Almost Everything

Chapter 34 - Hand to Hold

Lexie and Melissa are sitting in the limo with me outside the theater. Jackson needed to arrive at the premiere separately because of the stupid morals clause he signed. Lexie was prepping me for the questions the reporters would be throwing in my direction. None of the questions were about the movie. I have been out of the hospital for four months and everyone was trying to get me to interview with them about the shooting.

Jackson and I talked for days about what show we wanted to do. Erin Cruse was the only person we trusted with our story and we promised to do her show after our second wedding.

"Are you going to be okay?" Lexie asks with concern.

I nod at them as the door opens. I know that we are the last to arrive and I did that on purpose to get through the media line faster, hoping to avoid all invasive questions.

Melissa gets out of the car first, and we hear the crowd roar with excitement, they know her beautiful face by heart and know I'm inside this car. Lexie gets out next and waves for my bodyguard to come to the door. Aaron pops his head inside and asks if I'm ready.

"Guys, I'm fine," I tell them.

I step out of the limo and wave to the screaming fans calling my name. The pain in my ribs is minimal and I hurry to the crowd waiting for me. I try to take pictures with everyone and sign everything that is coming at me. I would be lying to say I didn't miss this. My fans and their support gave me the push to get through the evening. 

"I love you all. Thank you for all the support and love." I blow them a kiss as Lexie ushers me towards the line of media.

Jackson is ahead of me; he turns to give me the smirk I adore. I just made love to the man an hour earlier and he was still glowing. Hell, I was too. It was so good to be close to him again.

The first interviewer didn't waste any time, his first question was about the shooting and how I was dealing with it.

"I'm not going to answer that. The reason we are all here is for the premiere of This City Never Sleeps, and I happen to think it's a damn good movie." I smile politely.

"Jackson shared with us earlier that this is his favorite movie to date. He said that he wouldn't have been able to do the scenes with anyone else. The director shared that you guys had some hot and heavy chemistry on set. What is your take on the film and was it easier knowing Jackson going into this film?"

The man is professional, and I appreciate the change in subject.

"I think it was easier having known Jackson my entire life, there is definitely some level of comfort there, but on the other hand, it's also very nerving because he is my best friend. Acting in the scenes that we did, let's just say that I put all my trust in him." I smile with my answer.

The man blushes while he says the next thing.

"The little bit that we got to view is pretty intense. Do you think this will open the doors in Hollywood for more movies like this? You pushed the envelope with the ratings on this, do you see a future for these films?"

"I'm not sure. We live in such a sexually driven culture that I only think it's a matter of time. Underneath all the sex in the film, there is an amazing love story between the two main characters. It has been the most exciting, yet the scariest thing I've done in my career. Jackson is a fantastic actor with a wide-open future in front of him."

"Thank you, Avery."

"Thank you." I nod toward the camera and walk off the mark.

I hurry to finish my interviews because Jackson is waiting at the end of the media line for me. The part of the premiere where we both go blind is the photo line. When I get close, he grabs my hand and I feel him playing with my ring.