"Rob, we are out of here! I fulfilled our agreement, and the movie is out. I also appreciate living here and your friendship. You are a great guy, but we have to get on with our lives," Toby spoke to him clearly and directly, without sugarcoating his words.
"Sure, I understand I will miss both of you. I was hoping you would stay here after we leave. I hate leaving this house empty," Rob said, looking concerned about the whole situation.
"I can understand your concern, but I can't stay here," Toby said looking at Amy and then Missy. He could see that Amy has been crying and isn't that sad.
"Toby I'll leave I won't run you off. I'll be gone within the hour," Amy told him, getting up from the table.
Rob told him, "I planned to stay in Dallas until Tuesday and see how the ticket sales are going to decide if we need to ramp up the advertising. I saw what happened and understand your feelings completely. My next film we decided to have based here also so Alex, Devon, and I will be back probably in a month. We must find more financing for the new film.
It should be easy with the success of this film. Just stay here and at your leisure find a place. If you find one fine if not; I enjoy your company and hope to find you here when we return," Rob said dismissing the situation. Amy, who had been listening, burst into tears and ran to her room.
Rob got up and left the room not wanting to be in the drama.
"I told her she was a fool," Missy said looking to the hall she ran down.
Bobbie came out smiling and asked, "Breakfast?" as if nothing was wrong.
Travis called out, "Pancakes."
"Yes, please do the same for him and me," Toby said with a smile. He will still look for a house. "So, what are your plans?" Toby asked Missy.
"Mine? I will sit here with you and Travis and watch Amy leave. She is as stupid as the day is long. Then I will hope now that your aversion to skinny girls has been abated, you will finally look at me as someone you could be interested in," Missy told him with a sexy smirk and raised eyebrows.
"Why are you all crazy?" He asked and shook his head. Here he is dealing with one crazy girl, and she is coming on to him.
"I was given a taste of what you can do filming and would like to sample the rest of you."
"Missy you are a mess," Toby said, shaking his head at her absurdity.
"No, I know what I want, and I have wanted you from the moment I laid my eyes on you."
Toby looked at her like she was crazy. What was that all about? Is that some line from a movie she was in?
Bobbie brought out Travis' breakfast just in time, Toby was down to his last Cheerio. Waiting for her to finish tending to their needs, he wanted to finish with this conversation. Because if she is means what she has been saying. She is crazy. Setting his plate on the table Bobbie patted his arm and said, "There you go sweetie," and left the room just as Amy came out with a large suitcase rolling behind her making a racket the whole way. "I know you don't believe me, but I do love you," Amy told him, looking as if she was about to break down.
"Right, remember you signed a confidentiality contract. It was nice knowing you," Rob called out from the top of the stairs. He had changed into a suit and looked to be going out for the day.
The Marines flashed in his mind. They were coming today to talk to them. He was just waiting for Keith to call. Toby turned his attention to Rob. "Are you going to be gone long? The Marines asked to talk to us. They have another movie request."
"Yeah, so what is the problem," he asked, coming downstairs sounding like he didn't care.
"They aren't sure about the caliber of the film; they feel it is possibly a made-for-TV movie."
"Then don't do it is all I could tell them. Do you know the name of the director?"
"No, Keith didn't say," Toby told him.
"Well, I have a meeting with some money people in this town. I have no idea how long I'll be gone. They like how we promoted the town, in and around the movie. With any luck we will have some local cash in the next one," Rob said with a grin and his limo pulled up.
Amy stood by the door, hoping someone would stop her. Travis hadn't even called out for her; he just continued eating his breakfast. It became clear that she was not wanted there. She followed Rob out and waited for the Uber she had called. She had thought the opposite would happen. She realized she had been foolish. Deep down, she figured that it wouldn't last; they came from two different worlds. "Oh well," she sighed, sitting on her suitcase.
"Toby I'm not expecting you to jump from Amy to me. I have more respect for you than that. It is just an offer," Missy said when the household settled down and she noticed he hadn't said a thing to her.
*
Toby cocked his head a few times signaling for her to come down to his side of the table. Circling the table she ran her fingers through Travis' hair and sat next to Toby. He leaned towards her and asked. "Why are you crazy?"
"What, I saw you in the driveway and I can't get you out of my mind," she told him and placed her hand on his.
Toby's phone rang, after he answered, but before he could say a word he heard, "What the hell Toby I thought I was your friend."
Toby laughed, holding the phone away from his ear he replied. "It took you long enough. You meet someone new and spend all your time with him?"
"More like you dumped me on him and walked away and the next thing I know you're a frickin movie star."
"Well that teaches you a lesson Marcus, you should check in with your friends more often. I found a buddy, have you seen my movie yet?"
"No, I saw your picture on some billboard and almost had a wreck on the way to work. The pretty blond is what got my attention and then you're sitting next to her hugging her. The last I heard from you was your sob story about your kid."
"Yeah well, I still have him, and I have been in a movie. If you would have called a day earlier, you could have come to the premiere."
"Fancy man."
"Yep so what have you been doing," he asked as Missy hung on to his every word.
"Slowing down some, but same old same old," Marcus said.
"Sorry to hear that I'm here eating breakfast with Missy Collins so I'm doing much better than you. We should have dinner one day," Toby offered but Marcus knew it was BS.
"Yeah right like we have ever," Marcus complained.
"We all can change if we want to, you know. You don't even know who Missy Collins is, do you?"
"Am I supposed to?"
"She is the blonde on the poster. Go watch the movie and you will see her. Call me back after," Toby said and pressed his red button.
"I take it he is an old running buddy," Missy asked, still smiling from the conversation.
"Yes, and I had no idea he was so uninformed when it came to pop culture. But then I had no idea who you were either."
"Yeah, you were kind of clueless. I hope I don't look like a porn star," she said with a laugh.
"I wouldn't know I don't watch porn. Why men do it is beyond me. It is much better to just find a woman and make your own porn," Toby teased as he stood. Looking over at his son he realized that Travis now required another bath.
Sitting on the floor in Travis' bathroom as he played in the tub Toby called Louise.
"Thanks for trying to save me, but Rob asked me to stay. He doesn't want the house empty, and Amy left for good a few minutes ago. Rob is leaving next week for a few weeks, and it will be just Missy and me for now. Anyway, I'll be there soon to visit.
I'm going to start house hunting I hope Monday, so no big deal, but I was hoping to see you today. Are you busy?
"No, you know this time of year is slower. So yes, come and see us. Your plugs helped but it is still slow."
"Ok let me get this guy ready and we will be there soon," Toby told her.
*
Toby pulled up to the store and could see people moving around in the store, so she had customers which is good. Travis squealed he knew where he was, he was kicking his feet wanting to get out. The frigid air hit them as they got out of the truck. Three days ago, it was in the seventies and now it's thirty something. Texas weather he thought as he hustled Travis towards the store.
He was walking sure footed as Toby helped him make the step up to the sidewalk. His lip was mostly healed, and the bruising was only a shade of yellow. Both were smiling as they stepped into the store. His phone began to ring as he opened the door. The chime tinkled on the door heralding his coming. Alli looked out from the customer service desk and shook her head no. Travis saw her calling out, "Al e" and charged towards her.
That head shake made Toby search the store for a problem and he found it. The four people at the desk turned and Toby saw Candace, her parents, and he figured her dumb ass brother. And it was too late Travis was halfway across the room racing to meet up with Alli and they were all watching him. Alli stepped out from behind the desk quickly scooping him up and backed away from everyone. She was prepared to make a run for the back door if needed. Travis was smiling cupping her face repeating his version of her name as the family watched.
"I'm assuming you're here for me. What can I do for you," Toby asked as they all turned to him bringing their attention away from Travis.
Candace said, "We went to the premier last night. We wanted to tell you how much we liked it."
"You could have dropped a card in the mail," Toby told them, taking the baby from Alli.
Candace smiled, and said, "Yeah I was shocked when I walked into a patient room and there you were on The View charming the ladies. That one told me," she pointed at Alli, "you were making a movie and I didn't believe her."
"Yeah well that one isn't a liar, and I can be charming. What do you want, coming out here in force," his eyes darting from one set of eyes to another making a wide loop on his way to the hall to Louise's office. "You the brother," Toby asked as if it was an accusation. All he got was a nod of his head. He wondered if that dumb ass was trying to be a doctor too.
"The same thing I have wanted for months now, to see my son," Candace said, looking at him happily playing with the girls as Liz and Alli were flanking him. Louise opened her door waiting for him to come to her.
"Well you see that is a problem, he was nine months old when I got sole custody of him, so you have no claim on him at all. Which you have acknowledged already. So, you have no son and as you can see, he is healthy, strong and wants for nothing.
We live in a twenty thousand square foot home, with a maid, and a chef who makes us breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. So, you can see we are fine. Don't worry about him. Be happy and leave us alone. Good day," he said and went to Louise. She quickly closed the door on the whole group.
"I tried to call you," Louise complained.
"I was at the door already and figured you were calling to see when I was coming,"
"They have only been here a few minutes. I didn't realize it was them. That Candace had lost so much weight she didn't look the same. When I put two and two together it was too late."
"Yeah I noticed. I hope they will leave us alone now that she has seen him. Toby said, turning his attention to the monitors. He watched them talking to Liz and Alli both smiled on and off as they talked. Alli laughed at something the brother said. They finally left after a few minutes Toby stepped out of the office.
"So, what was that all about?" He asked, sounding betrayed by them.
"Calm down Toby, we were talking about the movie. They loved it and are sorry for this whole mess. Candace said Travis was adorable and would leave you alone," Alli told him.
"I sure hope she will," Toby said, he could have such luck. "The TV installer turned out better than she thought he would."
"Louise told us about your reaction to Amy. I'm sorry about Amy. I told her she was playing with fire when she started flirting with that guy," Alli told him. Looking at the pain in his eyes. Another one bites the dust.
"You know she always assumed you would move on without her. I think she did this on purpose," Liz told him.
"Then why did she scream and cry and ask for forgiveness."
"Missy called to warn us of your mood," Liz told him.
"I can't figure out women," he complained, and then he has Missy who wants to step into her shoes. Or should he say his bed? His phone rang as Travis ran past him. Pulling it out Mike was calling he had been so excited about this movie that you would think he was in it. "Yeah Mike don't you ever take a day off," Toby teased.
"Not often. I have an offer," Mike told him.
"Yeah, what?"
"It's an Alien sequel."
"Is that the one Keith and the others have been talking about?" he asked and then listened.
"No, this is a high-budget Alien movie."
"So, I would be fighting Aliens, haven't they worked that sequel to death."
"Yeah, I thought so also, but this one is a thousand years in the future here on Earth. They want you to come to LA to meet with them," Mike told him and told him the plot to the movie.
"LA figures, LA, New York, and Paris love to destroy those cities," Toby teased. "OH yeah, Tokyo, Godzilla gets them," Toby said and laughed.
"Yeah, so it is an offer," Mike told him. He wasn't sure if he was in a bad mood or not interested in his humor.
"And they called you today?" Toby asked.
"Yeah just a few minutes ago. It is a good offer. They were impressed with your movie. Apparently, the director just saw it and wants you."
"How did they see it already? It's not even noon in LA?"
"Director's favor, if a known director asks, they will send it out just like the talk shows. He loved what he saw and wants you for his film. They have been looking and thought you would be perfect for the part. Kind of like Rob."
Louise walked closer to hear what was going on because this call had his attention big time.
"They will pay ten million for eight months' work," Mike told him.
"How much," he said in a high-pitched voice.
"Now you're paying attention," Mike teased.
"Yeah, that got my attention."
"Points?" he asked looking up at Louise.
"5% on top of that, not too bad," Mike finished off the offer telling him the plot. He worked hard for that 5% they wanted to give 3 and he talked him up to 5. They will get 10% of the 5 so everything helps.
"Yeah, let me talk to Momma and I will call you back. There have to be jobs for the Marines in that movie right, make it a package deal," Toby asked if he really would feel more comfortable with them on set helping him kill aliens, Toby thought as he hung up.
"Another movie?" Louise asked.
"Yes, a sequel to the Alien franchise. They make it to Earth and my people fight them to save Earth from devastation. They will pay ten million and 5% for me to do the movie. So, I guess you got you, they got me. How can I pass that up?"
"I heard LA is where they are shooting it," Alli asked.
"He said all over, there was actually no set place where they had to film, here is as easy as LA and they could use film stock for the backgrounds if needed."
"Does that mean you have to cut your hair again," Alli asked. The look in her eyes made sure he knew she was teasing. As usual, she was getting up in his business.
"For ten million I'll cut my hair off completely."
"Well, the reviews from the paper are great, they gave it an A plus and went on and on about the local boy doing good," Alli told him and brought the paper for him to read. She is excitedly waiting for the entertainment magazines to come out this week. She will probably go out and buy them all.
"That was very nice of them," Toby said as he sat in what used to be his favorite chair. Apparently, she has a new batch of chairs for this year. He settled in as Travis came giggling and toddling towards him as Alli was threatening to tickle him. Climbing into the chair barely sparing his daddy's boys he hugged his chest and relaxed against him.
The noon news was coming on and they flashed the movie title as Alli turned it up.
"Shattered Dreams opened with a stunning premiere last night with the stadium packed to capacity with excited fans. Everyone who's anyone was there," said the excited announcer and they showed the red carpet and many people walking inside. They had Missy looping her arm around Toby's arm, both smiling, and the newscaster was almost giddy with excitement as she talked about how good an actor he was. They showed the short clip and ended the segment with 'GO SEE IT'.
*
"They already have a YouTube page, no, four pages with dozens of clips of you and the different shows you were on, and in the favorites page they have the Trailer of the movie with fifty-seven million hits,' Liz announced from behind the desk.
"Now do you believe it is good?" Louise asked walking over to join him in another soft leather chair.
"Sure, but do I want to do another?"
"Oh, I don't know, six months and ten million dollars, hum that is a hard one," Alli quipped back.
*
Toby called Mike back.
"Yeah I know it was quick to tell them yes but ask about the Marines they will be great monoliths behind me. We can pretend to fight and die well, and Bart does a good wounded fall.
They haven't committed to that other one, have they?"
"Yes, but it is only a few weeks next month," Mike told him.
"Ok, find out and call us all back."
"Ok, I hope this should work out well for you," Mike said.
"No, thank you, we all may get rich."
"Looks like you already will with this first film. It is doing so well let's see how the totals are,"
"I know we are getting very good reviews," Toby told him.
"Well let me make my calls."
"Sure, let me know. Bye."
Tapping the phone to his head he was thinking, and he said. "He'll call when he knows something. He will also let me know when the box office totals come in and he'll push for the Marines. The new movie starts filming in May."
"Good, you have some time to figure out your life. Do you want to buy a house just to leave it in a few months? You have to find a new nanny and she has to be strong," Louise offered, and Toby laughed holding his heavy lump on his chest as he slept. Something about his heart beating pulls him out every time.
Travis didn't appreciate the jostling, but he could fall asleep in seconds on his daddy's chest.
His phone rang and Toby quickly answered. He didn't want Travis waking up, yet he had worn them all out already. "Hey Keith,"
"You and Rob enjoying the glow of the reaction to your movie," he asked.
"Yes, but he isn't in right now," Toby told him.
"So, no coming by to talk?" Keith asked.
"No, he is out trying to raise money for the next movie."
"Ok, I understand, are you in it?"
"No, I'm not in it, but I may have another movie offer and told Mike to see if they need you guys too."
"Oh, thanks when?"
"May, and it's an Alien-sequel movie here on Earth. Yes, we will fight the Aliens," Toby offered.
"Oh, sounds good, we get to kill something," Keith said, sounding a little hesitant.
"I know it sounds fun running around killing things."
"Make-believe ones." He reminded me.
"True, some green screen monster, but it pays well. Are the other guys there?" He asked if the whole conversation was intermixed with laughter in the background.
"OH yeah, we hang together most days."
Toby began to laugh listening to the banter in the background.
The girls are so glad to hear him laugh, after Missy's call, they thought it was going to be, see my life sucks, gloom, and doom. Candace's family was here when he arrived, yet he acts as if it doesn't matter. Louise is amazed at how much he has changed in the last eight months. She knows having sole custody of Travis made the difference with the Masters' clan.
*
Customers came in so everyone got busy as Toby kept talking, but much quieter. A few people looked at him as if they knew him somehow. Alli wished they had the trailer and could play it all day long on a loop. They could point out he used to work here. It is too difficult to try and talk about him just out of the blue. That bothers Alli because he is one of her favorite subjects. She likes to remind everyone she called it when he walked in the first time looking for a job. He is a movie star and a good one at that.
As Toby hung up with Keith, he told Louise they told him they were taking the cheap movie just to keep working. Teasing him they didn't make as much as he does per movie. Their small part would be over easily by March."
*
Keith was the crazy one of the group. He told him about the movie in Georgia they hadn't seen Missy at all. They were playing mountain men trying to keep the law from finding the man who killed her. They had fun and caused a little trouble in town but didn't get arrested, so all is good. The director was pleased with their work, and they all had talking parts. They made some pretty good money on that film. In Toby's movie, they talked but mainly bantered back and forth to each other not for the camera. Just background noise and country boys at the bar who make a scene. Again, they were in the group of seven with banter and then the mock bar fight. They didn't make much with that one, but they got their foot in the door.
Toby relaxed, rethinking the conversation when he heard Alli telling someone, "Yes he was working here when they discovered him. You should see his movie. It is so good."
"Hey, Alli, stop telling people my life story," Toby called out sounding frustrated.
"Sorry Toby, I'm just proud of you."
"Thanks, and I love you too," Toby told her, again relaxing back. He would go to Louise's office if she had a chair like this one in there.
Louise patted his arm. "She is just proud."
"I know but she needs to stop talking about me," Toby complained.
"That will never happen, at least it is all good. I'm wondering how long it will be before some of those women who you dumped come out and start trying to trash you just for their fifteen seconds of fame."
"What, we had sex, and I never came back for more? What are they going to say I was crappy in the sack? Well, aren't they lucky I didn't come back for more. It would surprise me if they did. Some may come out and say how great I was, not the other way around. Maybe they will try to make something out of nothing."
"I hope you're right, but women can be vindictive."
"They would get more attention talking me up then down. Don't you think? Plus, Louise there aren't that many women. Alli has me out every weekend scoring and that didn't happen."
"Well, you can hope you left a good impression with them all. What about the stalker girl?"
"She was in love with me, and I spent a lot of time talking to her but told her no more sex. She could be a problem, but I can work around her if needed." Toby shook his head and felt all the tension come back to his body. "Why didn't you bring this kind of stuff up before the movie?"
"Well it didn't occur to me then, it just occurred to me now, sorry. Aren't you the one with so much time on your hands?"
"I'm not thinking about old flings. I'm thinking about new ones. Amy wasn't even out the door when Missy came on to me."
Louise turned and looked at him. "Ok, so what are you going to do?"
"Good question. With Amy, she just showed up in my bed and I thought hell yes. Louise, I liked that girl and asked her to commit to me."
"I could tell you liked her, maybe that scared her because she is young."
"She was not that young, just stupid according to her. She thought I would get jealous. Sure did, so jealous I never want to see her again, she is out of there. I would have never done that to her. It just shows me she didn't know me at all," Toby lamented proving how much he misses her.
"Was it just a kiss?"
"No, Louise she was making out with him, lip lock, touchy hands, for quite a few seconds before I walked away. There was a lot of laughing, smiling, and touching like long-lost lovers. Sure, he was cute but so am I," Toby whined.
She could hear how much she hurt him. No matter how he claims he isn't looking for a family, he is. She doesn't know how he is when no one is around, but he didn't deserve this from her. If how he explained the situation to her is true. Because she has heard some whopper lies from her sons, so you never know for sure.
"You know what you need, is a movie poster so you can just point at me and tell them my life story," Toby told Alli as she came to have her sales slip approved.
"That would be helpful, or get better known so everyone knows your name," she quipped. "Maybe you should get some movie passes and we can give them out with each sale."
She scooted away quickly knowing Travis sleeping was her only defense otherwise he would be tickling her to tears. For someone who hated to feel ribs he sure does know how to dig into them, she thought and quickly returned to her customer.
*
More customers came in and one of the women knew who he was immediately. Stepping right next to Toby's knee she was talking about the premiere and how good the movie was. She told him she saw him on The View and knew the store and took a chance he might be here. Alli stood back and watched her. They had seen her come in and look around several times before.
Liz was taking care of the other people who came in with her, but they didn't seem to be with her. The problem was she was exactly the type of woman he was attracted to. She was a size twelve, or fourteen dark-haired, beautiful, fit but thick, and very much the Robyn Lawley type. So, this will be interesting, Alli thought watching them from the customer service desk.
"Hello," Toby said as she slipped into the chair next to him,
"Yes hello. I'm just so excited to meet you. Is this your son? He is so cute, look at those curly locks, you said he was big but my goodness he is huge. My sister has a son who is sixteen months old and is half that size," she said and ran her hand over his back. Travis arched like a cat at her touch and slept on.
"Yeah, I have been told he is big for his age. It's nice to meet you. I'm Toby and you?"
"Oh yes, I'm Abby. I live close by and took a chance I'd find you here. You talked so fondly of this place I hoped you would stop by after your big triumph last night. The movie was wonderful," she told him with her perfectly straight teeth and her sparkling green eyes. Why do so many girls with dark hair have green eyes, Toby wondered, as she went on about the movie excitedly.
Catching a chance to speak as she took a breath Toby said, "Well thanks I enjoyed making it," trying to be dismissive.
"Oh yes I'm sorry I have intruded on your time," slipping a business card from her coat pocket she sat it on his knee she said, "If you ever need a sitter or company call me," She smiled and left.
"Well that was an invitation if I ever heard one," Louise said and patted his hand again.
"Yep, but she was pretty," he said, turning to see where she went.
"And bold and probably trouble," she offered.
Picking up her card he read Abrielle Fleshier, her Twitter name, Facebook, phone number, and a half a dozen happy emoji.
"Well at least she is smart enough to not give her home address," Toby said, wondering how many of these she gives out daily. He flicked the card with his finger and dropped it in his shirt pocket. He couldn't tell if she was fifteen or twenty-five but lord, she was his type. Oh, hell does he even have a type anymore as Amy's body flashed in his mind.
"Tell me about your Leila," Toby asked.
"My Leila is too young for you," Louise told him, sounding very protective.
"Chill Mom," he said, sounding frustrated. "I know that I was thinking about babysitters, if I ever want to go out without him."
"Well it could be only in the evening and not too late she has school or the weekends. She told me how much you gave her. That was ridiculous, but I told her to keep it. She could use it her father lost his oil company job recently and money is tight. I expect to see their house going up for sale soon."
"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. So, she could use the work, right?"
"Yes, but she is in high school."
"Louise, I'm not looking to seduce her. I just need someone when this new movie starts. She could work the summer and have plenty to use for college if that is where she wants to go. If you're concerned, find me someone who is ugly and cranky, but good with kids and strong."
"Funny, I'll see what she thinks, but Toby she is young."
"I can control myself, you know."
"Well prove me wrong because you haven't so far," Louise said, sounding concerned for Leila.
"You're so wrong, I could have sex with dozens of women during the shoot and I didn't. You girls think I'm a sex maniac and I'm not. Even when Marcus and I went out, as he called it hunting, most of the time I left alone, no one caught my attention. I could have brought many women home, but I was not just looking for sex," Toby explained.
"I know baby you're looking for a connection no matter how you claim you don't want a family, but you do."
"Yeah, I guess that is why I get so upset when I think I have found one."
"You will find her just don't rush it. That can scare away lots of women," Louise instructed.
"Now I can understand that before all this, but now I have money and the ability to make more."
"And so damn handsome that no woman thinks she can keep you," Louise offered.
"You really think women think that?" Toby asked for a better idea of how women think from her.