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Doubt crept in though, and it had everything to do with Ari Lancaster. Because once you felt what it was like to burn…did you ever forget?
I was starting to think the answer was no.
Cold water. My heartbeat slowing. The world going dark…
I shook my head. Clark deserved my loyalty, my commitment. He'd been my lifeline, and I owed him everything. The pull of temptation was strong, but I had to resist. Tonight was about rekindling something real… something I couldn't afford to lose.
* * *
The Halloween party tonight was legendary in L.A., hosted by one of the big tequila companies. It was the kind of event where everyone who was anyone would be in attendance, dropping all of their plans to play dress up for the night. My agency had managed to score invitations for a bunch of their models. Dress to impress, they'd said, and I’d done my best.
One more glance at my reflection, and then I sent off a text to Clark, just making sure one last time everything was good for tonight. He was supposed to be there as Batman. Clark was more of a Superman, lacking the dark magic of Batman, but at least we would be a matching pair.
Ari’s energy would have matched Batman though…
Shut-up, Blake, I snarled to myself.
I walked out to the living room where Charlotte was buzzing around the room with a vodka bottle in her hand. She was going as something akin to a sexy vampire, complete with dramatic makeup and a corset that left little to the imagination.
She surveyed my outfit and smacked her lips. "Girl, I don’t think that could get any tighter," she commented. There wasn’t enough inflection to know if that was a compliment…or not.
I hesitated, self-doubt settling in like an unwelcome guest. "Yeah, is it okay?" I replied, my voice betraying the insecurity creeping in.
Before she could say anything either way, our conversation was cut short by a honking from outside. She screeched and held up the bottle, drops of vodka falling to the carpet.
“Let’s do this, bitch,” she cried as she threw open the front door.
I knelt down and put my forehead on Waldo’s. “Be a good boy. Mommy will be home soon,” I crooned, and he licked my face and whined. “Nope. None of that. I took you on two walks today!”
He just snorted, like he thought I was ridiculous.
My heart swelled up with love as I gave him one last pat and then headed outside where a sleek black limousine was waiting, courtesy of the agency. It was packed with other models, all dressed to the nines in a dazzling array of costumes. As I took my place among them, the atmosphere inside the limo buzzed with anticipation. Chatter filled the air, conversations ranging from excitement about the party to speculation about which celebs might make an appearance.
With each passing moment, my anxiety continued to rise. The thought of facing the crowd and having that many people staring at me…
I grabbed my phone, fingers trembling slightly, and sent a text to Clark. I needed the reassurance one more time that he would be there, a familiar anchor in a sea of strangers.
My phone buzzed with his reply, and I felt a little bit of relief as I read it. He’d be there. I wouldn’t be alone.
The limo glided through the streets of Hollywood, the city transforming into a mesmerizing array of lights and sounds now that the sun was down. The bustling streets that had been teeming with people during the day now took on a whole new life. Bright signs flickered to life, casting a vibrant glow on the sidewalks below. Cars blared their horns in a bustling urban medley, forming a discordant blend that possessed its own unique tempo.
Skyscrapers stood tall, their windows illuminated with a myriad of colors, forming a breathtaking tessellation that stretched up into the night sky. Each building seemed to compete for attention, vying to outshine its neighbors with its unique display of lights. From the top floors the cityscape looked like a sea of stars that had descended to Earth.
Kind of like the amazing view at Ari’s place.
Don’t think about that…
The girls started throwing back shots to gear up for the party. Coke made its rounds, and when Charlotte offered it to me, I declined. She shrugged and snorted some off the back of her hand with a rolled up dollar bill. I wasn’t phased in the least bit.
Cocaine and the New York socialite scene went hand in hand. I’d never been particularly tempted by it.
I had too many issues to give up much control during social situations.
I did decide to take a shot though, just to take the edge off. I winced as the tequila slid down my throat, leaving a fiery trail in its wake.
The loose warmth that spread through my limbs was almost as good as the first pass of a razorblade.
Almost.
