Page 13 of In Love with Lewis Prescott
The show is currently on hiatus since my firing, which means none of the crew are working or getting paid, and that thought morphs my dread into guilt. It settles like a giant thorn at the pit of my stomach.
Katie finally texts back.
I’m hanging in there. We all are.
I’ve worked with Katie on and off for the past handful of years. She’s one of the few genuine friends I’ve made in this business. To think that she and everyone else on the show could lose their jobs as a result of me going after Darren makes me sick to my stomach. Katie has a wife and a daughter. Almost all of the crew have partners or children or both to support...
I start to type a response but stop when I can’t think of anything helpful to say. A second later she texts again.
Katie: Don’t feel bad, okay? It’s not your fault things turned out this way.
Katie: You stood up for us—you defended us. That means a lot. We all think so.
Thanks.That knot in my stomach loosens. Katie always seems to be able to read my mood over text, and I’m grateful for it. But it doesn’t erase that feeling hanging over me like a cloud—the feeling that I tried to help them and failed miserably, and that Darren is still getting away with every horrible thing he’s done.
Me: How’s the rest of the crew doing?
Katie: Okay for the most part. Everyone is putting feelers out to see what kind of work they’d be able to get in case things at the show don’t pick back up, but we’re kind of in a holding pattern until the higher-ups make a final decision about the hiatus.
Katie: We’ve met a couple times to see what options we have about reporting Darren’s behavior, but no one feels comfortable enough to do anything right now, especially after what happened with you.
Me: I get it. I’m sorry.
Me: I know I’m technically MIA, but whatever you all decide to do, I’m here to support you.
Katie: Thanks, Lewis. That means a lot.
Katie: How’s the hiding out going?
Me: So far, so good. I ended up some place quiet near the ocean.
Katie: Sounds pretty.
Harper’s beautiful face materializes in my mind. Those inquisitive dark brown eyes, the way she gestures when she talks, the way her mouth always looks like she’s fighting a smile. When I open my eyes, I realize that I’m smiling now too.
I type a response.
It’s really pretty actually.
Sure, camping out in the home of a person I met two days ago for the next three months is beyond nuts. If someone had told me a week ago that this would be my living situation for the foreseeable future, I’d have laughed and said they were full of shit. I’m the kind of guy who takes forever to warm up to a new person. But with Harper, it justfeelsright. It feels comfortable to be around her. And that counts more than anything else right now. She’s honest, she doesn’t have an agenda to push—all she cares about is fixing up her grandparents’ house and volunteering. That makes her a damn angel in my book. Around her, I don’t feel on edge or like I have to have my guard up, like I do with so many of the Hollywood types I’m surrounded by. And because of that, I trust her.
As much as I wish I weren’t in this mess, I’m grateful for the reprieve that Harper is giving me. Spending the next three months fixing up this house is the perfect way to keep myself busy. No one knows that I’m here, not even my agent, Trent. It’s the perfect hiding spot and the perfect amount of time for people to mostly forget about my firing and my drunken tirade without slipping into oblivion completely.
I start to walk up the driveway and see another text from Katie.
I know it’s tough right now, but your adoring fans still love you. Have you seen all the love you’ve been getting on social media?
She sends me screenshots from Twitter.
Paparazzi are scum. #teamlewis all the way #welovelewisprescott
Lewis was totally justified in going off on those paparazzi a$$holes for harassing him. They’re the lowest of the low #teamlewis
Sad that Lewis is gone from The Best of It, but I’m a fan of his forever! Can’t wait for his next project! #teamlewis4eva
Hope Lewis is doing okay on his hiatus. Can’t wait till he’s back, love him soooo much <3 #lovelewis #teamlewis
By the time I finish skimming the tweets, I’m smiling so wide, my cheeks hurt. This business is killer with the inconsistent work, long hours, sporadic filming schedules, and dealing with intrusive reporters and paparazzi. But the one bright spot has been my fans. They’ve been so supportive of me and my work over the years, and it’s meant the world. Social media is my favorite way to connect with them—I have accounts on both Twitter and Instagram so I can like and comment on their posts.
