Only the Brightest Stars

Table of Contents Blurb Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Epilogue Read More About the Author By Andrew Grey More from Andrew Grey Visit Dreamspinner Press Copyright Only the Brightest Stars By Andrew Grey The problem with being an actor on top of the world is that you have a long way to fall. Logan Steele is miserable. Hollywood life is dragging him down. Drugs, men, and booze are all too easy. Pulling himself out of his self-destructive spiral, not so much. Brit Stimple does whatever he can to pay the bills. Right now that means editing porn. But Brit knows he has the talent to make it big, and he gets his break one night when Logan sees him perform on stage. When Logan arranges for an opportunity for Brit to prove his talent, Brit’s whole life turns around. Brit’s talent shines brightly for all to see, and he brings joy and love to Logan’s life and stability to his out-of-control lifestyle. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy for Logan, and as Brit’s star rises, Logan’s demons marshal forces to try to tear the new lovers apart. Dedication: To Wallace S. and all my fans. You make all the work worthwhile. Chapter 1 “LOGAN!” HIS manager called, his footsteps echoing through the house the pain in the ass had convinced him to buy. “Where the fuck are you?” Logan Steele sat up with a groan as he turned to the guy sprawled out on the sheets next to him. He tried to remember what the hell had gone on last night, but his mind was a blank. It had happened before, and it would probably happen again. His mouth tasted like death, but he managed to get out of bed and onto his feet. He had just reached the bathroom to get a drink of water when Carlton’s voice drew nearer. Logan didn’t bother answering. Carlton would find him eventually. He thought about reaching for the half-full Stoli bottle beside the sink, but he got some water instead, rinsed his mouth, took a few painkillers, and brushed his teeth before starting the water for a shower. With any luck, that would make him feel less like he’d been run over by a truck. He stepped around the tiled wall and into the huge shower before switching the flow to the myriad of jets in the walls and from overhead, pelting himself with hot water. He blocked out everything but the water, wishing it would wash away the dirt that he felt clinging to his very soul. Wait, that wasn’t possible, because he had sacrificed that on the altar of Hollywood career success years ago. There was nothing left on the inside, and no one seemed to give a damn. Not that they were supposed to. Logan had found out pretty quickly that he could pay people to do just about anything he wanted. He had an assistant who answered his mail and ran his social media. There were people to handle publicity, and he had Carlton to manage his life and schedule his days, making sure he showed up where he was supposed to be on time. He had a person who managed his money and paid his bills. Basically, he didn’t have to do anything he didn’t want to. But none of them gave a damn about him, a kid from a dinky farming town in western Michigan who had just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The water switched off. Logan turned and blinked at Carlton. “You have to be at the television studio in less than an hour.” Carlton tossed him a towel and turned away. “I already sent last night’s diversion on his way.” He shook his head as he stared at his phone. “Who the fuck is it today?” Logan asked. His head still ached. He wished he could crawl back into bed and sleep for another few hours. Carlton ignored him. It wasn’t like he hadn’t heard Logan say worse things. “Monica West. Remember her?” He lifted his gaze. Logan groaned and reached for the vodka bottle, but Carlton got to it first. “I see you do.” He held the bottle. “I promised her there would be no repeat of the shit show that was your last appearance, and I mean to keep my promise. No drinking, and for God’s sake, do you think you could make it through a single day without looking like a train wreck?” He left the room, and Logan ground his teeth together, his anger at himself rising. “Do you think you could not be a giant pain in my ass?” He probably would have fired the guy a dozen times already, except Carlton was the closest thing to a friend that Logan had—which he knew was just as pathetic as the fact that he wanted a drink so fucking bad right now, he could taste it. But he knew he had to be sober and on his best behavior to promote Knockout, the movie he had releasing in less than a week. Somehow he had to find the energy to be charming and witty while he talked about a movie he barely remembered making. Carlton laughed as Logan wrapped the towel around his waist and returned to the bedroom, where his clothes had been laid out on the bed. Without thinking, Logan dropped the towel and began dressing. “Drink this. It will help you feel better.” Logan sniffed and downed the glass of purple liquid. “What the hell was that?” “A protein shake. It will give you something to counteract the booze and whatever else you’ve got in your stomach.” He shook his head while Logan shrugged on his shirt and tucked it in, then pulled on socks and boots. Logan checked himself in the mirror and thought he didn’t look half bad. Carlton