Page 47 of Romance Is Dead

“Of course.” He breathed through his mouth, clearly trying to cool his burning tongue. “That was no problem at all.” He winced, placing his hands on his hips and bending over at the waist, trying to catch his breath.

Teddy managed to make it through his award ceremony, as Laurie took a Polaroid photo of him in his new tee-shirt that proudly proclaimed “I slayed the Reaper!” But the photo hadn’t even had time to develop before he clutched his stomach and lurched toward the bathroom.

“I just need to pee!” he insisted as he disappeared around the corner. I was a bit worried he felt worse than he was letting on, but more eager to get Brent alone again. I’d been so close to getting information.

“Another drink?” I asked Brent, who seemed to be recovering slightly quicker than Teddy. “I’ll meet you over there?” I motioned to an empty booth.

Brent smirked. “Nice.”

“Give me just a minute.”

After refreshing our drinks—a double tequila soda for Brent and a light beer for me—I made my way across the room.

Sliding across the vinyl seat, I pushed Brent’s drink across the table. “Tough break in the competition. I know you can handle the heat.”

“You bet.” He winked as he took the glass and lifted it to his lips. “It’s been a while, but I know you haven’t forgotten.”

I curved my lips coquettishly. “Maybe you can refresh my memory later?”

Barf.

“Hell yeah. You know it’ll be better than whatever Teddy could do for you. Dude couldn’t even handle some chicken wings, judging by the way he sprinted to the bathroom.”

I was confident that wasn’t the case, but I decided to change the subject. “Are you feeling any better?”

“I guess.” He ran a hand down his face. “Just looking forward to this whole movie being over so I can go home, honestly.”

I waited for him a take a long draw of his drink. “What were you saying earlier about Trevor?”

“I didn’t say anything about Trevor.”

“Ok.” I took a sip of my drink, trying to look unbothered. “It’s a pretty far-fetched theory anyway. Who would have wanted to hurt him? He was so nice.”

Brent snorted. “Nice, my ass.”

“What do you mean?”

“Trevor and I go way back. We worked together on a movie a couple years ago. He was a total dick. The type that didn’t know how to mind his own business.”

I thought it was more likely that Brent had just been up to something he didn’t want someone noticing, but I decided to go along with it. “I can see that.”

“We were at a party one night, and I don’t know what Trevor thought he saw, but everything that happened was consensual.”

My stomach turned. “Jesus, Brent.”

“Anyway. He ratted me out to production, and they fired me.”

“And you’re still pissed?”

“Hell yeah, I’m still pissed.”

My heart skidded to a stop. What Brent had just revealed seemed an awful lot like a motive. I suddenly felt very hot, and a bead of sweat appeared at my temple.

Across from me, Brent narrowed his eyes. “Why do you look weird all of a sudden?”

“Nothing.” I grabbed for my drink, desperate to cool down. “No reason.”

Brent paled—or at least, his perma-tan lightened a shade. “You think I had something to do with his death. You do think it was murder!”

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