Star Power (10 page)

C
harly almost ran to get out of the house. She couldn't get to Liam fast enough. It was bad enough she had to deal with the fluctuating attitudes of Nia and Mya, now she was supposed to party with the locals too? No, she thought not. She pushed through the back door, then speed walked toward the pool house. The backyard was quickly turning into a set. Tables were up, tools were arriving, and tents were leaned against the house, waiting to be pitched.

“Hey, Charly, can you pose for a picture?” someone asked.

Charly looked to her right, noticing a familiar face. She couldn't remember where she knew him from, but she was certain she did. “Sure. I'd love to . . . ?” She left her uncertainty hanging in the air for him to grab and answer, but he didn't.

“Thanks,” he said, walking over and standing next to her. He wrapped one arm around her, pulled her in tight, then held up his cell phone in front of them. “Okay. One. Two. Three. Get ready,” he said, pressing the phone until a shutter sound could be heard.

“Please don't take this the wrong way because I'm not trying to push up on you or anything, but I know that I know you from somewhere. Don't I?” she had to ask between smiles while he took more pictures of them. It wasn't that she was interested in him; she just had to know if they'd met before, for a couple of reasons. One, he was kind of cute, but not exactly her type. Still, she never forgot a handsome face, or at least tried not to. Two, if he was some newbie to the show who she'd seen in passing, she had to worry. If he was there from New York, that meant the rest of the
Extreme Dream Team
crew was there too, and that meant her time had pretty much run out. She pursed her lips together, hoping he wasn't with the network. They'd given her days to begin her mission, and she'd hate for them to go back on their word, especially because Nia was turning out to be a tougher project than she'd expected.

“Mitch! Hey, Mitch!” someone was yelling in a loud voice that was so squeaky it could only belong to one person. A girl whose head needed splitting, as far as Charly was concerned.

Rory?
Charly turned her head, trying to see the person the voice belonged to. She was sure it was Rory, but she had to be sure before she walked over there and bashed the wrong person in the face. She stretched her neck, looking in the direction from which the voice came, but couldn't get a view of the girl.

“One sec,” the guy replied back, telling Charly he was obviously Mitch. “You must've met my younger brother, Mike. Our genes are strong, but I don't think we look that much alike. Everyone says so though. Our names being similar doesn't help too much either.”

Charly tilted her head. “So does everyone here know everyone else?”

“Mitch, hurry up. I gotta go get my pretty on before the party,” Rory was now yelling from the other side of the pool.

“Rory! Wait. Wait right there,” Charly said, disconnecting herself from the conversation with Mitch. She turned, then walked as fast and hard as she could to get to Rory. She'd promised herself that her fist was going to connect with Rory's jaw as soon as she saw her, and now her hand was itching to make the connection. Charly balled her hand, then released her fingers in a stretch. As she was making a fist again, a hand was on her arm, yanking her back.

“Charly, love. Where are you going? I need you over here,” Liam said, jumping in front of her. His hand was still on her arm, and he was smiling, but it was forced.

Charly, not appreciating being jerked around, shot him a nasty look. “If you don't get your hand off me, Liam, I'm going to knock
you
out first. Straight up, no chaser other than my foot. Got it?”

Liam didn't budge. His gaze bore into Charly's eyes with a look more serious than she'd ever seen him wear before. “I'm not letting you kill your career or mine, for that matter,” he said, pulling her back, and almost dragging her to the pool house.

Reluctantly, Charly followed. Really, she had no choice. Liam was strong, and he was also determined, she realized. With a hand still on her arm, he opened the door, and all but pushed her inside. He closed them inside, then released her.

“You didn't have to—” she began.

“Yes, I did. What's your problem? It's like you're mad at the world. Is it like your time of the month or something?” He held up his hand, then spread his fingers, one at a time with each point. “You don't like Mya, the girl at the hotel, now Rory. Who's next—me?”

Charly ground her feet into the floor to keep her balance, then shoved him. “Serious? I mean, serious? Why does it always have to be a girl's time of the month if she's upset? You guys don't know jack about women.” She rolled her eyes. “Why don't you try going over the list again, Liam?” She put a finger in the air. “One, Heaven—that's the hotel chick—is awful, and you know it. She's rude. Two, Rory got me locked up, Liam! She lied. Point-blank and period. It wasn't her car and she didn't have permission. Now, had she told me, you guys wouldn't have been picking me up from the station,” she snapped, raising another finger in the air. “And don't let me even begin to tell you about Ms. I'm So Fantastic Mya. She's full of herself, thinks her ish doesn't stink, and I really think she's some sort of bully. And . . . and . . .” She was reaching for the other things she didn't like, but couldn't find the words.

“And she's after me,” Liam said, deadpanning her. “You're jealous, Charly St. James. You think you have competition, and it's killing you. Go on and admit it. You don't like Mya because you think Mya likes me,” he stated matter-of-factly, crossing his arms.

“Pssh.” Charly blew him off with a sound. She rolled her eyes again. “Whatever. Try again, Liam. You're great to look at and nice and toned and tall and smart. You're a lot of positives, but so am I. So, really, it's not that serious.”

Liam laughed. “But it is, love. It is that serious,” he said, his voice lowering. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her. It was the same look he'd given her the season before, the time when he kissed her and bought her her favorite dessert.

Charly's knees started weakening, her heart sped, and her mouth was going dry. She swallowed, heard a gulping sound, and prayed Liam didn't. The pool house was big inside, airy, and tastefully decorated, but suddenly it felt small and as if it were sucking all the wind out of her. She pushed past Liam. “I was breaking the barrier with Nia, then that was ruined by Mya who, by the way, I'm going to have to connect with to accomplish the mission. Ugh! And you won't let me beat down Rory, and I'm not working on designing or building the new room for Nia today. So that means my job is done here. Anything else I need to do, I can do in my room.”

Liam licked his lips. “If you just hold on for a while, I'll be ready.”

Charly shook her head. There was no way she was giving him the opportunity to see her swoon anymore. She'd been too transparent as it was with him hearing her gulp, and was sure she had started sweating from the rapid beating of her heart. It'd been drumming so quickly, she was certain it had her in cardiovascular mode. “Thanks, but no thanks. I'm ready to skate now. I'm sure either the cameraman or the boom guy will drop me off. So I guess I'll meet you at the hotel or just see you tomorrow.” She threw up the peace sign, then left.

 

She and the bed were becoming one. That's what it felt like, and she welcomed it. Her laptop was open on one side of her, her powered-off phone was on the other, and she was resting her forehead on the sketchbook she'd been outlining in. She was only going to close her eyes for two minutes, that's what she'd promised herself before she gave in to the nap that was calling her. Charly pulled the book from under her head, then turned on her side. She had no idea what time it was, and she didn't care. Her day had been long. First she awoke to Liam in her room, then she'd gone through the pits of the underworld just to get a ride from Heaven, only to end up in jail, then had shopped until she copped the right foot wear and clothes that Nia never had a chance to rock because of Mya. She exhaled, releasing the stress. Being a reality star was hard work. “Only one hour, then I'll get back to it,” she promised herself, then faded to black.

 

“Up, Charly. It's time to go,” Liam said, his voice sounding real. Even while she was asleep, he was making her weak, and it bothered her. He'd somehow invaded her dream, and she wondered if she could make him go away; that's what she'd heard about lucid dreams. They could be controlled.

“Disappear, Liam!” she demanded, hugging the pillow.

“Love, it's time,” he said, his accent sounding more clear and delicious with each word, as if he were next to her.

Charly moaned, then stretched. If she woke up, he'd disappear. She opened her eyes and, sure enough, there he was. She looked at him. She didn't know how he'd gotten in her room, and was too tired to ask. She closed her lids. She'd inquire later.

“Up, love. Up.” His tone and inflection only beautified his pronunciation.

His hand was on her shoulder now, moving her side to side. “Time's ticking, love. The party begins in a few, and we can't be late.”

Charly's eyes shot open. “What? What about the party? That's the pass.”

Liam laughed. “No passes, love. You can't be excused from your own party.”

Charly sat up. “What?
My
party?” She looked at him like he had three heads.

He smiled. “The town teens are hosting a bash to thank us.”

“That's backward. We haven't done anything yet,” she protested. Her arms were still wrapped around the pillow.

His look said he was guilty before his mouth did. Liam shrugged. “Well, we kind of said we'd be there. I couldn't help it, Charly. I agreed, then thought better of it. I even tried to come up with an excuse. I also called you to help me think of something so we could get out of it, but your phone sent me straight to voice mail. But it gets worse.”

“Camera coverage?” she asked.

Liam shrugged. “I don't think so, but who knows? The studio called, and said we should attend. And as you know,
should
isn't a suggestion. On the bright side, I'm sure Mya will be there. You said you need to connect with her, so this is your opportunity.”

L
ights were strung in the trees, and lit tiki torches, high up on poles, outlined the backyard of an old bar that'd been converted to an under-twenty-one club named the Juice Pub in the next town. Charly walked carefully on the gravel walk that led to the wooden gate on the side of the building. She was trying to escape and not scuff her heels. She'd been there only three minutes, and was ready to go. There was just too much noise, too much commotion and, to her surprise, too much drinking. It was if she'd entered the teen
Twilight Zone,
where it was cool for teenagers to spike their drinks. She hadn't necessarily seen anyone do it. In fact, many didn't smell of alcohol, but they were acting like they were under the influence.

“Charly? Where are you going? You just got here.” Mya's voice caught her before she could escape through the gate.

Charly bit her lip and tried to think of something nice to say to Mya. If she was going to accomplish her goal of transforming Nia, she needed to figure out what the deal was between her and her twin. But she didn't need to sort all that out tonight. “It's not really my type of thing, Mya. Plus, I have to get to work on the sketches for your dad's new digs. I'm sure you understand.”

Mya shook her head, walking over to Charly. “No, I don't. I don't really get what's going on.” She shrugged, holding a red plastic cup in her hand as if she were about to make a toast, then she gulped from it. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, making Charly wonder what was in it. “So why are you here, really? It can't be for my dad—he's loaded. He doesn't need the show to fix up his office.”

Charly smiled. “No, he doesn't. But as mayor, it wouldn't look good for him to fix up his own place, then use it for political business. The taxpayers may think he'll use their money to compensate himself. I think that's a crime.”

Mya nodded and her face lit. “I never thought about that. Good catch.”

“Yes, and the last thing your family needs is more negative publicity,” a male voice said, followed by its owner, Trent, who'd appeared out of the darkness.

Charly jumped and held her heart. Mya laughed, then reached in her pocket and pulled out an empty bag of Skittles. She held it in the air. “Well?” she said to Trent.

Charly's antennae went up. What was up with this town and Skittles? “Well?” Charly asked, too.

Trent shook his head, and a look of disbelief covered his face. “Wrong brother, Mya. And you guys promised . . .” He looked at Charly as if seeing her for the first time, then shut up. She noticed that his eyes said so much more than hello, and so did his answer. “I think Rory's looking for you. She mentioned something about a yellow dress, and there isn't a yellow dress, is it?”

Mya lit, then gulped from her cup again. “Maybe,” she sang. “Yellow's my favorite color.” She cheesed at Trent, winking, then turned to Charly. “What about you, Charly? You want some candy?”

The yellow dress comment went over Charly's head, and she gritted her teeth at the mention of Rory's name, but smiled. She had to mask her anger and get in Mya's good graces to figure out the wedge between the twins. She also had to find out what “wrong brother” had to do with candy. It was all so weird to her. “Thanks, but no thanks. I need to put something else in my stomach first, like food,” she said, meaning it. She hadn't eaten, and sweets were the last thing on her mind. Especially since she could smell barbeque wafting through the yard. “I'll catch up with you after I eat,” she promised Mya. “And please don't let Rory leave. I have a surprise for her.”

“Cool. I like surprises and so does Rory. I won't spoil it for her though. I promise, and I'll save you some candy,” she said to Charly, then turned to Trent. “See ya, wrong brother.” She held up the red cup as if saluting him, laughed, then disappeared.

Trent raised his brows, put his hands in his pockets, and rocked on his feet. He had something to say, but wasn't talking. “So?”

Charly parroted him. “So? What?” she asked, then walked down the gravel path, headed toward the rest of the partygoers in search of the food that was calling her.

Trent jumped right in step with her. “So, I didn't peg you for a candy type of girl.”

Charly eyed him, then looked down at herself. She was in shape, but she wasn't so small that she looked hungry. “Myth, Trent. All actresses don't starve themselves. I can eat anything I want, and I usually do.” She winked, then zigzagged her way through a throng of teenagers, who seemed either high on a caffeine buzz, quiet like they were sleepwalking, or outright loud and obnoxious like they had something ultrapotent in their cups. “What's up with everybody? And I didn't know you had a brother.”

Trent laughed, then held up two fingers. “Two brothers. Mitch and Mike.”

Charly nodded. “Oh, if they are who I think they are, then I've met them both. Mike works at the hotel, right? And Mitch was at the house earlier. We took pictures together. They both seem like nice guys. So, you didn't answer my question. What's up with everybody? Something seems off.”

Trent paused, then looked at her. “I thought you were a city girl. Aren't you New Yorkers supposed to be up on everything?” He resumed walking, pointing to the other side of the yard.

Charly strolled alongside him. She excused herself after stepping on someone's foot, even though they didn't seem to notice that she'd just about pierced their shoe with her heel. “That's what they say, but I'm not a native New Yorker, and I'm too busy to keep up with
every
thing. So what exactly am I missing?”

Trent excused their way through groups of bystanders who were blocking the makeshift buffet that had a huge spread of food. He pointed to a plate. “I'll fix your plate for you, cool? You're a guest.” Charly nodded. He picked it up, then began piling the offerings on it that she agreed to. “You're not missing anything. Trust me. Just eat this.” He handed her the plate. “Enjoy the party, and be aware of the
seems
—everyone and everything are not always what they seem. Make sure you stay away from Mya. Rory, too.” He walked away, and disappeared into the crowd.

Everything isn't always what it seems,
rattled her. It may have not been word for word, but that's exactly what was written on the empty Skittles wrapper someone had slid under her door. Now she wondered if it was Trent. She shook her head, thinking that would be too obvious. If he was going to be sneaky, then he'd be just that. Who'd do something so slick just to give themselves away? She grabbed a piece of chicken, then held her plate in the other hand while she ate. Within seconds, she found her way to a nearby café table, sat down, and began to scarf down her food. Her empty stomach was thanking her with each bite, and so was her tongue as she licked the barbeque sauce off her fingers.

“Wow, love. I've never seen you tear into grub like that!” Liam said, pulling out a chair across from hers. He sat down, then began watching her, making her uncomfortable.

She looked at him, and was glad that she was pretty much finished with her food. If he had joined her two minutes earlier, she wouldn't have been able to eat in peace, not with him staring at her the way he was, and that wouldn't have been good. He slid a cup in front of her. Charly looked at the red plastic tumbler, then up to him. “What's this?”

“Something to drink. I noticed you didn't have anything, so being the gentleman that I am, I brought you something.”

Charly picked up the cup and smelled the contents. “What is it? I don't smell anything.” The way everyone around them were acting, she sure didn't want what they had in their cups.

“You think I'd do something to you?” Liam laughed, then turned serious when she didn't join him. “It's bottled water. I took it out of one of the coolers, cracked it open, and poured it myself. What's wrong?”

Charly sat back in her seat, then took a long drink. “Do you not see the way they are acting around here? It's like everyone is drunk or high or something.”

Liam nodded. “Yes, I noticed. That's why I'm only drinking water that I can open, and if the cap doesn't crack when I twist it—proving it hasn't been opened—I'm not messing with it.” The music switched to hip-hop. “ 'Ey, that's that old Common song, ‘Announcement.' C'mon. We came here to have some fun, so let's get it in,” he said, getting out of his seat, then going to help her up from hers. “Let's show them what you've got, Charly St. James. Show them you're more than a pretty face and a tiny waist.”

Charly put down her cup, then laughed. They danced their way to the middle of the backyard, and tried to blend in. The plan didn't work, she realized when the other teens surrounded them. A huge smile spread on her face when she looked at Liam. He may've been from overseas, but he could dance. The track switched to a Young Money track, and Charly urged everyone to join them. It was weird having all eyes on them, and she felt like she'd get off beat from all the attention. Liam turned around, and Charly rocked with him from behind.

“Charly, do you mind?” a girl asked.

Charly looked at her and smiled. She didn't want to leave Liam hanging out there, but her feet needed a break. “No, not at all. C'mon,” she said, moving out of the way so the girl could take her place. “Where's the ladies' room?” she asked her.

The girl pointed to the pub. “Inside and across the room. You can't miss it. Look for the pink fluorescent light.”

“Thanks,” Charly said, then trekked across the yard as quickly as she could. As soon as she'd said ladies' room, her bladder seemed anxious. In seconds, she'd made her way to the pub and was opening the door when she saw Rory walking across the open space and going inside a different room. “Yes. I can knock out two things with one trip. First the bathroom, then Rory,” Charly said to herself. She couldn't wait to put Rory on her back.