Accidental Action Star by Emily Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

a co-host because Mom had said it was the only way she’d agree to an extended season. Mom wanted me for the job. And I wanted Mom to give up on me. Marissa was the perfect answer. I scanned my phone and checked the door again. “Wait. I have a backup plan.” My plan would so boost Marissa’s airtime.
    The door opened, and Garrett pushed through. “I hear I have a fan in the Scoop Out kitchen?” The camera swung to him.
    I relaxed, and Marissa gaped. I motioned to the camera operator. He wheeled forward to get a good shot of Marissa’s open mouth.
    Garrett winked.
    Marissa blushed. “What are you doing here?”
    “I’m your guest host.” Garrett held out his palm. “I require the tasting spoon,” he demanded in a serious tone.
    The director handed it to the Scottish movie star. Mouth agape, she turned to me.
    I gave her a thumbs’ up, hoping she wouldn’t protest the surprise. She usually rolled with things. And this was a positive thing. A big movie star on a TV show. Ratings would soar.
    The director grinned and returned my thumbs up with both hands. She motioned for the cameras to move in tight.
    Good. She was a go then.
    Garrett gushed over Marissa’s dish and then went to Cal, Will, and Gert’s stations. He insulted them to high hell.  He went so far, Marissa had to step in. Her hosting kicked butt. I couldn’t wait for Mom to catch this. Her answer for a co-host was right here, if only she’d give up on me.
    Sharp claps from the doorway interrupted the taping. Mom had arrived. She looked at me long and hard.
    I smiled.
    The director’s mouth twisted. “Places, people.” She gestured to the wall. “Marissa, Garrett, clean aprons, please. Garrett, you can join Marissa at her table.”
    Expressionless, Mom went around the room performing the tastings. “I have made my decision.” Mom proceeded to the main camera and took out one of her doggy bags. “Garrett, as guest host, will you join me?”
    Garrett squeezed Marissa’s arm and then moved to the front.
    Mom turned to face the camera. She framed the cowering dog with her hand. “Grandma Gert. You’ve been scooped out. Enjoy this at home because you can’t eat it here.”
    Gert gasped. Garrett smiled and gave Marissa a thumbs up.
    “Grandma Gert, please come to the front of the room and accept the doggy bag,” Mom said.
    The director stirred the air with her hand, cueing the remaining contestants to bark.
    Gert didn’t move.
    The director’s mouth tightened. “Hannah, help her out.” She waved her hand, and contestants continued barking. “Keep going, guys.”
    Enough already. I moved over to Grandma Gert’s table. “Sorry, Gert. Final four is incredible and should get you a book deal or have some cache with your agent. But you’ve been scooped out, so you have to go now.”
    Gert shook her head. She grabbed the end of my ponytail hard, pulling me up short. She raised her butcher knife. “You have Sara’s hair.”
    What the hell?
    Everyone froze. The barking stopped and the room fell silent. The cameraman zoomed in on me.
     

 

Chapter Six
     
    Gert smiled at the camera, her attention more on the potential media coverage than on the knife she held above me.
    These nuts on Scoop Out had gotten worse than the pranksters at the Art Department. And their greed for airtime rivaled Lorene’s.
    “Let go of my daughter,” Mom said, her voice tight.
    We didn’t advertise our connection and several contestants and crew looked surprised.
    Grandma Gert yanked hard, and my scalp burned. Enough with the drama. “Grandma Gert!” I turned to relieve the pressure but her hand tightened, holding me still.
    “Just going out with a bang, deary.” Gert’s breath was ashy from her cigarette break.
    Marissa eased toward us, palms out. “Not funny, Gert. Let her go.”
    Gert bared her teeth at the camera. “I’ll hang Sara’s hair from my apron like a raccoon tail. A prize.”
    Marissa waved her hands. “That’s not Sara’s hair. It’s