Page 12 of Sidelined By Love

“So, are you going to call your agent?”

I pull my feet up on my chair and hug my knees to my chest. “That door has closed.”

She doesn’t even bother to look over her shoulder. “Have you knocked?”

“But what if they say no?”

“Then you’ll be exactly where you are now. It’s not like you’ve never been turned down for a role before.”

I know she’s right, but it doesn’t change the violent twist in my stomach. Or the strange hope bubbling in my chest. I snatch up my phone and trot to my room before I can talk myself out of it and hear Nan mumble something that sounds a lot like, “Good girl.”

I dial Cyndi on my way, closing the door on Bronco just as she answers.

“Zoe, doll. How are you? Where are you?” Her voice is chipper if throaty. She may have kicked her pack-a-day habit a few years ago, but the damage was done, and she always sounds like a Boston fisherman.

I don’t bother answering her questions—mostly because I don’t think she really wants to know the answers. Instead, I plow forward. “I heard about the Cortez football script. I want to audition.”

Cyndi snorts. “Oh, Zoe. You know that’s not going to happen.”

“Please. I can do this part.” I’ve never had to beg for a role in my life. Not even my first one. I’ve auditioned and either been selected or not. And a few times I’ve been given the part because the director asked for me personally. It smarts that I can’t even get in front of the casting director.

“So can a dozen other pretty actresses. Ones not shrouded in scandal.”

That stings worse, and I let out a breathy grunt.

“Honey.” She tries to soothe her statement. “It’s just not going to happen. They need someone likeable, someone like Reese or Jen. Someone audiences want to root for.”

I used to be that actress. If not America’s Sweetheart, at least her best friend. Now all anyone wants to know is the very worst about me.

But I know I have more to offer than that. Nan knows there’s more, too. And I’m pretty sure that even Bronco knows that mistake is not the sum total of who I am.

Only I need a chance to prove it.

“You have to find me a way to get another chance. I need that script, and I need an audition. That role is made for me.”

“Because of your dad and the football team?”

“No.” I take a stabilizing breath. “Because I’m the underdog now, and I won’t stay down.”

“Whoa.” I can hear the smile in Cyndi’s voice. It’s probably because I sound as plucky as she does. “All right. But if I can call in a few favors and get you the audition, you can’t blow it.”

I won’t.

I just need some help to get ready.

Five

Grant

I’m not taking the same route that I have the last two mornings for any particular reason. It’s just the path with the best sidewalks and most streetlights.

And I can’t afford to twist an ankle on my morning run.

Guster yanks on his leash. Smart mutt probably knows that I’m trying to rationalize this particular course. And hoping for at least a passing glance of Zoe Peebles.

Even in her oversized flannel pants and would-be cape, that woman is the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. Sure, I’ve caught a few of her movies over the years. And she’s pretty on screen—all dolled up in her costumes, hair and makeup done. And she wears a cocktail dress at the team Christmas parties better than anyone else there.

But I didn’t know how beautiful she could be until I saw her in the moonlight, not a stitch of makeup on, chasing that ear-dragging hound.

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