“Dude, what the hell?”
I whirl around and see Grant Rabar and Marco Barone glaring at us. The scent of pot is heavy enough in the air that I can tell exactly why they’re not thrilled to see cameras on them. Fucking Marsha. “You’re filming us?” Grant spits.
“No.” I know if I put a hand on Chuck or any of the cameramen, they’ll sue the shit out of me; that’s exactly what bloodsucking motherfuckers like them do. “These guys were just getting out of here. Now.”
The camera guys, of course, are loving every second of this, and my blood boils in my veins at the thought of them airing it, even with everyone’s faces blurred out. I turn back to Chuck. “Dude, you seriously need to get out of here before I call the cops.”
He snorts. “For what? We’ve got permission from the owners to be here.” He motions for one of the camera guys to come even closer, and I can hear the rest of the crowd starting to take notice of their presence now. Bottles are quickly being tossed by the underagers, and I’m sure baggies of all kinds are being shoved into pockets. All I want is to physically drag Chuck out on his ass, and then have Ronen run over him a few times for good measure before driving me to my parents’ house to blow up at my mother.
“Dude.” Royce walks over, shaking his head.
I’d thrown out a few extra invites to the guys, but they’re the last people I want to see right now, especially because I’m pretty sure they’re all high.
“Can you call Liam?” I ask him impatiently. “Tell him to get his ass over here. I don’t care what shit’s clogging up his schedule today.” I need someone who’s more level-headed than I am. I’m just barely sober enough to keep from losing my shit completely.
“Everything okay, sweetie?”
What the—oh for the love of Christ. I look down at the bright-red talons digging into my arm and the long, tanned fingers they’re attached to. I used to know that hand very, very well, and now the sight of it is just pissing me off. “Jesus, Shannah, you’re like a walking STD — we fucked and now I can’t get rid of you.”
“Wow, charming much, Josh?” Even with her snotty tone, Shannah’s still latching on like a viper. Her career must be going even shittier than mine for her to reach desperation levels like these. I’d heard rumors the family sitcom she’s been on for years is ending this season, and this is as good a confirmation as any.
“Why would I bother being charming with you, Shannah? Been there and very literally done that. I can’t believe you’ve actually sunk this low.”
“Are you kidding?” She flashes chemically whitened teeth that glow against her orange skin. Did I really find this chick hot once upon a time? “I’m getting paid to make your life hell,” she says, covering up the mic I now see wired into her bikini top. “What more could I possibly ask for?”
I slide my hand on to hers, letting it look like a gesture of affection for just long enough to ensure the cameras will zoom in to catch it, and then I yank her hand off the mic. “You’re the one who screwed around on me, remember?”
Seeing her cheeks turn bright red is pretty gratifying, but she doesn’t give up so fast. She never has. “I know we’ve had our problems, but I’m willing to work on them. You know that.”
Christ, I can’t even with this shit right now. Meanwhile, the people I actually want to stick around are bailing at warp speed, and I’m feeling like the biggest douchebag in Malibu right now, which is always an accomplishment.
My eyes dart around, and I’m relieved when I finally spot someone I know will be on her best behavior as long as there are cameras around. “K-dr — Vanessa!” She looks up, completely confused. At least I know she’s not high. “C’mere.”
She casts a quick, annoyed glance at Shannah — pretty sure she hasn’t been a fan since Shannah was a total bitch to Ally at one of my parties last year — and walks over. She doesn’t even have a drink to put down first. Such a good girl.
“What’s up, Josh?” She looks at Chuck, the cameras. “What’s…happening here?”
I wrench out of Shannah’s grasp and pull Vanessa at least far enough away that they won’t catch our voices on camera. Shannah might be wearing a mic, but I’m not. “My mother’s been so kind as to invite these gentlemen to my private party. I will give you a billion dollars to get them the fuck out of here.”
She raises an eyebrow. “What makes you think I’d be able to do that?”
“I have no idea. But Ally would be able to, and you’re the closest thing I’ve got since my asshole best friend checked out on me. Come on. I’m sure some men find you vaguely attractive, in a boy-chested kind of way. Go charm them.” Sparks shoot from her eyes. Whoops. “I mean…”
“Oh, shut up,” she mutters. “God, I can’t wait to figure out what you can actually do for me so I can collect on all the damn favors you ask.” Then she steps away from me and walks over to Chuck. Miraculously, in under five minutes, they’re gone.
“What the hell did you say to them?” I demand, keeping one eye on Shannah, who’s dancing over to Zoe Knight rather than leaving with Chuck and Co. “And was it too much to ask to get rid of her, too?”
“I’m not a miracle worker,” she says dryly. “I told them if they left, I’d make sure they got a much better show tomorrow night, with complete cooperation from you and everyone who came with you, to whatever club they choose. And yes, I’m sure you can expect to see Shannah there, causing even more drama. If you let her, and you actually let them make an insane episode for once, they’ll start listening to you a whole lot more than your mother.” She shakes her head. “Of course it never even occurred to you to play ball with them, you idiot. It’s not like they care about your mom. You’re the reason she got the show in the first place.”
“So now I’m going to a club tomorrow night, but I can’t drink anything?”
“They don’t care if you drink, Josh,” she says, like I’m a total idiot. “They won’t show that if you make the rest good enough. Just…put on a show. It’s what you love doing, anyway.”
“Not the worst point in the world,” I concede. “Thanks, K-drama. Now I’m actually feeling kinda glad I was a nice guy and invited your little friend.”
Her mouth twists into a frown. “You invited Zander?”
“No, not him. You told me he was already coming. Which…” I turn and look around the pool area. “He doesn’t seem to have done.”
“Then which friend?”
Guess she doesn’t wanna talk about the boyfriend. “Mini-Jade. You guys are friends, right?”
I hadn’t thought she’d had anything to drink yet, but suddenly she looks like she’s gonna puke. “You invited Bri? Here? Tonight?”
“Yeeeeah. Is that bad? I thought I was being nice. I bumped into her at the Coffee Bean on Sunset earlier and mentioned that you’d be here. Haven’t seen her, though.”
She presses her lips together in a thin line, and I have no idea what’s going through her head right then, but she looks…pissed?
“Can you just not interfere with my life for five seconds?” she spits. “You don’t have to go around inviting my friends to stuff, okay?”
“What the hell? How are you possibly twisting this into my being a dick? I didn’t realize you apparently hate the chick. So sue me.” Christ, I’ve had enough drama for the night. Now that Chuck and the cameramen are gone, I need another drink.
“Whatever, Josh. Next time, just…mind your own business. I only came so I wouldn’t be the only one from the show who was obviously missing, but since even your ‘best friend’ doesn’t wanna be here, I don’t see why I have to be.” She flags down a passing waiter, grabs an appletini shot from his tray, and tosses it back. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to…talk to anyone who’s not you.” She thrusts the glass into my hands, and, completely and totally speechless, I just watch her disappear.