KARA AND I CHANGED clothes, and Rafael wanted to meet us after we got dressed. He had a private room set up as his temporary office. He brought us in and closed the door. I could tell that Kara wasn’t sure what was going on.
“Kara, I wanted to thank you for letting me work with you again. When the ads and commercials hit, you’re going to be in demand. I have two jobs in late January that you’d be perfect for, my only concern is whether your fee is going to be too high.”
“Do you need a guy for the shoots?” Kara asked.
“Yes, but I have Skip Chapman and Tony Willis tentatively lined up,” he answered. He turned to me. “After this, I’d prefer David for both. My only concern is that the two of you might get pushed together as a couple. I’d hate for it to limit your opportunities later.”
Kara shook her head.
“David brings out the best in me. If you can work it, I want him. You also know he’ll require the resale rights. Is that going to be a problem?”
“No, it actually helps my immediate budget because he gives me a break on his upfront cost. To your first point, I agree. You two did some outstanding work the last three days. I’ve enjoyed working with you both,” Rafael said as he got a smirk. “I even got to help the poor boy lose his erections, at least a few times.”
Kara burst out laughing when she saw the horror on my face.
“Sorry about that,” Rafael continued. “I never do that, but I needed to get you to focus.”
“I guess I survived. In the future, maybe we can take a quick break and I work on the ‘issue’ myself?”
“What’s the fun in that?” Rafael pouted.
Kara about fell out of her chair, and I just gave each of them a look that said I wasn’t going for it.
“I was planning on taking January off from modeling. I also have school. They’re already looking at me because of the days I’ve been missing. If I miss too much, they’ll hold me back, or I’ll have to switch to homeschooling.”
“How about we push one to the end of January and one the first week of February? They’re both two-day shoots, and I can get them done in the States because they’re both studio work,” Rafael said with a grin.
“Okay, I can deal with that. If you get Kara signed, I’m in. I’ll let Kendal know to expect your call. I may also have the studio for you at Hill Marketing. They have several different sizes of studios,” I added.
“Shouldn’t you go through Ford?” Rafael asked.
“Nope, our deal is if they find me the work, I go through them. If I have to find it, then I go through Kendal. They still get a small piece, but not as much as if they actually did some work.”
“If you say so. Clare told me to contact her if I wanted you for a project,” Rafael said to cover his butt.
“I bet she did,” I said. Then I added, “Look, if it would hurt your relationship with Ford, then don’t call Kendal. Just make up the difference in my fee.”
Rafael laughed.
“Hell no! They can be mad at me. I have a budget for each of these jobs, and you being reasonable helps me. I have a diva that I have to sign who’s going to demand top dollar.”
Kara swatted his arm.
“Tell you what, Smarty-Pants: I’ll let you play with his package if you pay me more money.”
“What! You better not, Princess. I know where you live,” I complained.
Kara and Rafael couldn’t hold it in any longer. I could tell this was going to become a good partnership, working with these two.
WHEN I CAME OUT OF the meeting, Kendal grabbed me. I told her to expect a call from Rafael. She didn’t react like I thought she would. She just shrugged.
“What did Clare tell you? She wants to change your contract, and Tracy’s acting weird. What happened yesterday?” Kendal asked.
I tried to give her the Cliff Notes version, but it soon became apparent I needed to give Kendal the full story. She took notes while we talked. I also told her that Kara would be calling her and why. She just shook her head.
“God, you’re a jerk. I even roomed with her and I didn’t think to talk to her about any of that. I know I joke about you getting me fired, but I need to do a better job of recognizing opportunities.”
If she hadn’t been smiling, I would have thought she was worried. Then she hit me with the bombshell.
“Deb called Tom and told him you and Tracy needed to break up. I guess Tom talked to Tracy about it. She’s upset about the whole thing. Tom sent her a plane ticket and she went home this morning. I was told to tell you that you’re now single and that Tom would talk to you when you get back,” Kendal said.
I was not a happy boy.
“Tracy said you shouldn’t be mad at her dad because it was her choice. Tom just told her what Deb said, and she made the decision. Tracy said it was best for both of you, she’s too young to have a serious boyfriend.”
I looked at Kendal in disbelief. I could tell that she was telling the truth.
“Are my bags and car here?” I asked in a monotone.
“Yes. Can I get a ride to the airport?” Kendal asked.
“Sorry, I need to process this,” I said as I walked out. I stopped at the door. “Tell Kara goodbye and why I didn’t tell her myself. I’m turning off my phone for at least a day, so don’t bother calling me.” I found the car and went to the airport.
I WAS NUMB WHEN I GOT to the airport. I tried to call Tracy, but she’d turned her phone off. I didn’t know whether to be sad or pissed, so I didn’t leave a message. I found that Sandy had upgraded me to first class.
I talked the flight attendant into giving me a second Coke before takeoff. I’d finished the first one off when a gorgeous blond in her early twenties sat down beside me. She looked familiar. I was wondering if she was another model when she introduced herself.
“Sunny Skye,” she said as she offered her hand.
“Is that your porn name?” I asked without thinking.
She just rolled her eyes.
“Mine is Dick Long. I think everyone should have one ready, just in case.”
About that time the flight attendant came back to flirt with me. I introduced her to Sunny.
“Mandy, this is Sunny Skye. Have you seen any of her movies?”
“Of course I have. Sunny, if David gives you a hard time, send him my way and I’ll keep him occupied,” Mandy said.
I did a double take and I suddenly realized that Sunny Skye was a former child star who was now a reporter for one of the nightly gossip shows. I hit my forehead.
“Shit, I am such an ass. I’m sorry about the whole porn thing ... unless you want to make one,” I said as I waggled my eyebrows.
Both Mandy and Sunny cracked up. Thank goodness, that didn’t go over badly.
“David told me that his porn name is Dick Long. Do you think he’s just wishing, or is it true?” Sunny asked.
“Oh, hell, just bring me another drink and one for Sunny, please,” I offered.
“I’ll have what he’s having. He seems like he’s having fun,” Sunny replied to my offer.
Mandy came back.
“So, which is it?” she asked.
“I’ll let you know,” Sunny said.
Sunny took a sip of her drink and almost spit it on me.
“Jesus, David, at least get diet. Are you trying to kill me?”
“Yep, that’s the plan. I had my girlfriend dump me today because my agent thought it would be a good idea. So killing you is high on my to-do list.”
“Really, do tell.”
I looked at Sunny.
“Double shit. Are you going to tell the world my woman problems?”
She thought about it for a moment.
“I’ll tell you what: everything is off the record for the duration of the flight. When we get to the terminal, you promise to give me an interview,” she offered. She raised her glass, “Here’s to hoping you spill your guts when we get there so you’ll get me on the air.”