I like this blonde even less. Dad raises an eyebrow and sniffs.
She doesn’t seem to register what Molly’s saying. “Can you introduce us to your group?” She gestures around, but ends up pointing at Dad.
Oh, for God’s sake. Do these two have no shame?
“You’ve got some ballsinterrupting my fatherwhen he was speaking to me and my girlfriend.” Dad hates being interrupted, and I want him to remember that Owen has committed the grave sin.
I also want to humiliate Owen and Dana for their horrible attempt to use Molly. I haven’t forgiven him for throwing her away like trash, even though it gave me the opening I needed to make my move. She didn’t deserve to have her heart trampled—much less publicly—on her birthday. She should’ve been made to feel like the most special person in the entire world.
“Right. The mother of your child,” Dad puts in.
“We’ll see. But if I have kids, it’ll be with Molly,” I say with a thin smile. “I only want one woman.”
Molly’s eyes bounce back and forth between me and Dad like ping-pong balls.
“Really sorry about your grandbaby-mama issues, but we were just so shocked at running into an artistic genius such as yourself,” Owen gushes, oblivious to the coming storm. “I’ve always admired you.”
The redhead glares at him like she’d love nothing more than to rip all the hair off his scalp. The only reason she isn’t giving in to the impulse is that this is a classy kind of event, and Dad doesn’t like it when the arm candy makes a scene.
“Who thefuckdo you think you are?” Dad says slowly, looking the duo up and down.
Owen freezes, but manages to muster a syllable. “Huh?”
Dana doesn’t bat an eye. But then, you have to be that shameless to demand an introduction to a Hollywood movie producer from your boyfriend’s ex, much less one you apparently mocked and bullied in high school. “I’m Dana Mincer.” She beams. “I’ve always admired your work.” Apparently, she and Owen rehearsed the line.
Dad’s expression is completely flat. “And?”
“I have about a million followers on Instagram. All the events I do are chosen with careful mindfulness to ensure I get maximum exposure. Like tonight. People will see me and know I’m all about bettering our community.”
Dad’s left eyebrow is twitching—an ominous sign. I wonder if there’s a way to get some fresh popcorn?
“I think I’m ready to move on to bigger and better career opportunities.” Dana sticks her tits out.
In response, the redhead rubs hers against Dad’s arm. It’s like the Battle of the Bulges.
“No.” Dad looks at Owen, then at her. “Nobody butts into my inner circle.”
“We didn’t—” Owen says.
“Nobody contradicts me, either,” Dad says.
That is true enough. He puts up with the attitude from me and my brothers because he knows we don’t respect his fame or fortune. Plus wearefamily. But from anyone else…?
Owen might as well have plucked a lion’s butt hair.
“Neither of you have star quality,” Dad booms. His voice is so loud, it’s drawing attention. People around us turn to watch. It’s always luridly fascinating to see somebody get reamed. “My God. You’d have to paymeto use you in a movie.”
“That can be arranged,” Dana says hurriedly.
“But see, here’s the problem. I don’t want the humiliation of having the first flop of my long, illustrious career. If you’re looking for bigger opportunities…” His contemptuous gaze rakes Owen and Dana. “I hear the Vegas whorehouses are hiring.”
Gasps and titters rise from the crowd around us.
The duo turn bright red. Molly’s jaw drops, and she covers her mouth with her hand. The redhead smiles smugly, apparently happy she managed to hang on to Dad.
Me? I’m impressed. Dad’s always had a talent for invective, but this is better than I expected.
I squeeze Molly’s shoulder. Owen and Dana shoot her dirty looks, like this is somehow her fault. And for that little bit of contumely, I’m going to make them pay.
