“Not if you’re going to take it out of context.” Jax sounded frustrated and... hurt?
“How else am I going to take you?”
“Tight and slick, just like earlier.” He winked.
Heat flooded my cheeks. Effective way to shift the mood in the room. “One, that doesn’t make any sense, and two, your words were we should keep this between us. Not the sweetest thing to hear after sex.”
“The you’re incredible didn’t stick?” Jax asked.
Grayson crossed the room to sit on the floor next to my beanbag. The nearness wasn’t unusual between us, but today it made me question so much. “We asked for discretion because of Chase,” he said.
Bros before hos? “I don’t talk about my sex life with my brother.”
“But we run in the same circles... obviously.” Grayson settled his hand on my arm, searing my skin. “It’s going to get back to him. And in the past he’s asked us—”
“His exact words were Keep your grubby dicks off my sister,” Jax said.
Not the nicest way for Chase to address his best friends. But he’d always been protective of me. Wait. That meant... he felt like he had a reason to make that request. Was that good or bad? I couldn’t find a reply.
“The point was, is...” Grayson sighed. “We’re not looking at you any differently—”
“I am.” Jax smirked.
Grayson rolled his eyes, but a hint of a smile shone through. Comforting. “We’re not looking at you with any less respect or any more assumption.”
Jax’s grin grew. “The lust hasn’t decreased any, either.”
He was lusting after me before? A tiny nag in the back of my mind repainted that moment in high school. He’d apologized. We’d moved on or I wouldn’t be talking to him. None of those reassurances extinguished that spark of doubt. And here I was, not responding while they tried to soothe my mind. I needed to say something.
Grayson placed a finger under my chin and raised my gaze to his. “If you’re not okay with what happened, say so now, and we can figure it out.” He sounded so genuine.
My racing thoughts were slowing and the nagging in my gut was fading at their insistence we use now to make things right. “I’m okay with it. Great with it. It was amazing.” Was it okay to say that out loud? It should be.
“Something we agree on.” Jax winked.
“...I said no.” Lyn’s shout echoed through the top floor of the building. “If you don’t like my answer, even if you do, you can fuck all the way off.” She stormed back into the room, and threw her phone at her chair. It bounced once and then settled. Red blotches decorated her face, and she was shaking.
The conversation with Grayson and Jax took a backseat to Lyn’s distress. And it felt like we’d worked things out anyway. I needed to adjust my perspective on how to act around them. I extracted myself from my seat and approached Lyn, in case hugs were needed. “What happened?”
Lyn pinched the bridge of her nose and took a few deep breaths. “It was that asshole who wants to buy the building. I want to blast out a warning to any woman considering dating him that he doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. Fucking troglodyte.”
“I can pound his face in for you,” Jax offered.
Lyn let out a tiny laugh. “I’m good, thanks. But I’ll keep the offer in mind.” She looked at Grayson. “You’re still coming over in a few days for Cosplay Christmas, aren’t you?”
In other words, she wanted to change the subject. I respected that.
Grayson nodded. “Absolutely. I’m Sadie’s to use and abuse while the entire internet watches.”
Hello, new fantasies. I needed to redraw the lines between the vivid images my brain liked to provide me with, and reality.
Chapter Five
I’d never been more nervous about a job interview in my life. Not that I’d had to deal with them since my channel took off a couple years ago and I started earning enough to pay the bills.
But today wasn’t just about a job. It was about the job. The career I dreamed about. I looked myself over one more time in the mirror. The violet in my hair was vibrant, no roots showing. My makeup was on point. And my outfit was the perfect way to present myself. It was a business suit with subtle hints of evening gown worked into the trim and blouse. Professional but creative, to show off what I could do when I was given freedom.
I took several calming breaths, and sat in front of my laptop. The call wasn’t for ten minutes, but I didn’t know what else to do besides pace until I wore a path in the carpet. I’d already posted several pictures online of the outfit, with a teaser that I hoped to share good news soon.
I fiddled with my phone, which I’d set to silent. There were three text messages. The first two were from Anne and Chase, wishing me luck. I’d read the third a ridiculous number of times. It was a good luck message as well, but Jax sent it and Grayson chimed in. For someone who insisted one-time sex wouldn’t change anything, I couldn’t stop thinking it had changed everything.
Did I mind? I didn’t know what to think beyond knowing I couldn’t hook up with them again, and wishing I could.
Falling into that merry-go-round of thought would wait. It was almost time. I positioned myself in front of my camera. The lighting and position in my new room were perfect—I’d tested both with a couple of livestreams since yesterday. Any still-packed boxes were tucked away, and just enough of my room was visible to imply my personality, without saying too much.
My stomach dropped into my shoes when my video chat software rang. One more deep breath, then I answered.
The woman who appeared on my screen wasn’t the one I was expecting. She introduced herself as Kayla, Ms. G’s Assistant. Perhaps this was a few minutes of screening, or she would keep me company until my Ms. G was available. A designer with her skill and reputation had to have a packed schedule.
I gave Kayla my warmest smile and let everything fall away except the person I was on camera. “It’s so great to talk to you. I’ve really been looking forward to this conversation. You and Ms. G and the entire staff do such amazing work. The outfits in the newest fantasy adaptation were one-of-a-kind incredible.” I stopped myself before I dove into fangirl gushing. I wanted them to know I was familiar with their designs, but didn’t want to talk so much they couldn’t.
Kayla’s smile brightened. “We’re glad you reached out to us as well. It’s always wonderful to connect with fresh talent. Your work is amazing. Not quite up to the standard we require from our designers, but you do have potential.”
Mentally, I wavered. Feedback was good, especially from someone of this caliber. And they’d agreed to talk to me, so it wasn’t all lip service. “I’m always willing to learn. Teach me and mold me.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” Did her voice just become a little more artificial, or was the mask over my wounded ego projecting? “Ms. G is so sorry she couldn’t speak with you herself, but she’d like me to introduce you to a course we offer. It’s an intimate, online setting. Rarely more than thirty people.”
I— What? Maybe this was how they trained new hires? “Tell me more. Is this like some sort of remote internship?”
“In a way, yes. Your final design, the one you create for your grade, will be considered by Ms. G. If she feels you’ve done exceptional work, we consider offering you an internship. That will be local to L.A., and we provide a small stipend once you arrive.”
None of this sounded like what I expected, or even legit. “And then you hire those interns?”
“If they work out, absolutely”
“I see. And this course is free?” Of course it was. She was about to laugh at me for even asking.
Kayla chuckled. “Ms. G’s time is valuable. The course is five thousand dollars, but we do offer installment plans. If you’re hired, the remainder of your balance is waived.”
Anger was flooding in to mingle with my hurt and disbelief. “So basically these interviews are your way of fleecing potential designers looking f
or an in.”
“They’re an excellent opportunity for people serious about their craft.” Kayla’s sunny mask cracked. “This is a chance to work with the best and get a foot up in an industry that touches every genre of film. Open slots in this program are rare, and you’re fortunate to be offered one.”
“Wow. I bet the internet would love to hear about this.” Fuck pretenses and false smiles. This was some serious bullshit.
Kayla glowered. “You signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of agreeing to this interview. I assure you, our lawyers do not take slander lightly. If you pass up this chance, if you leave a bad taste in our mouths, you will never work in Hollywood.”
The idea of losing access to my dream curdled in my gut. She had to be making an empty threat. “I’ll take that chance. Thank you for your time.” I disconnected before she could reply.
I made sure all connections were closed, and resisted the urge to slam my laptop shot as I shut the lid. Tears pricked the inside of my eyelids as I sank back in my chair. Were they sadness? Fury? A heavy dose of both?
Was Kayla right that I wasn’t as good as I thought? Was that why I couldn’t get anyone else to talk to me? Or was this one designer taking advantage of people? How many costumers had they fleeced? And what was it about me that said I’m so desperate you can scam me out of 5 grand?
I sat there as minutes ticked away, letting my rage simmer into a thick, gooey mess in my thoughts. They weren’t getting away with this. I’d write a scathing email. Would I be the first? Would it be used against me with other people? Did I care?
I opened my laptop again. A barking laugh choked from my throat when I saw an email waiting for me from Kayla. She was definitely getting a piece of my mind.
The body of the message wasn’t a nice, personalized little note. It looked more like a newsletter. It thanked me for my time, and offered a link to more information about the course. And at the bottom of it all, it reminded me This email was sent from an unmonitored box. Do not reply.
Fucking bitch. Curiosity and anger had me clicking the link. It took me to a pretty page with pictures of lots of smiling people near ornate costumes, and brief, content-less blurbs about how amazing this course was.
I was more interested in the Terms and Conditions. One lesson I was grateful I’d learned early on in my career—always know what they’re doing with my intellectual property. This company was keeping it. Any designs submitted, proposed, or posted in the discussion room during the course were property of Ms. G.
Apparently I could be more furious. I took screenshots of everything, and captured a PDF of the email as proof. I needed to call Anne, and go downstairs and let Lyn know how things went. But I needed to type first, while the rage and thoughts were still fresh.
The world was going to know about this bullshit. I’d do a live feed. I’d link to evidence. As the list ticked off in my head, my fingers were already flying over the keyboard, composing a list of talking points for me to cover when I addressed my followers. In the next few hours, millions of people would know what was happening in one corner of Hollywood.
My anger didn’t diminish as I re-read, revised, and relentlessly polished. A little voice I didn’t care for joined the chorus telling me this was a mistake. They’d threatened me.
It didn’t matter. They were scamming people, and the world needed to know before they took advantage of anyone else.
A knock on my door made me jump. Shit, it was almost two. I’d been at this for hours. I was sufficiently collected to talk to Lyn. “Come in.”
Jax poked his head into my room. Lust bounded in and muddled my fury at the softness around his eyes. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“No, I’m not. What are you doing here?” I made sure to ask calmly. I wasn’t angry at him.
He stepped inside and mostly closed the door behind him. Jax dressed for work was as delicious as Jax in jeans and a T-shirt. He embodied everything about the phrase Suit Porn. “We all got worried when you didn’t message anyone back. I had a client lunch down the street, and it gave me an excuse to check on you. Did they tell you that you have to wait to start? Or are they making you pack up and leave us right away?”
My brain stalled on the words. He was assuming I got the job. There was no doubt in his questions, only concern. “I didn’t get it.”
“What? But you’re the best.”
“Not according to them.” I couldn’t hold back any longer. I had spent hours writing out my thoughts and now I had an audience. I let the entire story spill out.
His expression shifted from sympathetic to an anger that matched my own. “Are you fucking kidding me? Who do I need to crucify?”
“I’m going to tell the entire internet.” I was encouraged by his response. “You can give me a signal boost.”
Jax frowned. “Don’t do that.”
There it was. The lack of support I’d feared. Any hope that had blossomed since he showed up wilted and withered and exploded in a cloud of disappointed dust.
Chapter Six
I stared at Jax with disbelief. “Did you hear me?” He’d looked sympathetic. “They’re ripping people off. Not just me. They didn’t manufacture a several thousand dollar course specifically for me.”
“And you signed an NDA.”
Fucking logic. “If they come after me, at least I’ve warned people. I’ll fight back.” That was the one bit I was unsure of. Could I? How badly would they ruin me? Damn him for zeroing in on the one point that had me wavering.
“It’s not that easy, and it’s not going to be cheap. Even an initial push back, beyond backing down and yielding to their demands, will make their five thousand look like pocket change.” He sounded kind.
I didn’t want that. I wanted him to be sneering, all-but implying I was being stupid, so I could keep raging and suck him into the bubble of what irritated me. “Since when do you know so much about these things?”
He raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips.
Ah. Not a dumb question unless one knew who he worked for. Rinslet had built a large part of their reputation on not fitting in. They were strategic about who they pissed off, and they knew how to spin almost any bad press. As part of their sales department, Jax had to be familiar with all of their talking points. Chase had gone on about it at length and with great fascination when he was in training.
But... “I can’t let this go. They’re taking advantage of people. This isn’t just about me.”
“I’m not saying walk away. Be smart about how you retaliate.”
“How?”
“Let me talk to a friend in Legal. Save your rant until I have answers, and once you’re protected, we can tear them down.”
“We?” I liked the warm glow that spread inside with his support and offer of help.
He flashed me one of those sexy smirks that sent my imagination running rampant. “You roped me in when you gave me deets. Now you’re stuck with me until things are resolved.”
“I won’t complain about that.” Damn him for making me almost smile in the midst of my rage.
Jax reached for the door. “Text Anne and Chase and tell them you’re all right. Chase wants to take you out to celebrate. Tell him you’re up for commiseration instead and he’s buying the drinks.”
“Bossy much?”
“You know you love it.” He winked, and then he was gone.
My feelings about the not-interview hadn’t changed, but I was doing better thanks to Jax’s surprise visit.
He was eye candy and taken by an amazing man. Fantasy material; not swoon-after and crush-on material. I had to remember that.
I also had to go online and tell my followers my big news had been postponed, and thank them for all the good wishes. My heart sank again at the thought of why I didn’t have a big reveal for them today. Talk about a soul-crushing reality check.
LYN INVITED EVERYONE to hold my commiseration party in her basement. The space had originally been built out as an over-sized den, co
mplete with a pool table, bar, and kitchenette. I insisted she didn’t need to cook for us. She countered she had new appetizer recipes and she needed a test audience.
It was hard to argue against her cooking. Besides if we drank here, no one had to be the designated driver. The basement had plenty of couches for everyone.
Chase brought Asahi beer, because my brother was a beer snob.
Anne brought Guinness because, Chase brought that pale ass lager, didn’t he? I’d known her most of my life. When we were kids, we’d tell people we were twins, both of us the same height and build, with dark blond hair. Her hair was a shorter pixie cut now, and its natural color. We were both about five six and could share clothes, but she was more comfortable in jeans and baggy T-shirts where I preferred things more form-fitting. And she was still as much my sister as anyone ever would be.
Jax and Grayson brought champagne and flowers. There was no explanation, but daises were my favorite, and I couldn’t hide my grin when Grayson handed them to me.
Everyone offered hugs and sympathy. It killed me to keep my mouth shut. To not tell anyone Turns out it was a massive fucking scam. I hated keeping secrets, and my job interview news, plus my it’s just casual fun hook up with Jax and Grayson, were bursting to get out.
I needed more of a distraction than rounds of pity and commiseration. “We should play something,” I announced. It was almost a given that we’d split into teams of boys vs girls. We were evenly matched at all of our favorites, though some of us were better at each than the rest of us. Pool. Dance Dance Revolution.
“Darts,” Grayson said.
Chase handed Grayson and me each a beer. “Neither of you is drunk enough for darts.”
I turned wide, sad eyes toward Chase and batted my eyelashes. “But I’m so wounded and heartbroken.” I managed the perfect balance of teasing and pathetic in my voice.
“Fine.” Chase let out an exaggerated huff. “I suppose you’ve earned the right to throw sharp, pointy things at a target. But no one’s going easy on you.”
Looking For It (Three Player Co-op Book 1) Page 3
