She shrugs. “Probably not, but everyone in Hollywood lies about their age so it’s not a big deal.”
“Everyone in,” Brock says, opening the door of a silver BMW SUV. This isn’t Brock’s, or is it? Did he have this in the garage, and I didn’t see it?
“It’s my mom’s,” Liv says, noticing my confusion. She’s very aware for someone her age. I’m that way too — always picking up on stuff other people don’t notice. My mom used to say I’d make a good cop or detective, then tell me I couldn’t do it because it’s too dangerous.
Brock gets in the driver’s seat while Morgan gets in the passenger’s seat. As we’re driving to the restaurant, Brock keeps looking over at Morgan as she texts.
“Any news on the cast?” he asks in a casual tone, like he’s just making conversation. But knowing him, he’s trying to find out if there’s a role he could play in whatever movie she’ll be in next.
“Casting is still being discussed.” She stops texting and smiles at him. “I know you want the role, Brock. I’ll be sure to put in a good word.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about that. I simply asked out of curiosity. I know they had several people in mind to play Joel.”
She just nods, still smiling.
Liv leans over to me. “He’s so transparent.”
I laugh.
“What’s so funny back there?” Brock asks, eyeing us in the rearview mirror.
“Just girl stuff,” I say. I lean over to Liv. “He told me to let you play with my makeup and do your hair.”
She rolls her eyes.
We get to the restaurant, and the hostess almost faints when she sees Morgan, saying she’s her biggest fan. Morgan takes a picture with her before we’re seated. The hostess doesn’t even recognize Brock, which makes me laugh.
The waiter is also star-struck seeing Morgan. He tries to tell us about some special seafood dish, but keeps tripping on his words.
“It happens all the time,” Brock says to me as the waiter leaves. “She gets recognized wherever we go.”
“Oh, Brock,” Morgan says, turning to kiss his cheek. “It doesn’t happen that much.”
“Ithappens all the time,” Liv mutters. “So annoying.”
Brock looks at her. “All ready for school next week?”
She shrugs. “I guess.”
“How about you, Rumor? Excited for your first day?”
“Thrilled,” I say, practicing my fake smile again.
“I hear you’ll be going to Twisted Pine,” Morgan says. “That’s an excellent school. I’d love for Liv to go there. I wish they had a school in LA.”
“They’re talking about it,” Brock says.
“They are?” I ask.
“It’s been discussed, but it won’t be anytime soon. They need to raise more money before they’d even consider it.”
So Jackson was right. Twisted Pine wants to build another school.
“Maybe they’ll get the money if the football team wins this year,” I say.
Brock gives me a questioning look. “What would that have to do with anything?”
“Sports attract money, especially if the team wins.”
