‘Can you not call off the engagement?’ Amber suggested.
Joe shook his head vehemently. ‘Believe me, I suggested that after the whole rehab fuckup. But no way. It’s not just Carmen and Jen pressuring me now – I had the whole studio come down on my head. They just took a huge hit on that gigantic alien movie that bombed big time, and they’re pinning all their hopes on Him, Me and Mr Paws. If Jen and I don’t walk off into the sunset together in “real life” –’ he put the last two words in audible inverted commas – ‘they’re scared the movie will tank.’
‘Do you actually have to get married?’ Amber asked.
He grimaced. ‘I’m hoping to slip out of that one,’ he said. ‘Keep postponing – you know, pressures of work, conflicting shooting schedules . . . and then Jen finally says that she loves me but she’s not in love with me any more, she can’t make her peace with the past, she can’t get over the fact that I cheated. That plays well for her, ’cause she looks like a strong independent woman.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘So we go our separate ways. I’m heartbroken, of course. But finally I move on. Jen doesn’t date for a while, because she’s getting over me – which is perfect for her, natch, as really she’s hooking up with Carmen.’
Amber nodded. ‘That sounds plausible.’
‘It does, doesn’t it?’ Joe leaned over to look at her. ‘But you see where it leaves me in the meantime.’
He put his hand over hers. ‘I like women, Amber,’ he said frankly. ‘I can’t just go cold turkey on the ladies for six months to a year while Jen and I get this mess sorted out in the best PR way possible. And obviously, I can’t let off steam in strip clubs any more.’ He looked unexpectedly serious. ‘Plus, I’m asking myself why I’m still doing that. Cascabel got to me, you know? All those sessions with Dr Raf, talking about stuff I never even thought about before. I really do like women. I don’t want to be the dick that pays for a girl half my age to sit on my lap in a thong.’ He grimaced. ‘Well, I want it, but I don’t want it, you know? I mean, what happens when I get older? I don’t want to be a dirty old man. Even Warren Beatty settled down. It’s time for me to start thinking about it. Dr Raf really got to me. He’s a damn good guy.’
‘Yes, he is,’ Amber said so quietly Joe didn’t even hear her.
‘So, I need to date someone grown up enough to get what’s going on,’ he continued. ‘Someone who I can see going forward with, after all the dust clears.’
Joe twined his fingers through hers. ‘Someone like you, babe.’
And just as Amber was opening her mouth to tell him no, he leaned over and kissed her with an expertise that took her breath away.
*
It was a world-class kiss. Joe knew exactly what he was doing; by the time Amber had lifted her hand to push him away, she was already under his spell, and her hand dropped back to her side as he kissed her long and thoroughly. It was Joe who eventually ended it, sitting back with a smug expression on his face, saying: ‘Well, we definitely have chemistry . . .’
‘You’d have chemistry with a dead goat,’ Amber said dazedly, making Joe smirk complacently. She sat for a moment, coming back to full consciousness; then she leaned forward and slapped Joe hard across his cheek.
‘What the—’ Joe looked totally stunned.
‘You’re a slut, Joe Jeffreys!’ she said furiously. ‘Even when we were in Cascabel, you were a slut! Flirting with me, and sneaking off to have sex with Skye!’
‘I didn’t mean to make you feel bad—’ he started.
‘Not me, you idiot! I couldn’t care less about whether you flirt with me!’ she snapped. ‘I’m talking about Skye! How do you think that made her feel?’
Joe’s jaw dropped. He stared at her blankly.
‘You didn’t even think about her, did you?’ she said angrily. ‘You were happy enough to get your rocks off with her, but the rest of the time you were mooning after me, because you’ve got this ridiculous fallen angel fantasy about me! Oh, yes, don’t think I didn’t know all about that! Men! You’re pathetic!’
Amber narrowed her eyes in fury. ‘What, you thought you were going to ride in on your white horse and save me?’ she continued. ‘You moron! Didn’t it occur to you that I have to save myself?’ She pounded at her chest with her fist, completely carried away by now. ‘What good would it do if you, or anyone, did it for me?’
Joe was hanging his head in shame by now.
‘And suggesting to me that I be your secret girlfriend?’ she continued angrily. ‘Do you really think that would be a good idea for me? I’ve been an addict for almost half of my life, and I’ve hidden it from almost everyone. And it nearly killed me! I can’t do any more secrets!’
‘Babe, I’m sorry—’ Joe started, red in the face now.
‘You barely know me!’ she charged on. ‘It’s crazy to think we could jump into a relationship just like that! Especially when there’s someone right under your nose who’d die to have you suggest something like that to her! Someone who has real feelings for you – someone you really get on with, who you laugh and joke with – someone you’re yourself with! You were never really yourself with me, because you were all tangled up in your immature, teenage rescue fantasy!’
Joe was holding up both hands in surrender. ‘Stop!’ he pleaded. ‘I get it! I’m an idiot! I’m a total fucking idiot! I’ve got everything completely wrong! Please, just don’t shout at me any more!’
Amber stared at him, panting from her tirade; she didn’t feel she’d got out half of what she wanted to say.
‘You’re talking about Skye, right?’ Joe said. ‘You’re saying Skye has feelings for me?’
‘Of course I’m talking about Skye!’ she said, still loudly enough to make him cower. ‘She really cares about you! I think she’s fallen for you! And you didn’t even bother to get in contact with her after you left Cascabel!’
‘It was all such a mess,’ Joe said apologetically. ‘I meant to. I was just letting the dust settle. And then that story came out in the Investigator, and I realized she’d been a plant all along . . .’
‘She’d never have talked to them if you’d got in touch with her!’ Amber insisted. ‘She told me that, and I believe her! She was waiting and hoping that you’d track her down and try to see her again!’
‘Huh,’ Joe said slowly, taking this in.
This isn’t all about Joe, Amber realized suddenly. Part of this is about me being angry with Dr Raf. I wish he’d got in touch with me after I left – to see how I was doing. I’m upset he didn’t, and I’m taking it out on Joe.
The Hummer had pulled to a halt a while ago, but Joe and Amber had been oblivious to the fact that they were no longer in motion. Finally, the driver tapped on the mike of his intercom to get their attention; they both jumped.
‘So sorry, Mr Jeffreys, but we’re at our destination, and I think that your, uh, event is just about to start,’ he said, sounding embarrassed even through the speakers. ‘May I—’
‘Yeah, yeah. You can open the door,’ Joe said, sitting back, grabbing a bottle of water and uncapping it.
The passenger side door swung open, and Amber jumped out without waiting for Joe. She looked back into the Hummer, where Joe was still sitting, drinking water and looking dazed.
‘Give up the fantasies,’ she said to him firmly. ‘Focus on what’s staring you in the face. You don’t need a fallen angel. What you really need is a partner in crime.’
Turning on her heel, she walked up the slate path to Cascabel’s main entrance. Behind her, Joe swung out of the Hummer, staring after Amber as the silk skirt of her dress swirled around her long legs. Slowly, he whistled through his teeth, a long, slow, thoughtful whistle, as he watched her disappear into the building.
Skye
Sitting in the lobby of Cascabel’s reception, staring at the three huge vases ranged along the front desk, filled with masses of pale yellow orchids that looked like sunshine against the light green walls, Skye had been early for this meeting. She had bee
n checking her appearance in the mirror panels between the vases, but when she saw Amber coming up the path, she jumped to her feet.
She walks like she’s on a catwalk, Skye thought resentfully. Hair bouncing like a shampoo ad, legs stepping high as a pony, just like a runway model. Never looks down once, even though that path is like slate stepping stones. I hate her.
And then, beyond Amber, at the bottom of the winding path, Skye spotted a tall figure, wide-shouldered, long-legged, standing in the shade of the two high palm trees that framed the entrance to Cascabel. He was dressed uncharacteristically smartly in a white shirt and grey trousers, but even if he’d been wearing a floor-length kaftan, Skye – like millions of his fans – would have instantly recognized that handsome face, that distinctive shock of blond hair.
I don’t believe it! Skye’s hands curled into fists by her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She got a ride here with Joe! I spilled my heart out to her in that producer’s office, and she let me, and all the time she must have been dating Joe and laughing at me, letting me go on about how much I cared about him – God, I’d like to strangle both of them!
‘Skye!’ Amber said nervously as she stepped through the glass sliding entrance door and spotted Skye, whose expression wasn’t exactly welcoming. Skye caught sight of herself in one of the mirrors: her entire body looked like a coiled spring about to burst.
‘I wanted to explain – about the audition—’ Amber started, but Skye held up one hand, palm facing Amber, cutting her off.
‘I don’t want to hear it,’ she said, as the glass door slid open again and Joe appeared, his big frame blotting out the sunlight as he entered.
‘Hey, Skye,’ he said awkwardly.
‘Whatever,’ Skye said coldly, turning away, doing her best not to cry.
‘Am I late?’ Petal tripped through the entrance, sounding out of breath. ‘The traffic was terrible, it took me ages to get out of the Valley—’
In cut-offs, a strapless bright orange terry top, and flip-flops, she looked very LA; the only difference was that the long legs were dead white, the yellow of her hair glaringly artificial. LA girls tried to look as natural as possible: London girls didn’t even eat natural for breakfast.
‘I see you really made an effort to dress up for Brian’s final day here,’ Skye said snarkily.
Petal’s face fell as she looked around the lobby, taking in everyone else’s appearances. Joe, in his smart shirt and trousers; Amber, in her designer silk dress; even Skye was in a pretty, strappy sundress.
‘I didn’t think,’ she confessed.
‘Yeah, well, that wouldn’t be the first time, would it?’ Skye commented, dropping into one of the armchairs.
Petal bit her lip. ‘I’m so sorry about the video,’ she said, looking from Skye to Joe. ‘I really didn’t mean it all to blow up like that. I was just sharing it with a couple of mates – and then someone stole one of their phones—’
‘Right,’ Skye said sarcastically.
‘Hey, she’s just a kid. And they kicked her out too,’ Joe said to Skye, as Petal’s shoulders slumped.
‘What, you’re defending her now?’ Skye said to him furiously. ‘She ruined everything, and you’re defending her?’
The double doors that led through to the treatment facility swung open, and Dr Lucy emerged into the middle of this scene, Dr Raf on her heels.
‘Hello, everyone,’ she said brightly. ‘Well!’ She surveyed the group gathered in the lobby. ‘It’s very nice of you all to show up on Brian’s leaving day! Let me say a word here, before we go through to the meeting room.’ She held up one hand in a gesture rather like a priest absolving a penitent. ‘What’s done is done. You were all invited here in a spirit of forgiveness, to celebrate Brian’s treatment and recovery, and give him support.’
She tilted her head on one side, her smile fixed, not looking at anyone in particular as she continued: ‘Actions against the Cascabel policy were committed, and consequences have been taken. But now we’re moving on.’
God, she talks to us like we’re a bunch of idiot kids, Skye thought, annoyed, as Dr Lucy glanced sideways at Dr Raf, clearly expecting him to chime in.
Dr Raf, however, didn’t meet Dr Lucy’s gaze, didn’t even seem to realize she was looking at him. He was staring at Amber, and Amber was staring right back at him as if they were in some sort of trance.
Impatiently, Dr Lucy elbowed him, and he stammered something, turning to lead the way into the meeting room. Dr Lucy directed a stare at Amber that would have sliced right through her if it could, and raised her hand even higher, passing it across her already perfectly smooth black wing of hair.
Why’s she doing that? Skye wondered. She’ll just mess it up if she actually touches it – not that she needs to, she’s got that pony-tail sprayed into place with half a can of Elnett . . .
And then she realized. It was Dr Lucy’s left hand. And on the fourth finger was a large, shiny, square-cut diamond solitaire, which Dr Lucy was tilting back and forth to make sure it caught the light.
Oh.
A lot of things began to dawn on Skye, one after the other.
It’s Amber she’s staring at. It’s Amber she wants to tell that she’s engaged – and obviously, Dr Raf’s the fiancé. Poor guy.
Having gesticulated enough with her hand to call plenty of attention to her diamond, Dr Lucy let it fall to her side again, her smile even brighter, positively victorious.
‘Well, Brian will be waiting!’ she said. ‘This is one of the most important days in his life! Let’s all go and make it special for him, shall we?’
The Cascabel meeting room was eerily familiar to Petal, as if she were coming back to a family home. It had barely been ten days since she’d been kicked out, and she was surprised at how nostalgic she felt to be back here, in a room where she’d spent so much time kicking the chair legs or crying, bundled up in a blanket. And she was amazed at how happy she was to see Brian too, skinny Brian with his piercings and his slumped shoulders.
‘Dude!’ he said, almost running towards her to give her a hug. ‘How are you doing?’ He slapped her back awkwardly, as if she were a guy friend. ‘I missed having you here, you know?’ he said. ‘And Joe.’ He grinned shyly over her shoulder at his idol. ‘I mean, I missed everyone in group,’ he said, still hugging Petal. ‘But it was weird not having you round to talk music with.’
‘Brian,’ Joe said, striding up to him and executing the male hug and backslap so well that by the time he was released, Brian was pink with excitement at being greeted in such a friendly way by Joe. ‘Good to see you again, man. And well done for finishing treatment.’
Brian ducked his head, red to the tips of his ears.
‘Shall we get started?’ Dr Lucy, who seemed to be running this session, asked pointedly.
But Joe, taking his seat, indicating for Brian to sit next to him, ignored her; and there was no way that even Dr Lucy’s head-mistressy authority could prevail over a movie star who was used to having the eyes of the world on his smallest gesture.
‘First things first,’ Joe said in a leisurely drawl, stretching his long legs out in front of him, looking around the circle of chairs, his blue eyes passing over each participant in turn. He raised his hands in apology.
‘I’d like to point out the elephant in the room,’ he said. ‘Me and Skye weren’t taking this rehab as seriously as some of you, and I’m gonna apologize for that straight away. It wasn’t respectful.’ He grimaced. ‘I mean, I never thought rehab was a walk in the park, but what some of you have gone through – well, I don’t want you to think we were just pissing on it when we sneaked off and fooled around, OK? I’m real sorry about how everything went down.’
‘Me too,’ Skye chimed in, ridiculously happy that he’d named her. She wanted very badly for him to look at her: to smile, maybe. To remember what a great time they’d had together.
‘I’m very glad you realize that, Joe. And Skye,’ Dr Raf said, leaning forward, his ha
ndsome face concentrated. ‘You could seriously have damaged the recovery of some vulnerable patients.’
Dr Raf’s being very careful not to look at Amber now, Skye noticed. I wonder if Dr Lucy’s picking that up too?
‘I’m doing OK, Dr Raf,’ Brian chirped up. ‘I’m working the steps. I was just sorry that you guys left,’ he said, looking shyly at Joe and Skye. ‘It was cool having you around.’
‘And they were good in group,’ Mitch, the near-silent coke addict, chimed in, to everyone’s surprise; all the heads in the room turned as one to look at Mitch, who, uncomfortable as always at having any attention directed his way, started scratching his stubbly beard furiously in an effort to cope.
‘The last thing I wanted to do was to mess up anyone’s recovery,’ Skye said in a heartfelt tone. ‘I don’t mean to make this all about me, but I really do want to say that.’ She smiled at Brian. ‘This is about you getting clean. It’s your day. And we’re all really proud of you.’
‘That’s great, Skye,’ Dr Raf said, nodding. ‘We’re here to celebrate Brian. Let’s remember, the reason we do so much group work is for mutual support—’
‘I got triggered,’ Mitch blurted out, so loudly that Dr Raf broke off what he was saying. ‘I got triggered when all of that went down.’
He was scratching his beard now even more frantically; Skye could hear the hairs rasping against his nails.
‘Mitch?’ Dr Raf began. ‘I think—’
‘I used to do coke with strippers,’ Mitch announced at high volume. ‘With strippers, off strippers, you name it, I did it. And she shows up here –’ he pointed at Skye – ‘looking really hot, and talks about being a stripper and doing coke and all that, and I got really triggered.’
‘This is great, Mitch,’ Dr Lucy chipped in now, ‘but let’s put a pin in it till we can talk about it in a one-on-one session—’
Bad Girls Page 37
