The script is bad.Really bad. I’m no English major, but the dialogue is stilted and forced, and even I can see there’s no dimension to these characters. Adam recites it with as much charm and charisma as he can muster, but even his looks aren’t distracting enough to make it palatable. I’m certain with every fiber of my being that signing onto this project would be disastrous for both his career and our relationship. Even Jean-Pierre, in his diplomatic way, suggests Adam might want to let this one go. But Adam is determined to ride this freight train straight to its fiery, explosive destination.
What would you do if your beloved future husband were about to make the biggest mistake of his life? Would you step in? Would you figure out a way to prevent such a calamity from occurring? Love conquers all, doesn’t it?
But Adam can’t know I’m the one sabotaging his ill-fated dream. I need a fall guy, someone he can blame when the whole deal goes south, but who?
Just then I see Elliot pass by my window, likely on his way to meet his weed dealer and procure more kibble. How fortunate that there happens to be the perfect patsy living right here under my very own roof? I don’t feelawesomeabout making Elliot a pawn in my scheming, but his dear friend Adam’s future is on the line. And Elliot owes him one.
I could tell you I debated the wrongs and rights for the rest of the evening—reallyagonizedover it—but the truth is that my conscience was clear as blue skies within minutes. Resolved in this new course of action, I place a call to my old friend Teddy Wilkes.
“Teddy, I need a favor from you, one that requires the utmost discretion.”
Chapter23
Adam
Abs, quads, shoulders, pecs. Abs, quads, shoulders, pecs…
I finish my reps and lower the dumbbells onto to the rack, then grab a towel to dry myself off. I flex my traps in front of the mirror to see them bunch up nicely.
Looking good, hot stuff.
My phone lights up with a notification for a missed call from Shondra. Hopefully it’s the studio calling about our counteroffer forSoldier of Chaos. Then I notice, she’s texted me too.
Call me. We need to talk about this.
Included is a link to a TMZ video. Fucking A. Is this the Three’s Company bullshit rearing its ugly head again?
“Cassius,” I call out, winding my way through the house to find him trimming a Bonsai tree he inherited from his mother. Actually, one of his mother’s lovers gave it to her as a gift, and he took over caring for it when she couldn’t be bothered. It’s cool as shit with weird-looking scraggly branches and teeny tiny leaves. It looks like if a baby had the face of a really old man. He once told me what kind it was, but I forgot.
“Shondra called. She texted me too. With a link.”
Cassius sets down his pruning shears and removes his gloves. I hand him my phone, and he looks at the screen with apprehension. “What do you think it’s about?” he asks.
“I don’t know but can you watch it first? I’m scared.” Fucking terrified is more like it. I really don’t need any bad publicity while negotiating this huge deal.
Cassius pushes play and even though I can’t see the screen, I recognize my own voice. I’m expecting sex noises or the sounds of ass cheeks clapping, but it’s a recording of me doing my mantras, the ones I say every morning in front of Heather Hunter’s mirror to hype myself up for the day ahead.
“My body is a temple, and I will not taint it. Today is a new day to burn the fat away. I am strong. I am powerful. I am the lion that all other animals in the jungle bow down to in worship and praise…”
“Turn it off,” I yell and snatch back my phone. I punch the glass surface with my forefinger—delete, delete, delete—then crouch down on the floor and put my hands over my ears because the cringe is justtoo much. I sound so ridiculous and weird. People will think I’m stupid. A childish idiot. “Fuck.” I slam my phone onto the floor and stomp on it until the screen shatters, and the mechanical insides are poking out.
By the time I get myself under control, Cassius has sat me down on the couch with a cold bottle of water and is pacing the room while talking tersely on his phone since mine is in bits and pieces.
“Well, that is distressing news… I just don’t understand how they could have gotten this footage… Yes, I know it was taken in my home. I recognize the room… Well, who could have possibly…” He stops pacing and stares at me as if coming to some realization. “Shondra, let me call you back.” He ends the call promptly.
“What is it?” I ask, dreading the news.
“We can still spin this,” he assures me.
“Cassius how? I sound like a complete tool.”
“You sound earnest and determined, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nothing in that video is a violation of your morality clause, which meansWreckedcan’t fire you.”
“FuckWrecked. What aboutSoldier of Chaos? I sound like a fucking pussy. I can just see the memes now.”
“There’s a solution here, Adam, just give me a few moments to think.” He rubs his temple, and I know he wants me to shut up, but I can’t right now. I’m pressed!
“What’s the distressing news?” I ask. Cassius stares at me without speaking so I snap at him, “Fucking tell me what it is.”
