Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [66]
‘What’s with the hmm?’ Bobby said, his hair still damp and curling over the collar of his shirt.
‘Well,’ Denver said tentatively, ‘I’ve only met Max a couple of times and she wasn’t exactly talkative.’
‘Max can be shy. Don’t forget, she’s only a kid.’
‘Really?’ Denver said, loath to point out that Max had gone out of her way to practically ignore her. And about to hit eighteen was hardly a kid. But maybe Max would lighten up now that she and Bobby had been together a while.
Maybe being the operative word.
* * *
‘Why’s your mom’s Ferrari all over the internet with like Billy Melina behind the wheel?’ Cookie demanded over the phone.
‘Huh?’ Max said, a sudden chill coursing through her body. ‘What’re you talking about?’
‘Check it out, girl,’ Cookie said, unaware of the panic she was causing. ‘Do you think Lucky lent it to him? And why’d she’d do that with his divorce deal goin’ on? Isn’t Venus like her BFF?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ Max said, already racing to her laptop and checking out the gossip sites. And there it was, a video of Billy climbing out of Lucky’s distinctive customized red Ferrari at a gas station in Pacific Palisades.
He’d stopped for gas! Why would he do that?!
And if that wasn’t enough, there were numerous photos of him getting pulled over by a traffic cop!
‘Seems strange t’me,’ Cookie continued. ‘Maybe I’ll ask Lucky what’s up.’
‘No!’ Max said, totally panicking. ‘Don’t do that.’
‘Why not?’
‘’Cause, uh, maybe she doesn’t want Venus to know.’
‘Ohhh . . .’ Cookie squealed. ‘D’you think she’s hookin’ up with Billy? It’s always the best friend you gotta look out for. Wouldn’t that be something.’
‘You are so gross.’
‘What’s gross about it? Billy Melina is a total stud muffin. I’d do him in a flash.’
I bet you would, Max thought, totally mortified that Cookie was even thinking about Billy in such a fashion.
‘Anyway,’ Cookie continued, ‘didja know Frankie brought Billy to the party? We think he left with Willow Price. Frankie says she’s a raving lesbo. Only I think she and Billy are totally doin’ it. I got to meet both of ’em.’
‘Awesome,’ Max said distractedly, thinking if Cookie only knew the real truth she’d go totally nuts.
‘Yeah,’ Cookie said casually, pleased with herself. ‘You could’ve met ’em too if you’d been around. Where were you all night?’
‘Like now you’re asking. Where were you when it came time to clean up?’
‘Okay, okay,’ Cookie said impatiently. ‘So I flaked on you. Let’s not get carried away about it.’
‘Carried away?’ Max said indignantly. ‘Screw you!’
‘We’re takin’ off for Vegas soon,’ Cookie said, completely unfazed that Max was pissed. ‘What time are you planning on arrivin’?’
‘This afternoon,’ Max said, swallowing hard while attempting to stay calm, for if Lucky saw these pix of Billy with her Ferrari, she was in deep shit. ‘Oh, and Cookie,’ she added quickly. ‘Do not say anything to Lucky about her car.’
‘Why not?’
‘’Cause it wouldn’t be cool.’
After getting rid of Cookie, Max attempted to think of a brilliant excuse should Lucky come across the photos. Not that she was likely to on her own. Lucky was totally uninterested in trawling the gossip sites.
But what if someone showed the photos to her? What if Venus saw them?
Throw-up time!
Wasn’t it enough that Billy’s best friend had turned up and ruined what was about to be a perfect evening? Kev, with his inane remarks and stupid face. She’d automatically hated him, so after gulping down a slice of pizza, she’d taken off, and to her chagrin Billy hadn’t even tried to stop her. And when he’d walked her out to the car, Kev had come too!! What an insensitive jerk.
Billy had given her a brief peck on the cheek, warned her to drive carefully, and that was it. No – when can I see you again? Not even – I’ll call you.
She was furious and hurt and felt like a total dumb idiot. It was apparent that Billy had used her for a quick bang. Just because he was a big freaking movie star he obviously felt that was acceptable behaviour.
Well, screw him. Screw him big time.
Now she