Scornfully Yours (Torn Series) (4 page)

     I guess I should be thankful that I got out of that relationship in one piece? But it didn’t feel like it.

     “What time is it?” I sat up and greedily grabbed the hot coffee. My palms cradled it as I took a cautious sip.

     I smiled when saw Lindsey was wearing her usual house garb, a skimpy thong and a long fitted cami.

      I only met Carter a few months back because I was weary about going out to party and be merry again. I suppose you could say I was a bit depressed. There’s always a time in a woman’s life where the depression phase hit you full-on without much indication. I got out of that dark phase when I met Carter. But since he and I are done, I don’t plan reverting back to old ways, I hoped. But I will fight that demon before it captures me again unarmed.

     “It’s almost noon. The girls plan to head out later tonight and party in Hollywood. I already booked us a suite at Chateau Marmont for our little getaway.” She winked with a mischievous smile plastered on her face.

     “You’re on lady!” I tried to sound excited.

      Just because Carter Mason and I are done, I am not going to let him cause me to fall into the darkness again.  Maybe going out of town would the best solution.

     “Good, cause I’m not letting you mope around here while my stupid brother runs around town looking all chummy and unaffected,” Lindsey muttered and left my room.

     
I bet he was
. I thought angrily. Carter wouldn’t be a known notorious playboy if he wasn’t an insensitive jerk.

     With a heavy heart, I got up and headed to the bathroom to shower. I wasn’t going to let him see me hurt. I’m going to try and live my life like he didn’t matter.

     It will be hard, but I will do it.

     The old soppy and nostalgic Emma be gone. That Emma ended last night.

     It was Saturday and I decided to treat myself to a mani/pedi at the nearest spa. If we were hitting the joints of Hollywood tonight, I can’t look raggedy and have that ‘I’m broken look’ hanging around me. Carter certainly doesn’t deserve that. Even though my heart made a huge mistake falling for a man like Carter Mason, I certainly would not allow my pride to me trampled over with by him. At least in that, I get to have a choice.

     Carter’s not the only man on this planet and I’m quite positive I will get over him. Life is about stages and phases. I wasn’t going to dwell on my mistakes. Don’t we have to kiss tons of frogs before we end up with the prince?

     By six, I was ready to go. I was wearing a black, short frilly skirt on and matched it with a red skintight halter top. I finished my ensemble with my favorite Louboutin lace booties. There was nothing much I could with my short blonde hair so I left it alone.  For my make-up, I went for the smoky eyes look and swiped a soft pink lipstick and gloss on.

    My pinky touched the side of my lip that had a little smudge of color. Eyeing myself from side to side, “I suppose this would do,” I mumbled.

      “You’re a knockout, Em. No need to double check it,” Lindsey spoke from behind me.

      I grinned at my friend. I could always count on Lindsey to bring my spirits up.

     “The girls already left in a separate car. I thought it would be best that we drive there by ourselves and meet them at the restaurant. They tend to go a little crazy when we’re all together and I don’t want to have any fights tonight,” She continued.

     The girls consisted of Amber, Trista and Cece. They’re cool party friends, but Cece has a jealous streak. Linds and Cece
go way back
from high school.

     “Uh, thank goodness. I don’t think I can deal with you and Cece sparring words at each other all night,” Agreeing with her.

      Oh, and did I mention Cece has a thing for Carter? Yeah, she doesn’t seem too keen on me either. But alas, Amber and Trista were pretty cool and fun to hang out with. Lindsey introduced me to their little group and I became friends with them too, well except for Cece,
of course
.

     We took Lindsey’s BMW X5 and joined the chaos that is the 101 Freeway. It was Saturday and traffic was usually dreadful on the weekends.  What should be an hour drive to Los Angeles could take two or three hours. 

“We should’ve left earlier and checked in at the hotel rather than driving at this hour.” Lindsey frustratingly agreed with my thoughts.

     Why didn’t we think of that ingenious idea?

     I picked up her iPod and scrolled through her songs. “Play
Ooh Ooh Baby
by Britney,” she requested with excitement.

     Another revelation, we jam to Britney Spears. I mean Britney did have some good party songs,
Toxic
anyone?

     As much as I love my mainstream pop music, I like on the ‘trip-hop’ genre and lots of alternative rock.

     I checked my phone for the umpteenth time with weighing disappointment. Resolute, I leaned back and closed my eyes.
What did I expect?
Carter’s not the groveling type. He doesn’t chase women. It’s the other way around.

     It took us an hour and forty-five minutes to arrive in L.A. A well of excitement rushed through me as we exited Sunset Boulevard. The plan was for us to dine at a famous sushi restaurant and go clubbing at the Greystone Manor Nightclub then check-in at the hotel after.

     Lindsey valet parked outside the famed restaurant and I waited as she rounded the car.

     “Damn, Linds. I didn’t realize your dress was so revealing!” She just waved her hand carelessly at me.

     Her dress was super tight and had one of those diamond shaped-cut holes in the middle and her belly button. If Cece would have worn this dress, she would’ve looked like a tart. But with Lindsey, it looked amazing–she looked like one of those snobby fashionistas. She carries herself with great certainty and a classy air that I was jealous of. I honestly don’t think she has any insecurity about herself. I applaud her for that. Sometimes, this rubs off on me and I
love
it!

     The girls were already seated inside the restaurant and it didn’t take long for us to get rowdy. Dinner took about two hours and even Cece was playing nice and being civilized. It was a relief to see the other side of her. Her bitchiness was starting to bore the hell out of me.

      By the time we got to the nightclub, we were in high spirits. The club was a celebrity hotspot and the line to get in snaked around the building. But thanks to Amber’s connections, we didn’t have to wait in it. Our fake I.D.’s weren’t even checked.

     It was almost midnight and the place was starting to get crowded.  We were seated in one of the lounge’s damask covered couches.  The club was decorated in a neo-Renaissance theme that had a gothic-like feel. It was like the old and new Hollywood meshing together. The outcome was outstanding, stylishly posh with a decadent atmosphere. I studied the place with wonderment.  The décor alone probably cost more than an arm and a leg.  It was luxurious and sexy.  Even the people here were sexy and beautiful.

What did I expect?
This was Hollywood territory after all.

      There was a commotion on the other side of the room. Trista blushingly whispered that Bass Cole was here. Everyone became excited, even Lindsey. I just shook my head at Cece’s over eager enthusiasm. The poor woman looked like she was hyperventilating. I could just tell what was going through that head of hers.

     Okay, maybe I’m a little piqued. Okay—total lie.
I’m super psyched!
Fucking Bass Cole in the house! Gah!

    
Who wouldn’t be?
Bass Cole’s one of Hollywood’s most sought after movie star and an everlasting heartthrob. His movie career blew up a couple years ago when he made one of those vampire movies and he’s been a household name ever since. I admit I saw the movie a few times but don’t remember much of it.
Was he a good actor?
I don’t know.
Was the movie any good?
No clue either. The only thing that stuck with me was Bass Cole was a hot piece of yummy handsomeness. All blonde, tanned and with the most striking blue eyes was all I can conjure in my head. That about sums it up, I believe. Pathetic, isn’t it? 

       “God, I have to meet him! I love his movies and he’s just
so
hot!” Cece squealed and started to fan her cheeks, furiously.

      Uhuh, I’m sure she’s going to try in earnest to get past all the people around him, good luck with that! Cece loves attention and she would do anything to be in the spotlight. She was after all an aspiring actress and she actually had a part as an extra a few times on some TV shows, but nothing major. I once joked that if she auditioned for
Playboy
, she would be instantly hired. I remembered her murderous glare when I made that statement.
I mean, come on!
Cece has 34 DD implants–when you speak to her, all you see are those big hard jugs.

     We were served a bucket filled with bottled drinks and a chilled champagne bottle. Trista opened the bottles and started to mix drinks for everyone. By the looks of things, we were going to be all hammered tonight. Trista handed us the alcoholic concoction.

     Amber stood up. “I just want to make this toast to my newly single friend, Emma. No guy is worth moping over baby!” She screamed through the blare thumping of music. 

     Oh, dearest! Did we need to make everyone here aware of that?

     The rest of them hooted in agreement. “CHEERS!!!”

     I cringed when I tasted the concoction Trista made.
Holy crap
, this shit was deadly!  I wasn’t planning on puking my way out of the club tonight, thank you. Placing the deadly concoction back on the table, I glanced at my selections. I chose the champagne and poured a glass for myself. I made a satisfying sigh when the bubbles worked its magic. Light fizzy bubbles I could do, I thought contently.

     Trista and Amber went dancing and Cece left to go manhunt. Typical girls night out.

      Lindsey was stuck to her phone. Not typical.

      “Brody again?” I asked, just loud enough for her to hear me.

      She nodded. “He’s pissed off at me. He’s drunk-texting.” She waved the screen at me.

    
I hate those. I used to do that a lot…with Carter. I would send hateful and spiteful messages and he would always end up at my doorstep. I would open the door and he would just barge in there and take me to my room. It was crazy but at the same time I lived for those crazy exhilarating moment of madness.

     I mouthed an “Oh” and she merely shrugged. She looked a bit bothered. Maybe she felt something more than she let on? I wondered.

     Amber came back with two cute guys. Trista, on the other hand, grabbed my hand and ushered me to the dance floor. I glanced back at Lindsey to invite her to come with us, but she was talking to one of the men.

     The club was playing some popular dance music and it didn’t take long for Trista and I to start swaying and dancing to the beat.

     Dancing, Trista leaned over and yelled in my ear. “I like that you’re coming out with us again. I’m sorry about what happened with Carter,
but you know
, it’s Carter.” She smiled.

     Yup, it’s Carter. No need to emphasize what that meant.

     “Yeah, it was good riddance. It was starting to become mundane.” I fibbed with great confidence. Trista smiled, the lights making her red hair and green eyes light up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Trista sad or angry. She was always so damn cheery. How can anyone be so fucking cheery all the fucking time? That must be exhausting, surely?

     When my favorite song came on, I let loose, and danced my hips and ass off. Tonight was going my night! I thought ferociously.

      Fuck Carter Mason. Fuck his fucking hot tight ass that made me drool. Fuck his stupid swag and sexy smirk. No more! I screamed in my head as I danced with my eyes closed, feeling the beat vibrate through my body.

     I caught my breath when I felt a big hand capture my side.

     I immediately tensed.

     OH. NO. DID CARTER FOLLOW US HERE?

     “Can I dance with you?” A deep voice asked from behind me—a hot, masculine drawl that made my toes curl and my insides melt and quiver.

     OH.

     My eyes snapped open.

“Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.”

-
 
Randall G. Leighton

     I hastily turned around and found the one and only Bass Cole staring me down with his azure eyes. I stared back, star-struck and dumb-founded.

     With my mouth wide open, hanging ajar, I thought wildly, Bass Cole is right in front of me!

    TALKING. TO. ME.