“I FORGOT HOW much I hate events like this.” I muttered the words in Jeno’s direction as I forced a smile at the older woman who had been leering at me suggestively all night long. I couldn’t remember what her exact title was, but I knew if I flipped her off, it wouldn’t do my career any favors. Plus, I promised Jeno I would behave tonight.
The charity event was black tie and attended by the who’s who in the industry. I was far from the most famous face among the crowd and for sure hadn’t written the biggest check. The only reason I let my brother badger me into coming was because a portion of the proceeds from the event went to help homeless youth. There was an astronomical number of kids who lived on the streets on the West Coast, and I knew, more often than not, they struggled with the same kind of vices I had. It was a cause I actually didn’t mind donating to and being involved with, but I was really rusty when it came to putting on my game face and rubbing elbows with the elite and entitled. I’d lost a lot of my patience for bullshit when I was getting clean. It was a lot harder to bite my tongue and play along with whatever shit was being shoveled at me now versus when I’d been a kid.
“You hate them now because you have to be sober. Events didn’t bother you before because you were wasted and couldn’t remember anything that happened.” Jeno shook the can of cola he was holding and wiggled his eyebrows in my direction. He hadn’t given up all indulgences to support me as I tried to stay clean, but he refused to drink, smoke, or do anything else that might be considered too much of a temptation when we were together. He was still really young. I didn’t want him to change his entire life just because I’d screwed up mine so royally time and time again.
I squeezed the water bottle in my hand, making the plastic crunch. I sighed and tugged at the tie I had loosely looped around my neck. It was the first time I’d been in formalwear since I restarted my career. I’d forgotten how much I hated the stuffy designer duds that made me look like I was about to get married. It was generally pretty warm in California. Layers and layers of clothing that cost a fortune when we were supposed to be giving money to those less fortunate all seemed so silly and contradictory.
“How much longer do we have to stay?” The oversized check had already been handed off, and we’d already done the pause and pose for the press. I’d answered overly invasive questions about my life while trying to turn attention to my new production company. It was a delicate line to walk, and it was super hard for me to balance the information people wanted against the information I wanted to give without losing my temper.
Jeno looked down at his smartwatch and frowned slightly. “Not too much longer. I was hoping Piper would show and we could generate some early buzz about the movie, but it doesn’t look like she’s coming.”
I grunted and lifted a hand to run it through my already messy hair. “You know she hasn’t signed the contract yet, right? Her people are still looking it over and adding addendums. We have no idea what those might be, so the deal is far from done.” I was secretly hoping it fell through. Sure, Piper was talented and had a huge following, but she wasn’t who I pictured in the role. She was too polished. Too perfect. And her personality was just a little too bright for the character. I knew acting by its very nature could take care of all those things, but I wanted someone who didn’t have to fake it.
Her personal interest in me was also a little unnerving. She’d suggested more than once that we meet up for a drink to discuss the project. She seemed to conveniently forget that I told her I didn’t drink anymore and I wasn’t going to a bar or a club anytime soon. She was on the verge of being pushy and didn’t want to take no for an answer.
Jeno made a face and shrugged. “As long as they aren’t asking for your firstborn, or for us