Disappointment shrouded over her like a wet blanket. “So, that’s what’s fun to you? Getting drunk?”
“Come on. Haven’t you ever gone to a party? I know you live in the sticks, but they still have booze there, right?”
Stephanie picked at her fingernail. “Yeah, there are parties here. I’m just not into that.”
“Why not?”
She chose her words carefully. “My father was killed by a drunk driver. I guess that ruined the fun of alcohol for me.”
Brandon swore under his breath. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to play around with you. I didn’t mean to…”
“I know.” Boy, she sure knew how to kill a mood.
“That’s really rotten, Vlogger girl.”
“Yeah. It is.” She hadn’t meant to get emotional, but her throat closed and she blinked back tears.
“When did that happen?” Brandon’s voice was quiet. Soft.
“When I was six.”
“Oh, man.” He exhaled. “That’s a hard age to lose a parent. I should know. My father left when I was seven. It was almost worse than if he’d died, though, because I knew he was out there somewhere. He just didn’t care enough to contact me.”
“Yeah, that really sucks.” Stephanie squeezed her pillow to her chest and thought about what that might have been like. What if her father had willingly left, instead of getting taken from her? She would have hated him.
“I’ve moved on.”
He had a bitter tone to his words, which told the opposite. Stephanie didn’t blame him. How could she? She knew what he must be feeling. A change of subject would be best. “Have you seen any movies lately?”
“I see movies all the time. I go to at least one premiere a week. Everyone wants the celebs there.”
“You sound like you hate it.”
He grunted. “No, I don’t hate it,” he said slowly. “I guess it just gets old after a while. What I wouldn’t give to just go to the movies like a regular person. No one wanting my attention or my opinion. Just to go, sit in the back, and eat popcorn. Maybe take a date that doesn’t make me want to strangle myself. Someone I actually like for a change.”
“Wait a second. You don’t like the girls you date? What about Alisha Waterstone?”
“I despise Alisha. Just saying her name makes me cringe. Have you ever heard her talk? It’s like a thousand times worse than Lina Lamont.”
Stephanie laughed. “That bad, huh?”
“Yes. Ugh, just thinking about her gives me the creeps. And she’s stuck on me like stink on a pig right now.”
Amanda walked into the room. “Mom wants to talk to you. She’s in the kitchen.”
Stephanie motioned at her, letting her know she heard and would be there in a minute. “Can’t you tell her you’re not into her?”
He gave a mirthless chuckle. “I made a deal with her. If I go to this thing with her, she said she’d leave me alone. I just have to hope she keeps her word.”
Amanda waved both of her hands above her head. “Hello? Mom wants you.”
She covered the phone with her hand. “All right. I’ll be there in a second. I just need to get off the phone.”
Amanda wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ll tell her you’re finishing up a call with a famous actor.”
“You will not.” Stephanie gave her sister a death glare.
“She already knows, anyway.” Amanda tossed a smile at her before leaving again.
“Geesh, sorry about that,” Stephanie said while leaning back against her pillows. “Sisters are a pain.”
“Sounds like you have to go.”
“Yeah.”
“I have to get ready for tonight, anyway.”
“Another party?”
“Yeah, although this one won’t be any fun. It’s a schmooze opportunity. Some old guy is throwing it at some fancy resort.”
“A famous old guy?”
He laughed. “Of course.”
“Have fun.”
“I will have more fun if Alisha isn’t there.”
Stephanie smiled. For some reason, she was pleased that Brandon didn’t like Alisha Waterstone. Before she hung up, a thought came into her head and words came spilling out of her. “Do me a favor, okay?”
“What?”
“Don’t get smashed.”
Silence came across the line, and Stephanie thought maybe she’d stepped over a line, but then he exhaled and said, “Okay, Vlogger girl. I won’t.”
They hung up and Stephanie tossed her phone on her bed. A weird sensation coursed through her. Like she was full of energy or something. She suddenly wanted to go hiking, which was crazy because it was ten degrees outside.
Maybe giving Brandon her phone number wasn’t such a bad thing after all. She kind of liked talking to him.
Chapter 10
Brandon leaned against the wall, a glass of water in his hand. He’d been passing on the alcohol for Stephanie’s sake, but he was about to take back his promise. He was bored stiff.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everything was accented in gold. It felt like they decorated in the 1990’s and hadn’t updated since.
At least Alisha wasn’t anywhere in sight. That was the only good thing about the evening. The bad? For starters, the music was being performed by people who should have died twenty years ago. Who wants to listen to hours of elevator music while at a party?
And the food was mediocre at best. But Brandon knew the game. Smile and nod at the famous people. Tell the important people in the biz how wonderful their latest film was. Lie to their face if you have to. That’s how you stayed in this business.
Brandon was sick of it and ready to leave. He pushed himself off the wall and headed toward the door. He’d made an appearance. An hour should be enough time. He was done. Plus, his head was pounding. He wanted to go home and lie down.
He made it through the room and out into the lobby before Tony grabbed his arm. He wore a black tux, and it looked like he’d been repeatedly running his hand through his hair. “Hey, you leaving?”
“Yeah. I’ve had enough of this.”
“Me, too, man. But I have to stay a bit longer. My manager wants me to chat with Neil Garrison. I guess there’s something coming down the pike. I dunno. Whatever on that. I’m chill.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
“Good luck with that. See ya.” Brandon raised his glass of water to Tony.
“Wait. Don’t run off just yet.”
“I have to. Have a headache.” That seemed to be his favorite excuse as of late.
“Take this.” He pulled a couple of white pills out of his pocket and handed them to Brandon.
“What is it?”
“Just ibuprofen, man.”
Brandon stuck the pills in his mouth and downed them with water.
Tony laughed. “You’ll be feeling much better soon.” He gave him a smug look.
Brandon shoved Tony back. “What did you give me?”
He laughed so hard, he bent over. “Something to make you feel better. You’re so uptight.”
“You’re high.”
“And soon you will be, too.”
“Jerk.” It’s not that Brandon hadn’t ever popped any pills. You get offered all kinds of things when you worked in Hollywood. But he’d planned to talk to Stephanie tonight, and he wanted to be clear-headed.
“You’ll be thanking me soon.”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I’m out of here.”
“Come on. Stick around just long enough for me to do what I have to. Then we can have some fun. I got my new baby today. We can take her for a spin.”
His ears perked up. “What did you get?”
“Just a ruby red Ferrari Enzo. That baby purrs like nothing else.”
Excitement shot through Brandon. He had been itching to get on the road lately. His own Lamborghini was stuck in the garage. He never got time to take it out. And when he had free time, his mother wouldn’t let him g
o anywhere fun. You’re too inexperienced, she’d say. Stay off the freeways. He was tired of all the rules. “Only if you let me drive.”
“What? No way. There are only five-thousand miles on my baby. I drive. But you can enjoy the flight.” Tony motioned with his hand, like they’d be driving so fast, the car would take off into the air.
It did sound amazing. “All right. Go find Garrison. I’ll wait here for you.”
By the time Tony came back, Brandon was feeling the effects of whatever pills he’d popped. His heart raced and he felt amazing. Like he could do anything. He slapped Tony’s shoulder. “Ready? Let’s blow this place.”
Tony let out a hoot and rubbed his hands together. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
They stood on the sidewalk while the valet went to get Tony’s car. “What about your car?”
“I came in my limo. I texted my driver. Told him I’m getting a ride with you.”
Tony nodded. “Awesome.”
The valet pulled up in the Ferrari, his eyes wide. The door lifted up and he climbed out. “Your car, sir,” he said as he handed him the key.
“Thanks, man.” Tony gave him a tip, then slid into the driver’s seat.
Brandon climbed into the passenger’s seat and shut the door. Tony leaned over and turned up a metal song that was coming through the speakers. Brandon wasn’t that much into metal, but he’d much rather have that blaring than listen to the old people’s music inside the resort.
“You’d better fasten your seatbelt,” Tony yelled as he pressed the gas.
Brandon clicked his in place as Tony pulled out of the resort and onto the street. They were soon cruising on the freeway, pushing past a hundred.
“This baby drives like nothing else.” Tony grinned at him.
“It’s a good thing traffic is light.”
“This is amazing. You wouldn’t believe how this car handles the road. It’s like I don’t even have to think. It weaves through the cars like a knife through butter.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty smooth.”
Tony raised his eyebrows. “So, you and Alisha, huh?”
Brandon almost choked on his spit. “No. Man, why did you have to spoil this by bringing her up? She’s horrible.”
Tony laughed, long and high-pitched. “She’s stuck all over you these days.”
“Yeah, like a bad rash. I can’t get rid of her.”
“Just tell her off.”
“Naw, man, I can’t. I don’t want to be blackballed forever.”
Tony tossed him a knowing look. “I get it.”
“But she says she’ll leave me alone after next week, so I have that to look forward to.”
“What’s next week?”
“Some gala event. She said if I go with her, she’ll find some other poor sap to cling to.”
Tony laughed again, squeezing between two cars, his foot pressing harder on the gas pedal.
Brandon swallowed as the speedometer inched up. Tony wasn’t driving nearly as well as he was imagining he was. He almost clipped a bumper as he swerved into the next lane. “Careful. I do want to make it home tonight.”
“Don’t be such a grandma.”
The car in front of them slammed on their brakes, and they sped towards the red taillights. “Watch out!”
Tony swerved again, his tires screeching. They missed the car. Tony hooted. “Did you see that? That was awesome.”
Brandon’s heart pumped so fast, he could barely breathe. Maybe it was the drugs, or the speed. Or a little of both. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the taillights of the cars in front of him. He was dizzy and starting to regret this whole thing. Why had he taken the pills Tony gave him? He could have guessed they weren’t ibuprofen. He was stupid.
Tony sped up and the movement made his stomach lurch. “Slow down. You’re making me sick.”
Tony just laughed. “Wait until we get past this curve. I’ll have a nice straight stretch. I can really open this thing up then.”
Oh, great. He just wanted out of the car. Did that make him a grandma? Maybe whatever he took was making him paranoid. He didn’t usually get all sissy about stupid stuff.
A siren wailed behind them, and red lights flashed. Brandon exhaled. Now Tony had done it. They were getting pulled over by the cops. What a disaster. They’d be in the papers tomorrow for sure. Rex was going to kill him. And his mother would be livid. He’d have to listen to her lecture at him for hours. At least he’d make it home in one piece.
Tony glanced behind him. “Crap. We can get rid of him, though. Hang on.”
Brandon sat up. “What?”
“He can’t go this fast. I’ll shake him.”
“Are you insane?” Brandon stared at Tony. “You can’t get in a car chase. We’ll be arrested. Pull over.”
“We can’t get arrested if they can’t catch us.”
“Man, you’re not thinking straight. How many pills did you take? They have your license plate number. They know who you are. Just pull over!”
Tony gripped the steering wheel and snarled. “I’m not going to get caught. I can’t get another point taken away. They didn’t see my plate. I’m going too fast.” He pressed the gas and the Ferrari lurched forward.
He was crazy. And he was going to get them in the biggest trouble Brandon had been in yet. He could see the headlines now. What if they went to jail? This was bad. “Just stop the car.”
The road curved, and the centrifugal force threw Brandon against his door. Tony swore as he lost control of the car, the crazy speed forcing them off the road. They hit a guard rail, and the sound of metal tearing rang loud in Brandon’s ears.
Tony’s car! He was going to freak.
The next few events were a blur. He could hear screaming, but it didn’t sound like Tony. Maybe it was himself. The car hit something unknown and it careened into the air. It flipped over several times, hitting dirt, crunching metal, rolling again and again. Glass shattered. A sharp piece of metal cut into his arm, and suddenly he was covered in sticky blood. Pain exploded through his head as something whacked him. Everything went black.
Chapter 11
Stephanie finally caved and went to see the latest 80’s movie remake by herself. Jade was too busy, and Amanda was out with Cole again, which was fine. It was a Saturday night. Of course, she’s going to be with her boyfriend.
If Stephanie didn’t talk about the movie on her Vlog, people would start to think she wasn’t on top of things. And yes, it was as bad as she had expected it to be. Sub-par acting and even worse CGI. She sat in front of her computer, thinking about what she was going to say on her Vlog.
There was no choice. She had to tell the truth. But Brandon’s words kept running through her head, how she was always ragging on movies. Tearing them apart. Was there anything about it she liked?
She took in a deep breath, thinking harder. Maybe there were a few jokes that made her laugh. She could talk about that. And the new sub-plot wasn’t bad. It actually helped make more sense of the original movie.
She pulled out a notebook and started scribbling down some notes. She was still going to be honest about the poor acting, and the terrible graphics, but she did think she could say a few positive things as well. Maybe that’s what her show needed. Some balance.
As she wrote, her phone alerted her to a text. She glanced at the screen. It was from Chris. She picked up her phone and read the whole message.
Hey, I hope it’s not too late to text. You were up late last night, so I figured you’re a night owl like me. Anyway, just thought I’d say thanks again for meeting me at The Spotted Cow. I enjoyed talking with you.
Stephanie glanced at the clock. It was after midnight. She chuckled and texted him back.
What are you doing up so late?
Watching a show on Netflix. Is that stupid?
No. I binge watch all the time.
Oh, man. I binged on everything I could, but now I’m all caught up. I can’t wait for the next episode.
Ste
phanie leaned back in her chair. Sounds like something I need to check out. What’s the name of it?
The dots appeared, showing he was answering her. I can’t tell you. It’s embarrassing.
She made a face. Embarrassing? Why?
Because it might be romantic.
Stephanie laughed out loud. Oh, please. Men like romances.
What men like romances? Name one.
I can’t name one. I just think men like them. Don’t they?
No. Men like action and adventure. Thrillers. Movies about lumberjacks.
She scoffed. Lumberjacks? You don’t know what you’re talking about. I can’t even think of one movie about a lumberjack.
Sorry. Just thinking of manly things. Change that to explosions, and I’m good.
Amanda ran into the bedroom, her hair flying as she screeched to a halt by Stephanie’s desk. “Brandon was in a car accident. It’s all over Twitter.”
“What?” The blood drained from Stephanie’s face as she quickly swiped to open her Twitter feed.
Amanda stood there as she caught her breath. “He and Tony Perry were in the car. I don’t know who was driving, but both were drunk.”
Oh, no. This can’t be happening. He promised. He wasn’t going to drink tonight. Her heart jumped into her throat and she felt tears spring to her eyes. “Are they okay?”
“I don’t know. I came to tell you as soon as I saw the story starting to explode all over the place.”
Stephanie clicked a link to a news article. She wasn’t interested in rumors. As she skimmed the article, her breath caught. “Oh, no.”
“What? Is he dead? Tell me he didn’t die.” Amanda clasped her hands under her chin, anxiety wrinkling her brow.
“I don’t know yet. It hasn’t said.”
“Then what? Why did you say ‘oh, no’?”
“They were involved in a police chase.” This was bad. The article did say there were drugs or alcohol involved. They were going over 200 mph. Stephanie blinked, trying to get to the part where it said if he was dead. Surely he didn’t walk away from an accident like that. Her heart pounded as she skimmed.
“Wow.” Amanda breathed out. “I didn’t think Brandon was that kind of a guy.”
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