And it’s not like I have any evidence. He used a condom. None of his DNA is in me.
I consented anyway. I wasn’t raped.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
That’s it. Career over. I slept with the producer, and even that wasn’t enough to land me a gig.
I throw myself onto my bed and cry. Have an actual tantrum. Flail my body about like a damned toddler.
I hate this. I hate my life. I hate this city where the apartments are too small and rent is too high. I hate this industry that I thought I could break into. I hate all the other girls who look just like me but have just enough more talent to get chosen over me.
My phone rings.
I wipe my eyes.
Rouge is calling me.
What the hell?
She’s the last person I want to hear from right now. I’ll let it roll to voicemail. I can call her back when I’m good and cried out.
It rings again. I let it go again.
She calls me a third time.
Okay, this could be something serious. Rouge never calls me three times in a row.
Dad has been on a decline. She could be calling about him.
I take a deep breath, wipe the tears off my face, and accept the call. “Hello?” I answer with as steady a voice as I can muster.
“Bianca. It’s Rouge. How have you been doing?”
“I’m fine.”
Biggest lie I’ve ever told.
“Excellent. Do you have a moment?”
“Sure. Is this about Dad?”
“Dad? Oh heavens, no. I mean, he’s not long for this world, but he’s still with us for now. But, as you know, he’s handed me the reins to Aces.”
Yeah. I know. It was on the front cover of the Tribune. Mom sent me a copy in the mail. Rouge gaining control to the club was the biggest news that year since Henry Hathaway’s upset election as mayor.
“Yes, congrats on that, by the way. Sorry I didn’t call.”
It wasn’t a big surprise. Dad had been grooming Rouge to take over for him since she could talk.
“Oh, don’t you worry. But I was wondering. Have you ever considered leaving New York?”
I swallow. I was just throwing the idea around.
Rouge always seems to have a sixth sense about things like this. The timing is eerie.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, I know how difficult it is to break into show business. And it seems you’ve been having a harder time than most.”
