“You little—”
A scuffle broke out, and Cheryl squealed before silence quickly fell once more. I dared a quick peek. Derek was standing between Warren and Cheryl, a staying hand on Warren’s chest.
Warren’s gambling problem wasn’t exactly a secret, and everyone knew Derek and Warren married into money. They were both social climbers, wanting bigger and grander things than what they’d been able to afford on their own. So, they had found someone to give them what they wanted.
Warren’s voice could have cut through steel. “I’d be very careful what threats you make to me. I’ve been in this business a lot longer than you, sweetheart. I assure you I know how to play dirty, too. And I promise, you won’t like it when I do,” he said, a dangerous glint in his eye.
“What the hell do you want, Cheryl?” Derek asked with a heavy sigh. He was cool-headed and careful. I could see the calculating look as he eyed her from behind his spectacles with his shirt untucked and rumpled, figuring out what it would take to keep her quiet.
I watched her shrug, nonchalant and unbothered. “Stop badmouthing me to the producers, and you won’t have anything to worry about. For now,” she tagged on as an afterthought. “Itisalways nice to have some well-connected people in your back pocket. You never know when you might need to call in an extra favor or two.” Her smile was cold and shrewd, and I had no doubt she would use this against them for years to come.
People around here weren’t afraid to use their connections, whether it be the money both Warren and Derek had married into, or the Broadway connections Cheryl had through her father. If you got in their way, none of them would blink an eye as they trampled you down.
Isnuck back down the hall the way I had come and down the stairs, rushing out the big glass doors and spilling onto the city sidewalk.
I walked to the train station, determined to forget what I’d just heard. This wasn’t my problem. I had enough to worry about. I’dtuckaway everything I’d just witnessed as a reason not to get on anyone’s bad side and continue as if nothing happened.
Soon
IthoughtI'dmadeit. I was going to be on Broadway. What more could I want?
But I wasn't satisfied. Not yet. Not while I was stuck under her thumb. Happiness wasjustout of my reach.
The day dragged on, and I found myself growing more and more bitter as I watched her rehearse.
Nobody would fire her. She was untouchable as long as she could perform. Perhaps it was time to take things into my own hands.
I could make things better. I could find a way to getherout of the way. Nothing that would point directly to me, of course. I wasn’t an idiot. If I didn’t want my life to go up in smoke, I needed to be careful.
It was what was best for the show. I would be doing everyone a favor.Nobody would miss her when she was gone.
Of that, I was sure.
Her reign of terror would come to an end.
Soon.
He Promised Me An Omelet But All I Got Was An Orgasm
Eve
IknockedonBen’sdoor, glancing down at the romper I was wearing. The top was white, and the bottom of it was printed with palm trees. The tan high-heeled sandals I’d paired with my outfit wrapped up the bottom of my calf, tying at the top.
The door swung open, and Ben stood in front of me wearing a cocky grin and gray chino shorts. His copper scruff cut across his jawline, and I could see the shadow of his pecs through his plain white t-shirt. He looked edible.
I stepped into his apartment and held up my contribution to our brunch date, if that’s what you called what we were doing here.
“I brought stuff for mimosas.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek and I inhaled his clean, fresh scent.
“Is alcohol a prerequisite to spending time with me?”
“Sometimes.” I smirked up at him. He seemed so much taller when I was standing this close to him. He stepped back and waved for me to follow. “I thought it might get rid of the nerves.”
He glanced back at me, a shit-eating grin in place. “Do I make you nervous, princess? I didn’t take you for one to have stage fright.” He winked, reminding me of my little performance at the Dead Rabbit the other day.
I waved him off, trying not to let his stage fright comment get into my head. “No, you know what I mean. It just feels weird coming here and knowing that we’re gonna...”
