I frown. “Why is it that everyonebutme seems to know exactly who she is on sight?”
“It’s not surprising. You’ve been looking at the bottom of a bottle for the past three years. It's kind of hard to notice anything else through that tiny view-hole.”
“Ha. You saidhole.”
Enzo just scowls. “Enough bullshit. If you don’t want to talk about Eloise, then at least answer for this.” Enzo thrusts a tabloid in my face, but I don’t bother to look at it or even read the title. “What in thefuckwere you doing in Neon Valley last week?” Enzo demands. “You’re supposed to be here, in Saltbloom,notscrewing up your life.”
I hold my hands up in defense. “Relax, Enzo. It was super innocent. I just went to see a concert in the city. Nothing more.”
“Uh-huh. So tell me, Riot, do I look like an idiot to you?”
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
“Do I look stupid? Simple? A brain cell shy of a firefly flickering at noon?”
I raise a brow, wondering where this is going. “No…?”
Enzo stares me down with that unwavering icy-blue gaze. “Really? Then why are you treating me like I am?”
“I’m not sure I understand what you mea?—”
“You got fucking trashed at a karaoke bar and led the paparazzi on a wild chase through the city! That’s what I mean!”
I lean back, crossing my arms defensively. “Okay, well that was kind of a long-winded way to get to that.”
“Oh my God… You areimpossible! Absolutely fucking useless!”
“Now you’ve hurt my feelings,” I deadpan.
The vein throbbing at Enzo’s temple looks like it’s going to explode if I say one more word, so I don’t. After a few calming breaths, Enzo tries to reach me once more. “Why did you do it? Tell me that at least, and I’ll drop everything else.”
I shrug. “I had to get out of there.”
Enzo sighs. “Somehow, knowing your reasoning makes it worse.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes tightly as he whispers, “I do not get paid enough for this…”
“I heard that.”
“Perhaps you were meant to.” He raises his head, fixing me with a disapproving stare. “You’ve left me with an ocean-full of shit to deal with.” He wags the tabloid in my face. “Go on. Read it.”
“Can’t you just give me the CliffsNotes?”
“Read. It.”
I scowl, but still take the magazine from his grip, thumbing to the page where the article is located.
SICK! Riot Arden Pukes, Leads Pap on Wild Chase Through City!
Riot Arden is back at it with his WILD and MESSY escapades! After taking a brief hiatus from his debaucherous lifestyle (Gee, I wonder where he’s been… Can anyone say REHAB?!) Riot Arden is back in Neon Valley and causing CHAOS!
Riot Arden was spotted singing karaoke at the Midnight Pearl Bar and Lounge, sounding a little worse for wear. (We forgive him—I mean, have you seen those ABS?)
All was semi-tame until our insider walked up to Riot at the bar, wanting to have a nice friendly chat. If only she knew situations involving Riot never are!!
One look at her face and Riot spewed—literally—all over her and the bar. Embarrassed, Riot fled the scene, taking the paparazzi on a wild chase through the city!
Riot was last spotted getting into a cab and hasn’t been seen since. No one knows where Arden is now, but we at ZZ Insider sincerely hope it’s somewhere he can’t puke on anyone else.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Enzo grumbles. “Rebekah was so pissed she went to the tabloids with a bullshit story. She’s claiming thatyou’rethe reason Rush died that night. That you knew he needed help and didn’t call anyone until it was too late.”
