Even Ground (Hollywood Kiwis Book 2), page 22
“Sounds good to me. I like the idea of seeing more of your country.”
“At least you’re not sleeping this time.
It doesn’t take long for that to change, and I’m soon lulled off to sleep by the gentle purr of the car engine and the gentle twists in the road. My grandmother used to tease me about my ability to fall asleep anywhere, and some things never change.
About an hour later, I wrinkle my nose and shake my head to wake myself up.
The pungent smell of sulphur fills my nose. It’s like rotten eggs or a really awful fart.
“Oh my God. What the fuck is that smell?”
Pania chuckles. “I took a detour to wake you up. Welcome to Rotorua.”
I grimace. “Does it always smell like this?”
She pulls to the side of the road outside a small shop. “It’s all the geothermal activity. There are some amazing hot pools around here.”
“Now you’re talking.” I clap my hands together.
“I’m just going to grab some snacks for the rest of the trip. Want anything?”
I shrug. “Nose plugs?”
Pania leans over and pecks me on the lips. “You big baby. You’ll be fine.”
I lean back in my seat and she’s back a few minutes later with a bag full of drinks, potato chips, and candy.
“Pick out what you want.”
“My personal trainer is going to kill you.”
She laughs. “Bring it on.”
After starting the car, she pulls into the traffic. “Do you want to do some sightseeing while we’re here?”
“It’s not as if we’re running to a timetable. Sure.” I crack open a bottle of Coke and take a sip.
“I haven’t been here for a while. I’ll take you to one of my favourite places.”
The town soon gives way to the greenery of the countryside, but it’s not too far before we turn into a car park. It’s not clear why we’re here. There’s a large building, but it gives no real clues about what it is.
“Mum and Dad used to bring me here when I was a kid. I loved it,” Pania says. “If I’m bringing you this way, we might as well take a look.”
“Where are we?”
She turns off the ignition and grabs her bag. “We’ll take one of the shorter walks. Let me show you some of my country.”
I follow her across the car park and into the building where she pays for tickets before I can stop her. It’s not until we reach the other side of the entrance that I understand—I catch my breath at what’s in front of me.
Steam rises from the ground in the distance, and Pania grabs hold of my hand and leads me down a walkway.
Being here makes me think of Yellowstone and how it was always one of those places I meant to visit and never got to. I’ve travelled the world but have usually been working, not often stopping long enough to see the sights.
This is another thing I’ve been missing out on.
The wooden walkway weaves its way toward a stronger sulphur smell, greenery on either side.
“We won’t go too far. Just a couple of things to look at, and then we can get back on the road. I don’t want to get to Napier too late, as I want to make a stop there too,” Pania says.
“You’re in charge. Keep leading the way.”
We walk for a few minutes before she points to something to the left. It’s not until we draw up to it that I realise we’re looking at boiling mud.
“I always liked just looking at it. You can’t touch it because it’s way too hot, but it’s just so freaky looking.”
I slip an arm around Pania’s waist and lean my head against hers.
“We went everywhere when I was a kid,” she says. “Mum and Dad had trouble conceiving after I was born, so I was an only child. But we have such a big family, there were always other kids to play with. Except for when we went on holiday—it would usually just be the three of us.”
The mud bubbles below us. It’s hypnotic in some ways, but my head is filled with Pania’s words. This is her letting me into her past, just as I let her into mine.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“What for?” She pulls away, her eyes searching mine.
“Everything.”
Her nose twitches, and she grabs my hand. “There’s one more thing I used to love coming to see here. Let’s go.”
We walk along the pathway until we get to an area with a huge white rock.
“Now, we wait,” she says.
“What for?”
A burst of water comes up from the ground, and I grin, watching the geyser spray up into the air.
Pania laughs as mist settles on us.
“We’re not in any hurry, right?” I ask.
She shakes her head.
“Let’s stay and watch it again.”
We don’t stop for the rest of the trip, deciding instead to get there and go to the motel for the night before completing our mission the following day.
And at the end of a very long and twisty road, we reach a sign welcoming us to Hawke’s Bay. Something’s triggered in my memory from the map we looked at on my phone last night when Pania showed me where we were going.
“This is close, right?”
She nods. “We go through Napier and then head onto Hastings. Havelock North isn’t much farther.”
“Where did you book the motel?”
“In Havelock North. Then it’s not far to go and see your friend.”
I lean back in my seat. “I don’t know this guy personally. His audition was amazing, but so were some of the others.”
“I Googled him. He’s pretty cute.” She glances at me, and I take in the grin on her face.
“I’m cuter.”
“Yes you are, my beautiful baby man.” She does that baby voice that Delaney does when she’s taking the piss out of Josh. But before I can respond, she takes a deep breath. “There’s something I want to show you.”
We drive along what looks like the main street of Napier. To the left is the beach with the waters of the South Pacific ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. The street is lined with pine trees, and we drive a short distance before Pania stops the car.
I close my eyes as I step out and breathe in the sea air. The sun settles on my skin and warms me.
“Reece?”
I open my eyes and meet Pania’s gaze. “Just enjoying this weather. What are we doing here?”
She locks the car, walks around it, and grabs my hand. “This way.”
Leading down a path to a large white fountain, we then take a right turn and end up at the base of a bronze statue, going green with age. It’s a woman, her legs bent under her body, her breasts bared. She gazes out toward the water, a wistful smile on her face.
“This is Pania of the Reef,” Pania says. “My dad grew up not far from here. When I was born, he named me Pania.” She places her hand on the rock underneath the statue. “After her.”
“What’s her story?”
Pania smiles. “She was a sea maiden who fell in love with a Māori chief, living with him at night, but she had to return to the sea by morning or she’d die. He was desperate to keep her with him, and got advice from a kaumatua—a wise elder—that if she ate cooked food, she wouldn’t be allowed to go back to the ocean.”
I cock my head. “That doesn’t seem fair.”
She shakes her head. “Well, he waited until she was asleep and tried to feed her. But she woke and was horrified that he’d risk her life that way. So she returned to the sea and left him forever.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, and I kiss her temple. “I can’t say I blame her.”
“Some say she can still be seen beyond the reef, her arms outstretched, imploring her lover to explain why he did it. Or maybe she’s showing him she still loves him.” Pania leans her head against mine. “I always thought it was a story about the crazy things people do for love.”
“You mean like flying halfway around the world when I was supposed to be filming a TV ad.”
She leans back, her mouth hanging open. “No.”
“I forgot all about it. The only thing I could think about was getting to you.”
Her eyes search mine, and I slowly nod.
“Reece, you didn’t.”
“I did. My agent called me not long after I got here and told me off. She sorted it out.”
Pania rolls her eyes and laughs. “Oh my God! You’re hopeless. What am I ever going to do with you?”
“Whatever you want to.” I plant a soft kiss on her lips.
Waves crash against the stony beach nearby, spraying the air with salty mist. Pania takes my hand and leads me to a nearby bench where a wall shelters us from the spray, but we still get the taste of salt in the air.
“You haven’t told me much about your father.”
“My dad died a couple of years before Delaney went on her OE.”
“OE?”
She braces herself as she leans back. “Overseas experience. It’s supposedly some rite of passage for a lot of people.”
“You didn’t go?”
Pania shakes her head. “I got a job, but my mum still had a mortgage to pay, and all she had was me. Delaney saved her arse off, and then when she came back, her mum kicked her out, so she came to live with us.”
“That’s why you’re so close.”
She nods. “We went through everything together.”
“You must miss her terribly.”
Pania blinks rapidly and blows out a breath. “It’s not easy. What you said about Josh being family, that’s me and Delaney.”
I pause, just looking at her. Her head’s slightly down, and I can’t see her eyes. “Come back with me.”
Her head shoots up. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”
“I’m never going home, then.”
Pania leans against me, her head on my shoulder. “Suits me. I’ll keep you in my tiny flat while I’m studying.”
“Works for me.”
She lifts her head. “You mean that, don’t you?”
I lean over and kiss her softly on the lips. “You’ve given me more in the past few days than I ever thought possible. You love me back, and I already feel as if I’m a part of the family. I don’t know if I want to leave.”
“Then don’t.”
I let out a long sigh. “Wish I could. But like you, I have obligations.”
“Think you can wait another few months for me?”
I shrug. “I’m not fussed.”
She slaps my arm, and I grab hold of her, pulling her over onto my lap. Pania wraps her arms around my neck.
“Of course I’ll wait. I love you.”
Her lips twitch. “I love you too.”
“When’s your next holiday?”
“October.”
I grimace. “That far away?”
She pecks my cheek. “Ten weeks.”
I sigh. “It’ll be back to Skype in the meantime.”
“Phone sex? Video sex?”
Pania snorts. “There’s no way that’s happening. The video one anyway.”
“Still up for phone sex?”
“We’ll see.” She leans forward, kissing me on the neck and nipping at my ear lobe. “We should go to the hotel.”
“You’re insatiable. I’m not sure I can handle this.”
“Deal with it,” she whispers.
“Let’s go.” I shove her off my lap, and she laughs as I stand and turn toward the car park. “Hurry up. I think you just made a promise to me you have to fulfil now.”
“Race you.” She pushes herself up, and runs past me.
I speed up to a jog and laugh to myself as she disappears into the distance.
I’ll let her have this race—right along with my heart.
29
Reece
In the morning we head out, and I’m glad Pania knows where she’s going because I have no clue.
We end up on a long road that runs parallel to a river. The water gently flows along, and trees line one side of it, the other side visible from the road. It looks like a peaceful place to swim. Next time I’m here, I want to stay longer and see everything.
We reach a grassed area where there are a ton of cars parked, and a wire fence.
“This is the spot I think,” Pania says. “If Josh got it right.”
“That’s a big if.” I laugh.
She grins and parks the car.
We walk together to the gate. I know movie sets, I’ve been on enough of them, and now we’re closer, I can see this is definitely one.
There’s a security guard on the gate, and his eyebrows rise as we approach.
“Aren’t you …?”
“Reece Evans. I’m here to see Alex Stone.”
He looks down at the iPad in his hands. “Does he know you’re coming?”
“No. It’s a surprise.”
He shakes his head. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t just let you in, mate. I can talk to my boss.”
I smile. “I’d really appreciate that.”
We’re left waiting at the gate as he ambles off into the compound, but it doesn’t take long for him to reappear with another man beside him.
Pania’s face lights up.
“Pania. What are you doing here, cuz?”
A tall, well built, good looking Māori guy walks up to the fence. He’d do well on screen, with his chiselled looks and two-day stubble.
Pania claps her hands like he’s her long lost love. “Reece, this is my cousin, Peter. Peter, this is my boyfriend, Reece.”
He plasters a big smile all over his face. “You scored Reece Evans?” He shifts his gaze to me. “I’m a big fan, man. That movie you won your Oscar for, that brought tears to my eyes. And Gabby Reynolds, what a hot—”
“Ahem.” Pania clears her throat, and I bite down a laugh.
Peter’s laugh is deep and loud. “Sorry. What can I do for you?”
“Reece has a message to pass onto one of the actors. Can we do that?”
He frowns. “I can ask. You’ll have to wait out here, though. Who did you want to talk to?”
“Alex Stone.”
His frown turns into a grin. “I know he’s a big fan of yours. I’m sure it won’t be a problem, but I’ll go and check first.”
I nod. “Understood.”
“Are you okay?” Pania asks as he walks away.
“Fine. Why?”
“You just seem a little … off.”
I shake my head. “Apart from the weirdness that is running into your cousin here, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
She laughs. “Welcome to New Zealand.”
“Did you know he was here?”
“No, I haven’t seen him in forever. Last I heard he was working up north. But I guess it depends on where the work is.”
I look around. The view is stunning. Lush green fields surround us, the long grass rippling in the gentle breeze. It’s a great place to be filming a movie.
“Reece.” Pania nudges me with her elbow.
I look back in the gate.
It’s a little unnerving to see someone who could easily pass for my younger brother walking toward me. I haven’t been part of the casting process—we have a casting director for that, but given that I need a sibling for the movie, even I can see he’s a good choice.
Pania’s cousin opens the gate to let him through.
“Reece Evans.” Alex grins. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to offer you a job.”
He extends his hand, and I shake it. “Really? You came all the way here to do that?”
“I was here for other reasons, but Josh thought it’d be something special for me to deliver the news in person.”
He nods. “Sounds great. Have you spoken to my agent? I haven’t heard anything from him yet.”
“Josh is handling all that. I’m guessing no, or maybe he’s told them I’m delivering the news personally. But we’re not really good at doing things the traditional way.”
Alex laughs. “So I hear. I look forward to working with you guys.”
“You want the role?”
His mouth falls open. “Does a bear shit in the woods? Hell yes, I want it. The chance to work with you and Josh Carter after your Oscar clean-up is mind boggling. I’d be an idiot to say no.”
“Ahem.”
I side-eye Pania. “Oh, Alex, this is my girlfriend, Pania. Pania, my future co-star Alex Stone.”
She blushes. She actually has the nerve to blush as he shakes her hand. I raise my eyebrows as I meet her eyes.
“What? He’s cute,” she says.
Alex laughs. “I like her.”
“Don’t like her too much. I just got her.”
All that does is make them both laugh. Time to change the subject.
“We should have dinner or something to celebrate. Have you got some time?”
He looks back over his shoulder. “I should be finished up here around four I think. It depends though. You know how things go.”
“How about I give you my number, and you text me when you’re ready. We’re not in a hurry to leave town.” Pania meets my gaze with a raised eyebrow. I grab hold of her hand and raise it to my lips. “We can stay another night.”
She beams. “I like that idea.”
Alex looks between us and smiles. “Sounds good. Things have gone pretty well today. I think we should be good.”
“Great.”
I give him my number, we shake hands again, and he turns to go back. “Talk to you later.”
Pania’s cousin steps through the gate, and opens his arms. She beams as he hugs her before stepping back. “Give my love to your mum.”
“I will,” Pania says.
As we walk away, she links her arm in mine and leans against me. “That went well.”
“It did. I think you managed to wipe up all your drool.”
All she does is laugh.
After a day of Pania showing me around, my phone buzzes just after 4:30, and I swipe to answer Alex’s call.
“Alex.”
“Hey, Reece. I’m all yours if you want to go somewhere for dinner.”
I grin. “Great. Pania’s found a restaurant and made reservations. No need to dress up, it’s just casual.”
“Sounds good. The last thing I need today is to have to worry about dressing up. It’s been a long one.”
