“Ask Trystan. Or Braden. They know that shit better than anyone.”
“Why? Are they the ones making the rules?”
“Not even close,” he says with a smug smile. “Bradenthinkshe makes the rules, but nobody listens.”
“But you said if they date the right person—”
“That only applies to girls. If a girl dates the right person, she’ll raise her social standing. She’ll be at the top.”
“So the right person only refers to guys?”
“The guys have the power. They makes the rules.”
“That’s totally sexist!” I say, getting angry. “Are you saying a girl never has power?”
“Sometimes, but it’s rare. There’s one girl who could have all the power she wants if she took it.”
“Who is it?”
“Doesn’t matter. You don’t know her.”
“If she could take power from the guys, why doesn’t she?”
“She doesn’t want it. Even if she did, she wouldn’t do what it takes to get it.”
“Why not?”
He doesn’t answer, which means he won’t tell me.
“How do you know all this stuff about Twisted Pine?”
“Like I said, it’s a small town. People talk.”
“Is it like that at your school?”
“Hell no. Everyone there just does their own thing. They have the usual cliques but it’s nothing like Twisted Pine.”
He turns down our street, then into Brock’s driveway. “You need help getting out?”
“No, I can do it.” I open my door. “Thanks for breakfast. And the phone. As soon as I get the money I’ll pay you back.”
“No rush. Good luck with everything.”
It sounds like he doesn’t plan to see me again. I was kind of hoping we could be friends. But maybe that’s not possible. I’m sure his girlfriend wouldn’t like him hanging out with some other girl. Jackson said that the girl I saw him with was just a friend, but I don’t believe him. A girl you kiss and let stay at your house is more than a friend.
As Jackson drives off, I go into the house and am greeted by silence.
“Anyone home?” I call out. I run up the stairs and down to Trystan’s room. “Trystan?”
He doesn’t answer. His door is closed, and there’s no sound coming from his room. He must’ve left. I try Braden’s room next. Same thing. Nothing but silence. I go back downstairs and check the patio. Brock, his agent, and manager are also gone. I go to Brock’s office and find the door open, but he’s not there. Assuming he just stepped out for a minute, I go into his office to wait for him. I need to ask him for my debit card so I can pay Jackson back.
I take a seat on the dark gray velvet couch. It looks nice, but it isn’t very comfortable. On the wall across from me are photos of Brock with various women, probably his co-stars in the shows he’s been in. I bet he’s slept with half of them. Maybe even inthis office. I suddenly realize what might have happened on this couch and jump up, walking over to the chair next to his desk. I sit down and look out at the ocean that’s just behind his chair.
What’s taking him so long? Maybe he’s in his bedroom or working out in the gym. I get up to leave but stop when I notice a pile of cash on his desk. It’s behind a stack of papers. I pick it up and see it’s all hundred-dollar bills. I could take what I need to pay back Jackson and have Brock deduct it from my spending allowance.
I take eight of the bills and put the rest back. Like Jackson said, Brock is so rich he probably won’t even notice it’s missing.
Chapter 11
