Death by Margarita: Hollywood lawyer dead in hot tub, blender at the bottom.
There was talk among the studio.Could anyone believe it? He was just here a few days ago! He was a big name. Who knew he was such an alcoholic?On and on it went, as more seemed to come out with their own stories, although with each passing day, the stories grew taller and more fantastical. In some iterations, he’d been found naked, with the blender around his crotch and his dick floating in the water. Others said his maid and ex-wife had conspired to do it. Rumor had it, the maid had already found employment at the woman’s house across town.
Every new nugget was more entertaining and shocking than the last, and not one mentioned any of us having been there that night. It was as if no one had really cared that he was dead. The police hadn’t even come by after that first day. No one asked for video footage from me or any of my neighbors. No door cams, no security, nothing.
After our walk, I tried calling Evie but only got her voicemail. I sent a text instead, but I suspected I wouldn’t be getting a reply. She couldn’t really be mad at me for the paparazzi photos. She knew I wasn’t interested in Skye. How could I be, when my heart and mind were so wrapped up in her? Her ignoring me made no sense. Something had to be wrong.
Unsure about what to do on my day off, I opted to work out, shower, and then, with the dogs surrounding me, I fell asleep on the couch watchingThe Blair Witch Project.
I woke sometime later and checked my phone. I had a bunch of texts and calls from Skye, but nothing from Evie. With a groan, I wiped the sleep from my eyes and read the messages.
Skye: I am so sorry, Seb! I’ve been trying to call Evie.
Skye: Please don’t be mad. My manager said she’d speak with the press.
Skye: Are you mad at me?
Skye: I’ll fix this.
She was typing.
Anthony C. Hopkins. Calm down.
I pushed the call button. She answered on the first ring and spoke quickly, not even letting me say hello.
“Sebastian! Oh, my God, are you mad at me?”
“Well, I’m not entirely thrilled to see you blowing up my inbox,” I grumbled. “What is going on?”
“I think we’ve gone viral.”
“We?”
“All of us. Someone took a photo of me kissing Evie and then the photo of you leaving my trailer. You haven’t seen it? I’m pretty sure it’s why Evie isn’t taking my calls,” she sighed.
I tried to absorb all the information she was throwing at me, but I was still half asleep. I ran my hand through my hair and pushed the dogs away as they tried to climb onto my lap.
“I haven’t seen anything. What are they saying?”
“They’re saying we kissed, you got jealous, then you cheated on her with me. I’m the movie slut, you’re the vindictive asshole, and poor Evie,” she sighed mournfully. “She’s the brokenhearted woman. Sebastian, I’m so sorry.”
I took a deep breath. “It’s fine. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ve got to go.” I hung up and grabbed my keys.
I had to see Evie. If she wouldn’t answer her phone, then I would go see her in person. I gave the dogs dinner and left, doing my best not to speed over there. When I reached her place, the lights were all off, but her vehicle was in the driveway. I went up the drive and knocked, but there was no answer, which I knew would happen. I looked up at her camera and spoke to it.
“Evie, come on. I know you’re here. Can we talk? Obviously, we both know there’s nothing happening between me and Skye. People just love a good scandal.” I looked behind me, suddenly paranoid. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was taking photos now, actually.” I sneered. Maybe I shouldn’t have come. I stuffed my hands into my pockets and turned back to the road. “Call me, please!”
I abandoned my plans to storm in, grab her face, and smother her mouth with mine until she promised to never ghost me again. Tomorrow, when she was back at work, we’d be starting our sex scenes, and things would fall into place. It was going to be so hot and heavy on that set, she wouldn’t need to be convinced. My cock was getting hard just thinking about when we were on set for the chemistry test.
I’d do it again if I could.
I went back to my car and stared at the house. Maybe she wasn’t home. Did something happen? A home invasion? A kidnapping? I hurried to get in the car and plan my next steps. Worry and panic were setting in. I knew Evie like the back of my hand. Something wasn’t right.
Just as I’d turned the key in my car, I got two texts. One from an unknown number with a video attached, and the other from Dante. I ignored the unknown number and clicked on Dante’s text. Maybe he knew what was going on with Evie.
Dante: All the sex scenes are off. Evie just pulled out.
Chapter 39
