Lovers & Players (12 page)

‘Mr Romance strikes again! One thing about you, Jett, you’re an original, but then you always were. Sober,
not
sober, fucked-up, straight.’

‘Thanks. I think.’

‘By the way, shouldn’t you be attending a meeting while you’re in town?’

‘Gimme a break, Bev’ he groaned. ‘I only just got here.’

‘I can direct you to meetings
crammed
with gorgeous girls–all the hot models are in cocaine rehab. You’ll feel
right
at home.’

‘Sure,’ he said, with a dry laugh. ‘That’s exactly what I need, a dysfunctional hook-up with an ex-stoner model. Can’t wait!’

‘I can think of worse things.’

‘Not interested. Just find me the girl’s name and call me back.’

‘For you I’ll try.’

‘Try hard, it’s important.’

He took a cab back to Sam’s apartment. The maid had not been in, and the bed was as he’d left it, in the same tangled mess. He sat down on the edge, noticing that the sheets smelt of sex and his mystery girl’s scent. It was a heady combination.

Jeez! He hadn’t felt this way since he was a teenager and got laid for the first time by one of his mother’s friends. Talk about excited!

There was no doubt in his mind that he had to find her, and he needed to do so before Gianna arrived in town, because that would only complicate matters.

It was definitely decision time. Should he stay with the Italian supermodel and all she had to offer? Or should he start taking chances, allow himself to fall in love and go for a new start?

It would be so much easier if he had financial security. And maybe…on Monday…the old man would finally come through.

Goodbye, Gianna.

Hello…who?

With Beverly’s help he’d soon find out.

C
indi turned up unexpectedly in the early afternoon, and announced that she’d taken the rest of the day off work. Clad in an orange velour tracksuit that emphasized her large curves, she was grinning as if she’d just discovered she’d won the lottery.

‘How come you’re taking time off?’ Liberty asked, still shaken by her earlier conversation with her mom and the shockingly sad revelations about her father.

‘Told Manny I had a fearful pain in my gut, an’ he didn’t argue ’cause biz was kinda slow, an’, girl–I am one
fine
actress,’ Cindi boasted, grabbing a handful of nuts from a dish on the table and stuffing them in to her mouth.

‘But with me out an’ all—’

‘Chill, we still got jobs–that’s if we wanna keep ’em.’

‘Why
wouldn’t
we?’ Liberty said, frowning. ‘You know we need the money. We’re way late on all our bills.’

‘’Cause,’ Cindi announced triumphantly, ‘I have scored me a two-day gig dancin’ in a music video.’

‘No shit?’

‘Yup, an’ I’m gettin’ paid three hundred a day, an’ we start shootin’ tomorrow.’

‘
What?
’

‘It’s an all-weekend shoot, so now I gotta go get me a costume fittin’. But first I had to stop by an’ give you the news. It’s something’, huh?’

‘It sure is. How did it happen?’

‘These two guys came in an’ I served ’em coffee. Before I can flip a coin, they’re eyeballin’ me big-time. Then they’re tellin’ me I’m ’xactly the kind of girl they’re lookin’ for to be in Slick Jimmy’s music video.’

‘
What
two guys? And who’s Slick Jimmy?’

‘One’s the producer, not sure ’bout the other dude. Slick Jimmy’s a rapper. Word is, he’s droppin’ a hot CD single. This is his first music video, an’, girl,
I
am in it!’

‘Did you happen to mention you’re a singer, not a professional dancer?’

‘Hey, little cous’, I got my moves,’ Cindi boasted, smoothing down her orange top, her enormous boobs straining the material. ‘An’ they’re not lookin’ for pros, so quit with the questions an’ be down with it. I’m gonna be on
Tee Vee
. People’ll
see
me. It’ll run on MTV, VH1, everywhere!’

Liberty tried her best to look enthusiastic even though she didn’t quite get it. Although Cindi was pretty, she was also extremely large. Big, bountiful breasts, solid rolls of flesh around her middle, and an ass that made J-Lo look positively skinny. Think Queen Latifah and Carnie Wilson before their major weight loss.

‘What kind of outfit you get to wear?’ she asked, trying not to be envious.

‘These dudes told me the video’s set in 1920s Chicago, so it’s a nightclubby kinda deal. Hmm…I’m seein’ somethin’ slinky an’ way sexy, ’cause this girl’s got
plenty
to show off.’

‘It’s–it’s great. I’m so happy for you.’

‘You bet your ass it’s
great
–for
both
of us, ’cause if you feel okay, I’m takin’ you with me. Mebbe when they see you they’ll put you in the video too.’

‘Oh, sure!’ Liberty said drily. ‘A limpin’ gimp with a burned-up arm. That’ll
really
get ’em goin’!’

‘How
are
you feelin’?’ Cindi asked. ‘Here I am, carryin’ on ’bout myself, an’ you’re sittin’ here all down an’ low.’

‘Believe me,’ Liberty said fervently, ‘I am
so
ready to get outta here.’

‘Your mama bin in your bizness?’ Cindi asked, helping herself to another handful of nuts.

‘No, I’ve been into hers and now I can’t wait to leave.’

‘You’re
supposed
t’ be restin’ up.’

‘No way. I’m coming with to your costume thing, and then back to our place. I can’t stay here. This house is makin’ me crazy. I hate everything about it.’

‘Shouldn’t you tell your mom you’re leavin’?’

‘I don’t have to tell her anything.’

‘Where
is
she anyway?’ Cindi asked.

‘Where do you
think
? Runnin’ around after Mr D, probably wiping his wrinkled old ass. You know what, Cindi? She’s that old dude’s freakin’
slave
. I can’t take the way she caters to him like he’s some kind of
king
. It stinks.’

‘Oh, Lordy,’ Cindi sighed, waving her hands in the air, ‘nothin’ ever changes around here. You two ain’t
never
gonna get along.’

‘Let’s not get into it now,’ Liberty said, gathering together her things. ‘We should split before she comes back.’

‘How about leavin’ her a note?’

‘
No
, Cindi.’

‘You sure you can walk?’

‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll manage.’

‘If you say so.’

‘I say so,’ Liberty said, hobbling to the door.

If there was one thing she was sure of, she needed to get away from her mother and she needed to get away fast.

The costume-fitting place was on the fifth floor of an old building in the middle of the garment district. The elevator was so small they barely both squeezed into it.

‘This is a
trip
!’ Cindi said enthusiastically. ‘Better than fillin’ coffee cups all day an’ shovin’ yesterday’s pie at a buncha ungrateful customers.’

‘They’re not
all
bad,’ Liberty said, thinking of Damon P. Donnell.

Cindi took a small hand mirror out of her purse and studied her face. ‘How you feelin’ now?’ she asked, licking her generous lips. ‘Anythin’ hurtin’?’

‘I’m good,’ Liberty said. Later, when they got home, she’d tell Cindi everything. Right now was not the time. Besides, she needed to fully absorb it herself.

‘You
sure
you’re walkin’ okay?’ Cindi asked, still enamoured with her reflection.

‘Who’s walking? I’m standing in an elevator getting crushed to death by your tits.’

Cindi giggled. ‘It’s my fine tits
got
me this gig.’

‘You think?’

‘I ain’t dumb, girl. I’ve seen plenty of rap videos. They’re gonna want me to kinda, uh…jiggle ’em. Like you said, it’s not as if I’m a professional dancer.’

‘And you’re okay with that?’

‘Honey, if they’re stupid enough to pay me, I’ll stand on my head an’ whistle “The Star Spangled Banner”!’

At the costume place they were greeted by Fantasia, a tall, ultra-thin black woman with an extreme Afro and a chiselled face. ‘You girls here for the video?’ Fantasia asked, checking them over.

‘’S right,’ Cindi said. ‘I’m the one who’s in it, an’ this here is my cousin.’

‘Follow me, ladies.’

Cindi shot Liberty an excited look as they moved through the crowded space, squeezing past racks of hanging clothes.

Standing around in various stages of undress were several other large black girls.
Oh, now I get it
, Liberty thought.
This is a big girls’ video, the bigger the better
. No surprise they’d chosen Cindi.

The outfit Fantasia handed to Cindi was not slinky and sexy, it consisted of a bejewelled bra and a brief pair of matching hot pants.

‘You
gotta
be shittin’ me!’ Cindi exclaimed, holding up the hot pants with an incredulous look. ‘There’s no freakin’ way I can squeeze
my
booty into
this
itty-bitty thing. My stuff’s gonna be in your face an’
then
some.’

‘That’s what they’re lookin’ for, hon,’ said Fantasia, ushering her towards a curtained cubicle. ‘Put it on an’ let’s see how it fits.’

‘I can’t show
everything
,’ Cindi protested, hesitating before getting undressed.

‘Everybody else does.’

‘How many everyone elses
are
there?’ Cindi asked, a touch belligerent.

‘Eight of you. You’ll all be shakin’ and shimmyin’ in the background while Slick Jimmy raps his down-an’-dirty heart out. So you’ll be showin’ some skin–you flaunt more than that on the beach.’

‘Not me,’ Cindi said sourly. ‘I wear a one-piece.’

‘You in or out?’ Fantasia inquired, suddenly impatient. ‘Make up your mind, ’cause I got other girls to fit.’

‘Crap!’ Cindi grumbled. ‘I thought I was gonna be wearin’ somethin’, y’ know, all kinda sexy.’ She glanced at Liberty. ‘What do
you
think?’

‘It’s not exactly dignified, but it
is
a paid job, and we could use the extra money…’

‘Hmm…It’s plenty more than I get workin’ in the coffee shop,’ Cindi mused. ‘An’ it’s not like I’m
shy
.’

‘Do it,’ Liberty encouraged. ‘It’s a trip.’

Cindi put on the skimpy outfit. It failed to contain all of her ample curves. Her breasts were barely covered, while her ass hung cheekily out of the hot pants.

‘We’re gonna have to do alterations,’ Fantasia said, all business. ‘I’ll bring it to the set tomorrow.’

‘Does that mean you’re finished with me?’

‘For now. We’ll see you at the shoot.’

‘Let’s go get coffee,’ Liberty suggested.

‘You mean have someone serve
us
?’ Cindi giggled, quite excited.

‘Why not? We’re paying.’

‘
And
we’ll leave ’em a big fat tip,’ Cindi said, ‘’Cause I am makin’
money
! An’
you
are comin’ with me, girl. I am
not
doin’ it alone. No freakin’ way.’

They linked arms and walked down the street, heading into an unfamiliar coffee shop.

‘I hope you remembered to feed my Ragtags,’ Liberty said, sliding onto a counter stool.

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Cindi said, immediately reaching for a menu.

‘Was Damon in today?’ Liberty asked, trying to make it casual.

‘He was,’ Cindi replied, studying the menu.

‘Um…did he ask why I wasn’t around?’

‘Oh, yeah,’ Cindi said sarcastically. ‘The first thing the dude does when he comes in is say, “Where’s that hot bitch who always serves me my coffee an’ eggs? I notice her every day, but I ain’t bin talkin’ to her ’cause I’m a
married
man.”’

‘Very funny, Cindi.’

‘
I
served him today, an’ if it’s any consolation he didn’t talk to me either.’

‘That’s ’cause you were too busy scoring yourself a gig with those other two guys.’

They both laughed.

‘At least the video’ll be somethin’ different,’ Cindi said.

‘It’s all good,’ Liberty agreed. ‘We gotta make the most of every single moment.’

‘Right
on
, sister.’

And they high-fived each other, grinned, and suddenly Liberty didn’t feel so bad.

‘Y
ou look tired,’ Max remarked as Amy joined him and Lulu in the tea room of the Peninsula’.

‘Yes, Daddy, Amy’s tired! Tired!
Tired
,’ Lulu sing-songed happily, grabbing for the Hello Kitty bag Amy carried.

Amy resisted handing it over. Lulu immediately began to whine: ‘It’s mine! Mine!
Mine!
My present. Gimme my present. I want it!’

‘I want never gets,’ Amy said sternly. ‘Try saying “please”, Lulu. Then you can have it.’

Lulu promptly burst into tears. ‘Amy’s being mean,’ she cried. ‘Mean! Mean!
Mean!
I hate Amy!’

‘Stop it!’ Max said sternly. With everything else that was going on, he was hardly in the mood to deal with a crying child. ‘And
never
use the word “hate”–it’s a bad, bad word.’

‘Mommy says it about you,’ Lulu answered slyly. ‘I’ve heard her.’

‘Give Lulu the bag,’ Max said, turning to Amy. ‘I can’t handle a meltdown.’

‘When she says “please”,’ Amy countered, determined not to stand down. It was important that Lulu got used to some ground rules. Obviously her mother allowed her to get away with anything.

‘What?’ Max said irritably.

‘She’s five, Max. She can say “please”.’

‘No, Lulu
can’t,
’ Lulu said, a malevolent gleam in her eyes. ‘Can’t! Can’t!
Can’t!
’

Max snatched the bag out of Amy’s hand and handed it to Lulu. This made Amy furious. She was marrying this man, which meant that she was inheriting his daughter, and if he was going to condone this child’s rude behaviour, she was not happy. ‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ she said to Max.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ he said, attempting to steer the conversation away from Lulu. ‘You’re tired and irritable.’

‘No,’ Amy countered. ‘
You’
re the one who’s tired and irritable.’

‘I have a lot on my mind, Amy. A
lot
on my mind. More than you know.’

‘Then why don’t you tell me about it? Maybe I can help.’

‘I can’t now,’ he said curtly. ‘I’ve got to take Lulu home and then I have to get ready for this thing tonight, which I am
not
looking forward to.’

‘Can you please tell me why you’re doing something you don’t want to?’ she said, wishing he would be more open with her.

‘Because I have to,’ he said shortly. ‘It’s business.’

‘Since when did a bachelor party become business?’ she persisted.

Lulu was busy opening the bag, taking out a Hello Kitty purse, a colouring book and a box of crayons. ‘
I want more
,’ she demanded shrilly.

‘Sorry, that’s it,’ Amy said shortly. ‘And a thank-you might be nice.’

‘Want more! More!
More!
’ Lulu shouted at the top of her voice.

People at other tables turned to stare.

‘Someone’s got to teach this child some manners,’ Amy said.

‘That’s not
your
job,’ Max replied.

‘When we’re married, will it be my job?’

‘When we’re married, your job is to make
me
happy.’

‘Really?’ she said, quite startled at his chauvinistic attitude. ‘And what will
your
job be?’

‘To make
you
happy, of course,’ he answered, realizing that Amy was not herself, and perhaps tea with Lulu hadn’t been such a good plan. The two of them needed more time to get to know each other. ‘Darling,’ he said, trying to sound understanding, ‘what
is
the matter with you?’

‘Nothing’s the matter with me. It’s you and Lulu. She’s behaving like a spoiled brat.’

‘Brat! Brat!
Brat!
’ Lulu shrieked. ‘Don’t
like
stupid present. Don’t
like
Amy. Gimme something else, Daddy. Lulu wants something else.’

Amy shook her head and turned to Max. ‘Please don’t ask me to buy her anything again.’

‘I think she had a difficult day at school,’ Max said, making excuses.

‘
I
had a difficult day at work,’ Amy retorted. ‘But I’m not chanting about hating people.’

‘Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,’ Max said, desperately trying to avoid a confrontation.

‘Do you want me to go?’ Amy asked, jutting out her chin.

‘No, of course not.’

‘It seems like you do.’

‘Sweetheart,’ he said, leaning over and taking her hand in his. ‘Let’s not get into a fight, please. I’ve had a lousy week, so why don’t we have a quiet dinner tomorrow night, just the two of us?’

‘I’m sure you’ll want to be quiet after your wild bachelor party,’ she said.

‘Do you have any idea how much I’m not looking forward to it?’ He groaned. ‘You
know
how bad they are. After all, you had to suffer through yours last night, didn’t you?’

‘It wasn’t any fun,’ she said, immediately feeling guilty.

‘They never are,’ he retaliated.

‘No, really,’ she said, almost panicking. ‘I couldn’t wait to get out of there.’

‘What kind of a show did the girls put on for you?’ he inquired. ‘Naked firemen? A cop with a boom-box? Not male strippers, I hope.’

‘Oh, no,’ she said quickly. ‘Nothing like that. We just sat around talking and had a few drinks.’

‘You don’t drink,’ he pointed out.

‘I do sometimes. I drink champagne.’

‘That’s what I like about you, Amy. You’re different from other girls. You haven’t run around this city jumping into bed with every rich guy you see. You’re a beautiful, pure girl and that’s why I love you.’

‘Pure! Pure!
Pure!
’ Lulu chanted loudly, sneaking a sly, vindictive look at Amy.

‘I think I’ll go, Max,’ Amy said, deciding she couldn’t take a moment more of Lulu. ‘I’ve got a headache and you know my mother’s expecting me at the house for yet
another
meeting with the wedding planner. You don’t mind, do you?’

‘How about some tea before you run off?’

‘No, it’s better for you to enjoy your time with Lulu by yourself.’

‘If you’re sure.’

‘I am.’

‘Then I’ll call you tonight, the moment I get home.’

‘I’ll probably be asleep.’

‘I’ll call anyway. I’m sure you’ll be anxious to hear all about my evening from hell.’

‘It can wait until morning, Max,’ she said, rising.

‘Okay.’ He stood up and kissed her cheek. ‘I love you, Amy.’

‘You too,’ she found herself replying.

And she couldn’t help it, but her mind was filled with doubt.

Chris was in his hotel room about to take a shower when Birdy Marvel called. ‘Rocky totally
gets
the whole Vegas thing,’ she said. ‘We both do. Is it all arranged?’

‘I’m one phone call away from finalizing everything.’

‘Awesome! Rocky’s finding his divorce papers. We’re like
so
organized, you should be proud of me. We’re havin’ a celebration at Gatsby’s later–drop by.’

‘I’ll be at a bachelor night for my brother.’

‘The hot one?’

‘My other brother.’

‘You mean there’s three of you? All cute?’

‘You’re engaged, Birdy,’ he reminded her.

‘Can
I
come to the bachelor party?’

‘
That
’d cause a riot.’

‘I could give your brother a lap-dance,’ she teased. ‘’Specially if he looks like Jett.’

‘Y’ know, for an eighteen-year-old you sure are growing up fast.’

Birdy giggled. ‘Just f–ing with you, Chris. Come for a drink later, an’
don’t
bring strippers. Oh, yeah, maybe do, ’cause I kinda get off on watching girls strut their goodies. Who knows?’ she added cheekily. ‘Maybe I could get
me
a lap dance.’

‘Birdy, Birdy,’ Chris sighed, ‘you’re incorrigible.’

‘Me?’ she said innocently.

‘Yes, you, and try to stay away from the paparazzi.’

‘Like I can do
that
,’ she snorted.

As soon as he hung up, the phone rang again. This time it was his L.A. girlfriend. ‘You’re not going to be happy, Chris,’ Verona said, in one of those voices that spelled doom.

‘Why not?’ he answered carefully.

‘It’s raining in L.A., and there’s dozens of leaks all over your house.’

‘Can’t the maid fix them?’

‘She can’t climb up on the roof and fix leaks.’

‘Then call the roofer. He can put tarps around everything until it stops.’

‘I’m not in charge of your house, Chris. I don’t live with you, remember? You left me the key, so I came over to check. If I lived here I could deal with it.’

‘Stop being pissy, Verona. You can deal with it if you want to.’

‘I can’t,’ she said stubbornly. ‘It’s not my responsibility.’

‘You can,’ he argued.

‘I suggest you have someone from your office take care of it,’ she said, copping an attitude.

He shook his head. This was unbelievable: sweet, gentle Verona was turning the screws so that he would invite her to move in, but he had no intention of doing so. Living with Holly Anton on and off for eighteen months had been an experience he never planned to repeat. He
liked
living alone. Was that such a terrible thing? Why did women always feel they had to chase after a commitment?

‘How bad
is
the rain?’ he asked.

‘It’s been pouring since you left. They’re sayin’ it won’t stop for at least another few days. Apparently it’s the biggest rainfall we’ve had in years.’

‘Can you at least call one of my assistants and tell them to deal with it?’

‘No, Chris,
you
call them, it’s not up to me.’

‘Thanks, Verona,’ he said shortly. ‘You’re a big help.’

‘No problem,’ she answered sweetly.

He took out his Palm and left himself a message.
As soon as I get back to L.A. dump Verona.

Jett called Beverly’s answering-machine three times before she finally got back to him.

‘I told you–when I know something you’ll hear from me,’ she said, sounding pissed off.

‘Are you tellin’ me the whole day has gone past and you
still
haven’t found out who she is?’

‘I’m not a detective, Jett. The barman at Gatsby’s will know. He’ll be in after ten.’

‘You can reach me at my brother’s bachelor party. Call me if you find out anything.’

‘You’re really hung up on her, aren’t you?’

‘I am,’ he confessed. ‘She’s different, Bev, really different.’

‘When you
do
find her, I hope she’s worth the wait.’

‘That’s a given,’ he said confidently.

‘Gotta go,’ Beverly said. ‘I’m preparing my stuff for tomorrow.’

‘What’s happening tomorrow?’

‘Making up a bunch of fat girls for a hot new rap video. It’ll be fun. You should come by, visit the set.’

‘Maybe I will. But, Bev, do me a big favour and get me that number.’

After Amy had left, Max felt bad about the way he’d treated her. Naturally Lulu came first, but Amy was a close second. Yes, Lulu
was
spoiled, but she was only five, so her bad behaviour should be excusable.

He watched as his cute little daughter pushed a half-eaten cucumber sandwich around her plate and almost spilled a glass of milk. She was so pretty, and she had
his
eyes–he was
sure
she had his eyes.

‘Wanna go home, Daddy,’ she said, after a few minutes. ‘Lulu’s bored.’

‘Okay, sweetheart,’ he said. ‘Daddy’ll get the check.’

‘Wanna go
now,
’ she said, lower lip quivering. ‘I’m bored! Bored!
Bored!
’

‘Okay, Lulu, keep it down, we’re leaving.’

His car and driver were waiting outside. It was a short ride back to the penthouse where Lulu resided with her mother. He escorted his daughter upstairs. Mariska’s elderly personal maid, Russian-born Irena, answered the door. Max couldn’t stand her. The feeling was mutual.

‘Mrs Diamond around?’ he asked, entering the apartment.

‘She is,’ said Irena, glaring at him. ‘You wish see her?’

‘If she’s available. I’ll wait in the living room.’

‘’Bye, Daddy,’ Lulu said, with an angelic little smile, as her British nanny appeared to claim her. ‘See you soon! Soon!
Soon!
’ And she skipped off.

Max walked into the living room. Since their separation Mariska had made many decorating changes. Her style was certainly not his. She favoured ornate silver frames, old paintings of ancestors she’d never had, and an abundance of heavily embroidered cushions sitting on overstuffed couches. When they’d first moved into the apartment he’d had it decorated by a professional. Now it was a mish-mash of different styles, very unappealing.

He made his way over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a Scotch on the rocks.

Five minutes later Mariska came in. Obviously she had not been expecting him because her hair wasn’t in its usual groomed state and she was not fully dressed. ‘What do you want, Max?’ she asked, tightening the belt on her Chinese silk robe.

‘I need to talk to you,’ he said belligerently. ‘Is that all right?’

‘You should let me know in advance when you want to talk,’ she said bad-temperedly. ‘Most times you cannot wait to get out of here.’

‘Yes, well, today there’s something we must discuss,’ he said, taking a hefty swig of Scotch. ‘Incidentally, Lulu is behaving like a brat.’

‘She’s
your
brat as well as mine,’ Mariska said sharply. ‘So, if she’s behaving badly, it’s
your
fault.’