No Chance

by Christy Reece

  Love,

  Kendra—soon to be supermodel—Carson

  Skylar told herself to ignore the feeling of impending doom. Kendra was twenty-one years old. Not a child. She could make decisions for herself, and any mistakes she made, she would learn from them and grow stronger, just like every adult. So why did she feel that this was something she absolutely had to stop? Skylar pressed her fingers to her suddenly burning eyes. She knew the answer to that. Had lived with the knowledge for years.

  Quite often mistakes could cause massive regret and major heartbreak. But in some cases, they could take everything you had.

  Kendra Carson squinted down at the wrinkled piece of paper where she’d scribbled the address. Why hadn’t she at least brought her glasses with her? Vanity, of course. When you were auditioning to be a fashion model, you didn’t want to look like the town librarian. She’d worn glasses for so long, she often forgot that she had them on. To ensure she wouldn’t wear them at her audition, she’d simply left them on her bedroom dresser.

  But this address had to be correct. She’d shown the cabdriver the piece of paper.

  Perspiration under her arms trickled down her sides, and she wriggled at the clammy, uncomfortable feeling. When she got nervous, she perspired … a lot. Hopefully, the dampness wouldn’t show.

  She caught a glance at herself in the window. Even through the dusty and smudged glass, the reflection pleased her. Her shoulder-length, honey-blond hair had just the right amount of golden highlights. The new, shorter style accentuated her cheekbones and flattered her heart-shaped face. The simple navy dress, one Skylar had helped her pick out last year, darkened her hazel eyes, giving them a hint of mystery. The fitted waist and tiny pleats at her hips emphasized her long legs and slender body. Yes, she looked fashionable and very pretty … and not a sign of sweat.

  Skylar would be upset with her for not telling her until after the fact that she was going on the interview. She insisted that Kendra wouldn’t enjoy being a model, that it wasn’t as glamorous as it appeared. Easy for a woman like Skylar to say—beautiful, confident, and famous before she was even born. Kendra had to work every day for that beauty, had zero confidence most days, and craved to see her name and face on billboards and magazines all over the world. And now it could very well happen.

  Skylar wasn’t even really the right size to be a model, yet she’d been on the cover of almost every magazine in existence numerous times. Though slender, Skylar wasn’t pencil-thin like most models and was only about five-seven—four inches shorter than Kendra’s own five feet eleven inches. But with Skylar’s beauty, not to mention the James money and influence, little things like that got ignored.

  Okay, so she wasn’t being exactly fair to her friend. Not only was Skylar gorgeous, she was also incredibly photogenic. And once she realized how badly Kendra wanted to be a model, she offered to make introductions for her. Skylar had even paid for her first photo shoot. But this opportunity seemed too good to pass up.

  Even though someone had directed Kendra to the ad, getting the job would be up to her. If they hired her, it would be because Kendra had earned it herself. No one would have given it to her … she would be able to say she’d done it all on her own.

  Her mother would be impressed. How often had she told Kendra she’d never amount to anything? And Calvin, with his snide innuendos that she didn’t have the kind of looks it takes to make it big, would have to admit he was wrong. Her snotty roommates, who giggled every time she mentioned modeling … they’d eat their words, too.

  She’d show them all.

  Gathering her courage, Kendra stiffened her spine, prepared to fake the confidence until she actually owned it. Her head tilted with just the right amount of aloof arrogance she’d seen Skylar adopt on occasion, she opened the door and walked through.

  The ad had given little information. Just the height, age, and weight requirements. But it had emphasized that it was a start-up agency. That must be why they had to meet in an older building, to save money. She kind of liked that they would grow famous together.

  “Well, hello there.”

  Kendra whipped around at the sound of a friendly male voice. A young, very attractive man stood a few feet from her. She flashed the confident, sexy smile she’d been practicing. “Hello.”

  “Are you here for the modeling job?”

  Her heart picked up a beat in anticipation. “Why, yes I am.”

  The look in his eyes as his gaze slid down her body told her he was impressed. The smile he gave her was equally encouraging, but his words were what she longed to hear. “I can already see you on the runway in Milan.”

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely. Come this way. The interviews are about to get started.”

  Kendra followed him to a door. He stood aside and allowed her to enter, giving her a look that thrilled her down to the stiletto heels pinching her feet. This was it. She was about to become famous!

  “Over here, Skylar!”

  “Look here, Skylar!”

  “Smile, Skylar!”

  Lights exploded as cameras flashed. Photographers shouted and shoved at one another to get the shot of the day.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Are you meeting Benjamin?

  “When are you two getting married?”

  “Did you know he was seen with Lauren Miles at Benito’s the other night? How do you feel about that?”

  “Any truth to the rumor that you and Benjamin are just friends and are faking a real relationship to throw people off?”

  As usual, the instant she walked out of her apartment building, she was swamped with reporters shouting inane questions and photographers clicking their cameras, hoping for that one brilliant shot.

  Maintaining her world-famous and oh-so-practiced smile, Skylar made her way down the sidewalk toward the waiting limousine. She ignored the clicking cameras in her face and pretended that the questions being thrown at her didn’t irritate the hell out of her. As annoying as the incessant questions about Benjamin were, at least they focused on something she didn’t care about. Which was the biggest reason she’d entered into this strange agreement with Benjamin in the first place. Their mutual using of each other satisfied the gossips and tabloids and gave them the opportunity to actually have a life.

  One day, though, she’d love to be able to answer their stupid questions with the truth. She fantasized what their expressions would be if she said, “Yes! It’s all fake … every bit of it. We’re using each other and have nothing in common other than a shared antipathy for nosey reporters. Now, go find some real news for a change.”

  But she wouldn’t do that. By projecting one image, she could protect another one. If they knew the real Skylar, she’d have no life. So as ridiculous and irritating as it was sometimes, she allowed them in to see this façade of glamour and uselessness so she could enjoy the other part. The part known only to her and a few trusted friends.

  “Did you see the photos of Benjamin with Lauren Miles? Are you jealous?”

  “How do you feel about being two-timed?”

  “Are you two breaking up?”

  These questions, meant to entice her to say something inappropriate and therefore newsworthy, were actually her favorite kind. She’d much rather have her relationship with Ben questioned than her feelings on politics, world hunger, or the alarming rate of teen suicides. Those issues meant too much to her to throw out glib replies.

  Skylar smiled, waved … blew a kiss at one photographer who’d done his best to follow her on her last secret visit. She’d enjoyed losing him on the subway.

  Finally able to get into the limo, she sank into the comfortable leather seats with a long sigh. “They’re ravenous today. Must be a slow news day.”

  Adjusting his mirror, Malcolm pulled out onto the street, honking at one persistent photographer who refused to get out of the way. “It’s summertime. Buzzards always come out in hot weather.”

  Skylar chuckled. Malcolm, he
r chauffeur/bodyguard, had been with her for years and knew almost every secret. Not for the first time, Skylar felt a deep appreciation that she’d been able to secure this man on her own and could trust him, unlike all the others her father had hired before him.

  “That’s true. And being summertime, there are less people here to photograph.”

  Skylar smiled at Malcolm’s snort. They both knew that no matter who was in town, Skylar James would get press attention. His eyes on the road and the taxis behind them filled with photographers, he asked, “So where to?”

  She fingered the gold bands she kept on a chain she wore around her neck. They were always hidden beneath her clothes, because any question about them was something she’d never be prepared to answer. Still, the bands always gave her comfort, especially when worry hammered at her, as it did now.

  Two days had passed since she’d received that email from Kendra and still no word from her. As soon as Skylar read the message, she’d called her and gotten no answer. She’d left messages with Kendra’s roommates and on her cellphone. Yesterday she’d gone to her apartment. Her roommates hadn’t heard from her and as usual didn’t seem to care. Her mother claimed to have not heard from her in over a month, which Skylar believed.

  Kendra was no doubt at her sometimes-boyfriend-and-all-the-time-creep’s apartment. As much as Skylar hated it, she was going to have to go there.

  “Let’s head to Calvin’s apartment in the Village. Kendra hasn’t answered any of my calls.”

  There was little Malcolm didn’t know. “When is Kendra going to give up on that slug?”

  Skylar chuckled at the apt description of Calvin. “I’m not sure who uses the other more. Unfortunately for both of them, it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.”

  “Any preferences on what direction we should take?”

  She was famous for mapping out her strategies for getting around and avoiding as much press as possible. “I’ll leave it up to you. Just try to lose as many of them as you can.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Trusting Malcolm to get her there safely with the minimum of exposure, Skylar settled back into her seat and tried to figure out a way to help Kendra without her young friend resenting her interference. She’d known Kendra for over three years. Had met her just after Kendra’s mother had thrown her daughter out of the house for the last time.

  The young, impressionable Kendra had been at first belligerent, embarrassed by her circumstances, distrusting of everyone and quite hostile, especially to Skylar. Thankfully, that had changed and she and Kendra had developed a friendship.

  Though Kendra had hinted occasionally that she’d love to be a model, Skylar had encouraged her to return to high school and graduate first. And she had. Kendra ended up doing very well her last year of school, making excellent grades, giving her an opportunity to be accepted into some well-respected universities. Unfortunately, getting her degree didn’t interest her as much as becoming a model and all the fame and money that went with it.

  Money. Skylar huffed out a tired sigh. It could solve so many problems and could create just as many more. Those who had it wanted more. People who didn’t have it fantasized about what their life would be like if they had all the money they needed. Problem was, no one ever seemed satisfied. What exactly was the right amount?

  Some might roll their eyes and say it was easy to dislike money when you had plenty of it. Skylar wasn’t a hypocrite. She enjoyed what money could buy, but she also knew the most precious things were free and freely given.

  Giving herself a mental shake, she stared sightlessly out the window. Why was she so melancholy today? It had been years since she’d allowed herself to think about those perfect weeks. Eighteen days of bliss. Of lying in her lover’s arms, listening to his deep, even breaths, and cherishing what they’d discovered … a true and perfect love.

  “Are you okay?”

  Skylar jerked around. “Yes, why?”

  Malcolm’s compassionate eyes searched her face, but all he said was “We’re here, ma’am.”

  It wasn’t until a teardrop fell on her hand that she realized she’d been crying. How very odd. The last time she’d cried over Gabe … She shook her head. She couldn’t even remember the last time. Those days were gone and could never be reclaimed. Now all she could do was keep the promise she’d made to herself. Whenever, wherever, whoever, she would never ignore a cry for help. She’d failed Gabe and they had both paid the price. That would never happen again.

  Skylar hurriedly dried her eyes and then flashed a grateful smile at Malcolm as he opened the car door for her. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

  “No. This is one twerp I can handle all by myself.”

  Out of habit, she ignored the elevator and headed for the stairs. One of the few things that hadn’t changed from all those years ago. She’d never questioned Gabe’s need to take the stairs. Had thought she knew the reasons … thought she knew everything she needed to know about him. If only she had questioned him more, would that have changed the outcome? She’d stupidly thought she was the only one keeping secrets.

  She gave herself another mental shake. Did any of that matter now? What had happened had happened.

  As she walked up the five flights to Calvin’s apartment, she wondered about Kendra’s silence. Perhaps they’d turned her down for the job and she’d been too embarrassed to tell Skylar. Hopefully, that was the case as opposed to it being the shady organization Skylar feared it might be. There were way too many unscrupulous creeps out to take advantage of unsuspecting, impressionable young people. And when the dust settled, the creeps had moved on and the kids were left penniless.

  Reaching Calvin’s apartment door, she took a breath and then knocked. No answer. She waited a few seconds and then knocked again. “Kendra, are you here?”

  “Who’s there?” a young masculine voice asked.

  “Calvin? It’s Skylar. I’m here to see Kendra.”

  “Just a minute.”

  Several minutes later, just when she was beginning to think he’d forgotten about her, the door opened.

  “Hey, baby, you here to see me?”

  Calvin Henderson didn’t even crack her revulsion meter. He wasn’t worth it. “I’m here to see Kendra.”

  “Haven’t seen the bitch in almost a week.” He took a draw off the offensive-smelling cigarette in his hand. “Why don’t you come on in and wait for her? I just got some damn good weed.”

  “No thanks. Have you talked with her in the last few days?”

  “Yeah, a couple of days ago. Said she was going on some kind of interview and would come by afterward.” He lifted a bony shoulder. “Guess she changed her mind.”

  “Have you tried calling her?”

  “No.” His smile revealed teeth that were already becoming tobacco stained. “Why don’t you come in and we’ll call her together? Maybe we can have ourselves a little party.”

  “Are you not worried about her?”

  “I’m not her daddy. She’s taken off plenty of times. I figure when she runs out of money, she’ll come back.”

  Calvin Henderson was a kid who’d had it way too easy his entire life and didn’t give a damn about anything other than partying and getting high. What did Kendra see in him? His lank, dark brown hair hung in his thin, pale face, and his body was almost emaciated, reminding her of an anemic vampire.

  Sadly, Skylar knew what Calvin’s biggest attraction for Kendra was—his money. Something Calvin never seemed to run out of. Kendra’s mother had cut off her funds, hoping she’d grow up and get a job. Calvin’s money kept Kendra coming back to him.

  Her worry shot up when his words registered. Kendra’s roommates hadn’t seen her and now Calvin hadn’t seen her. Making a decision, she pulled her cellphone from her purse. “I’m calling the police.”

  “Hell, don’t bring those bastards here. I got shit they don’t need to be seeing.”


  “Then perhaps you should get rid of it.”

  He grabbed her arm. “Now, listen, bitch.”

  She glanced down at his hand and back at his face. “If you want to keep that hand attached to your body, I suggest you remove it from my arm.”

  He snorted and tightened his grip.

  Skylar swung her arm up, knocking his hand away. Then, grabbing his arm, she twisted it behind his back.

  “Hey, that hurts!”

  Turning her face away to avoid the stale, vile breath he huffed out, Skylar said, “Good. Now, let’s get back to Kendra. Do you know where her interview was?”

  “No, and I don’t care.”

  Skylar jerked his arm tighter. “Do you care if I break your arm?”

  He yelped again. “Okay, dammit. She said the interview was on Highland Avenue … some old building that used to be a button factory or something.”

  “That’s more like it.” Skylar released his arm and backed away. “I’m going to find her, and once I do, I’m going to suggest she move on to someone much better.”

  He sneered. “She can’t get any better than me.”

  Rolling her eyes, she turned and headed to the elevators. Time was too precious to waste on the stairs. If Kendra had interviewed with these people and they were still there, she should be able to get information on what happened.

  And even though she wanted to call the police, sadly it wouldn’t ignite the concern it would for most people who might have gone missing. Kendra had run away so many times, even her mother had stopped reporting it.

  If the people Kendra had interviewed with couldn’t shed light on her whereabouts, then she would call the police and convince them that something was wrong. They hadn’t seen the changes in her like Skylar had. If Kendra couldn’t be found, there was reason to worry.

  Twenty minutes later, Skylar stood in a deserted parking lot in front of the dilapidated building. Her dread increased to a nauseating pitch. No legitimate agency, modeling or otherwise, would have conducted interviews here.