Hollywood Divorces / Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (69 page)

Tony was on a high. He greeted Selma with a courtly bow, kissing her as if she were his long-lost cousin. ‘You’re a beauty, like your sister,’ he said, turning on his considerable charm. ‘That’s some sexy dress.’

Selma was wearing a slinky black cocktail dress that Lola had purchased for her at Bergdorf’s: it suited her admirably. Lola had also summoned a hairdresser and makeup artist to come to the suite and minister to her shy sister. They’d managed to make Selma look quite glamorous–the result was impressive. Isabelle would be a jealous wreck.

Lola desperately wanted Selma and Tony to like each other. That way Selma could go back to L.A. and tell the family what a great guy he was.

Tony took them to a happening Cuban restaurant, one of his favourite places for dinner. They gorged themselves on pineapple chicken, special rice, black beans and a full selection of delicious coconut dishes.

Lola, clad in a pale blue silk Robert Cavalli dress, could see that the two of them were getting along. Tony’s mood was extremely buoyant, and even though she was sure he was responsible for the beating of Tyrell White, she decided not to mention it again. It was over, and Tony would never admit he had had anything to do with it, so what was the point?

Thinking about it made her shiver. Tony was a wild man and it was unwise for anyone to cross him.

But he was
her
man, and whatever anyone said about him, he always would be.

Cat was in a line at the departure gate, waiting to board the United flight to L.A. when she heard a familiar voice.

‘Cat, is that you?’

‘Shelby!’ she said, turning round. ‘What are
you
doing here?’

‘I flew in for the
Rapture
press junket,’ Shelby replied. ‘And you?’

‘I’m not supposed to be here, so you
cannot
tell Merrill. He’d be livid if he knew I’d left L.A. in the middle of the movie.’

‘Actually, I flew in on Merrill’s plane,’ Shelby said.

‘Lucky you. Please be
extra
sure you don’t mention I was here.’

The airline official escorting Shelby aboard asked if they would like to sit together.

‘Certainly,’ Shelby said, and he went off to arrange it.

‘How was your press junket?’ Cat asked, once they were settled in their seats.

‘It left my head spinning,’ Shelby replied, fastening her seatbelt. ‘People are being so nice about the movie, I’m totally overwhelmed.’

‘Congratulations,’ Cat said. ‘You deserve it.’

‘I’m sure you experienced the same thing with
Wild Child
.’

‘Well…I was this big discovery for ten minutes. I mean, it’s not as if a lot of females get to direct movies–especially
young
ones. Fortunately for me, being a director is not like movie-star fame.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Doesn’t having no privacy drive you totally
nuts?
’

‘Sometimes,’ Shelby replied. ‘Although I certainly don’t have the kind of fame Linc has.’

‘Where
is
Linc?’

‘Making a movie in New York with Lola Sanchez.’

‘At least you got to see him for a few hours.’

‘Not really,’ Shelby said wistfully. ‘We’re not in a very good place right now.’

‘Join the club,’ Cat said. ‘My day was brutal.’

‘It was?’

‘My girlfriend and I went up to my loft to pack up my things–I’m divorcing my husband. Anyway, in walks this girl who I’d recently seen having sex with my old man on a videotape. This same girl is wearing my favourite jacket, which
he
gave to her as a gift. How’s
that
for a bad day?’

‘Even worse than mine.’

‘I’m glad I caught him before it was too late. We’ve only been married a couple of years, so I haven’t wasted
too
much time.’

‘How old
are
you?’

‘I’ll be twenty in a couple of months. Can’t wait. Nineteen is still a teenager. I don’t act like a teenager, though, do I?’

‘Well…you don’t exactly
dress
like an adult,’ Shelby commented.

‘I’m not into that whole phoney Hollywood glamour bit. Fake tits and your ass on your mouth.’

Shelby laughed, glad to have something to take her mind off Linc and their disturbing confrontation.

‘What is it with fake lips and boobs anyway? I think they’re a bad joke–something
men
force women into getting.’

‘Perhaps women do it because they feel inadequate without them,’ Shelby offered.

‘Ha!’ Cat exclaimed. ‘Betcha wouldn’t catch men with small dicks doing it.’

‘I’m sure they would if they could,’ Shelby said, smiling.

‘Hmm…maybe you’re right. Have you
seen
all those ads for penile enlargements? It’s totally insane!’

‘Here’s what I like about you, Cat,’ Shelby said. ‘You’re a true original.’

‘Thanks.’

‘It’s so refreshing in a town where all the women are encouraged to emulate supermodels. I hate having to go to a première, and I’ve been coerced by some stylist into
wearing yet
another
designer dress. It makes me feel as if I’m selling clothes–not to mention all the borrowed jewellery.’

‘What’s your
real
style?’ Cat asked curiously.

‘A tracksuit and sunglasses to hide the bags,’ Shelby said wryly. ‘I never wore makeup when I lived in England, not unless I was working. Linc always used to tease me about it. He says I’m not movie-star material.’

‘Nothing wrong with being your own person. Look at me.’

‘You’re right. I should be recognized for my acting skills, not for the designer dresses I wear.’

‘You’re so English,’ Cat remarked.

‘Is that a bad thing?’

‘I meant it as a compliment. I can’t get over how good you are as my edgy American cop, yet off the set you’re this perfect English lady.’

‘There’s nothing perfect about me,’ Shelby assured her. ‘I’m actually quite ordinary.’

‘No,’ Cat said, shaking her head. ‘That’s one thing you’re
definitely
not.’

Tony and Selma seemed to be getting along famously, although Lola sensed unrest in the air, because every club they went to she found herself getting bothered by fans, and she was worried that if another man came on to her, Tony might lose it again.

‘It’s Saturday night,’ Big Jay informed her in a hoarse whisper. ‘Not wise for you to be out in public on a Saturday night.’

Big Jay didn’t speak much, but when he did he was always right on.

‘Let’s go back to the hotel,’ she suggested to Tony. ‘We
can have drinks in your suite and party there with all your friends.’

‘Nah, I like to stay where the action is. I wanna watch you do your thing, babe. Get up an’ dance.’

‘Not without you, Tony.’

‘Dance with your sister, then.’

‘Selma’s too shy. Besides, that’s asking for trouble–two women by themselves on the dance floor. You saw what happened last night.’

‘Yeah,’ he said, with the shadow of a smile. ‘And Tyrell got his, didn’t he?’

‘Yes,’ she answered sharply. ‘And
you
’re responsible.’

‘Why d’you keep on sayin’ that?’

‘’Cause it’s true. You can deny it all you want, but I know you too well.’

He picked up his glass of champagne. ‘You
sure
your sister doesn’t swing?’

‘Selma is a married woman,’ she answered primly.

‘The Sanchez sisters,’ Tony said, grinning. ‘How about the Sanchez sisters and Tony Alvarez? Some fuckin’ trio, huh? Four beautiful boobs, two beautiful—’

‘Tony!’ Lola said, stopping him short. ‘This is my family you’re talking about. You want a threesome, call up that
putta
you sent back to L.A.’

‘Oh, yeah? If I get her here you’ll do a threesome?’

‘Grow up!’ she said, brown eyes flashing. ‘You know I’m not into that.’

He grinned again. ‘I’m teasin’ your ass, baby. I like watchin’ you get all fiery an’ excited.’

One of Tony’s friends, Chico, a wiry-looking record producer, moved in on Selma and asked her if she wanted to dance.

‘No, thank you,’ Selma said.

‘Go ahead,’ Tony encouraged. ‘You’re in New York, have yourself a time.’

Selma glanced at Lola unsurely. Lola nodded her approval. The Sanchez women were known for their skills on the dance floor, so she wasn’t about to deprive her favourite sister of a good time. If she wanted to dance with Chico, she should go ahead and do so. Frankly, she considered Selma’s husband an extremely dull man who probably
never
took her dancing.

Once Selma and Chico hit the dance floor, Lola persuaded Tony to get up and join them. She wasn’t about to do any more exhibition dances for him, not in public anyway, and certainly not on a Saturday night.

As soon as she and Tony began to dance, the crowd cleared, forming an admiring circle around them.

Lips parted, head back, Lola got into it as the throbbing salsa sound swept her to another place. Tony pulled her close, and they danced as one, his body hard against hers. She was utterly turned on.

By the time they left the club they were a happy group. To Lola’s delight, Selma and Tony had definitely hit it off. She could tell that her sister liked him. What was there
not
to like? Tony was handsome, charming, a true Latino sexy man. Now Selma could go back to L.A. and report to the family what a great guy he was.

They exited the club laughing.

Throwing his arm round Lola’s shoulder, Tony leaned close, whispering what he planned to do to her when they got back to the hotel. Selma was busy talking to Chico.

The gunshot fire came out of nowhere, a rapid blast of bullets.

Tony automatically flung Lola to the ground, his body covering hers. Big Jay fell on top of them, shielding them both.

There was much confusion and noise and screaming.

Lola could barely breathe. She struggled out from under Tony and saw Selma fall.

Tony’s bodyguards were busy pulling guns and firing back. But they were too late, the car holding the gunman sped away.

‘They’ve shot my sister!’ Lola screamed. ‘Oh…God! THEY’VE SHOT MY SISTER!’

S
helby and Cat spent the rest of the flight back to L.A. getting to know each other. Even though there was an eleven-year age gap between them, they found they had plenty in common. Cat talked about her drug days, meeting Jump and how cool she’d thought he was.

Shelby talked about her early days in England, her move to America, and how overwhelming it was for her when she’d first met Linc. ‘He’s an amazing man when he
wants
to be,’ she said wistfully.

‘I remember seeing him in movies when I was a kid,’ Cat said.

‘He’s not
that
old,’ Shelby said with a slight smile. ‘He’s only in his forties.’

‘I know,’ Cat said. ‘Although it seems like he’s been around for ever.’

The flight attendant came by and served them a light snack. Then the attendant asked Shelby if she’d mind signing an autograph for her niece who happened to have the same name as her.

‘I’m not sure I can live with Linc any more,’ Shelby confided, when the flight attendant finally left. ‘He has a drinking problem, and it’s getting to be too much.’

‘Have you told him?’ Cat asked, nibbling a cheese cracker.

‘I’ve tried to. He doesn’t seem to hear me. Yesterday he informed me that I had to walk off your movie or have Pete fired.’

‘Pete?’ Cat said, shocked. ‘Our stunt coordinator?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Why would he want to get
Pete
fired?’

‘Because Pete and I used to go out way before I met Linc. I didn’t bother mentioning to him that Pete was on our movie, so when he saw a picture of us together in
People
he went berserk.’

‘Ha! Those paparazzi shots can cause
big
trouble.’

‘I had no idea we were being photographed,’ Shelby explained. ‘Pete and I were having lunch, it was nothing more than that.’

‘It’s all about publicity when you’re famous,’ Cat remarked. ‘You can forget privacy.’

‘I suppose so.’

‘All those crap TV shows, the tabloids and the magazines, you think the people who run them care about celebrities’ feelings?’

‘No.’

‘Here’s the thing. A person can be in an awesome marriage or relationship–they don’t care. They’ll go right ahead and publish a rumour that you’ve been seen out with someone else, which creates a big mess. And that’s
exactly
what they’re hoping for.’

‘I agree.’

‘Man! I’m
lucky
I’m not in the public eye.’

‘Actually you are,’ Shelby agreed. ‘You’re a young girl directing a big movie. A gorgeous Cameron Diaz-style blonde, so you
will
get noticed and written about.’

‘Gee, thanks. I can’t wait.’

‘Maybe you should’ve been an actress.’

‘Are you saying that all good-looking women should be actresses?’ Cat exclaimed. ‘How sexist is
that
!’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘Well, anyway, here we are,’ Cat sighed, helping herself to another cheese cracker. ‘Both of us about to get divorced.’

‘I didn’t
say
I was getting a divorce,’ Shelby said quickly.

‘It sounds to me that’s what you have in mind.’

‘It’s complicated,’ Shelby said unsurely. ‘I have to talk it through with my therapist.’

‘I’d
never
go to a shrink,’ Cat said, snatching up a handful of peanuts. ‘All they do is look bored and try to make you cry. They’re sort of the Barbara Walters of the doctors’ brigade.’

‘I gather you’ve had experience.’

‘Oh, yeah. When I was fourteen my dad thought it was a cool idea. How dumb was
that?
’

‘Therapists
can
be helpful,’ Shelby said gently. ‘It’s not general knowledge, although it’s been written about in some of the more in-depth articles about him, but Linc suffered an extremely violent childhood.’

‘What happened?’ Cat asked curiously.

‘I don’t want to get into it now,’ Shelby said evasively.

‘I can’t stand people who blame everything on their parents,’ Cat said, wrinkling her nose. ‘I could’ve been a total fuck-up because of
my
parents. I mean, even though they were rich and kind of spoiled me, I never got any real love and attention from them. So I became a druggie at fifteen, living by myself in New York, until Jump came along and rescued me. It’s only now that I’ve finally taken control of my life.’

‘And a very good job you’ve done,’ Shelby said. ‘I have to say you’re extremely mature for your years.’

‘Yeah, I’m an old soul,’ Cat said, grinning. ‘That’s what everyone tells me.’

At LAX, they were greeted by airline personnel waiting to meet Shelby. Several lurking paparazzi hovered outside
the terminal. Cat tried to distance herself from Shelby, which made the photographers notice her, and wonder who she was.

‘Shit!’ she muttered. If Merrill saw photos of her at the airport he’d be pissed. Although how could he be pissed when she was already back in L.A.?

They shared a car from the airport into town.

‘See you Monday on the set,’ Cat said, when Shelby dropped her off.

‘I’ll look forward to it,’ Shelby replied.

Cat couldn’t wait to get back to work. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She had her stuff–no more connections. Jump was history.

It was a delightful feeling of freedom.

Lola rode in the ambulance to the emergency room. Selma was lying on a stretcher, unconscious. She’d been hit by two bullets. One had grazed her temple and the second was lodged somewhere near her thigh.

The entire evening had been a nightmare. The shooting; the police; the crowds of gawkers who came out of nowhere; the flashing cameras that wouldn’t quit.

Big Jay had been hit in the shoulder, although it didn’t seem to have affected him too much–he was still on his feet. Tony was unscathed, so was Lola.

‘Want me to come with you, babe?’ Tony had asked as she’d climbed in the ambulance.

‘No,’ she’d said, barely able to look at him.
Didn’t he understand? It was all his fucking fault
.

The ambulance men were very kind. They allowed her to sit next to Selma, keeping a tight hold on her hand.

‘Will she be all right?’ she kept on asking.

‘Can’t tell until the doctors take a look at her.’

‘She’s
got
to be all right,’ Lola insisted. ‘She’s
got
to. This all happened because of me.’

‘How’s that?’ one of the attendants asked.

‘She came to New York to be with me. If I hadn’t taken her out tonight, this never would’ve happened.’

‘Mustn’t blame yourself,’ the attendant said. ‘Violence is everywhere. You have no idea how many gunshot wounds we handle each day.’

‘I don’t want to know,’ she said, her eyes filling with tears. ‘This is my
sister
. And she
will not
die because
I
won’t let her.’

There was more chaos outside the emergency room. The paparazzi were everywhere and the flashing cameras wouldn’t quit–the photographers were like rabid bees, buzzing around, getting in everyone’s face.

Lola wanted to kill them all. What a bunch of low-lifes. Why did they feel they had the right to intrude on such a private moment of tragedy?

Pale and serious, she rushed in beside Selma’s stretcher, still clutching her sister’s hand.

Doctors hurried forward and immediately took over. Lola knew she had to call her mother before she heard it on the news. She slumped against a wall, desperately trying to control herself. With shaking hands she took out her cell phone and punched in the number. ‘Mama,’ she managed, choking back sobs. ‘Mama, get on a plane and come here at once. I’m…so…sorry. There’s been an accident. Selma’s been shot.’

Monday morning, the news on the set of
Caught
was all about the Lola Sanchez scandal in New York. A shooting involving celebrities was always a hot topic.

‘Lola’s sister is in a coma,’ someone said.

‘She’s dead,’ someone else said.

‘The bullet was meant for Tony Alvarez,’ someone else offered.

Stories bounced back and forth.

‘My cousin’s best friend is a bartender at the club they were at,’ the continuity girl confided. ‘Apparently Lola dissed some guy in the club, and he came back with a gun. The bullet was meant for
her
, not Tony.’

When Shelby first heard about it, she was worried that Linc might have been involved. Unwilling to call him, she contacted his publicist, Norm, who assured her that Linc had not been there.

‘How’s he doing, Norm?’ she asked, hoping the news was good.

‘You know Line,’ Norm replied, noncommittal as usual.

‘Yes, I’m afraid I do,’ she said quietly. ‘And I also know he’s drinking again. So, for the time being, I won’t be in touch. If you
should
get any press enquiries, as far as you know everything between us is fine.’

‘Of course, Shelby. I won’t say a word unless I hear it directly from you.’

‘Let’s keep it that way. We both know how the press will jump on it if they think there’s any sign of trouble.’

Norm hung up the phone and wondered if he should give an exclusive to Liz Smith in return for a future favour. Then he decided, no, Shelby was a nice woman, and he still had
some
principles, even after years of being a PR to the rich and famous.

Shelby tried not to dwell on the scene between her and Linc in New York. Instead she threw herself into her work. When she spotted Pete coming towards her she was cordial with him.

‘Did you see our picture in
People?
’ he asked, sounding kind of pleased.

‘Yes, I saw it, and so did Linc.’

‘Hope it didn’t ruin your weekend in New York.’

‘My weekend was okay,’ she said guardedly.

‘Only okay?’

‘Pete, I think it’s best if we keep our distance.’

‘I know that, Shelby. However, I
do
need to talk to you about the car stunt.’

‘As long as it’s all about work.’

‘You’re still upset about me driving you to the airport, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, quite frankly I am.’

‘Linc was pissed–is that what I’m hearing?’

‘I repeat,’ she said coolly, ‘let’s stick to work.’

‘Fine. I was thinking we should try a few practice runs.’

‘Very well. Schedule it. I’ll be there.’

And even though she was filled with sadness, she managed to carry on.

Still in a drunken, stoned haze, Linc was having a fine time. Now that Shelby was no longer on his case, he could do whatever he wanted, which involved a lot of cocaine and plenty of heavy drinking. No more behaving like a man with no balls.

Over the weekend he called up a few buddies from his single days and hung out with them. It was just like old times. The poker game in his suite, several pretty girls hanging around, plenty of booze, plenty of food, plenty of anything he wanted.

Why had he thought
marriage
was so great? This was the life.

Monday morning he awoke with a massive hangover. Christ! The jackhammers were back, pounding his head to shit. Fuck! He had to get sober for work.

Where was Shelby when he needed her? He was still mad at her, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t miss her.

How come she hadn’t walked off her movie for him?
Bitch
! She was probably screwing Pete, and
that
was why she’d run back to L.A. so swiftly.

He was determined that
he
was not going to be the one to give in. She would have to come begging for his forgiveness.

Knowing Shelby as well as he did, he was sure he’d hear from her soon.

‘I hear you went to New York,’ Nick said, blowing smoke rings into her face.

‘Who told you that?’ Cat asked, waving the smoke away.

‘Word gets around,’ he said, giving her a lazy stare. ‘I might’ve gone with you if you’d asked.’

‘Didn’t need company, thank you,’ she said curtly. ‘Besides, I wouldn’t dream of dragging you away from your overactive love-life.’

‘Love-life?’ he said, raising an eyebrow. ‘Listen, I’m into
casual
fucking–anything wrong with that?’

‘You’re so crude.’

‘What’s crude about casual sex?’ he said, genuinely perplexed. ‘You should try it some time–you might even get into it.’

‘Not with you I wouldn’t,’ she answered quickly.

‘Why’s that?’ he asked, shooting her a quizzical look.

‘’Cause you’re probably riddled with the clap or some other unspeakable disease.’

‘Charming,’ he said, the perennial cigarette dangling from his lips. ‘Aren’t
you
a lady?’

‘Right back at you.’

Entertainment Tonight
were visiting the set that
afternoon with a full crew. The handsome and personable Mark Steines was conducting the interviews. Shelby had already done her turn, and now it was up to Nick. ‘Watch your language in front of the cameras,’ Cat warned him.

‘Jeez!’ he complained. ‘You’re nineteen, for fuck’s sake. You sound like you’re forty-three.’

‘It would be nice if they could
use
your interview,’ she retorted. ‘If every other word is “fuck”, it’ll be a wrap.’

‘No way. They’ll bleep me out like they do on
The Osbournes
.’

‘Excuse me, Cat,’ Jonas said, appearing out of nowhere and shooting Nick an unfriendly look. ‘When you’ve got a moment, Mr Zandack wants you to call him.’

Man! What was
that
about? Had Merrill found out about her trip to New York?

‘I’ll call him later.’

‘He’s still in New York and he’s anxious.’

‘Okay.
Soon
,’ she said impatiently.

‘What about you, Cat?’ Mark Steines asked, strolling over. ‘Can we get
you
in front of a camera?’

‘I don’t do interviews,’ she said, grimacing. ‘Besides, I’m too busy.’

‘How about a few sound bites?’

‘You know me,’ she said awkwardly. ‘I prefer the other side of the camera.’

‘Sometimes we actually even interview directors,’ Mark said, smiling. ‘
Especially
beautiful ones.’