Hollywood Divorces / Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (71 page)

‘I
got somethin’ to tell you that’ll shock the shit outta you,’ Freddy Krane announced. He was back in town and visiting the set.

‘What’s that?’ Linc asked, high on coke and feeling no pain, even though he was in the middle of working.

‘Lola Sanchez,’ Freddy said, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. ‘A coupla nights ago I was havin’ phone sex with that model broad, Allegra. So I’m pullin’ the old pod, an’ all of a sudden, whammo! I realize I’m sittin’ in the same bed you fucked Lola in.’

‘I didn’t fuck her,’ Linc said, frowning.

‘Sure you did. Only you’ve forgotten about it.’

‘I have?’

‘She’s changed, but Freddy never forgets a face, so I did some checking.’

‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’

‘Keep listenin’. A few years ago at one of my parties I hired a Latino DJ who’d been recommended. He brought his girlfriend with him.’

‘So?’ Linc said, not even vaguely interested in Freddy’s ramblings.

‘She was a hot-lookin’ piece, turnin’ on the sexy dancin’ for us. So I sent one of my girls to bring her over.’

‘You did, huh?’

‘Over she comes, this hot little Latina chick, an’ that’s the last I saw of her, ’cause
you
took her inside an’ spent the night with her in
my
bed. I couldn’t even sleep in my own freakin’ bed! So in the mornin’ when I come in, you’re gone and she’s still there, naked as a
Playboy
spread, an’ sexy as all-get-out.’

‘Who are you talking about?’

‘Lola Sanchez, schmuck! Course, her name wasn’t Lola then, but it was her. I had one of my assistants track down the DJ from that night. The dude’s now producing records in L.A. I spoke to him personally–asked him if he played a gig at one of my parties, and was the girl with him Lola? He told me yes.’

‘I’m still not getting you,’ Linc said.

Freddy shook his head in disgust. ‘What are you–stoned?’

‘Who understands
what
the fuck this story is about?’

‘
You
were
screwing
Lola Sanchez, only that wasn’t her name then. She was just some sexy Chicana chick tryin’ to get herself noticed. You nailed her in
my
bed, spent the night with her, then passed her on to me. Unfortunately she didn’t want anythin’ to do with me. End of story. Now, six years later, here we are.’

‘Holy shit!’ Linc said, finally getting it. ‘You
sure
?’

‘Course I am,’ Freddy agreed, chuckling. ‘I got a memory like a freakin’ elephant–’specially when it comes to women. If I’ve seen ’em naked, you can
bet
I’m gonna remember ’em.’

‘But you
didn’t
see her naked. According to you it was
me
who spent the night with her.’

‘Why d’you think she hasn’t mentioned it to you?’

‘Maybe she’s embarrassed.’

‘She’s
pissed
at you, man. You screwed her all night, then dumped her. Bet you never even called her, did you?’

Linc shrugged. ‘Who remembers?’

‘You shoulda called, sent a flower or somethin’.
I
would’ve, only she didn’t want
me
, she wanted
you
, the big movie star. Marched outta my house all bent outta shape.’

‘You think it
was
Lola?’

‘I
know
it was.’

‘What should I do?’

‘Get her into bed again, then tell her you remember while you’re screwin’ her.
That’
ll give her the come of the century.’

‘Anybody ever mentioned you’re a dirty old man?’

‘No shit?’ Freddy said, yawning. ‘Where’s Shelby?’

‘In L.A.’

‘Wasn’t she supposed to be here?’

‘She flew in for a day, then she had to get back.’

‘Something goin’ on with you two?’

‘Nothing I want
your
big mouth to know about.’

‘Okay, dinner tonight with Allegra. An’ this time–the three of us–let’s get a party goin’. Why waste a sure thing?’

Lola was nervous about returning to the set. Her mind was elsewhere, certainly not on emoting in front of the camera in a sexy dress, flirting with Linc Blackwood and making it work for the romantic comedy they were shooting.

She was well aware that she had to get back to work, because if she didn’t it was career suicide. Elliott Finerman had been helpful until now, but he would not continue to be so understanding. They’d already shot half the movie, so she had no choice.

She sent Jenny out to purchase extra cellphones, enabling each of them to have a direct line to the hospital in L.A.

‘You must check in every hour,’ she instructed Jenny. ‘I have to know what’s going on.’

Tony kept calling. She refused to accept his calls. In one of her prayer sessions she’d made a pact with God: if she was good, God would save Selma and bring her out of her coma.

Being good meant not seeing Tony. Tony unleashed her wild side, and it was because of her reconnection with him that a tragedy had taken place.

Matt phoned to offer his sympathies. She was touched to hear from him. The once boring Matt now seemed like a nice, caring person and, even more important, Selma liked him.

‘Lola, are you okay?’ he kept on asking her.

‘Yes,’ she answered.

‘Can I come to New York?’

‘You know,’ she said, thinking that as she was still married to Matt he
should
be by her side, ‘that might be nice.’

‘I’ll hop on a plane today.’

Now what was she to do about Linc Blackwood? She’d probably broken up his marriage with their photos all over the front pages, and maybe that was punishment enough. Revenge was not something that went hand in hand with religion and prayers.

She struck another bargain with God. If He made Selma better, she would forgive Linc Blackwood for the past and not pursue revenge against him.

Matt must have jumped on the next plane, because before she knew it he was there. Tall, white-bread and boring, he’d shaved off his stupid goatee and was thrilled to be back by her side.

She clung to him because she had to cling to someone, and in her mind Tony Alvarez was now the enemy. Matt was one happy man. He had his wife back, and that was all he cared about.

‘Can we at least celebrate your success?’ Pete asked.

Shelby’s cheeks were flushed. She felt that she’d conquered a fear, considering she’d always been slightly scared of driving. In fact, she’d only learned to drive when she’d first moved to L.A.

Now she was actually doing car stunts in a movie. It was quite an achievement.

‘I–I don’t know,’ she said, not sure she should encourage him.

‘Look,’ Pete said. ‘I
know
things aren’t going well with Linc.’

‘Where did you hear that?’ she asked quickly.

‘It’s all over the tabloids, Shelby.’

‘That’s why I can’t be seen with you,’ she said. ‘If we were photographed together it would only make things worse.’

‘You could come to my house,’ he suggested. ‘There’s no photographers hanging out there.’

‘And what if they caught me coming
out
of your house? That would look terrible.’

‘It’s not as if we’re doing anything, Shelby,’ he said patiently.

‘I know that.’

‘Look,’ he said, ‘we
should
celebrate. However, if you feel it’s inappropriate, tell me, and I’ll stop bugging you.’

Linc hadn’t phoned, and she did not relish the thought of sitting in her big mansion by herself for one more night. She was lonely in America, with no family and hardly any friends.

Oh, yes, plenty of people were calling to congratulate her on the enormous success of her performance in
Rapture
, but there wasn’t anyone she was close to. Cat was
the only person she’d developed any kind of relationship with.

And here was Pete. Good solid Pete. And he wanted her to come to his house, and she wanted to go.

‘Okay,’ she said finally. ‘Your house it is.’

‘There’ll be nobody around,’ he promised, ‘and I’ll barbecue for you–how’s that? Remember how you always loved my burgers?’

‘Do I! They were delicious.’

‘You used to wolf down two if I remember rightly.’

She smiled at the memories. They’d spent one glorious summer together and had a very good time, although they’d never consummated their relationship. ‘We can go right from the set,’ he said.

‘It’s not a good idea for people to see us leaving together.’

‘You know where my house is, drive yourself over. I’ll be waiting.’

‘I think that’s best.’

‘Whatever you want, Shelby.’

‘Pete,’ she asked curiously, ‘do you have a girlfriend?’

‘Why?’

‘I, uh…thought if you did, she might like to join us.’

‘Am I making you nervous, Shelby?’ he said, giving her a penetrating look. ‘’Cause that’s not my intention.’

‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘I’m simply a little confused right now.’

‘The truth is I have several girlfriends, but I’m not asking any of them to join us. It’s dinner alone together, for old times’ sake. How’s that?’

‘Sounds nice.’

‘Do you need to go home first? Or will you come straight from the studio?’

‘I don’t have to change clothes or anything. After all, it’s not as if this is a date.’

‘Right,’ he said. ‘I’m leaving in ten minutes, so I’ll see you when you get there. Drive carefully, Shelby. Me and the dogs’ll be waiting.’

‘Wear something sexy,’ Nick had said.

Oh, yeah, sure, like she was about to dress up for
him
. Ha! Was
he
going to wear something sexy for
her?

What did he consider sexy anyway? She had on the tightest jeans known to man and a cut-off Abercrombie & Fitch island T-shirt that exposed her midriff and pierced navel. Wasn’t
that
sexy?

Her stuff had recently arrived from New York, and there were boxes piled all over her apartment. She riffled through some of her clothes, searching for a suitable outfit for the première.

Look at you
, she thought.
Getting all excited about a date with a womanizing little prick. Or big prick
.

Yeah
, she giggled.
He has the big-prick cocky attitude.

What was it about men? Why did they always have to tie you up in knots? It wasn’t as if she even
liked
him.

Well…maybe a tad.

She finally settled on an off-the-shoulder white ruffled blouse and skin-tight black leather pants. Then she added lots of silver gypsy jewellery she’d inherited from her grandmother.

She ran her hands through her short blonde hair, spiking it up even more, and added plenty of kohl around her eyes, giving her the fashionable heroin-chic look. A touch of lip gloss and she was ready.

Why am I doing this
? she thought.

Because I want to, that’s why.

The downstairs buzzer started ringing, making it too
late to back out now. Two minutes later Nick slouched his way into her apartment.

‘I thought we had to leave,’ she said.

‘Tidy, aren’t you?’ he said, regarding the half-unpacked boxes littered all over the floor.

‘I’m trying to find the time to unpack properly,’ she answered. ‘Why? Are you doing a photo shoot for
Architectural Digest?
’

‘S’matter of fact—’

‘Shut
up
.’

‘Cool apartment,’ he said, checking out her CD collection. ‘I’m stuck in a friggin’ hotel. I gotta get myself a place out here.’

‘Do you have a home anywhere?’

‘I kinda live like a gypsy. Friends’ floors, that kinda deal.’

‘You’re a movie star,’ she pointed out. ‘A house is a good investment.’

‘Does that mean you’ll help me look?’

‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘Wives and fiancées are the people who help guys look for houses.
Not
the director of your movie, who happens to be doing you a huge favour by accompanying you to your première.’

‘God, you’re a hard nut,’ he complained. ‘Your husband must’ve treated you real bad.’

‘It’s not important,’ she said.

‘Anyway,’ he said, checking her out with an appraising eye, ‘you look pretty hot.’

‘Oh,’ she said, slightly flustered. ‘Thanks.’

‘How about me?’

She gave him an exaggerated once-over. ‘Hmm…let me see. A comb wouldn’t be a bad idea.’

‘Can’t let the fans down,’ he said, mocking himself. ‘This is how they like me.’

‘They do?’

‘You should
see
some of the letters I get–naked
pictures, offers of anything I want. It’s a wild trip. Come to my trailer one day and read my fan mail.’

‘What a
great
idea,’ she said sarcastically. ‘I’ve got nothing else to do with my time.’

‘Got any joints lying around?’

‘No, I gave up recreational drugs.’

‘Gave ’em up?’ he said, shocked. ‘Why would you give up weed?’

‘I told you,’ she said patiently. ‘I used to be a druggie. Now I don’t do anything. It’s better for me not to be tempted.’

‘Fuckin’ boring. C’mon, Blondie, let’s hit the road.’

A
llegra, the tall, skinny model with the strong Australian accent, was quite happy to see Linc again. Are you getting a divorce?’ was her first question.

‘No,’ he responded sharply.

‘The
Enquirer
says you are.’

‘Believe the
Enquirer
,’ he said shortly. ‘Don’t believe me.’

Why had he said he would come out with her and Freddy again? He couldn’t take the accent, although Freddy had assured him she was a wild-cat in bed.

Allegra preened like an exotic bird. ‘I’ll be on the cover of the next
Sports Illustrated
,’ she boasted. ‘Do you
know
what an honour that is? Of course,’ she added, in case they didn’t know, ‘I’ve been on the cover twice before.’

‘Sure, honey,’ Freddy said, groping her almost non-existent ass.

Lola was due back on the set tomorrow. Linc had been racking his brains trying to remember more about the night he’d apparently spent with her in Freddy’s bed. Before Shelby, there had been so many one-night stands–at least three women a week. Fortunately or unfortunately, they were all a blur and no way could he single out Lola.

Freddy was in rare form. First they went to a Russian restaurant, where they feasted on borscht and blinis with
caviar, washed down with several shots of Russian vodka. Then they dropped into Elaine’s for drinks, where Freddy proceeded to regale Elaine with outrageous stories about his last movie–an action adventure shot in Cambodia and, according to Freddy, starring the asshole of action-adventure heroes. ‘This jerk was such a hero,’ Freddy revealed, ‘that he used to stiff all the hookers
after
he’d fucked ’em.’

Elaine gave Linc a look as much as to say, ‘Can
you
shut him up, or should I?’

After dinner Allegra wanted to make the rounds of her favourite clubs.

‘Didn’t we do that last week?’ Linc asked.

‘So we’ll do it again,’ Freddy said.

Yeah
, Linc thought.
Why am I hanging back? I’ve got a wife who’s screwing some fucking stuntman in L.A. and I’m in New York like a schmuck, not even getting laid
.

He took another look at Allegra, although the thought of a threesome with Freddy was pretty gruesome. Then he downed a couple of straight Scotches and suggested they visit a strip club.

‘Yes!’ Freddy said.

‘I
have
been known to get it on with girls,’ Allegra promised, sloe-eyes gleaming. ‘Does that send shivers up and down your spine, boys?’

In bed with Matt, Lola felt comfortable and safe. He was not exciting, but at least he didn’t go around beating people up and getting her sister shot in return.

‘I missed you so much,’ Matt said, his hands all over her. ‘I was shattered when your lawyer told me I had to leave the house. You broke my heart, Lola. But we’re here together now, so I won’t dwell on it.’

They’d recently finished making love. Apart from the size of his dick, Lola considered Matt incredibly dull in bed. He got on, pumped away and got off–in more ways than one. He wasn’t even capable of giving good head.

She didn’t care. If this was her punishment, so be it. Her only concern was for her sister’s recovery.

‘Can I come to the set tomorrow?’ Matt asked. ‘You might need my moral support, it being your first day back since the shooting.’

‘You can come everywhere with me,’ she said, resigned to her new situation. ‘I feel safe with you around.’

‘That’s the way it should be.’ A long pause. ‘I have to ask you something.’

‘What?’

‘Was anything going on between you and Tony Alvarez?’

‘Nothing,’ she answered, without blinking. Damn! Now she’d lied. She had to
stop
lying. ‘Actually, that’s not true,’ she said, hastily correcting herself. ‘Tony and I did get together a couple of times, only I soon realized it wasn’t the same as being with you.’

There, she’d corrected that lie.
Sorry, God. I’ll try to do better. But, believe me, it’s not easy
.

Pete’s dogs raced out to greet Shelby. There were three of them–a golden retriever, a black Labrador and a police dog incongruously named Pudding.

She bent down to fuss them. They licked her face, barked and jumped up at her.

‘The guys remember you,’ Pete said, emerging from the house wearing jeans and a workshirt with rolled-up sleeves. ‘I made it here ten minutes before you, just in time to make you a glass of your favourite Sangria
and
get the barbecue fired up.’

‘The dogs seem to be in great shape,’ she said, straightening up.

‘Looks like they missed you. Remember when we used to take them to the dog park?’

‘Oh, yes. I loved going there,’ she said enthusiastically.

‘How come
you
don’t have dogs?’

‘Linc’s allergic.’

‘That’s a new one.’

‘He is.’

‘Come inside. I’ve got something to show you.’

She followed him through the cluttered house into the warm and cosy kitchen. He took her hand and led her over to a basket containing a tiny golden puppy. The other three dogs trotted eagerly behind them.

‘Oh, my!’ she exclaimed. ‘This is the sweetest little thing I’ve ever seen.’

‘Found it wandering around the canyon. I brought it in before it got eaten by coyotes.’

‘What’s its name?’

‘Haven’t named it yet. Thought
you
could do the honours.’

Gently she picked up the golden ball of fluff. ‘Hi, little guy,’ she said, scratching it under the chin. The puppy gazed up at her. ‘I think I’m in love!’ she exclaimed. ‘She’s so adorable!’

‘It’s a he,’ Pete said, handing her a glass of Sangria. ‘There’s supposed to be a beautiful sunset,’ he added. ‘Let’s go see if we can catch it.’

They went out to the backyard. There was no swimming-pool, just an old hammock and a jumble of wild rosebushes. It was so unlike all the polished Beverly Hills and Bel Air mansions she’d got used to.

‘I love this house,’ she said warmly. ‘I especially love the view of the city at night.’

‘Yeah, there’s something magical about it. It gets me
every time,’ he said, going over to the barbecue. ‘I hope you’re still a meat eater.’

‘I’m English, I eat meat.’

‘That’s good, ’cause I’m making Omaha steaks, baked potatoes and hot dogs.’

‘Sounds like a man-sized meal.’

‘You got it,’ he said, smiling. ‘And to go with everything,’ he added, activating an outdoor speaker, ‘your favourite James Taylor song.’

‘You remember everything,’ she said, smiling as ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ filled the night air.

‘Yes, Shelby,’ he said, looking into her eyes. ‘I remember absolutely everything.’

The onslaught of flashbulbs was startling. Cat was not used to this kind of relentless attention.

Nick flung his arm round her shoulders in an all-encompassing way so that she couldn’t escape.

Fans were lined up on each side of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, screaming his name. The TV cameras were stationed in a long line down one side of the red carpet, the photographers along the other.

A harassed publicity woman approached them. ‘Mr Logan, this way.’

‘You’re coming with me,’ he whispered to Cat.

‘I’m not,’ she protested. ‘I’ll wait inside.’

‘I said you’re coming with me,’ he hissed, not loosening his grip.

So much for anonymity
, she thought, as he dragged her down the press line, chatting amiably to all the TV crews, introducing her to every one of them.

‘I wish you hadn’t done that,’ she said, when they finally made it inside the theatre.

‘You could’ve run,’ he said, groping in his pocket for a chewed toothpick.

‘How could I run with your hand on the scruff of my neck?’

‘You’re gonna get plenty of attention anyway,’ he said. ‘Don’t think you can avoid it.’

He was repeating what Shelby had said. Was celebrity inevitable simply because she was young and not bad-looking?

In the lobby he introduced her to a few of the cast members from his movie and the director.

She felt humiliated because she was sure they were all looking at her as if she was another one of his conquests.
I must have been crazy to come to this
, she thought.
Stark raving crazy
.

After the movie–a salute to violence–there was a big party.

Nick said, ‘We only have to stay five minutes, then we can leave.’

‘But I’m hungry,’ she protested.

‘We’ll join the gang at Ago.’

Not only had she been exposed to the world as another of Nick Logan’s girlfriends, now he wanted to show his friends that she’d gone out with him.

‘You know what?’ she said. ‘I’d sooner go someplace else–maybe Chow’s.’

‘Why?’ he said. ‘Everyone’s at Ago.’

‘How come they didn’t turn up to your première?’

‘You think they’d come to a shitty movie like that?’ he said, abandoning his toothpick and reaching for a cigarette.

Oh, great!
She
’d had to endure his movie, and they didn’t have to.

‘Anyway,’ he added, lighting up, ‘we’ll toss a coin.’

He tossed. She lost. She was sure that he cheated.

By the time they arrived at Ago, his table was packed.

‘Do you really pick up the check for all these people every night?’ she whispered.

‘I can afford it.’

‘It must be costing you a fortune.’

‘It’s them or the taxman. I’m a generous soul.’

‘So I’ve noticed.’

Amy, the pretty stand-up comedian with the oversized glasses, was there. Nick greeted her with a great show of affection.

She must be an old girlfriend
, Cat thought.

‘Didja meet Amy?’ Nick asked.

‘Yes,’ Cat replied. ‘I was planning on catching your act at the Improv, right?’

‘She remembers,’ Amy said. ‘This one’s a keeper.’

Nick gave Amy another kiss and a hug. Cat frowned. What did he think? That they were going to get involved in some kind of bizarre threesome?

‘I think I’ll take off,’ she said. ‘I’ve got to be up early, and it’s getting late.’

‘No,’ Nick urged. ‘You’re staying to eat. She’s staying, Amy–right?’

‘Whatever you say, brother dear.’

Brother dear?
Was that a term of affection, or was she actually his sister?

‘Are you brother and sister?’ Cat asked.

‘Yup,’ Amy said, grinning. ‘’Fraid so.’

‘Oh,’ Cat said, and immediately thought that Amy would be the perfect girl for Jonas.

‘My steak was delicious,’ Shelby said, pushing away her plate. She was sitting comfortably on an outdoor chair in the backyard of Pete’s house, nursing a second glass of Sangria.

‘You haven’t finished.’

‘I can’t. This steak was big enough for a three-hundred-pound truck driver.’

‘I’ll give the rest to the dogs,’ Pete said, picking up the plates.

‘Expensive dogs,’ Shelby remarked, as the dogs came bounding over.

‘I believe in looking after my animals.’

‘I can see that.’

‘Unconditional love,’ Pete said, patting the black Labrador. ‘That’s what I get from these guys.’

‘You were telling me about your love-life earlier,’ Shelby said. ‘Can I hear more?’

‘Why?’ he said. ‘It’s boring.’

‘No. I’m fascinated.’

‘Sadist!’

‘Come
on
, Pete.’

‘Okay,’ he said, matter-of-factly. ‘After Liz the actress, there was Janet.’

‘And what was wrong with Janet?’ Shelby asked good-naturedly.

‘Janet was okay, except she was desperate to get married.’

‘And you didn’t want to?’

‘After I get to know someone, maybe. Janet wanted to get married after we’d only been together three weeks.’

‘So Janet had to go?’

‘Right. Then after Janet there was Clarissa, the hairdresser.’

‘And
her
problem was?’

‘Sex maniac. She wanted it three times a night.’ He gave a self-deprecating grin. ‘Now, I like sex as much as the next man, but three times a night, forget it.’

Shelby smiled. ‘It certainly seems you’ve been busy since we broke up.’

‘We never broke up, Shelby,’ he said, correcting her gently. ‘You ran off and married one of my best friends.’

‘I wish you wouldn’t keep reminding me.’

‘I wish
you
’d face up to the fact that Linc is not making you happy.’

She flushed. ‘How can you say something like that?’

‘It’s obvious, Shelby. I see the tabloids. Linc’s a player, he always has been. He likes booze, women and—’ He stopped abruptly.

‘Booze, women and
what
?’ she challenged.

‘I’m sure he’s not into it any more.’

‘Into
what
, Pete?’

‘He was, uh, always kind of a cocaine freak.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she said scornfully. ‘If I’d
ever
suspected that Linc took drugs, it would’ve been the end of us.’

‘He probably stopped when he met you,’ Pete said, wishing he hadn’t mentioned it.

‘It’s time to go,’ she said, standing up. ‘This was nice. You’ll make some lucky girl a wonderful cook.’

‘I have other talents, too.’

‘I’m sure you do,’ she said, petting the puppy.

‘I’ll walk you to your car.’

They went through the house out to the front.

‘There’s something I think you should know before you go,’ Pete said, standing by her car.

‘Yes, Pete. What?’ she said, finding her keys.

‘It’ll sound corny, but there’s no other way to say it.’

‘Go ahead.’

‘I love you, Shelby,’ he said quietly. ‘I always have and I always will. And you know what? I’m sorry, but there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it.’