“You look lonely. Maybe you could use a little company?” she said and winked. “For the right price, you won’t be so alone, and I promise you a great evening.”
I glanced over at Brook, who’d been talking to my mom as I led the way. I saw Tim roll his eyes as everyone stopped to watch this train wreck unfold.
“Why do you do this?” I asked.
She looked at me, and her eyes had a haunted look.
“My parents say I’m wicked and that money doesn’t grow on trees. There are bills that have to be paid and mouths that have to be fed. Nothing in the world is free, so I do what I have to,” she admitted.
That was when my mom stepped forward.
“David, give the poor girl some money.”
I was confused. My mom had just told me to pay for a hooker. Okay, I’m a ‘stupid boy.’ She wanted me to give the girl money, even though the girl had said nothing was for free. The girl suddenly looked scared.
“I didn’t realize you were with all of them,” she confessed.
I reached into my pocket, peeled off a couple of large bills, and handed them to her. Her eyes got big, and she looked like she might cry. My mom pushed me out of the way and hugged the girl.
“Have you eaten today?”
She shook her head no. Mom made me give her more money and then sent her on her way. I’d been afraid that Mom might want to adopt her.
“We might have just been scammed,” Dad said.
“I don’t think so,” Mom said to end the conversation.
I was glad to see Fritz pull up in a minibus.
◊◊◊
We returned to the hotel to take a shower and change. I’d had Caryn make reservations for somewhere nice for dinner. I wanted to treat everyone and had conveniently built up a large balance on my debit card. Caryn had continued to give me my monthly allowance, and since I’d come home, I hadn’t been spending near as much as I’d had during the summer.
Me. Frugal. Who’d a thunk it?
Caryn had made reservations at BOA, where they had a business-casual dress code. I had to explain to Wolf and Tim that in LA, people dressed up more for parties than they did back home. I’d made sure their moms had made them pack some dress clothes.
Fritz had traded out the minibus for two vans. It made sense because the parents planned to hit the town and go dancing while we drove to Zak’s for his party.
BOA was one of the better steakhouses in LA. Everyone was shocked at the prices. I explained that we were in a big city, and it was to be expected. I got the 21-day aged bone-in ribeye that you could cut with a butter knife. Brook picked the Chilean sea bass. We traded bites, and I liked the simple preparation of her fish. It reminded us of our spring break trip to the islands.
Next stop, Zak’s.
◊◊◊
Chapter 20 – It’s Been Three Years … Saturday October 8
When we arrived at the gated community, I could tell that Tim and Wolf were impressed.
“You bought a house in here?” Tim asked.
“Well, across the highway. Zak’s closer to the beach, I have a better view.”
Apparently, it hadn’t sunk in that I had money. Yes, I had some fun toys like my Demon, but we lived in a reasonably normal house with a few upgrades. Malibu was where some of the most famous people in Hollywood lived. I think they wished they had one of those Hollywood Homes maps so they could figure out who lived in which house.
We pulled into Zak’s estate, and Fritz let us out. He planned to park the van and then hang out with the other security that was gathered around and talking where the cars were parked. I had my belt camera, and he could watch the feed on his cell phone.
We walked into what looked like a large hallway with a twenty-foot vaulted ceiling and a fireplace at the end. Zak’s helper took us to the right, and we found ourselves in a humongous kitchen with food on all the countertops. That led to a dining area and then out back to a large patio where everyone seemed to be. I pointed to a path that led to a pool and tennis court where another group would congregate. Tim and Wolf walked over to the bar to grab us drinks.
Zak spotted me and broke away from the group he’d been talking to. He had a girl on his arm that I vaguely remembered. He put me in a bear hug.
“Man, it’s good to see you,” he said, releasing me. “You remember Bec Carson?”
“You were on Nickelodeon,” Brook stated. “Hi, I’m Brook Davis.”
“That was years ago,” Bec confirmed, and then turned to me. “My cousin is here. She made me get her an invite when she heard you were going to attend.”
It all came rushing back. Zak had taken me to a party, and Bec was there. He’d been chicken to talk to her because she was a little older than he was, and he’d had an enormous crush on her when they were kids. Bec’s cousin had shown up, and we’d hooked up. All I ever knew about her was her first name.
“Brook and I are dating,” I announced, hoping to slow her cousin down.
“She’ll be disappointed to hear that,” Bec said as Tim and Wolf returned.
I introduced them to Zak and Bec. Brook said she needed to go to the little girls’ room, and Bec joined her. Don’t ask. I have no idea what girls do when they go to the bathroom together.
“Are you and …?” I asked Zak.
He smiled.
“Bec and I have been dating for five months. We were cast in an episode of Lucifer, and I asked her out. I bet you never thought I would settle down.”
“Say it isn’t so. I planned to model my LA persona after your ‘bad boy’ image,” I teased.
“David would never be considered a ‘bad boy.’ He’s too nice a guy,” Zak told Tim and Wolf. “All I had to do was tell a few people that he’d be here tonight, and we’ll have a packed house. By the way, if you need a room for a little fun, you can use the downstairs bedroom.”
I ignored the last comment.
“I did take advantage a little. That is, I invited a few people,” I said.
“It’s all good. I’m just happy to see you,” Zak said, which surprised me.
He and I had hung out, but it sounded like he thought we were closer friends than I realized. Not that I had a problem with that because I did like Zak. I guess I wasn’t sure what to think about that revelation. In LA, friendships felt more artificial. From what he just said, it seemed he thought it was real. I accepted it at face value.
“Speaking of party crashers,” I said as Bill came out back with other USC football players and their dates.
He spotted us and came over. Tim, Wolf, and I gave him hugs.
“Great game! Two touchdowns isn’t so bad,” Wolf said.
Brook and Bec came back as we began to talk football. They motioned for the girls to go with them, and they all walked over to grab drinks at the bar and go off to talk about us. I gave Ridge a hug and spotted Matt Long, the quarterback who’d been at the Michigan camp and planned to sign with USC. I think he was taken aback when he also got a hug.
“Now I’m going to have to get more luggage so you both can carry it for me,” I announced.
Ridge told everyone the story about when I beat him in a two-minute drill at USC’s football camp. The bet had been the loser had to carry the other’s gear.
“David was really classy in his win. He did the whole soccer thing where he ran around like an idiot, tore his shirt off, and slid on his knees. I couldn’t resist beaning him with a ball,” Ridge shared.
“I don’t think he’s outgrown that,” my ex-friend Wolf said.
“Then we’re at the end of the day, and the coaches are telling us what we can do for the evening. In walks an honest-to-God model, looking for him,” Ridge said.
“Speaking of which,” I said, pointing to Rose who came strolling in.
“Damn!” Matt said.
“Get used to it. Each one is better looking,” Ridge shared.