By the time she called, ‘Cut,’ for the last time that day, it was late. When Jonas caught her on her way out and asked her if she was up to grabbing a bite, she said no. But on the drive home, after listening to several tracks of an Eminem CD, she soon began feeling energized.
There was no food in her apartment, and she had to eat, didn’t she? Instead of driving home, she headed for Ago, deciding she’d have a quick snack.
When she arrived Nick wasn’t there. The maître d’ escorted her to his regular corner table on the outdoor patio.
Some of the faces at the table were familiar, and there were a few new ones. A pretty, dark-haired girl wearing huge, owl-like glasses and what appeared to be painter’s overalls, extended her hand. ‘I’m Amy,’ she said. ‘And you are?’
‘Cat Harrison.’
‘Oh, yeah, you’re the girl who’s directing Nick’s movie, right?’
Cat nodded.
‘Nick was talking about you the other day,’ Amy said. ‘Mentioned you were hot, forgot to mention you were so young.’
‘Said I was hot, did he?’ Cat said, amused.
‘Hey–we all know Nick. If it walks and breathes, he thinks it’s hot.’
‘What time does he usually get here?’ Cat asked, keeping it casual. ‘’Cause I gotta eat and run.’
‘It depends.’
‘What do you do?’ Cat asked, wondering if Amy was one of his army of girlfriends.
‘Comedian–stand-up,’ Amy said. ‘Y’know, I like to get up there in front of an attentive audience and piss men off.’ She giggled. ‘You should see their faces when I talk about the size of their dicks and all that shit.’
‘Sounds like I should come see you,’ said Cat.
‘Feel free. I’m at the Improv next week. Nick’s putting together a group–maybe you’ll tag along.’
‘Yeah,’ Cat said, nodding. ‘I might do that.’
By the time Nick arrived, she’d already eaten and was ready to leave. He was accompanied by a busty, bleached blonde in a tight pink mini-dress, who looked like she’d recently made a daring escape from the Playboy mansion.
‘What the hell is that?’ Amy muttered.
‘I see you’ve got a new one tonight,’ Cat remarked, standing up.
‘Makes a change,’ Nick said, running his hands through his unkempt hair. ‘Where’re you off to?’
‘I ate, had fun–good night.’
‘Is that it?’ he said, looking perplexed.
‘That’s it,’ she said, checking out his date one more time.
‘Meet Mindy,’ he said, putting his arm round the girl in the pink leather dress and squeezing tight. ‘Mindy’s an old friend. Used to be a stripper at Scores in New York. That’s where we met.’
‘Cosy,’ Cat said. ‘Was she naked at the time?’
‘Mindy’s tryin’ to make it in porno out here,’ he said, ignoring her crack. ‘I think she’s got a good chance, don’t you?’
‘I’m sure she’ll be very successful,’ Cat said, wondering if he was serious. ‘See you Monday,’ she added, walking out.
Abandoning Mindy and her dreams of porno stardom, Nick followed Cat to the parking lot. ‘What’re your plans for the weekend?’ he asked, scratching his stubbled chin.
‘Sleep and work.’
‘Wanna catch a movie?’
‘Don’t think so.’
‘Wanna meet here tomorrow night?’
‘No thanks.’
‘How come no thanks?’
‘It’s not my scene.’
‘What’s not your scene?’
‘Busty blonde bimbo strippers looking to be porn stars. I have nothing to say to them.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re jealous?’
She laughed derisively as her car arrived. ‘Get a life, Nick,’ she said, handing the valet five dollars and jumping in.
‘I’ll call you,’ he yelled, as she revved the engine and drove off.
She didn’t head home. On a sudden impulse she drove straight to LAX and bought a ticket on the red-eye to New York. Who needed Luanne when she could handle Jump’s threat herself? Plus she was desperate to see the videotape Luanne was holding.
She was so glad she’d found out about Jump before she’d got pregnant or something ridiculous like that.
Her husband was a serial cheater.
Not good news.
And definitely not for her.
Shelby couldn’t sleep all night. Linc had given her an ultimatum and she was not good with ultimatums. One meaningless photo in a magazine, and he was acting as if she’d run off to Acapulco with Pete and indulged in a weeklong affair.
She planned to call her therapist and ask her what she should do, but unfortunately Brenda had recently changed her home number, and she did not have the new one with her.
Linc’s ultimatum was totally unreasonable, she was sure Brenda would agree.
Linc had not come to bed, he’d stayed in the living room watching TV all night, probably drinking himself into a stupor.
One thing was for sure, she had no intention of walking off her movie, and even less of requesting that Pete get fired.
Linc had put her in an impossible situation. She absolutely refused to comply with either of his ludicrous edicts.
The following morning when her alarm went off, she slipped out of bed, put on a tracksuit and took the elevator to the tenth floor where another suite had been booked for the stylist, hair and makeup people who were getting her ready for the Rapture press junket.
Kara, the studio publicist with the crinkly red hair and funky tinted glasses, was waiting to greet her. ‘This won’t be too bad,’ Kara assured her, far too cheerful for seven a.m. ‘You waltzed through the last one.’
‘It’s always difficult,’ Shelby replied, settling into the makeup chair. ‘I dread every interview–it’s it’s such an unnatural thing to have to do, talking about myself for eight straight hours.’
Spying a copy of People, she picked it up, searching for the photo of her and Pete. She found it and checked it out. It was perfectly tame, nothing for Linc to get so upset about.
‘How about your reviews?’ Kara said, handing her a cup of coffee. ‘Pretty impressive, huh?’
‘Merrill Zandack gave them to me on the plane. I must say I’m shocked they’re so flattering.’
‘Don’t be, you’re fantastic in the movie.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Anyway, here’s the thing,’ Kara said. ‘I’ll be warning every reporter who enters the room that they cannot, under any account, mention the photos of Linc with Lola Sanchez.’
‘What photos?’
‘The ones from yesterday’s front pages.’
Shelby looked blank.
‘Oh, God!’ Kara exclaimed. ‘Don’t tell me you haven’t seen them?’
‘I only flew in last night.’
‘I’m sure it’s nothing,’ Kara said, obviously embarrassed. ‘I mean, they’re making a movie together, and we all know those kind of photos happen.’
‘Can I see the papers?’ Shelby asked quietly.
‘I don’t have them, but I can get hold of copies for you.’ A beat. ‘Y’know, if you haven’t seen them, maybe it’s better to wait until after the junket.’
‘I think I should know what the journalists are not supposed to mention, don’t you?’ Shelby said coolly.
‘I’ll go see what I can find for you,’ Kara said, scurrying from the room.
The makeup girl approached. Shelby shut her eyes and gave herself up to the process.
So, Linc was screaming about an innocuous photo in People and apparently his photo was on the front of the New York papers with Lola Sanchez–something he had not bothered mentioning.
She didn’t know what was going on, but whatever it was, she was certain it wasn’t good.
The limo deposited Lola back at her hotel.
‘I’m not coming up,’ Tony said, his expression fierce.
‘Please, honey,’ Lola begged
. ‘Let me take care of your lip.’
‘No,’ he said angrily, shaking his head. ‘I’m too pissed.’
‘It’s Friday night,’ she cajoled. ‘No early call tomorrow.’
He was not to be swayed. ‘I’ll phone you later.’
‘Why don’t I come to your hotel?’ she suggested, reluctant to leave him alone.
‘No, Lola,’ he said sharply. ‘I gotta be by myself.’
Tony had a dark side. She knew enough not to push him further.
Big Jay escorted her upstairs, and she roamed restlessly around her suite before finally going to bed.
As usual, in the morning when she removed the block from her phone, Faye was first on the line.
‘Are you singlehandedly trying to ruin your career?’ Faye demanded, sounding hoarser than ever.
‘What happened now?’ she murmured, stifling a yawn.
‘A fight in a discothèque?’ Faye questioned, as if it was the most ludicrous thing she’d ever heard.
‘It wasn’t a discothèque, it was a club. Discos went out years ago.’
‘Whatever,’ Faye said. ‘There’s a photo of you fleeing from a club. Once again you’ve made the front pages.’ Lola smiled to herself. ‘I can’t keep up with you,’ Faye droned on, ‘and I’m your publicist. What am I supposed to tell the press now?’
‘It wasn’t our fault, Faye. Some guy hauled off and hit Tony.’
‘Some guy, Lola?’
‘Okay,’ she said irritably. ‘So it was Tyrell White. The bastard attacked me. What was Tony meant to do? He was coming to my defence, Faye, Tony didn’t start it.’
‘I’m running as much damage control as possible,’ Faye said wearily. ‘When the tabloids hit, there’s nothing I can do to protect you. It won’t be pretty.’
‘You’d better protect me, Faye,’ she said sharply. ‘You’re my publicist. You must have relationships with some of those so-called journalists on the rags.’
‘Some of them yes, some of them no. I’ll do what I can.’
‘Fine,’ Lola said, slamming down the phone.
Big Jay knocked on her bedroom door.
‘What?’ she said irritably.
‘Your sister’s here,’ he said.
‘My sister?’ she said, totally surprised.
Selma pushed past him and entered the bedroom. She was carrying an overnight bag and her cheeks were flushed. ‘Mama sent me to talk to you,’ she announced.
‘Why would she do that?’ Lola demanded, thinking that at least it was Selma, the good sister, not the tittle-tattle star-stalker Isabelle.
‘She thinks you need family near you,’ Selma explained. ‘Everyone’s worried about you, even Matt.’
‘Matt?’ Lola said, frowning. ‘I told the family that none of you were to have anything more to do with him.’
‘He’s a nice guy, Sis. You married him, after all. We can’t abandon him.’
‘He’s not being abandoned,’ Lola said heatedly. ‘He’s getting plenty of money from me. Believe me, he’s in for a healthy settlement. Matt has nothing to complain about.’
‘It’s not all about money, Lucia.’
‘Yes, it is.’
‘No, it’s not,’ Selma said stubbornly.
What the hell was Selma doing, sticking her nose in where it didn’t belong?
‘Can I stay here with you?’ Selma asked. ‘Mama’s taken the kids for the weekend.’
‘Of course you can,’ Lola said, softening. ‘Actually, if you stop with the nagging, it’s lovely to see you.’
‘You too, little sis,’ Selma said, her face brightening.
Lola jumped out of bed and they exchanged warm hugs.
Later, when Selma was settled in the spare bedroom of the suite, Lola called Tony. He didn’t answer. Great! Now she’d have to hang around the hotel waiting for him to surface. He hadn’t phoned her last night and she was not pleased.
Most men were controllable. Tony wasn’t.
Somehow it added to the attraction.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cat phoned Jonas from Kennedy as she strode through the airport, ignoring the admiring glances from the male population.
‘I’m in New York,’ she announced.
‘You’re not,’ he said, like she was playing some kind of bizarre joke on him.
‘Yes,’ she answered matter-of-factly. ‘I caught the red-eye last night.’
‘Why did you do that?’
‘Cause I need to sort things out here for myself.’
‘You told me you had everything organized,’ he said accusingly.
‘I did, only something else came up.’
‘What?’
‘Don’t question me, Jonas,’ she said irritably. ‘Cover for me.’
‘If Merrill finds out you’ve left while you’re in the middle of shooting his movie, he’ll be seriously angry.’
‘I understand,’ she said crisply. ‘That’s exactly why you’re not about to tell anyone, okay?’
‘Are you making me a co-conspirator?’
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t want to be a co-conspirator.’
‘Too bad, Jonas. This way you can’t run and report everything to Merrill.’
‘Great! What if something happens and you get delayed—’
‘Look,’ she interrupted, ‘it’s all good. I’ll spend the day here, and be on a flight back tonight. It’s only Saturday, we don’t start work until Monday. Everything’s cool. Okay?’
‘Why didn’t you tell me you were going? I would’ve come with you.’
‘It’s not like I need help, but thanks anyway,’ she said, spotting a cab. ‘I’ve never had someone I could rely on before.’
‘I’m here if you need me, Cat.’
‘Thanks,’ she said, jumping into the cab and giving the driver Luanne’s address. ‘I’ll check in later. I’m leaving Kennedy now, on my way to Luanne’s.’
‘Do not get into a fight with Jump,’ Jonas ordered sternly. ‘Remember, there’s nothing to be gained by losing your temper.’
‘What makes you think I have a temper?’
‘I’m sure it’s lurking in there somewhere.’
She sat back and checked the messages on her cell. Nick had called, which didn’t surprise her. He was one of those guys who felt it was his duty to sleep with every woman he came into contact with, and he wouldn’t be satisfied until he’d closed the deal.
Too bad for him she was not about to add herself to his considerable list.
She called Luanne to warn her she was on her way. They’d first met in their drug days, both of them zonked out of their heads. Later, when they’d cleaned up their acts, they’d remained friends. Luanne had married the wrong guy, but at least she had a gorgeous baby boy to show for it. Currently she was working as a PR girl at a downtown fashion house.
The cab driver was a maniac. Cat was amazed they arrived unscathed. She paid him, and ran up the steps to Luanne’s place.
‘You look great,’ Luanne exclaimed, flinging open the door. She was a flaming redhead with an abundance of freckles and a gummy smile. ‘I was expecting, y’know, like, a haggard my-husband-is-screwing-around-on-me total wreck.’
‘Yes, well, that’s exactly how I feel,’ Cat said. ‘Pathetic, isn’t it?’
‘You didn’t have to come,’ Luanne said, ushering her inside. ‘I would’ve dealt with everything for you.’
‘I had the weekend off. It seemed like a plan.’
‘You came so that you could see the tape, right?’ Luanne said knowingly.
‘Right on.’
After Cat had fussed over Luanne’s baby boy, she and Luanne went into the bedroom, closed the door and viewed the incriminating videotape of Jump’s indiscretion.
Cat stared at the TV screen. The images were incredibly graphic, and incredibly upsetting–especially as all the action took place on their bed.
She tried to keep it together–crying was for cissies and she was too tough to break down in fron
t of anyone. Although actually watching her husband screwing someone else was pretty devastating.
‘Guess that gives me all the ammunition I need for a fast divorce,’ she sighed, when it was over. ‘Can I keep the tape?’
‘It’s all yours,’ Luanne said, slipping it out of the VCR.
‘What a bastard!’ she said fiercely.
‘Aren’t they all?’ Luanne agreed.
Later they took a cab over to the loft to deal with her move. Luckily, when they arrived, Jump was not around.
‘The movers are on their way,’ Luanne said, checking her cellphone. ‘They should be here any minute.’
‘I have no clue what to take,’ Cat said, looking around with a helpless shrug.
‘Everything that’s yours,’ Luanne urged. ‘Ship it all to L.A. And since he’s not here, take your wedding presents too.’
‘You think?’
‘Don’t be an idiot,’ Luanne said. ‘Did he consider your feelings when he screwed that ’ho in your bed? Anyway, you’re entitled to the presents from your side of the family.’
‘I’m not shipping TVs and stereos to L.A.,’ Cat said. ‘I’ve already bought new ones.’
‘Then what are you taking?’ Luanne asked.
‘Personal stuff,’ she said, wishing she didn’t have to deal with this. ‘I’ll start with all my manuscripts, then my paintings and, of course, my books.’
‘Okay, girl,’ Luanne said encouragingly. ‘Get packing.’
Before Shelby was ready for her first interview, Kara was able to locate copies of the newspapers from the previous day. Shelby took a look at the photos and failed to understand why Linc was so angry with her. The photo of her and Pete in People was nothing compared to the ones of Linc and his sexy co-star sharing a passionate kiss.
How could Linc be so vicious, screaming at her about something that was perfectly innocent, while all the time he was obviously enjoying a wild fling with Lola Sanchez?
She wished she could cancel the press day, go back to the suite and confront him. But that would be totally unprofessional. The show must go on, she thought ruefully.
Hollywood Divorces • Hollywood Wives: The New Generation Page 71
