“Like I would forget. I think I’m finally as horny as you!”
“My kind of girl,” he said with his usual cocky grin.
• • •
By the time Lola arrived back in L.A., stopped off at her house, and went straight to the hospital, Selma was doing more than moving her finger. Over the last few hours her eyelids had fluttered open, and she was conscious.
Lola sat by her bedside surrounded by her family, and Selma’s husband and children.
“It’s a miracle,” Claudine kept on repeating.
No, it’s not a miracle, Lola thought. It’s the result of my bargain with God. She’d given up Tony and now Selma was on the road to recovery.
Her mother took her to one side. “We’re all so happy you’re back with Matt,” she whispered. “He’s such a nice guy, and so right for you, Lucia.”
And boring! a voice screamed in her head. And a lousy lay! And a sponger! “Maybe,” she said in her best noncommittal tone.
“No, not maybe, my daughter. Matt will always be there for you. You don’t want a wild man like Tony Alvarez. He’s no good.”
I don’t? she thought. Why not? Tony Alvarez makes me feel alive.
“Besides,” Claudine continued, “Matt will make a wonderful father for your children.”
What children, Mama?
She stayed at the hospital for a couple of hours, then finally went home to bed and Matt, who was naturally watching sports on TV.
Now that Selma was going to be all right, her thoughts turned to Tony. How could she possibly survive without him?
She realized that, yes, she’d made a bargain with God. But if Selma completely recovered, didn’t that change everything?
She and Tony were so good together. Sure, she knew he was dangerous and capable of doing terrible things, but somehow it didn’t really matter. He’d never done anything terrible to her.
As far as Lola was concerned, love conquered all, good and bad.
• • •
Early the next morning, Shelby’s gynecologist called her with the news. She was a pleasant woman, young and confident.
“Shelby,” she said, her tone extremely friendly.
“Yes?” Shelby said, holding her breath.
“It’s as you thought.”
“It’s as I thought,” Shelby repeated blankly.
“Yes, I’m happy to tell you that you are indeed pregnant.”
On the one hand, Shelby was ecstatic. On the other, she was more depressed than she’d ever been in her entire life. How could it happen now, when things with Linc were so bad?
Maybe the news of her pregnancy would bring him to his senses. Maybe he’d give up the wild life that he’d decided to pursue, and be the husband she’d always wanted. Surely the thought of a baby coming into their lives would straighten him out? Didn’t he deserve one more chance?
Without giving herself time to change her mind, she picked up the phone and called him in New York.
“Who’s speaking?” the hotel operator inquired, monitoring his calls.
“Mrs. Blackwood.”
“One moment, please.”
Then another female voice, with a strong Australian accent and a sour attitude, got on the line. “Yes, what?”
“Is Linc there?”
A bad-tempered “No. Who’s this?”
“Mrs. Blackwood.”
Change of tone. “Oh yeah, Shelby. He’s mentioned you. I’m Allegra. We live together, y’know.”
“No, I didn’t know that,” she said quietly, her stomach sinking.
“I guess the divorce is coming up anytime soon, right? Is that what you’re calling about?”
“No,” Shelby said tersely. “I’d like to speak to my husband.”
“You could speak to him if he was here, but he’s not, is he?”
“Then tell him I called, and have him get back to me as soon as possible.”
“He’s busy, y’know.”
“What did you say your name was?”
“Allegra. You’ve probably seen me on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”
“Not a magazine I subscribe to.”
“Buy it,” Allegra said in a bitchy fashion. “Then you can get a gander at your competition.”
“Have Linc call me,” Shelby said, uncharacteristically slamming down the phone. It wasn’t often that she lost her temper, but who was this bitch? And what the hell was Linc doing with her?
Martha entered the room. “Your father wants me to double-check our tickets to London, darling,” she said. “Daddy and I are leaving this week. You’ll be all right here by yourself, won’t you?”
“Of course I will,” she said, attempting to calm down.
During the course of her parents’ stay they had not once discussed her separation from Linc. Her parents were determined not to bring it up until she did, and she had no desire to raise the subject.
For a moment she thought about confiding in her mother, but then she realized it was hopeless. Neither of them would understand. They were both sweet people, and they’d always been caring parents, but they were totally unsophisticated.
“I’ve left my Saks credit card on the hall table,” Shelby said. “Go there today while I’m at the studio, and buy yourself a glamorous outfit for the party. I want to be proud of you.”
“Are you saying that you wouldn’t be proud of me if I wore one of my suits?” Martha replied, sounding hurt.
“Your suits are lovely, Mum—for England. But you should buy yourself something sexy.”
“Don’t be so silly, Shelby,” Martha said, pursing her lips. “Your father would be shocked.”
“Wouldn’t it be fun to shock him sometimes?”
“No, dear,” Martha said primly. “What is the matter with you?”
“Nothing,” Shelby said, kissing her mother on the cheek.
Nothing, except that my husband is now living with a woman in New York, and I’m pregnant, and I don’t know what to do about anything. How sad is that?
“Okay,” she said. “I’ve got to go, I’ll see you later.”
Gathering up Tiger, she set off for the studio.
Pete was waiting outside her trailer with two cups of Starbucks coffee. “Morning, beautiful,” he said, handing her a paper cup.
“Hi,” she said wanly.
“Did you sleep okay?”
“Why?”
“You look tired.”
“You know, it’s so rude,” she said irritably.
“What is?”
“First of all Cat told me I didn’t look well yesterday, now you’re telling me I look tired. I’m sorry, Pete, but I don’t appreciate it.” She slammed her way past him into her trailer.
He followed her in. “You heard from Linc, didn’t you?” he said.
“No. Actually I called to speak to him, and some bitch got on the line.”
“Who was she?”
“I imagine it was his new girlfriend.”
“Shelby,” he said patiently, “I keep on telling you— hire a lawyer before he does.”
“Why? I don’t want anything from him. No alimony, nothing.”
“It’s not as simple as that, Shell. You have houses, cars, investments. It’s all community property.”
“But if I don’t want anything . . .”
“You still need a lawyer,” he insisted.
“Why can’t Linc and I work it out together? Why should a man be stuck paying the woman, unless there’s children to consider?”
“Hmm . . . you’re every man’s dream,” Pete said. “In more ways than one.”
“And another thing,” she said. “Why are you so nice to me?”
“Because, as I’ve told you repeatedly, I’m waiting in the wings.”
“It might be a long wait, Pete.”
“There’s something you should know about me.”
“What?”
“I’m a very patient man.”
Their eyes met, and she found herself weakening.
Pete might not have to be as patient as he thought. After her conversation with Linc’s girlfriend, she was almost ready to move on.
CHAPTER
* * *
38
Cat was ecstatic. She’d actually done it. She’d finished her movie!
“How do you feel?” Jonas asked, sitting in the production trailer with her.
“It’s difficult to say,” she replied, drinking 7 UP from the can. “I’m kind of psyched it’s over. Then I’m kind of sad—’cause I’ve so loved working with everyone. The crew, the actors—you. Saying goodbye is miserable. These people have become like family.”
“You should do a Woody Allen or a Clint Eastwood, and always work with the same crew.”
“Don’t I wish!” she said fervently. “Although somehow I’ve got a strong suspicion I’m not in the Woody, Clint arena yet.”
“You will be.”
“I do love you, Jonas,” she said, jumping up and giving him a hug. “You’re always so positive.”
“I try.”
“You succeed.”
“Did I tell you Merrill’s coming to the wrap party?” Jonas said. “He doesn’t usually do that.”
“Should we be flattered?”
“Definitely.”
“Is Amy coming?”
“Of course.”
“You two are going strong, huh?”
“You were right. Amy’s a great girl.” He hesitated for a moment. “And since I can’t have you—”
“What?” Cat said, alarmed.
“Just effing with you.”
“Well, don’t,” she said crossly. “You’re like the brother I never had. Do not spoil it.”
One of the production assistants came in to go over final details for the party. Cat left Jonas to organize it. She wanted to run home first, take a shower, and change clothes. After all, tonight was a big celebration in more ways than one.
• • •
Allegra conveniently forgot to tell Linc that Shelby had phoned him. Why should she? She wasn’t his personal message service.
What did his wife want anyway? Why was she bothering him? Didn’t she understand that she was now out of the picture? Linc Blackwood had moved on.
Allegra had plans. Linc had only a couple more days to shoot on his movie; his co-star had already departed for L.A., and when he was finished, Allegra quite fancied a trip to the Bahamas.
He could afford it. He could afford anything she wanted. He was a movie star. Her movie star.
The night before, while he was lying in bed in a drunken stupor, she’d said to him, “I need to buy a few things tomorrow and my credit card is out of date. Can I borrow yours?”
“Do what you want,” he’d mumbled. “I don’t give a shit.”
So she’d taken his black American Express card from his wallet and spent the day putting it to good use.
Allegra enjoyed all the attention that was coming her way now that she was with Linc Blackwood. Sure, she was famous in the modeling world, but being with a big movie star gave her added cachet. Most models ended up with scruffy rock ’n’ rollers. She’d hit the jackpot.
Every night when he returned from the studio, they sat around indulging in coke or crack. After that, they took a leisurely cruise around the clubs.
Allegra introduced him to Vicodin, which calmed his raging hangovers. He was already into an assortment of heavy-duty sleeping pills. She’d also introduced him to the world of three-ways big time, because what man didn’t like getting it on in bed with two girls? Although, Allegra made sure that every time it was with a different girl; she was very careful that Linc did not get hooked on someone else.
There were times Linc could be a mean sonofabitch, and Allegra didn’t like that. He called her names. He called her dumb and a whore and stupid.
She gave back as good as she got.
A couple of times he slapped her across the face. She retaliated by kicking him in the balls.
Their relationship was becoming more violent every day. But since they were both stoned most of the time, neither one of them seemed to notice.
Allegra was no weakling. She’d grown up in the Australian outback, with four older brothers and a bully of a dad. Only the strongest made it out in one piece. And she was strong.
When Linc arrived back from the studio, Allegra had developed a yen to drop by a late night transvestite club. She wondered how Linc would feel if they brought another man home?
A man dressed as a woman might not bother him. Then, when he discovered the added appendage, it would be too late for him to do anything about it.
The thought amused her. Big macho movie star, Linc Blackwood, and another man sticking it up his untouched-by-human-male ass.
She laughed to herself as she put on the new eighteen-hundred-dollar Valentino dress she’d bought that afternoon with his American Express card.
As far as Allegra was concerned, she was a stunner, and Linc was lucky to be with her.
• • •
“You look lovely!” Shelby exclaimed, admiring her still-pretty mother, who’d purchased a most attractive flowered outfit from Saks.
“You don’t think it’s too girlish for me, do you?” Martha said, worrying.
“Not at all. Daddy will love it.”
And when her father came downstairs a few minutes later, he did indeed love it. “Why, Martha,” he said, “you look as pretty as the day we were married.”
Martha actually blushed, and the two of them exchanged a warm smile.
It must be nice to be so in love after all these years, Shelby thought.
In love and unworldly. That about summed up her parents.
She’d miss them when they left, but it was for the best. She needed time alone to think things out. She had many decisions to make; it was certainly not going to be easy.
Linc had not called her back. Did that mean he didn’t wish to speak to her?
She didn’t know. She was giving him a chance to find out about the baby. If he didn’t call, it wasn’t her fault.
“I’ll go get dressed,” she said to her parents. “Help yourselves to a glass of sherry. As soon as I’m ready, we’ll go to the party together.”
She went upstairs, her mind racing in a hundred different directions. Abortion was not an option. She didn’t believe in it, never had—unless there was a very good reason, such as rape or incest.
Did she want to raise a baby without a father? No.
Did she have a choice? Maybe.
Because if Linc called back, a reconciliation could take place.
Now that she was pregnant, she would not be able to do the Bond-style movie that was upcoming in a few months. She couldn’t care less; her career was the last thing on her mind.
She opened her closet, selecting an off-the-shoulder silk dress and comfortable sandals. Wrap parties were for having fun with the crew, and tonight she planned on forgetting her troubles and dancing the night away.
• • •
When Lola arrived home from her daily visit to the hospital, she discovered Matt sprawled in front of the TV. Big surprise.
She stared at him for a moment. Her dear husband gave boring a bad rap. Spending time with him was about as invigorating as lying motionless in a tanning booth—which she didn’t have to do anymore on account of the fifteen-second miracle-tan spray.
“I want to go out tonight,” she said, picking up a bunch of invitations stacked on the coffee table.
“Why?” Matt responded. “There’s plenty of good stuff on TV.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” she said pointedly, “but TV sports bore me to death.”
“I thought you liked curling up in bed with your fashion magazines.”
“How many magazines do you think I can read?”
“Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Us—”
“That’s enough,” she interrupted. “Tonight we’re going out. You pick,” she added, throwing a bunch of invitations at him.
Re
luctantly he began shuffling through them.
After a few minutes she marched over and snatched the invitations from his hands. “We’ll go to this one,” she said, picking out an invite to a private reception and dinner for Raja Mestres—a Latina artist. “I adore this woman’s work, she reminds me of Frida Kahlo. I might even buy a painting for Selma. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“You’re sure you want to go to this?” Matt asked, obviously loath to shift his lazy ass.
“I’m positive. You’d better go get dressed.”
She left him still lounging on the couch, went upstairs, and called Faye. She asked her to alert the host that she would be attending the party for Raja Mestres, adding a restless “I’m ready to do publicity again.” “You realize that we have a lot of damage control to take care of,” Faye lectured.
“I understand.”
“You understood last time,” Faye scolded. “It didn’t seem to make any difference.”
“Please don’t speak to me like I’m a child,” Lola said irritably. “I pay you to look after my P.R., not to tell me how to live.” Faye was silent, a bad sign. Lola knew she’d overstepped a boundary with the powerful publicist. “I’m sorry, Faye,” she said, backing down. “Didn’t mean to snap. I’m kind of, you know, emotional.”
“Aren’t we all?” Faye said dryly.
“Selma actually spoke today; she’s progressing so fast. I’m overwhelmed.”
“I suppose we’d better start putting the pieces back together,” Faye said. “Image is everything, Lola, so if you’re up to it, I’ll go ahead and arrange an informal press conference outside the hospital—perhaps later this week.”
“I’m up to it.”
“I’ll tell you exactly what to say.”
“Okay.”
“And I want Matt standing beside you. Silently. No statement from him. He should keep his mouth firmly shut.”
“Yes, Faye,” she said obediently. “Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
Faye was the best in the business, and Lola had no desire to alienate her.
She needed Faye. Faye needed her. They were a perfect team.
• • •
The wrap party for Caught was taking place at the Sunset Room, a huge, cavernous venue in Hollywood. Cat had made sure that there was plenty of money in the budget for a lavish blowout. She believed in rewarding the crew, since they always seemed to enjoy the wrap parties more than anyone.
Hollywood Divorces Page 36
