Page 15 of Derailed
Trent drives us to Paulo’s, a pricey little joint where the rich and famous of Los Angeles go to be seen while partaking in phenomenal eats. Coy’s there waiting for us in the entry, leaning into the corner while everyone around either doesn’t notice or care. I spot him before he does us, and take note of the way his jaw works back and forth, his chin bobbing with an imaginary beat. He’s out of his element, and I like getting a glimpse at this side of him. He doesn’t have a fucking clue what he’s in for. Poorbastard.
“Coy!” Trent lifts his chin in anod.
Coy pastes an easy-going smile on his face and we take turns greeting him with a half hug, half handshake as if we are the best of friends. I might squeeze his hand a little too hard, not completely unintentional, and have to hide my grin as he winces and shakes it out on our way to the bar. If you can’t find humor in the little things, or give the new guy shit by almost bruising his fingers, what good islife?
“What can I get for you boys tonight?” our bartender asks. She’s one who’s worked here for years, but fuck if I can remember hername.
“Shots.” Austin grins with a slap to the counter. “We’re starting with Mr. Jose. Keep ’em coming allnight.”
She laughs and raises her eyebrows as she lines up four glasses. “Celebrating or commiserating?” She grabs the tequila and poursgenerously.
A little of both,I want to answer, but instead, Austin introduces her to our newest drummer. I don’t wait for a toast or some fucking bullshit, but down my shot before the rest of the guys even have a chance to pick theirs up. I slide the glass right back over to MissBarkeep.
Her brows rise again and her lips twist up with a smile. This time she leans over the counter to fill my glass so I get an eye full of her luscious tits in the process. “Rough day,Sean?”
“It’s improved already.” I tip back the glass and this time the liquor doesn’t burn a bit. I slide it back again so my fingers are centimeters from brushing against her exposed cleavage. Her eyes twinkle with delight as if she’d enjoy the violation, but I’m not interested. Too eager for my taste. “But I’m not near drunk enough to listen to these uglybastards.”
“Hey, I’m standing right here,” Austin complains, but I know it’s only because I’m monopolizing the hot bartender’s attention. We razz each other constantly, so he can’t be offended. Besides, it’s the running joke that resulted in our band name. In a band of four we’re all too vain to admit we’re one of the three uglyguys.
Hot bartender doesn’t even glance his way and it’s enough to make me chuckle. That, or the shots are already doing their job. “Don’t worry, Sean. I’ll take care of you. Promise.” Yeah, she’s offering a whole lot more than keeping my drink filled. She winks and tips the bottle of tequila until the glass is a second from overflowing. She tilts it away and refills the otherglasses.
“Fuck. She’s forward,” Coy says into my ear. Austin’s chatting it up with Kat . . . Karen . . . Kristy . . . Nope, that’s not it either. Fuck, for as many times as we’ve been here I really should know hername.
I nod, because yeah, I guess I’m pretty used to women coming on to me. “Comes with the territory. They can smellfame.”
Coy’s eyes widen. He throws back his shot and wipes his lips with the back of his hand as his gaze settles back on her. “Fuck. Pussy like that, I understand why you’resingle.”
I want to roll my eyes. I’m actually proud that I don’t. He doesn’t get it. Not yet. I remember how much it fills the ego, to be desired by all of these gorgeous women. But the attraction is skin deep. Hell, it’s not even that. If I were ugly as sin they’d still come flocking for the money and attention. After the novelty wears off it’s actually pretty lonely. It’s hard to know whom to trust, and no matter what they say, every single woman I’ve met since hitting it big wantssomethingfromme.
I pat his shoulder and use him for balance. “If you’ve got yourself a good woman, that’s better than all the pussy in LA.” My best advice. Or at least that’s what I mean to say. The last few words melt together like cheese on chips.Fuck. A plate of nachos would hit the spot. I laugh and Coy must find it funny, too.Shit.This fool ain’t so bad. Just add tequila and he’s not near as annoying as Ithought.
“Dude. LA pussy. You’re fucking funny.” He laughs again and catches the hot bartender’s attention by sliding our empties between her andAustin.
More drinks. More laughter, and a ton of dirty looks from the other patrons in the bar make me second guess whether we’re really as funny as we imagine. My stomach rumbles. Food. Yeah, that’s a better idea. Catching Trent’s attention, I nod toward the diningarea.
“Katy, what’re the chances you can get us a table?” Trentasks.
Katy!Fuck, that’s right. Her name isKaty.
“Considering my manager’s seconds away from throwing you out? I think you boys might need to scoot outback.”
Well, shit. I didn’t know they had a back patio here. I clasp my hands together in front of my heart. “Thank you,Katy.”
“Anything for you.” She winks and I wonder whether that’s really true. Probably. She seems the type who’d be into anal or even game for athreesome.
Her lips part on a sharp exhale, eyes darkening with herstare.
Oops.Said that outloud.
“You game for that?” Coy says to her at my right. His eyes are locked on Katy as she glances from me to him, and back to meagain.
“Time to go!” Trent’s slap against my back doesn’t catch my attention, but his tone doesn’t allow for debate. He drags me away from the bar, and I glance over my shoulder to make sure Austin and Coy follow. My eyes catch the flashing lights from the curb, a parked cop car, and the paparazzi crowding around with their cameras at theready.
Wonder which Hollywood fuckhead messed uptoday?
“Move,” Trent growls, and instead of walking toward the dining hall he’s pushing me along with him into thekitchen.
“Wha—?”Shit.They’re here for us!Bedo’ll have our heads if we make headlines for anything other than boy scout accolades.Fuck!
