TO HAVE & HAVE NOT

34

Olivia

I paced my dressing room, anxiety coursing through me with each step as I called Tommy's phone over and over again.

Finally, the door swung open, and he barged in, urgency radiating from his every movement as he rushed to my side. Without hesitation, his hands found their place on my shoulders, forcing me to stand still while he meticulously assessed my demeanor. "What happened?" he asked, concern etched across his features.

Deeply, I choked out, "Carlos and I broke up."

His brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face as he asked, "You're upset over this?"

I shook my head vehemently, frustration bubbling within me. "No, I'm upset because Johnny saw it all unfold," I confessed, the weight of my emotions spilling out. The memory of the confrontation haunted me: "Carlos called me a slut. I retaliated by saying he was only where he was in this industry because of me."

The shame and humiliation washed over me again as I recalled how Johnny had been outside his dressing room, casually smoking a cigarette, his gaze locked onto the entire spectacle as it played out. "We made eye contact," I said, almost in disbelief, "He watched the whole thing, Tommy."

Tommy enveloped me in a tight embrace, granting me a fleeting sense of safety amidst the chaos. "At least you're out of that relationship. You'd outgrown it anyways," he reassured me, "And I don't think Johnny is going to think you're a slut."

The question lingered in the air, heavy and judgmental. "Am I?" I ventured, looking up into Tommy's eyes, which held a mix of protectiveness and determination.

His expression twisted in confusion, "Are you what?" he replied, the weight of my question hanging between us.

With vulnerability flaring in my voice, I pressed on, "Be honest, am I a slut? You know what I've had to do to get here... does that make me a slut?"

Tommy's hands cradled my face, grounding me, as he implored, "Listen to me, Olivia. I don't want you ever to repeat this. Do you understand me? Don't even entertain such thoughts in your mind. Carlos was nothing before you, and he'll be mediocre after you."

His words hung in the air like a lifeline, forcing me to reconsider the narrative I had woven around my self-worth.

"Oh my God, Johnny texted me!" I couldn't contain my excitement as I shouted across the dressing room, instantly grabbing Tommy's attention.

His head snapped in my direction, and I could see the curiosity burning in his eyes. "What did he say?" he asked, leaning in closer as if the words from my phone could magically reveal some grand mystery.

My heart raced as I glanced between the glowing screen of my phone and Tommy's eager face, trying to absorb the reality of this unexpected connection. "He asked if I wanted to hang out," I said, unable to hold back my smile.

"Yes, you do," Tommy exclaimed, his voice rising with delight. "Say yes, you do!"

The urgency in his words made me chuckle softly, and without hesitating, my fingers danced across the keyboard, typing out the simple yet potent affirmation of "yes" before pressing send as if sealing my fate.

"You don't think he wants to talk about what happened between Carlos and me?" I ventured, a hint of anxiety creeping into my voice.

"I doubt it," Tommy replied, trying to reassure me, but even he sounded unsure. "Even so, what's there to talk about?" he added, shrugging as if to brush away my worries.

"Now let's get you back to the hotel so you can get dressed for this date!" he declared, practically bouncing in his seat.

I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief, "It's not a date!" I protested, but Tommy shot me a side-eye that said he didn't believe me for a second, leaving me conflicted between my skepticism about the evening's intentions and the bubbling thrill of the unexpected possibilities ahead.

At the hotel, I quickly showered, letting the warm water wash away the day's stress. At the same time, Tommy expertly handled my hair and makeup, transforming me into a vision of effortless beauty with a soft, casual look that perfectly matched my mood.

After exchanging a warm hug and promising to call him as soon as I returned from my outing with Johnny, I threw on a retro Rolling Stones T-shirt, which brought a sense of nostalgia and comfort, pairing it with black shorts and white sneakers for that quintessential laid-back vibe.

Feeling only slightly nervous but mostly excited, I glanced in the mirror to admire the reflection staring back at me before heading down to the lobby and pushing through the grand front doors of the hotel. As soon as I stepped outside, a familiar voice greeted me: "Hello, Ms. Moore." Jeffery stood there with his ever-present warm smile, his eyes twinkling with genuine curiosity. "Are you off?" he asked, and I couldn't help but return his smile as I replied, "Going with a friend."

I noticed how his gaze lingered on me, taking in my transformation, and he said, "I've noticed you've been much happier lately. It's refreshing to see you this way, Ms. Moore." His words warmed my heart, solidifying the notion that perhaps I was in a better mental and emotional place.

As I was about to respond, a familiar voice rang behind me—"Slim!" I spun around, my heart racing as I spotted Johnny sitting in the driver's seat of the very same car we had used on set today.

A rush of excitement coursed through me, and my eyes lit up, my smile growing bigger than I thought possible. The anticipation of an evening spent with someone who made me feel so alive sent a thrill down my spine, and I took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever the night had in store for us.