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He looked a tad guilty, turning to me to say something. When he opened his mouth though, his friend cut him off and the two ladies from the stage flitted down the steps, E following behind them.
It all happened simultaneously, but I felt like I had been caught by the principal for making out in the hallway. E gave me a strained look, her head jerking to the side.
“Iknowwww,” I crooned. Then, placing my hand up to my mouth to be discreet (which was anything but), I whispered, “Super hot, right?”
She gave me a tight smile as my bathroom rescuer and his friend took to the stage. I didn’t even get his name.
Wait…
Took to the stage? As in he was being interviewed?
The crowd erupted as the two made their way to the sofa.
Shit, shit, shit.
E had sidled over to me, forcing me into a dark, recessed corner.
“What were you doing?” she demanded, like I was being scolded for something as simple as breathing.
I relayed my entire story about my bathroom fiasco when she snort-laughed at me.
“Oh my god, you’re such an idiot,” she remarked lovingly. Or at least that’s how I chose to take it. “You didn’t realize who that was?”
“Don’t be a dick, of course not,” I snapped. “How would I? I don’t follow this stuff.”
Crossing her arms authoritatively, she explained, “That was Jake Stanley.” When I gave her a look as if to sayAnd?,she continued. “It’s no big deal, he’s only the headliner in the most popular string of movies Velram Comics has produced in the last decade.”
Even though I didn’t follow this comic stuff, I knew that what she was explaining held meaning.Well, fuck me running.
“And,” she went on, “that blonde guy that’s with him?” She nodded her head to the stage, “That’s his costar. And my ex-boyfriend.”
Chapter 3
Lucy
San Diego / Chula Vista
“Laugh it up, Chuckles,” I attempted to say seriously to E, but her laughter, even though it was at my expense, was contagious.
She took a sip of her wine and regained a bit of her composure. “I just can’t believe that you talked about peeing and being hounded by a creep.” Another sip. “Although, it was kind of hot that he threw the guy out.”
“I know right?” I recalled how he—Jake—was so confident and protective. But changing the subject, I asked about her ex.
Spearing a chunk of steak, I listened. Yes, I had forcefully insisted that E take me to dinner for my trials and tribulations earlier and she agreed. And since she was paying, I opted for the filet mignon, not chicken. Because that’s what you do when your sister springs for dinner.
“Nothing to tell really. We dated briefly; he was really only interested in surfing so I dumped him. Looks aren’t always everything.”
If my eyes were laser beams, they’d have pierced right through her. Because, whatever she decided to use as an excuse, I could see past her lies.
Pretending to be otherwise engrossed in her shitty explanation, I squinted my eyes. “You might think you have picked up a few acting tips from working around thespians,” I started, adopting a lofty accent, “but I can smell bullshit from a mile away.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “So, before I make a scene in here, tell me the truth.”
Several moments passed where she and I were locked in a visual battle of bluffing. Would she lie again or worse yet, would I actually cause a scene?
E blew out a breath causing her lips to vibrate. “It’s not a big deal, okay? We met at a con, we hooked up a few times, not as discreetly as I had liked, and then it fizzled before it had time to take off.” She shifted in her seat back and forth, though it was a minor movement.
“Those are nice facts,” I pointed out, feeling myself adopting a couple theatrical traits of my own, “but I don’t see why that would make you dislike him so much.”
E aggressively tipped back the rest of her wine and eyed me, her two sapphire peepers moody like the ocean before a hurricane hits land. “After we broke up, things got a little dicey for me; it’s not easy when you’re associated romantically with an actor.” Her tone was measured and I know that she had chosen her words carefully. For that, I’d drop the subject.
