Page 17 of Creed

“I’m Scott Drakos, by the way.” Drakos tried to reach over and shake her hand.

“Its nice to meet you, Scott. I would shake your hand, but I don’t think it’s really all that safe tonight.” Morgan spoke like she was some kind of innocent little country girl, but I knew better.

“Morgan, tell him about your home in California and maybe about the movie you just made.” Jenny said.

Morgan rolled her eyes. “Like I said, there’s not much to tell. I own a home in Malibu I rarely see because I work too much. I’m surrounded by entitled assholes who have no appreciation for the things they have, and not only am I burned out on acting, but if I have to do another sex scene I might just blow my brains out. Anything else you’d like me to add, mother?”

Drakos choked on his beer, and I paused mid bite. Patrick sprung up from his seat and announced a celebration to the end of his buddies jerking off to her movies. He made a run for the bar to see if they had champagne.

“Amen to that, my friends do the same shit to her movies.” The ninety year old man said.

Drakos was laughing but I was still paused mid bite.

“Its been a long time coming. The only friendship in California I ever cared to make and keep is with Jake. I love entertaining, but at what cost? I feel like I’m selling more and more of my soul to the devil every single day I’m involved with Hollywood. The people are fake and all they care about is status. I miss my real friends. The ones that couldn’t care less if I was acting or baking pies for a living. I’m almost thirty and I feel like I’ve put my life on hold for long enough.” She announced.

“Sweetheart, are you moving home?” Jenny had a hopeful look in her eyes.

“I don’t know, mom. I told you this is a hiatus for now. I have two years to make a decision. For the time being I will focus on Callie, Addie, and my family. Other than that, I have no plans at all.” She paused. “Other than to manipulate that fried chicken recipe from old man Callahan.” She glared at a man, and he flipped her off. In return she winked and batted her eyelashes at him. “Stingy fucker.” She muttered under her breath.

Drakos was still laughing but I was not all that amused. She was playing a part, acting innocent like she actually had something valuable to offer the town. She put down Hollywood, but it was that industry that paid her bills and made her famous. Nobody goes to Hollywood to act and not want to be famous. She acted as if she was better than the people that made her. I almost fell for it, she was damn good, but I knew the type. She wasn’t the first A-list actor I met in my lifetime. Unfortunately, I not only had ties to Hollywood, but also to Morgan.

“What would you do for a career?” Darren asked his niece.

She looked at him. “I started acting when I was six and it’s all I’ve ever known. I don’t think my other talents are career worthy. Anybody can ride a horse, bake a pie, sing a song, dance, and garden. I don’t know, maybe I’ll just be lazy the rest of my life. I could pop out a couple of kids or something.” She paused like she knew someone was standing behind her. “I played a stripper and prostitute once, I was pretty good at it too. That’s a career choice, I guess.” She lifted her shoulders into a shrug.

“You’ll what?” Patrick stood behind her with a stack of solo cups and a bottle of cheap champagne. I finally lost it andlaughed when I noticed his bottom lip quivering. “Please say it’s a joke.”

She turned her head and looked up at him. “No, I have to get my freak on somehow.”

Drakos was laughing as hard as the old men while Tanner, Darren, and Patrick were less than thrilled.

“You don’t have a freak to get on, Morgan.” He growled. “Sisters don’t get their freak on, you hear me?”

She turned back around and looked at me. “I think there’s a few men here tonight that might just meet my needs.”

Okay, that bitch was saying that shit while looking at me and right in front of her entire family. The fucked up part, I would have given just about anything to let her get her freak on with me. Shit! Dammit no, I had to stop thinking that way. A woman like her was exactly the reason I had a contract with Dahlia. I wouldn’t have been out anything if she up and took off.

She winked then pointed at my chicken breast. “Are you planning to eat that? Name your price, and I’ll pay it.” She batted her eyelashes at me.

Everyone burst out in laughter, even the woman I believed was her grandmother. There she was, entertaining her family and being the focus of everyone’s attention.

Her eyes grew for just a second and she turned to reveal a very young little girl that must have been tugging on her dress to get her attention. Morgan’s smile grew even brighter when she looked at the little girl. “Well, hello.” Morgan said.

The cute little girl with pigtails whispered something, but I couldn’t hear it.

“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.” Morgan stood then kneeled down to the child’s level. “What were you saying, sweetie?”

The little girl whispered in her ear then Morgan repeated it. “Am I Princess Emelia from the Princess Chronicles?”

The little girl nodded real big.

“Why yes, I am Princess Emelia. What might your name be?” Morgan asked.

“Hannah.” The little girl whispered.

Morgan placed her finger on her chin and acted like she was thinking. “Hmm…Hannah. That name sounds very familiar.” She continued to act like she was thinking, then her eyes lit up even brighter which took my breath away. I had to remind myself to breathe. “Oh, you’re that Hannah. I was told you would be here tonight. Did your mom tell you the great news?”

The little girl shook her head.

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