Her head pounded to the beat ofThe Tell-Tale Heart.Lub dub. Lub dub.
After she steadied herself and caught her breath, her heart crashed into her ribs like waves against a steamship.
I can’t believe this is happening.
A server came by with another tray, and she snatched a glass of champagne, knocking it back in one go. The bubbles stabbed her brain with icy needles, and she clenched her teeth while her eye twitched uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, across the room, Emma glommed onto Cary and smiled for the cameras. Once again, the actress kissed his cheek like they were a couple.
I’ve had it.
With alcohol now coursing through her body and theChariots of Firemusic fueling her pace, she ran toward the entrance in her sturdy wedges but collided with someone walking into the gallery.
“Sorry,” Tyler said.
“Dude?”
She spun around and cried, “Kim!”
“Hey, Tyler!” a man’s voice boomed above her head.
“Hi, Vegas.” She tried to smile but couldn’t muster a grin.
“Where are you going?” Kim asked.
Tyler’s throat tightened. Tears spilled before she could answer.
“Fuck, what is it?” Kim hugged her bestie and shooed Vegas inside the gallery. “What happened?”
Tyler could barely enunciate the words through her sniffles. “Em-Emma’s in there.”
“Fuck that skanky bitch.”
“Wait.” She showed Kim the picture of Rory on her phone.
Kim frowned. “She’s fucking dead.”
“While I appreciate that, it’s more Cary’s fault than hers.” Tyler glanced at her watch. “If I hurry, I can catch the last flight home. Please don’t tell him I’m leaving.”
Kim nodded and stormed inside, visibly pissed off.
On her way to the hotel Tyler booked the last seat on the last flight back to Vancouver. Time would be tight but she had Nexus, so she could bypass the line at the airport.
After she fetched Rory and her bags, the bellhop waved down a taxi.
“L-A-X,” she instructed the driver. “Take La Brea, please. I’m in a hurry.”
She’d been to Los Angeles enough times to know better than to leave the routing to the driver. They always took the long way around, driving slower than any grandma.
Where was Sammy Hagar when you needed him? Probably in Cabo drinking tequila.
As the car bumped down the road she leaned back and held on to Rory.
“Sorry, buddy,” she cooed.Whatisthat?She sniffed his head and widened her eyes. Chanel No. 5.Holy fucking hell.
The thought of Emma touching her dog gave her the creeps. Poor Rory. She’d make it up to him with cookies, a bath, and more cookies to reward him.
At that moment Cary’s most popular love song blared through the radio like torture music, making her stomach churn.
