Under the Lights

“Why would I bother being charming with you, Shannah? Been there and very literally done that. I can’t believe you’ve actually sunk this low.”

“Are you kidding?” She flashes chemically whitened teeth that glow against her orange skin. Did I really find this chick hot once upon a time? “I’m getting paid to make your life hell,” she says, covering up the mic I now see wired into her bikini top. “What more could I possibly ask for?”

I slide my hand on to hers, letting it look like a gesture of affection for just long enough to ensure the cameras will zoom in to catch it, and then I yank her hand off the mic. “You’re the one who screwed around on me, remember?”

Seeing her cheeks turn bright red is pretty gratifying, but she doesn’t give up so fast. She never has. “I know we’ve had our problems, but I’m willing to work on them. You know that.”

Christ, I can’t even with this shit right now. Meanwhile, the people I actually want to stick around are bailing at warp speed, and I’m feeling like the biggest douchebag in Malibu right now, which is always an accomplishment.

My eyes dart around, and I’m relieved when I finally spot someone I know will be on her best behavior as long as there are cameras around. “K-dr — Vanessa!” She looks up, completely confused. At least I know she’s not high. “C’mere.”

She casts a quick, annoyed glance at Shannah — pretty sure she hasn’t been a fan since Shannah was a total bitch to Ally at one of my parties last year — and walks over. She doesn’t even have a drink to put down first. Such a good girl.

“What’s up, Josh?” She looks at Chuck, the cameras. “What’s…happening here?”

I wrench out of Shannah’s grasp and pull Vanessa at least far enough away that they won’t catch our voices on camera. Shannah might be wearing a mic, but I’m not. “My mother’s been so kind as to invite these gentlemen to my private party. I will give you a billion dollars to get them the fuck out of here.”

She raises an eyebrow. “What makes you think I’d be able to do that?”

“I have no idea. But Ally would be able to, and you’re the closest thing I’ve got since my asshole best friend checked out on me. Come on. I’m sure some men find you vaguely attractive, in a boy-chested kind of way. Go charm them.” Sparks shoot from her eyes. Whoops. “I mean…”

“Oh, shut up,” she mutters. “God, I can’t wait to figure out what you can actually do for me so I can collect on all the damn favors you ask.” Then she steps away from me and walks over to Chuck. Miraculously, in under five minutes, they’re gone.

“What the hell did you say to them?” I demand, keeping one eye on Shannah, who’s dancing over to Zoe Knight rather than leaving with Chuck and Co. “And was it too much to ask to get rid of her, too?”

“I’m not a miracle worker,” she says dryly. “I told them if they left, I’d make sure they got a much better show tomorrow night, with complete cooperation from you and everyone who came with you, to whatever club they choose. And yes, I’m sure you can expect to see Shannah there, causing even more drama. If you let her, and you actually let them make an insane episode for once, they’ll start listening to you a whole lot more than your mother.” She shakes her head. “Of course it never even occurred to you to play ball with them, you idiot. It’s not like they care about your mom. You’re the reason she got the show in the first place.”

“So now I’m going to a club tomorrow night, but I can’t drink anything?”

“They don’t care if you drink, Josh,” she says, like I’m a total idiot. “They won’t show that if you make the rest good enough. Just…put on a show. It’s what you love doing, anyway.”

“Not the worst point in the world,” I concede. “Thanks, K-drama. Now I’m actually feeling kinda glad I was a nice guy and invited your little friend.”

Her mouth twists into a frown. “You invited Zander?”

“No, not him. You told me he was already coming. Which…” I turn and look around the pool area. “He doesn’t seem to have done.”

“Then which friend?”

Guess she doesn’t wanna talk about the boyfriend. “Mini-Jade. You guys are friends, right?”

I hadn’t thought she’d had anything to drink yet, but suddenly she looks like she’s gonna puke. “You invited Bri? Here? Tonight?”

“Yeeeeah. Is that bad? I thought I was being nice. I bumped into her at the Coffee Bean on Sunset earlier and mentioned that you’d be here. Haven’t seen her, though.”

She presses her lips together in a thin line, and I have no idea what’s going through her head right then, but she looks…pissed?

“Can you just not interfere with my life for five seconds?” she spits. “You don’t have to go around inviting my friends to stuff, okay?”

“What the hell? How are you possibly twisting this into my being a dick? I didn’t realize you apparently hate the chick. So sue me.” Christ, I’ve had enough drama for the night. Now that Chuck and the cameramen are gone, I need another drink.