Scornfully Yours (Torn Series) (18 page)

     What was wrong with these women? They’re both so automated and stuck-up. Were they acting like this because
I’m a nobody
? More likely.

     “Thank you for that.”
Sort of
.

     Barbara Schwartz nodded as we shook hands. “Welcome to Hollywood.” With that, they both strutted out of the house and off to somewhere in Ohio.

     I sat back down and stared in the horizon. I just signed! I AM IN! All sorts of emotions washed over me.

     I hope of all hopes that I will rock this Angela character because if I
don’t
, I don’t think I will ever forgive myself.

     Sighing, I got up and scoured for Bass.

     “Hey!” Finally, I found him in the kitchen making a protein shake.

     “Hey, yourself! Did it go well? I didn’t want to interrupt—that’s why I left you alone out there.”

     I didn’t know if it was the time to bring up the sex scenes or not. Maybe I’m overreacting; maybe if I wasn’t a newbie this would be a piece of cake. I know—but the thought of being in the scenes with Bass surely made my temperature rise to the hundreds.

     “It was good—lots of paperwork.” And lingering thoughts of your hot bod on mine and all sorts of illicit thoughts…

     Bass gave me a dimpled smile. Too hot…
he’s too hot
. I don’t think I can handle it.

     “Martin just called to congratulate you but you were still out on the patio with the ladies. Do you feel like celebrating out to lunch?”

     “I’d love to, but I have to get back to school. I don’t want to miss class. Can I get a rain check for next week?” Not really, but I wanted to be alone for now. This was a massive deal to me. I needed to make a quick visit to see my parents to tell them about this.

     “Sure, that’d be great! Let me know when you want to leave. I’m ready whenever you are,” Bass said as he kissed my forehead.

      Gawd! I wanted to hang on to him for another second but he moved away.

     After class, Lindsey and I agreed to meet up at the coffee shop because she was in between classes and couldn’t wait to get back to our place before I spill all the details.

     So, I spilled. Everything.

     “Five mil? And you have Bass Cole hot on your heels? I hate you!” Lindsey came over and rained me with smacking kisses. “You’re going to kill that role, you know that right?”

     I sure hope so.

     “I will try
or
die trying,” I said sheepishly. Lindsey’s overexcited bubble was contagious.

     “There’s a party tonight at Carter’s house. I think we should go and celebrate. 

     “Um, have you forgotten that your brother despises me?”

     “Pfft. Yeah, right! He doesn’t despise you—
he wants you
all to himself. But it’s a big party tonight, so you might not even run into him.”

That was plausible.

     I had planned to drive back to Ojai and see my parents…but I guess I could ditch that idea and do it later this weekend.

“Alright–but don’t tell anyone, okay?  Let’s just keep it between us for now.  I’m not ready to be bombarded with questions and gossip.”

     “You’re right. It’s high time I celebrate this—but don’t tell anyone, okay? I’m not ready for that to be main news or to be streamlined gossip.”

     Lindsey pinched my cheek. “You’re secret is safe with me. Party starts at eleven. We should grab some dinner somewhere fancy-shmancy tonight. I’ll be back by six and we leave at seven. Ta-ta!”

     After Lindsey left, I stayed and finished my coffee. I couldn’t help but feel great! I suppose Bass was right. It is my time to shine.

     “The girls aren’t joining us?” I asked Lindsey as she studied the menu with intensity.

     “We’ll meet up with them later on. Tonight’s just our date night. We have so much to catch up on and I doubt you’ll appreciate me grilling you about your new movie role with Cece around. Ah, can’t wait to see her reaction when she learns about it!” She just gave me an evil smile and went back to studying the menu some more.

     “What’s the story behind you and Cece, anyway?” I asked after the waiter took our orders.

     “Would you be shocked if I told you that Cece and I used to best friends, but ended our tight knit friendship during freshmen year?” I choked on the little piece of buttered bread I just swallowed.

     With a big hefty gulp of water, I asked, flabbergasted. “You and Cece were BFFs? That’s like mixing oil and water. I don’t believe you!”

     She merely shrugged and looked thoughtful a moment. “We were—until she slept with the guy I was so in love with.”

     Ouch. What a back-stabbing bitch!

     “That does sound like good ol’ Cece to me.”

     “Yeah, she was always like that. But I didn’t think for a second she would go for mine. I mean, she knew I loved him for so long, you know? And she was my best friend. When rumors flew that they hooked up, I was heartbroken. Not only did I lose my best friend but I lost my love too—unrequited love—but still, it counted to me.”

     How stupid could that guy be? He chose Cece over Lindsey? Come. On. It’s like choosing good quality over used goods. Gah, men and their stupidity. 

     “Good riddance to both of them. It’s not like the guy was worth it. In fact, he was downright obnoxious.”

     With a strawberry margarita in hand, she smiled at me. “Precisely, that’s why Brody is out of the question.”

     Brody sexed it up with Cece
over
Lindsey? What a douche lord! Maybe he needs to get his eyesight checked.

     “Well color me shocked. I didn’t think good boy Brody cranked his tractor towards
whore-aholic
women.” Mean, yeah, but everyone that knows Cece knows how much she gets around–I’m just calling it like it is.

     “Enough about me, let’s talk about you and your exciting life! Have you concocted a plan yet?” I looked at her confused. She smacked my hand that was on the table. “Hello? On how to get him into bed? Don’t tell me you haven’t wanted to? A nun would be tempted to leave her convent for a quick roll in the hay with that
fine
man.”

     “What’s the point? He’s leaving a week from today.” That thought alone sobered me up a little bit. No more Bass and his toe-curling smile. Or his deep husky laugh when he found something amusing. Or his smoldering eyes.  Yeah, he is going to be sorely missed.

     “Fuck that seriously sucks! Maybe you two can figure something out, you know,” She enlightened.

     “We’ll see. Let’s not talk anymore about Bass or the movie—”

     “Good, idea! It’s already forgotten!” She interjected without letting me finish my sentence. One of the finest things I like about Lindsey is that she just
gets it
.

     So, for the past two and a half hours, we discussed everything else, catching up with each other’s lives and enjoying each other’s company.

By the time we got to Carter’s party, the alcohol in my system was working in full-swing. I was swaying my hips from the loud music before I even managed to get inside. But then again, I did have something to celebrate.

Once inside, the party was super packed and it was hard to find the rest of our group.

“Oh fucking shit!” Lindsey cursed as I was breaking through the crowd behind her. I stopped as soon as I heard her.

“What?” I asked looking at her before I followed where her eyes strayed.

Oh fucking shit
was just about right.

It was Carter sitting like a fucking mighty king in his own kingdom while some insipid bitch gave him a lap dance.  The music of
Pitbull
thumped loudly in the speakers and the bitch was moving her ass in the air, jiggling it exaggeratingly. I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or cry. The whole thing was fucking unbelievable!

It was,
until
Carter found me. The bitch dipped low on the ground and back up again. She positioned herself grinding and humping his nether region as she squatted down, while Carter’s eyes were trained on me—never leaving.

“Let’s go!” Lindsey spoke next to me.

I know I needed to move,
but
for some odd reason, I wanted to watch and see where Carter would take this scene he had going on for everyone to see.

“I’m fine. You go and look for the girls. I want to see where your brother will take this nice demonstration of his.”

Lindsey’s jaw hung ajar. “You’re insane!” She hissed. I merely shrugged before she decided that I was not going to move until I finished seeing the real Carter in action.

I thought the teeny tiny skirt was enough display but
no, no
the woman actually took off her top and skirt only wearing her matching engine red bra and thong. She then hooked her flimsy skirt around Carter’s neck as she pulled him to her breasts. The guys hooted and clapped while the bitch became deliriously excited.

Disgusted, I decided to stop looking when the hooker took off her bra.

When I got outside to get air, I received a text message from Bass.

You may be out of my sight, far from my reach... but certainly never out of my mind...

Goodnight, my sweet Emma.

Oh, my word. I think I’m hyperventilating. Why the hell didn’t I meet him before Carter came along? I would’ve jumped on Bass’s bones in a heartbeat.

“Emma!”

I stilled when I heard Carter yell my name. What did he want? If he was looking for a quick lay, he’d be better off with the skank inside.

Without turning around, I asked, “What do you want, Carter? If you’re looking for a lap dance from me, you’re shit out of luck.”

“I followed you out here because I wanted to see you. How are you doing?” Carter inquired.

Was he for real?
How am I doing?
WTF!

“I am doing fan-freaking-tastic. Now, will you leave me be?” I screeched, immediately walking towards the beach.  I knew it was dark and all, and probably not a great idea to walk around alone, but I needed to get away from him. Carter was simply infuriating and I couldn’t stand being so close to him.

“Why do you keep running away from me?” The dense man asked from behind me.

Sigh, honestly?

“You’re an ass, you’re selfish, inconsiderate, cold, infuriating, insensitive, and the list goes on and on. Now, will you please go away?”

Carter stood before me, touched my chin with his forefinger and gently kissed me. Before I had time to think, he pulled away.

“If that’s what will make you happy, then I’ll leave you alone. But I am going to watch you from here because it’s dark and I don’t want a bunch of drunktards anywhere around you while you’re all alone, understood?”

I nodded as I considered his suggestion. Carter kept to his promise. He did leave me alone but I could feel his searing gaze from where I sat staring across the Pacific Ocean.