Saved by the Celebutante (29 page)

THIRTY-SIX

The rain is still heavy the next day, so Peter stays true to his word and calls his helicopter friend to fly us out of the desert.

I carry my stuff out to the waiting chopper, feeling numb. This is my first ride in one, so I should be excited, but instead I just want to get out of the desert and as far away from the festival as possible.

Peter and I sit side by side behind the pilot. The crew have been left behind to drive the trailer back to LA at the end of the festival. I feel kind of bad for them for a minute, until Peter points out that they’re basically getting paid to do nothing for the next few days.

Once we’re in the air, Peter gets out his laptop and starts working. I look down on the washed out plains and huge sculptures. I was right about the campsites looking like crop circles.

I’m a bit disappointed at how the whole Earth & Fire experience turned out. I guess I did achieve my objective of finding Peter, and I’ve found some closure with Corey and Brad, but all my angst has just transferred to Matt. At least I won’t have to see him again. That’s got to count for something.

When we arrive in Reno, Peter insists on paying for the towing company to take my van back to Paulie in LA so I don’t have to drive it myself. After being reminded of his no hugging rule, he directs me to a nearby car hire place and takes off again. Everything happens so fast, it takes a moment for me to process that I’ll be home in just over four hours.

I switch on my phone and impatiently wait for the reception bars to reappear. I immediately call Gia, but it rings out and goes to messages.

“Hey! Oh my God! What a ridiculous week! I tried to call you yesterday but your voicemail was full. I have so much to tell you! Call me when you get this! I’m coming home today!”

I hang up, feeling like a load has been lifted off my shoulders. I can finally tell Gia the good news and help get her ready for the movie audition.

I wait in line at the car hire place, my mood swinging back and forth like a pendulum every time I think of Matt. I still can’t believe he just abandoned me. He should have said something, rather than disappearing like a coward. I wouldn’t have been mad if he admitted that our hook-up was a mistake, but now I’m just frustrated and confused.

Finally a booking agent organizes a little Chevy Spark for me. Once I have the keys, I take off down Route 80, barely stopping on the way. I can’t wait to get home. I wouldn’t say I’m excited exactly, more that I’ll be relieved.

Gia calls back while I’m on a stretch of road where I can’t safely stop. Part of me wants to answer anyway, but the other part doesn’t want to risk a cop seeing me and giving me a ticket.

I let it ring out and pull over as soon as I can. She got my message! And she wants me to meet her at a coffee shop near her place tomorrow morning to catch up. Yay! Everything is returning to normal! Well, as normal as it can be, considering I don’t really have a permanent residence.

I drive over to Penny’s and let myself in. No one is home, which is a bit of a relief. I can have a shower and nap before facing any interrogations.

I dump all my clothes in the laundry and then launch myself into the bathroom, ready to indulge in a long hot shower. I have never appreciated water as much as I do right now. I find it strangely satisfying watching the residual dirt on my skin and hair wash down the drain.

I almost feel human again by the time I step out and wrap myself in a clean fluffy towel. My next stop is the kitchen, where I chop up some vegetables, grill some chicken and make myself a proper meal. I’m tired, but my craving for wholesome food is stronger than my desire to sleep.

I sit down at the dining table to eat and decide not to turn on the TV or browse the internet on my phone. I just enjoy the warm, dry quiet of an inner-city apartment. It’s funny how only being away from civilization for a few days can make you appreciate it so much more when you get back.

I don’t have time to nap, because Penny and Michelle get home soon after. I spend at least an hour regaling them with stories of Earth & Fire and then convincing them I’m all right. I don’t tell them the extent of my relationship with Matt because I don’t want them to worry any more than they already do.

Just after eight, I excuse myself and lock myself in the spare room.

The bed feels amazingly soft compared to the one in the camper. My mind inevitably makes the connection between beds and Matt, and I experience a flash of anger again.

Thankfully I am exhausted, so I feel my brain slowing down the second my head hits the pillow.

I don’t even have to…

***

My alarm wakes me at 8.30 the next morning. I can’t believe I slept for more than twelve hours! Gia said to meet her at ten, so I quickly eat breakfast, get dressed and leave in order to get there a bit early. I’m really excited to see her. I’ve already worked out how to approach our meet-up. First, I’ll fill her in on why I got delayed at the festival, and then I’ll casually mention the audition. And then I’m going to tell her the truth about the phone and beg forgiveness. I think she’ll be fine with it seeing as we managed to track down Peter in the end.

Gia is only ten minutes late, which is pretty good for her. Although when I see her, I notice she’s slipped back into her old style, wearing a pair of tiny denim shorts and a tight white t-shirt. Oh well. I’m not going to be judgy. I’m just glad to see her.

She doesn’t smile when she sees me, which instantly raises a red flag. Something is wrong.

She sits down, a strange expression on her face.

“Hey. Is everything okay?” I ask tentatively.

She starts tearing apart a serviette in front of her.

“I know,” she says softly.

My face crumples. That stupid phone.

“I’m so sorry, Gia. It was a really dumb thing to do and I regretted it as soon as it happened, and I was doing everything I could to fix it, and…”

She cuts me off.

“I’m just so disappointed in you. First there was the phone, and now this…”

“Wait. Hang on, I thought we were talking about the phone.”

“Well, obviously I was pissed that you lied to me about that, but I was even more upset that you felt like you had to steal from me and didn’t just ask if you needed the money.”

My eyes widen. “What are you talking about?”

“Please, Chrissie. Do I really have to spell it out?”

She pulls a folded sheet of paper out of her pocket and slides it across the table.

I unfold it and read it, taking a minute to process what I’m looking at.

It’s a print-out of a credit card statement with several charges for over $100 each circled in red.

“What is this?”

“Is that how you’re going to play it? Even when I show you proof?”

I look at her, bewildered. “I don’t understand.”

She sighs. “These charges are from the credit card I gave you to pay for work stuff. And unless I’m mistaken, Darla’s Beauty Salon is not a work related expense. Neither is GAP clothing or dinner at Saison.”

I gasp. “You think
I
did this?”

“You’re the only one with the card.”

“But there must be another explanation! I promise I never bought those things! I don’t even know where Darla’s Beauty Salon is!”

“It’s just down the road from your house.”

“What? You mean Brad’s house?”

“Yes, of course. You were living there when the charge was made.”

“I barely know that area! Wait, we need to look at this logically. I went hiking at Yosemite with Brad the other Sunday, and Corey kept trying to call me. I was so angry that I threw my phone off a cliff. It wasn’t until afterwards that I realized how stupid it was, and how I almost wrecked your chance at an audition. But I…wait a second…who told you about the phone in the first place?”

For the first time since we sat down, she looks uncertain.

“Billy told me,” she says softly.

“Will?” I yell. “
Will
told you about the phone? How did he even know?”

“Apparently he overheard some guy, I guess it was Brad, telling his friend about it.”

“And what? He just showed up on your doorstep with this information?”

She turns red. Apparently so.

“Did he by any chance suggest that you look for other signs of my incompetence?”

She stares at me and I know I’m right.

“How do you know Will didn’t make those charges? Actually, come to think of it, I didn’t even keep the card in my purse. I left it in my room at Brad’s for safekeeping. Will could have found it and used it at any time. Especially since I’ve been away.”

She looks stricken.

“Oh, Chrissie…”

“Look, it’s fine. Let’s just forget about it. We’ll sort out Will later. I actually have some really good news, and I hope it will make up for the whole stupid phone thing. The auditions are still on! I finally found Peter and we sorted everything out. You’ve still got a chance at landing that role!” 

Gia looks like she’s going to be sick.

“That’s not exactly the reaction I was hoping for,” I say lightly.

She meets my gaze with tears in her eyes.

“I did something really dumb.”

My heart sinks.

“What?”

She breathes out shakily.

“I made the sex tape.”

“Oh my God, Gia! When?”

“Last night.”

“I tried calling you yesterday! Ugh…” I shake my head.

“Well, why didn’t you call me sooner?”

“I did! Your voicemail was full!”

“Oh.”

“What were you thinking? Don’t tell me Will was responsible for this too?”

Her silence is all the confirmation I need.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “It’s just that after you left, I started doubting everything. And then Billy came sniffing around, and I knew it was wrong, but after he made it look like you had betrayed me, I kind of gave up a little. He played on my fears by pointing out that you hadn’t been in touch when you were supposed to…”

“But you knew I was in the desert and I would call you as soon as I could! I can’t believe you thought I would steal from you! Throwing a phone in anger is one thing, but stealing is a different thing altogether!”

“Well, it seems that Billy may have changed the phone story to suit his motives. He said that he overheard Brad talking about me, and I was the reason you smashed your phone.”

“You should have checked! How could you trust him over me? You know he always just used you.”

She starts whimpering.

“I know. And now I’ve ruined my chance for the audition.”

“Okay, wait. Did he say what he was going to do with the tape?”

“He was going to leak the story to the media and then put it up on some paid subscription site at Halloween.”

“Why then?”

“I don’t know. Some weird plan he had.”

“Who did you do the tape with?”

“I don’t know. Just some random guy Billie hired.”

“Oh, that’s gross, Gia. Couldn’t you have at least done it with someone you already knew?”

“Hey, we’re not all freaking saints like you,” she snaps. “And remember, you still lied to me.” She stands up. “Forget it. I’ll figure this out on my own.”

“Wait, don’t go…”

She stalks off and I sit there, feeling guilty and sad.

This was supposed to be a happy reunion. But I think we might have both messed up too much to go back to how we were.

THIRTY-SEVEN

I lie on Penny’s couch, wondering if anything I’ve gone through over the last few months has been worth it. After Corey and I split up, I at least felt like I was making inroads with Gia’s career. It was really the only thing that gave me purpose.

But now? Her reputation is going to be trashed in a couple of weeks, which will probably affect baby food sales, and Peter Carson probably won’t want to cast her in his movie anymore. Actually, I’m not completely sure about that, but I don’t know many A-listers who have made sex tapes and increased their credibility.

I feel like a shell of my former self. There were so many moments recently when I thought maybe I was finally getting back on track, only to have my hopes crushed beyond recognition. I like to think I’ve learned a bit about myself in terms of relationships, but after this fall-out with Gia, it’s almost as if I’m back to square one.

I don’t feel like I have anyone to turn to apart from Penny and Michelle. Everyone else has let me down. I know I’m not completely blameless, and I know I’ve let people down too, but I’m not sure I deserve to be where I am – possibly unemployed, single, and ignored by all the men in my life.

God.

The doorbell rings.

I almost laugh. I have a sudden vision of the old woman with the braid from Earth & Fire somehow sensing I need a hug and magically appearing on my doorstep. Wouldn’t that be nice?

I warily open the door, because I’m not silly. I know it’s probably not going to be anyone bringing me good news.

Corey.

“What are you doing here?” I ask dully.

He looks miserable. “Can I come in?”

I have no fight left in me. I step aside, allowing him to enter.

He sits on a stool at the kitchen counter while I pour us each a glass of water. I need an excuse to keep some physical distance between us.

“Chrissie, I’ve been such a jackass. I’ve treated you so badly and you’ve been nothing but kind to me.”

I feel the tears well in my eyes. Damn it. I take a second to regain my composure.

“This is true. Well, mostly. You didn’t hear the names I called you after I found out you were engaged.”

“Well, I want to start by saying that I never intended to hurt you. I was telling the truth when I said I hadn’t hooked up with anyone while we were together. And I know I sounded vague when you asked if I’d been talking to people online, but it was only because I didn’t know how to explain. See, I
was
chatting to some people I met on a forum, but it wasn’t really flirting, it was more just connecting with others who were going through the same thing. I felt guilty because I knew it was leading me further away from you, but at the same time, I needed to do it.”

I look at him sadly. I appreciate his honesty, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear. “So when did you meet Jasper?”

“Not until just after I’d moved back in to the apartment. It all happened very fast. I met him out at a club one night and he mentioned he needed a place to stay, so I offered, but then it all just snowballed from there. I didn’t plan it – and to be honest, I’ve been kind of freaked out by how quickly everything’s happening.”

“It’s natural to feel that way. You’ve only known the guy for a few months and you’re already engaged!”

“I know! And then he offered to buy the apartment…”

“Ah. So that’s why you turned down that other offer.” I’m not even surprised.

He looks sheepish. “Yeah, I well and truly fucked things up between you and me.”

“You could have gone about it a little differently,” I agree.

“And to not tell you about the wedding was inexcusable. Jasper was pressuring me to call you, but I was such a coward. I was kind of hoping I could convince him to wait a while before we had the ceremony.” He rubs the heel of his palm on his forehead. “How did you find out?”

“I got an email from the boutique about your wedding gift registry. There must have been a glitch in the system that sent the second email to me instead of Jasper.”

“Oh, shit. That’s terrible. What a horrible way to find out. I wasn’t even thinking when I used the same boutique. I actually don’t even want to do the whole gift thing again, but Jasper…”

“Look, I know I’m not exactly an impartial party here,” I say gently. “But he sounds like a lot of work. Are you happy?”

He sighs. “It’s complicated. I do love him, but I’m not really sure I’m ready to remarry yet. And then to buy an apartment together on top of that is a huge commitment.’

“You’re telling me!” I laugh. “I think you really need to consider whether you
have
to do all of these things right away.”

He smiles weakly. “Easier said than done. Jasper is like a freaking freight train, charging ahead with plans left, right and center. He’s even booked us on a two-week trip to the Caribbean for our honeymoon once the…” He lowers his voice. “…divorce is final.”

“Well I can’t exactly speed that up. But I’m assuming you’ve finally signed the papers?”

He sighs. “Yes. Not long before you called to ask about the wedding.”

“At least that will give you some breathing room.”

“Chrissie? Do you think we might be able to get those other buyers back to take our apartment? I’m thinking I could just tell Jasper they outbid him and we’ll have to rent for the time being.”

“You can call Barb and see. This is all up to you now. But do you really want to go hiding things from your future husband?”

He puffs out his cheeks. “You’re right. I can’t do that.”

“Have a talk with him. And whatever you decide, let me know.”

He starts to tear up.

“Oh God, Chrissie. Do you think you can forgive me?”

I smile. “We’ll work on it.”

“I’ve been meaning to say, feel free to come by and take whatever furniture you like. Obviously half of it is yours.”

“What about the New York painting?” I ask slyly.

He gulps. “Sure. You can have it.”

I punch him lightly on the arm. “I’m just messing with you. I know how much you love that thing. But I call dibs on the knife set in the kitchen and that plate we got in Connecticut.”

“Deal.”

I feel like I’m making some progress here. It’s a miracle.

“Chrissie, are you going to be okay?”

“I’m getting there.”

“Have you met anyone else? I mean, I know you had that er, thing with your roommate…”

I hold up a hand. “That really was just a one-off.” Matt’s face flashes across my vision. “But there’s no one else right now.”

“I have a feeling you’re going to find someone really soon,” he says resolutely.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’m happy just to be alone for now.”

And when I think about it, I realize I’m not just saying it. I really mean it. I can’t be desperately searching for my soulmate. It doesn’t work that way. And besides…I think I still need a lot of time to get over all the men in my life before I can even begin the process of finding someone new.

“I do want you to be happy, Chrissie.” He gives me a hug. “I’ll let you know how I go with the realtor. And I promise to be totally honest with you from now on. I will answer my phone whenever you call, even if Jasper doesn’t like it, and I will tell you anything important in person.”

I smile gratefully. “Thanks for making the effort.”

“You really are an amazing person. And I
will
always love you.”

“Go on, get out of here before I turn into a puddle.”

He grins. “I mean it.”

***

I find it strange that it was Corey who managed to pull me back from the brink. I guess it goes to show, some things aren’t always what they seem, and sometimes you just need that little bit of extra information to see everything more clearly.

I just knew Corey was a good guy. A sometimes flaky and impressionable one, but still a good guy. I hope he has the strength to stand up to Jasper, but with his tendency to avoid confrontation, I wonder if he’ll just go along with everything so he doesn’t have to engage in any uncomfortable discussions.

Somehow Corey’s situation puts my own into perspective. I am actually doing all right. I am healthy, I am soon to be divorced – which means I am free to meet someone else when I’m emotionally ready – and I am not homeless, nor do I have to worry about pleasing anyone else or compromising my beliefs to make them happy.

Then I remember Gia. I can’t leave things like they are. I’m going to fix this.

And I think I have a plan.