
“One room?” I question.
“Don’t worry. Two beds. Here’s the kitchen. We’ve stocked it up, but if you have any dietary restrictions or specific requests, we can try to adjust before the end of the day.”
“I’m not picky,” I say, turning to face Jacoby. “You only drink almond milk or something? You seem the type.”
“The type to be lactose intolerant?” he snaps back. “Yeah, make fun of me for something I have no control over.”
I choke out a laugh. “Oh, you really do drink almond milk?”
He rolls his eyes and focuses on Sheera. “Almond or oat milk would be great, Sheera. If not, it’s not a big deal.”
“He may send a strongly worded email later, but yeah.”
“Stop being a child,” he mutters in my ear before passing me up and following Sheera to the back.
“Bathroom’s outfitted with everything you’ll need,” she says, pointing it out as we pass. “Here’s the room. The beds are queens and there’s two dressers.”
“No TV?” I ask.
“Nope.”
“Great.”
She starts typing into her phone as she walks back to the living room and doesn’t look up for at least sixty seconds.
“Okay, the milk will be delivered in the next few hours. If you don’t mind handing over your phones, that would be great,” she says, putting out her hand, palm up. “On the second page of that pad I gave you is my number. Use it if you need anything. Otherwise, take this time to get to know each other, go over your lines, whatever you need to do.”
I hand over my phone first. “Okay. Thanks, Sheera. I really appreciate it.”
She smiles at me and I’m pretty sure I hear Jacoby make a noise in the back of his throat. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“Have fun, boys,” she says before turning around and marching through the front door.
The two of us stand in place, staring out the rectangular window that shows her getting into a car and leaving.
I spot our luggage near the door and go over and grab mine, eyeing Jacoby’s three bags.
“Wow. We’re only here for three days. You need one bag for each day or what?”
“Don’t talk to me,” he says, heading for his fancy suitcases.
“I wish I didn’t have to but that’s the whole reason we’re here, so get used to this voice, sweetheart.”
I roll my bag down the hall and into the bedroom, claiming the bed nearest the window. Jacoby enters as I’m opening my suitcase.
“I was going to sleep there.”
“You still can. I’ll just be here too.”
“You’re the worst,” he says, lifting one suitcase and dropping it onto the bed.
“By the end of filming, I’m going to prove to you that I’m the best.”
He snorts, lifting his other bag onto the bed. “Sure.”
CHAPTER TWO
After I unpacked, I laid on the bed with my script while Jacoby busied himself in the living room.
We haven’t spoken words to each other in three hours, so I’d say this little plan for us to get to know each other is really going well.
When we auditioned, it was done separately. He probably just walked in and they gave him the part, meanwhile I had two call backs before I was notified that I got it. Where sometimes there’s chemistry checks and the leads have to read lines together to make sure their connection works, we didn’t get that. He was busy shooting another movie, so I guess they booked us with the hope that we’d be good together. Now here we are, unable to talk to each other.
When the aroma of food makes its way down the hall and into the room, my stomach growls, reminding me it’s been hours since I’ve last eaten. With a sigh, I get out of bed and make a stop in the bathroom. After washing my hands, I look in the mirror and push my long strands out of my face, slicking them back. My beard needs a bit of a trim, but I’m not worried about it right now. I’ll have to change my appearance for filming, so I’ll wait until then.
With a deep breath, I step into the hall. “What’s cookin’, good lookin’?”
When I enter the living room area, Jacoby is already facing the hall, his brows raised. “What?”
I laugh. “You’ve never heard that saying?”
He turns back to the stove. “I’m making chili.”
“Ooh, that sounds good,” I say, making my way closer so I can peek over his shoulder.
He angles his head to level me with a stare. “Do you mind?”
