interview. Hed been unprepared to talk about his personal life, and when Letterman had asked him if wedding bells were in the future, hed shot off an answer without thinking. Because at the time, hehadnt been thinking about marriage. Why would he be? Sure they were serious, but marriage? Not on his radar.
So, yes, he could have handled the question better. But dammit all to hell, Devi knew he was an idiot in interviews. But had she cut him some slack? Not even a tiny bit.
For that matter, neither had the media, and Trouble in Paradise headlines popped up everywhere. Suddenly every ex-girlfriend had something to say about him, and all the gossip rags started speculating about how hed only gotten together with Devi in order to land the part inGivenchy.
The whole situation was fucked up, and he hadnt had a clue how to make it better. Hed gone back to Los Angeles expecting Devi to commiserate with him, maybe even laugh at the press and his own stupidity. Instead, shed cried and told him to get the hell out of her life. Something that was easier said than done, considering they were scheduled to start shooting the movie.
Yes, hed screwed up, but shed overreacted, too. But none of that changed the fact that hed hurt her, however unintentionally. That one reality haunted him. Hed grown up with an absent father, a mother he adored, and two impish little sisters. It simply wasnt in his nature to hurt a woman, especially not a woman he cared for.
Having theLetterman crew on the lot was like rubbing salt in her wound. Which was why hed gone to her trailer to see if she wanted to come on the segment with him. Shed pissed him off by not hearing him out and assuming the worst, and he regretted the way hed stormed out without telling her why hed come in the first place.
At least hed had the wherewithal to cancel the damn thing. He might not completely understand womenwith Devi at the top of that listbut he knew enough not to make the same mistake twice. No matter what Elliot Kelly might think.
Of course, since Elliot made no secret that he thought Blake should date a star with more box office bang, Blakes attempt to save Devis feelings probably wouldnt pull much weight with his manager. A manager who was currently pacing, his jaw working back and forth as if he were trying to chew something really unpleasant.
As he stalked about, the scalp under his comb-over started to turn red, a sure sign his blood pressure was rising. So I guess I should just quit, he finally said. Why not? You dont need me. Not if you got a fucking death wish.
A death wish?
Yeah. A death wish. Youre gonna kill off your career. And my reputation, too. You remember that the next time you pull a stunt like this.
Usually Elliots histrionics just rolled off Blake. Not today. Today, he wanted to hit something. Or someone. Give it a rest, Elliot. Theyre rescheduling.
That stopped Elliots pacing. Rescheduling? For when, exactly?
Itll get done, Blake said. Trust me. The truth was that hed be perfectly happy if the damn interview never went forward. He liked the work just fine, but the trappings that came with it? All the damn publicity and people sticking cameras in his face?That he hated. Especially since he seemed to be miserable at it. Hed sure as hell shoved his foot firmly into his mouth on more than one occasion.
Elliots fat finger came out again, and his mouth opened, but Blake cut him off. I said itll get done.
Theyre still on the lot, Elliot said, suddenly perking up. If you dont have a time already set to reschedule, then lets just do it now. Get this out of the way, and you can concentrate on your performance. Trust me, thats the way to go.
Give it a rest.
Shes not worth it, Blake, Elliot said. Shes not a girl whos going to make your career.
Maybe not, Blake agreed. But Im not going out of