Endeavor: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

by S. E. Rose

  She nods again. “He quit after Ken was killed, but he’s still close with some of the drivers. That’s why he founded the charity. Ken and I were working on forming this charity at the time. I guess he wanted to feel close to his dad, even though he’d never admit it.” Blythe pauses. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t be sharing all this with you.” She shakes her head and gives me a small smile. “I have you both at my table.” She glances over at her son. “Grady will be here, too. And a few of my close friends.”

  “Really?” I squeak.

  She leans in toward me. “You really impressed me, Emma, and to be honest, no one has impressed me in a very long time. I’d love to grab lunch with you later this week.” She opens her handbag and gives me a card. “That’s my PA’s number, call her and set up a time. She knows my schedule better than I do.”

  “Wow, uh, thanks, that’d be great!” I take the card with a trembling hand and place it in my bag.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to mingle a bit before things get started.” She gives us another warm smile before heading off toward a cluster of celebrities in the corner.

  “Do you think we can get copies of those photos?” Will asks as he takes a sip of wine.

  “Huh?” I sip my wine and look at him in confusion.

  “The photographer over there grabbed some photos of us with Blythe and Grady. Would it be weird to ask him if I can get copies?” I roll my eyes. I like Will, but he can be too Hollywood at times. Everything is about who he knows, and I just don’t care about that stuff, even though, I probably should.

  Chapter Five

  Grady

  Denise rattles on about something as I cut the line and grab us beers. She scoffs at the beer and thrusts it back in my hand, asking for champagne instead. I want to point out that there are servers with champagne walking around everywhere and she didn’t need to cut the line for that, but my words would be useless. Denise Castle is yet another rising model who wants to be wherever the important people are. She was my third choice as a date, but I didn’t exactly have time to be picky. When Mom reminded a few days ago, I admit, I had forgotten. Touring takes a lot out of me, and I’m exhausted and ready to spend some much-needed time resting and prepping to record our next album.

  My eyes look over Denise’s head and find the delicious blonde I ran into earlier. Fine, I purposefully didn’t move when I saw she was going to collide with me. Because I’m an asshole like that and wanted an excuse to touch her rockin’ body. I knew the game as soon as Mom walked over. Mom was always looking for girls for me. She wants, and I quote, “For me to settle down and stop acting like a punk because she knows that I’m not one.” Which makes Emma off-limits. If Mom thinks she’d be perfect for me, then I probably ought to steer clear of her. I admit that will not be easy especially if Mom decides to work with her on the documentary she mentioned. As I hand a glass of champagne to Denise, I contemplate ways to keep myself busy in the coming weeks to avoid Mom’s matchmaking attempts.

  I take my time making my way back to the table where Emma and her date are now seated. Fortunately, it’s easy to get distracted here as everyone wants to talk with me. For once, that’s in my favor.

  But all too soon, the charity executive takes the stage to start the festivities, and I’m forced to join the table, right next to Emma since Denise has aptly chosen to sit next to my mom, leaving only one chair available.

  I half-listen as Mom goes up and gives a short speech and shows a little video. People laugh and clap at her antics, but I’m more focused on the sweet-smelling, gorgeous woman next to me. Emma listens intently and laughs at all my mom’s lame jokes. Her date, meanwhile, looks around constantly and tries to strike up conversations with Mom’s best friend, Jessica Peabody, another famous actress.

  I can see why Mom thought I’d be into her. She’s naturally beautiful, no plastic surgery needed. Her nose is small and straight, her blue eyes are big and covered in thick lashes, her blonde hair has highlights most women would pay for, but I would guess she has not, and then there’s the lips. I can’t help wondering what those lips would look like wrapped around my dick, while my hand keeps her head in place. I think I’d like to watch her as I fucked her face. Maybe, I can make an exception to my rule. It’s not often Mom brings me such a tempting specimen. And she’s definitely not into her date, her body language makes that clear.

  My mom comes back down to join us as the auction begins. I’ve hardly paid attention to the food they’ve brought us, I’m too fascinated by the creature sitting next to me as she takes small bites of her food and chats amicably with Jessica.

  Emma

  Once the auction ends and dessert is on the table, people begin milling around the room. A second area is opened for dancing and a few people begin to circulate in that direction. That’s when I see Quinlan. She’s at a table in the back with who I presume is her family.

  “Excuse me, I just want to say hi to my friend,” I say to no one in particular.

  Blythe follows my gaze as I stand. “Oh, Andy Westin, I haven’t had a chance to say hello to him yet! I’ll come with you, my dear.” She stands and excuses herself as we both head toward the table.

  “I just love their family. So perfectly adorable!” she croons as we walk.

  Quinlan grins at me as I reach the table. It’s then I realize Grady has come along, too. He shakes hands with Quinlan’s boyfriend, Hawkin Play, who I recognize immediately. He’s the lead singer of Bent.

  “Mom, Dad, Colton, Rylee, Hawke, this is my mentee from USC, Emma Baldwin, and her date, Will,” Quinlan says as we stop by her table.

  “Pleasure to meet you both,” Andy Westin says as everyone at the table nods in our direction. “Blythe! Great to see you!”

  Blythe circles the table and leans down to chat with the Westins. While Colton, his wife, Hawke, and Quinlan look back at Will and me.

  “So, having a good time?” Colton asks me.

  I nod.

  “This is right up her alley. Emma is working on an environmental documentary about Hollywood,” Quin interjects.

  “Oh?” Colton asks.

  I nod. “I’m hoping to start on it this semester.”

  “You should go chat with Dad and Blythe. I’m sure they’d love to hear about it.”

  “I will,” I assure him.

  He nods again. A very shellshocked-looking Will remains silent. I nudge him.

  “Oh, uh, nice to meet you all. I’m gonna go get another glass, you want one?” he asks me.

  I shake my head. “I’m good thanks.”

  He gives me a nervous smile and walks over to the bar.

  “So?” Quinlan asks as she pulls me down for girl talk.

  I laugh and shrug. “I don’t know. He seems super out of his element.”

  Quinlan giggles. “I mean, these things can be daunting, especially if you aren’t used to hanging around a bunch of celebrities.”

  I grin, giving her a shrug because I don’t want to admit that I’m starstruck too.

  Grady leans over by Colton and asks him something. Pretty soon the two of them are deep in conversation. Quinlan eyes me suspiciously and leans forward, pulling my arm, so that I’m bending over toward her.

  “You have the hots for Grady Daniels, don’t you?” she whisper yells.

  My eyes widen. “Uh, no.”

  I mean, the guy is fucking hot as all fuck, but I’m not sure I could keep up with his ego.

  Quinlan eyes me skeptically and shrugs. “What about Will? How’s the date going?”

  I look over to the bar where Will is currently ordering a drink and talking to some redhead.

  “It’s not really a date. I mean Will is nice and all, but…I don’t know.” And that is the truth. Do I see myself with Will? Not really. Would I go out again with him? Probably. Kate always tells me not to settle, but it’s hard to find Mr. Right. I tend to date a lot of Mr. Almost Rights.

  “Make sure you mingle tonight,” Quinlan says as she looks around
. “I can introduce you to some more people if you like, but Dad’s a good place to start.” She motions toward her father and Blythe.

  Blythe looks over at me. “Emma, come here, I want you to tell Andy and me some more about your project,” she urges.

  My stomach twists with nerves as I walk around the table.

  “Blythe was just explaining how you two met. Tell me about this documentary idea you have.”

  I take a breath before speaking, knowing full well that moments like this don’t happen twice, hell, they usually don’t happen at all. I launch into the premise for my documentary, trying to keep my explanation concise. I explain my love of the environment, my fascination with Hollywood, my learning how big a carbon footprint Hollywood makes, and finally finding ways to highlight the changes being made, the hope of things to come. I talk about how I want to use the documentary to launch a movement with the studios to be more environmentally conscious and sustainable.

  I finish, realizing that I may have gone on too long. Damn it! I always let my freak flag fly when it comes to this stuff. I forget the rest of the world doesn’t have the same passion for this as I do.

  “Wow,” Andy says. I cringe because I’m not sure if that is a “wow, that is fascinating” or a “wow, those are five minutes I’ll never get back.” “I love the concept. That’s really fresh and relevant.” I watch as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card. “Email me. I’d love to hear more about it.”

  Blythe claps her hands together. “I felt the same way. Emma has so much passion for this project. You know the feeling, Andy. When you see someone that passionate about a project, you just know it’s going to be amazing.”

  I smile broadly, partly out of being flattered and partly out of relief that I didn’t just bore them to death. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I’d be so honored to get more feedback from either of you.”

  “Do you have a production schedule yet?” Andy asks.

  I shake my head. “I’m still pulling everything together. I had hoped to start filming some of the intro pieces in a few weeks, but I’ve been really busy with my new TA position.”

  Andy chuckles in a fatherly way if that is such a thing. “Everything takes longer than you expect when you are starting a new project. Shoot me the details of the interviews and shots you are trying to get. I’m happy to help you make connections if you need them.”

  “Really? You’d do that?”

  Andy laughs again. “Emma, welcome to Hollywood, where it’s who you know, not what you know.”

  I laugh. “I’m learning that, slowly.”

  Chapter Six

  Grady

  That dress should be fucking illegal. I certainly didn’t need to catch up with Colton or his sister, but when I saw my mom and Emma heading over here, I knew it was my chance. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I love the chase, always have.

  Emma had no idea that her “fuck you” eyes were gonna unleash the beast in me, but damn it if they didn’t. I need a taste of her, now that I’ve touched her soft, warm skin, smelled her lavender perfume that smells like the South of France, or witnessed up close just how plump and perfect both her lips and tits are.

  I’m half-listening to Colton. He’s talking about some charity thing. I nod and pretend to listen while stealing occasional glances at Emma, who is talking with my mother and Andy. Mom worked on a film with Andy years ago and they’ve remained good friends. Andy and his wife, Dorothea, are good people, which is sometimes hard to find in a town that can be as fake as the movies it makes.

  Colton asks me a question, pulling me away from my thoughts. “Sorry, what was that?”

  Colton glances over at Emma. “She’s rather attractive. Don’t you think?”

  I shrug, trying to deflect his statement. “It was great to see you, but I need to head out.”

  “You’re not coming to the after-party?” Quinlan interjects as she stares over at me.

  “Probably not. I need to be in the studio tomorrow.”

  Hawk looks over at me. We’re friendly and have played some of the same music festivals. “You should come. Just for a bit. Hang out, it’s been a while.”

  I shrug again. “I might stop by.”

  “Emma and I will be there,” Quinlan interjects. I want to roll my eyes.

  “Cool,” I reply, attempting to sound aloof. I pat Colton on the shoulder and give them a nod as I head over to the bar to grab one last drink. Some D-list celebrity grabs my attention and starts talking to me. I pretend to listen while strategically placing him between me and Emma so that I can watch her.

  She’s cute. Her hands are aminated as she speaks. Her nose scrunches up as she laughs. And not a fake laugh, a real laugh. She has Andy and Mom laughing, too. I sip my beer and enjoy the show. A few minutes later, she shakes hands with Andy and rejoins her date. I can’t even remember the guy’s name. I’m still trying to figure out if they are together or not. She’s not putting out signals that she’s with him, but she’s not shying away from him either.

  My phone pings with a text and I use it as an excuse to end the conversation with the guy whose name fails me at the moment.

  It’s Rhett.

  Rhett: Dude, sorry I missed your mom’s thing. I hear there’s going to be an after-party.

  Me: I guess.

  Rhett: Max and I will be there. And Jackie, of course.

  I shake my head as I move across the room. My mother is now schmoozing with a big producer. I text her that I’m heading out and congrats on a successful gala. I add something about getting together for lunch to appease her. She means well, but what can I say? I’m sort of a shitty son. I should be grateful. I should spend more time with her. But being with her is a constant reminder of everything I lost.

  I head for the doors and summon the valet. Two minutes later, my 1969 Ford Mustang pulls up in front of me. I can tell the valet kid has a boner just from driving it a mere 500 yards.

  “Nice car, dude,” he says as he opens the door for me.

  “Thanks,” I mutter. I’m well aware of how nice the car is. It was the last gift my dad ever gave me. We worked on it over a summer and restored it, piece by piece. And then Dad had to go get himself killed. And with his last breath, my dreams of being a race car driver died. I never raced competitively again.

  Emma

  “You guys really should come to the after-party,” Quinlan urges as she looks over at Will who is busy talking to some guy near the bar, and then over at Grady who she already announced to that I will be there.

  “Uh, where’s the after-party?” I ask.

  She grins and pulls out her phone, texting me an address. “It’s at Blythe’s house in Malibu. She invited some of us back there afterward.”

  “Malibu? Isn’t that sort of a trek?”

  Quinlan shrugs. “It is, but her house is amazing. Trust me, you’ll want to see it. It’s super environmentally friendly.”

  “You do know that I care about things other than just the environment, just to be clear. My interests are much broader,” I say and then immediately regret saying that to my mentor.

  She laughs. “I know. I’m just saying, it’s worth the trek.”

  I shake my head and grin. “Fine. I’ll try to stop by.”

  “Great. I’ll get you added to the list. But get there early. Parking is a bitch.”

  I nod and head off to find Will.

  “Hey,” I say as I finally make my way through a throng of people.

  “Oh, hi. How was talking with Andy Westin?”

  “Cool. He’s a really nice guy,” I answer, pausing as I contemplate whether I want Will to attend the after-party. The date’s been a little weird. I’d hoped we would hang out more tonight, but that didn’t exactly happen. Hell, maybe he’ll be more fun at the after-party. “So, there’s an after-party. Want to go?”

  He raises an eyebrow. “An after-party?”

  “Yeah, at Blythe’s place in Malibu.”

  “Mal
ibu? That seems kind of…far.”

  I laugh. “I said the same thing.”

  “I mean, we are really close to campus here. It’d be a hike to get out there and then back here again.”

  “True,” I reply slowly, contemplating the dilemma.

  I’m about to say maybe we should call it a night when I feel my phone buzz. I look down to see a text from Quinlan.

  Quinlan: There’s plenty of extra rooms at the house. Feel free to crash there.

  I feel a little awkward even considering crashing at Blythe’s house. I mean, we just met, and she didn’t even invite me to the party.

  Me: Are you sure?

  Quinlan: YES! Come!!

  “We could stay the night,” I squeak.

  “Wait. What? Spend the night at Blythe Daniels’s house?”

  I nod, biting my lip.

  “That seems…uh…shit, why the fuck not? I mean, it’ll be some story I tell my kids someday, right?” he replies with a chuckle and throws his hands up in a gesture of defeat.

  I laugh. Now that’s the Will I’m friends with and I’m glad he’s finally getting over whatever weird mood he’s been in since we got here. “It certainly is.”

  Will downs the last of his beer. I notice the crowds of people are slowly thinning out of the room. I check my watch and see that it’s nearly midnight. I suddenly feel like Cinderella. I should get out of here before the clock strikes twelve.

  “Let’s head out. It’ll take a while to get out there.”

  Will places his empty beer bottle on a passing tray, and I grab my purse. We manage to get to the car in record time. I slip off my heels and sigh. “Party clothes are a pain in the ass,” I announce.

  Will chuckles and loosens his bow tie. “No shit.”

  “Did you have fun?” I ask him, truly curious.

  “It was…interesting.”

  “Interesting, good? Or interesting, bad?”

  He laughs again. “I mean, it was a little strange being surrounded by so many of Hollywood’s elite in such a small space. But I did manage to find this film editor that I totally admire, and I was able to get his card. So that’s cool.”