“Yo B!” came a voice from a car that pulled over a few feet from where I stood on the curb sending another text to Carson.
Peering into the car I instantly recognized Bill from the heavy gold chains around his neck.
Bling Bill was what the magazines called him. He was a genius at marketing and could make any singer go platinum in months.
He was mostly into managing singers but he recently decided to spread into DJs and I was his pet project in the area.
“Hi Billy,” I greeted, offering him a smile.
“Don't call me that. Come on, get in, we don't want to keep the host waiting.”
I checked my phone and saw it was just 6. “I thought it was starting by eight?”
“Eight, nine, ten thirty, don't you still need a ride to the damn place?”
“Fine, fine,” I huffed as I opened the door
I was in the middle of devouring some chocolate covered strawberries when Bill walked over, a glass of punch in one hand.“I think you're a little lost. The bar's that way,” I pointed across the room before turning and dipping a ripe red strawberry into the chocolate fountain.The buffet was a smorgasbord of color and the only thing worth my attention for now.Most of the conversation revolved around lighting and make up and how expensive the entire costume of the movie was and how well it would do in the box office.I found my mind drifting to Carson on more than one occasion. He would've been the best person to deal with the snobs because the I-don't-tolerate-nonsense air that seemed to cling to him was quite palpable.“I just came over to say I'm sorry, about what happened in the car.”I raised an eyebrow and flicked my tongue to get some chocola
My house was empty and cold as I stepped into it.Throwing my keys I didn't bother to check where they landed with a forlorn jingle.Not bothering to turn on a light I trudged over to the kitchen and opened the enormous freestanding fridge. The light from it filled the room with a ghostly white light as I reached in and plucked a beer from its place.After closing the fridge I twisted off the cap and took a swig. I was immediately reminded of why I hated beer but I needed alcohol and I wasn't in my house back in Miami where I could easily get some whisky.Drinking from the cold bottle I made my way upstairs.Turning right in the hall I walked to the last bedroom and twisted the doorknob open.The wind from the open French doors was kicking the white curtains up as I entered.Since I'd arrived in Orlando yesterday I had set up shop in this particular room o
“Grandma,” I greeted and stood up.Walking over, I helped her get out of her grey trench coat.Her distinct peppermint smell never failed to send a shiver of fear down my spine. Just like it did now.“You have no idea how surprised I am to not get your location out of a sleazy scandal sheet, I must commend you on that front. At least you didn't leave to start a sex cult here. I had a wager with Demmings, guess I lose another hundred dollars.”Wait, another?“And a good morning to you too, grandma.”Coat off, she sashayed over to my desk where she dropped her purse and sunglasses before heading to the corner to pour herself a whisky from the decanter.With her drink in hand she landed heavily on the chair in front of my desk and crossed one booted foot over the other.“Well don't just stand
“You live here?” was her wide-eyed question when I finally killed the engine in the garage of the house I was staying at.I didn't even have a chance to reply because she was off again.“I mean I don't really know what I was expecting but this is way too big. Even for you.”“Go big or go home, am I right?” I wriggled my eyebrows at her and got a playful laugh in return.“Technically we are home.”She opened her door and got out.It was such an offhanded statement but it stayed with me as I unlocked the door and turned on some lights for the first night since I'd started staying here.The idea of being home with her had a very delicious appeal and once again I found myself thinking uncharacteristic thoughts.“So, sodas huh?” she asked with a raised eyebrow as she settled before the gleaming granite counter.“Ok, so full disclosure, we're not just going to b
Prying my eyes open with a groggy groan, I reached out to the other side of my bed and felt nothing but the soft sheets.Rubbing my eyes I blinked rapidly and looked again.It was empty and this time my brain was awake enough to tell me that something was wrong.Sitting up, I looked toward the balcony where the sun was slowly making its way up in the sky but there was no sign of the majestic woman I'd spent the night wrapped around.Last night was the single best sex I had ever had in my life. It was both wild and rapturous and I did not know that it could ever be that enjoyable.Putting on a pair of black sweatpants I ran a hand through my already messy hair and went off to find Butterfly.As it turned out I didn't have to go far because as soon as I reached the stairs I caught a few strains of music coming from downstairs.Following the sound I found mys
“You don't have to say you love me, I just wanna tell you something, lately you've been on my mind,” I sang to Carmine as I entered my favorite Starbucks.His bushy eyebrows knitted together. “Wow, I don't think I know that one.”“Come on, Carmine,” I urged as I leaned on the counter. “You can't just give up without giving it a try. Come on.”“Ok. Let's see. That sounds really romantic, so, Bruno Mars?”“What? No! Harry Styles, bitch.”“Ah,” he nodded. “I wasn't even close.”“Adore You. One of my personal favorites.”Carmine nodded again. “So, where you been, Alex? I haven't seen you in a while, thought you started getting your coffee someplace else,” he drummed his slender fingers on the table and nervously looked around.
“I honestly have no idea what to do. He's still at this and I think I might be losing my mind,” I complained to my friends.“There's no need to worry, sweetie. He'll let it go soon,” Inés stroked my arm soothingly.“That's what you said last Sunday and it's another week now!”I put my face in my hands.It had been precisely two weeks since Carson started on his quest to find Butterfly and he was going nowhere fast even with a PI.I remembered the conversation with Big Mac like it was yesterday.I was pacing my office when the door opened and the beefy, massive form of Stanley MacIntosh entered with his signature half-moon smile and unruly mop of ginger curls.Big Mac was what he was affectionately known as to the people in Miller Inc. who used his services. Despite his intimidating size he was really
“Duuude!” came a jovial voice from the door of my gym.As I was lying face-up on the bench I couldn't see who it was so I continued my strenuous workout with the weights.My muscles burned as I raised and lowered the heavy barbell but I welcomed the pain and continued.Soon not only the steel bar and the geometric pattern of the ceiling was in my line of sight. The upside-down image of a head of brown hair and a raised dark eyebrow had entered the mix.“Didn't you hear me call you?” Casper asked.“I hardly . . . think my mother . . . named me dude,” I puffed out, slightly miffed that my exercise regime had been interrupted.“What? Dude, you're not being intelligible right now.”Finally giving in to the irritation that Casper brought I slammed the barbell on the rack and sat up.“The fuck are you doing in my house?” I heaved as I tried to catch my breath.“I came to check up on you, find out what's going on. Man, the ladies miss the ol' C-train! When are you getting back out there?”“A