The Bad Boy Next Door: Lance & Chastity (32 page)

“Not tonight, Chaz,” he says gruffly.

Chaz? He never calls me Chaz.

“I’m really stressed about the meeting tomorrow. Sorry.”

Is he apologizing or is he sorry I tried to touch him?

I slowly release him. “Okay.”

But nothing is okay. My voice hitches as I say it and I swallow hard, retracting my arm mechanically. As I roll over, I am heartbroken. That hurt. More than I thought possible. My entire chest collapses. I’m going to cry. I burrow into myself, trying to disappear from this bed, wishing I had someplace private to go right now.

I consider the couch, but Mr. McKnight is still watching TV. I can’t face him right now. And there’s no way I’m going to Mom’s.

Maybe I should run away.

With my eyes clamped shut, I beat myself up.

Why did I do that?

I should’ve known better.

He was obviously not in the mood.

What was I thinking?

I am so stupid.

After this goes on for way too long, I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to silence the self hate.

When my rationality takes over, I realize the sad truth:

You can’t stop loving someone just because you want to.

No matter how much it hurts.

++++8++++

CHASTITY

“Isn’t Julian Whittaker the guy who discovered Layce?” Micah asks from behind the wheel of his Mini Cooper. We’re spiraling up a road into the Hollywood Hills to our afternoon meeting with none other than Julian Whittaker.

“Yup, Lord Julian,” Lance says, tense.

Micah nods, “That’s what I thought.”

“Lord who?” I ask.

“His producer name is Lord Julian,” Lance says like I’m a stranger.

“Oh.”

For the first time, Lance sits in the front passenger seat next to Micah. He made some excuse about how small the car is when we left the office downtown. I got stuck in back with Beaver. I pretended it wasn’t a major disaster. After last night, it’s just one more example of how Lance is pulling away. I wonder how long this job is going to last. I’ll probably have to suck face and call Mr. Molton after all.

For now, all I can do is pretend I’m not miserable. I smile, “Layce is way fresh. My sister plays her music all the time. I love her song
I Rise
.” I start singing the opening lyrics, “
Your smile disarming, your eyes alarming, you’re my very own Prince Charming…
”

“Stop!” Beaver groans. “You’re making my ears bleed!”

I’m not that good of a singer so I stop instantly, embarrassed.

“Her music is awful!” Beaver growls. “Pop diva bullshit! Utter crap. Musical junk food for people with no taste.”

“Wow, Beaver,” I giggle nervously.

He grins, “But I’d still do her.”

Lance smirks, “But would she do you?”

In a serious voice, Beaver nods eagerly, his glasses bouncing on his nose. “Oh, totally.”

Lance bursts out laughing. “You are in deeper denial than anyone I’ve ever met, Beaver.”

“Oh, I’m in deep, all right.” He bites his lower lip aggressively, wrinkling his nose like he’s all that. “Nnnn! Nnnn! Nnnn! Ride me, baby!”

After working with Beaver for weeks, I’m used to it and laugh it off. But he’s still creepily disturbing. At the rate he’s going, I suspect he’ll never lose his virginity. Not that I know he’s a virgin, but come on. Look at the guy.

Micah says, “I’d love to work with a producer like Julian. There’s a rumor going around he’s doing Taylor Swift’s next album.”

“But is he doing Taylor Swift?” Beaver says in a crafty voice.

I roll my eyes, “Okay, I’ll say it. Fucking Beaver.”

Lance snorts a short laugh.

I grab for that laugh like it’s the key to Lance’s heart and if I can only catch it, I can open him back up and he’ll let me back in. But the moment fades before I think of anything else to say. It doesn’t help we have no privacy because we’re in the car with Micah and Beaver and I’m staring at the back of Lance’s head.

Micah says, “I bet I’d learn more from Julian Whittaker in a single day than I would in six months working alongside anybody else. That guy knows recording inside and out. And the record business.”

Beaver titters, “I hear he knows Layce inside and out too.”

“Beaver,” I groan. I wait for Lance to laugh.

He doesn’t. Instead he says, “Didn’t he win a bunch of Grammies for Layce’s last album?”

“Yeah,” Micah says. “
I Rise
won in four categories, including best pop video.”

“I remember that!” I say. “It was beautiful. It reminded me of the Disney movie Maleficent. All dark and creepy. Totally cool.”

“That was the one,” Micah says. “If Lord Julian keeps killing it like he has been, he’ll be up for Producer of the Year next Grammies.”

“Wait,” I say, “this Julian guy does videos too?”

“He does everything,” Lance says.

“Could he do your video?” I’m full of excitement.

“Yeah. He could also launch my career into orbit,” Lance says with real appreciation. “That’s why we’re going to meet him.”

“And we’re just going to meet this guy now?” I marvel.

Lance nods. “Yup.”

“Why didn’t we meet him first? It sounds like he can help you more than anybody else we’ve talked to.”

Lance smirks, “Getting a meeting with Julian Whittaker is harder than winning the California State Lottery. Skrillex knows somebody who knows somebody who finally set this thing up. It took weeks to make it all happen. Now we just gotta make sure we don’t blow it.”

“No blowing it,” I grin for emphasis.

“I’ll totally blow it!” Beaver snickers. “Oh wait!”

“Aaaah!” Lance laughs. “Fucking Beaver. You’ll fuck and suck anything that comes your way, won’t you?”

Beaver is beet red. “No! No blowing anything! Eating and salad tossing only! I’m all tongue!” He sticks his out and waggles it, going, “Blahlah-lahlah-lah!”

“Beaver!” I laugh. “You are too much.”

“That’s what she said!” Beaver barks.

“More like he said,” Lance smirks. “If you’re lucky.”

I giggle at that as Micah pulls to a stop in front of a gate set in a long row of tall hedges.

“Is this it?” I ask.

“Yup,” Lance says. To Micah, “Hit the buzzer. Someone’ll answer.”

Micah reaches out the window and presses a button on a metal box inset into a square brick column.

“Yes?” a woman’s voice answers.

Lance leans over Micah, practically climbing on top of him. “Lance McKnight to see Mr. Whittaker.”

“One moment.” After almost five minutes, the speaker crackles and the same voice says, “Please drive up and park to the side of the garage. He asks that you not block any of his cars.”

“Will do,” Lance says, excited. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

As we drive through the gate, I’m picturing some kind of tiny driveway, because we’re in the Hollywood Hills and all the houses are crammed together. But as we circle up a long road to the house, it’s obvious Julian Whittaker lives on a gigantic estate nestled away where you’d never know it. There’s a six car garage set in the hillside below the multi-level mansion. A black Range Rover, black Mercedes, and a black convertible sports car with a red interior are all parked out front.

“Check it out,” Beaver says, pointing toward the sports car. “Ferrari 458 Spider.”

“Nice wheels,” Lance says with admiration.

Micah parks off to the side and we get out of the Mini.

The house is even more impressive than Lord Julian’s cars. It’s like a scattered stack of white boxes with walls of glass, all balanced precariously on top of each other. Almost like a puzzle or Jenga tower or something. Not necessarily my style, but it’s still impressive.

In a low voice, Lance says, “Beaver, don’t say anything stupid and don’t fuck this up. And that goes for you two, no fucking up. Got it?” Lance forks two fingers at me and Micah. “No fuck ups.”

“Best behavior,” Micah smiles.

I grin, “Not one fuck will be upped.” I start giggling at my own joke and Lance smiles wide. It’s the first genuine smile he’s given me in days. After last night, it’s feeble reassurance that we maybe sort of have a slim sliver of a connection remaining. Maybe. I press my doubt down.

Whir.

Stupid dentist’s drill.

Whir-rr-rr.

My stomach grumbles audibly.

“Do you need a sandwich?” Lance asks, irritated.

“Sorry,” I say, feeling stupid. “Won’t happen again. That doesn’t count as a fuck up, does it?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says absently before turning and heading up the square stone staircase that leads to the front doors. He’s annoyed.

Whir.

“Stop it!” I hiss at my stomach, shaking a finger at it.

Whir.

Whatever.

Nobody notices me talking to my stomach because they’re all walking up the steps. As I trail behind them, I say to myself over and over:
No fucking up.

No matter what happens when we walk inside, I will not fuck anything up.

I can’t speak for Beaver.

But I will not mess this up for Lance.

Whir.

++++8++++

CHASTITY

“I’m Colette,” a gorgeous woman says when the door opens. She looks like a supermodel in a business suit. “Please come in.” We file inside and she closes the door behind us. “Can I offer you anything to drink?”

“What’ve you got?” Beaver says eagerly. His eyes roll over Colette like she’s his own private pinup. Lance shoots him a look. “Oh, never mind. I’m fine.”

Colette smiles at everyone. “How about water then?”

“Sure,” Lance says.

Colette clicks across the tiles and out of the room.

“No fucking up, Beaver,” Lance whispers.

“Okay. I won’t say anything else.” His regret is sincere.

Soft footsteps catch my attention. Golden blond hair rises up from a flight of stairs that leads downstairs. Followed by an excruciatingly gorgeous and impeccably dressed tan man. Holy cow. This guy just walked off the cover of the latest issue of GQ. He smiles when he sees us. His eyes lock on Lance. “You must be the Phantom.”

“In the flesh,” Lance smiles.

“Julian Whittaker. My brother Max insisted I listen to your last single this afternoon. I’m impressed.” They shake hands briefly. Julian has shiny manicured nails that match the tone of his preppy dress shirt and slacks.

“Strapped & Capped?” Lance says.

“The same. Interesting use of the human voice. Was that an actual baby, or did you modify an adult?”

Lance is about to answer, but Beaver cuts him off.

“That was me,” Beaver says, raising his hand. “I can sound really whiny when I try.”

When he tries? How about always?

Lance glares at Beaver, who shrinks and puts both hands behind his back.

Julian’s glittering emerald eyes dance between Lance and Beaver, as if he’s trying to determine who’s in charge.

I’ll say it again:
Fucking Beaver.
He’s not helping things any.

“Regardless,” Julian says. “It was a strong song. The production was a bit compressed, but it was listenable. Very catchy. Excellent hook.”

“Thanks,” Lance says, nearly starstruck.

Micah is also starstruck and stares openly at Julian like the man walks on water.

Maybe they’re overreacting.

Then Julian’s eyes land on me. “And who are you?” He slides between Lance and Micah, who stand in front of me. He parts them like a gentle breeze has blown them out of his way. His magnetism floods the room and draws me to him. He takes my hand and kisses the back of it.

I giggle, “I’m, uh, Chastity.” Why did I say that? I always tell people my name is Chaz.

And… Lance noticed. His eyes narrow with suspicion.

Oops.

“Chastity,” Julian savors the word. “Do you taste as good as you smell?”

I laugh, “Uhhh-mmm-mmm.”

Lance fires a warning glare at me that says,
Watch yourself.

I guess I was supposed to utter an immediate no? What can I say? Julian is ten kinds of handsome, but in a way completely opposite to Lance. He’s tall and tan, slightly slender, but the sheer physical presence of him in this mansion nearly sweeps me off my feet. I don’t receive attention like this every day. Make that any day. And certainly not lately from Lance. So sue me if I’m speechless.

“Do you sing?” Julian asks.

“Not really,” I giggle.

Beaver spatters, “She was just singing
I Rise
in the car on the way up.”

Lance eye stabs him.

Beaver winces, “Sorry.”

Julian is still holding my hand. Not like we’re holding hands, but he’s holding it in front of him like treasure. “I would love to hear your voice, sweet Chastity. Can you sing for me?”

My stomach flutters.

Everyone is staring at me.

The look on Lance’s face says, “
You have already upped more than one fuck and are on the verge of upping every last fuck in the building
.”

I giggle and smile politely at Julian. “Uhhh, I can’t sing without any music playing. Aren’t we here to talk about Lance?”

Julian smiles and releases my hand. “Of course. Shall we adjourn to my screening room?” He motions down the stairs.

“Colette was bringing us waters,” Beaver says. “I’m really thirsty.” Lance, Micah, and I all turn and glare at Beaver. He grimaces and swallows with an audible click. “It can wait.”

Julian says, “I’ll have Colette bring them to the theater. Please follow me.”

I wince to myself as we go down the stairs.

At this point, between me and Beaver, it’s safe to say every last fuck has indeed been upped.

At least I know things can’t possibly get any worse.

++++8++++

CHASTITY

“I like it,” Julian says after the presentation animatic of Lance’s video idea finishes playing.

We all sit in Julian’s dark screening room theater, which does in fact look like a miniature movie theater with four rows of seats in it. We’re in the back row with Julian, except Beaver, who is in the projection room with his laptop running the video where he can’t cause more trouble.

“This is just a rough concept,” Lance says hastily.

“Of course,” Julian nods while pointing a remote control at the front of the room. The lights come up to a dim glow. “But it has potential.”