“I’ve had a great time this week. I can’t wait until we shoot the movie,” Wolf said, thankfully changing the topic.
“Maybe you can take us somewhere on spring break,” Tim said.
I looked at Wolf and raised one eyebrow.
“I won’t even bitch if you decide you have to pay,” he said.
“Damn! What changed your mind about that?” I asked.
“When I found out that you just gave Isabel Alexandra seven orgasms, it made me decide that I was fine with blackmailing you for our silence.”
“That’s how this is going to work?” I asked.
“Don’t forget Chloe Larkin,” Tim added.
Who could forget a stalker?
“All I know is spring break is up to the boss. If she invites you, you can come. And don’t even try to talk her into going to ‘Sex Island,’” I said, explaining the rules.
Tim and Wolf took turns sucking up and offering bribes to my girlfriend. She enjoyed being the one in control of our plans. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Brook kicked them to the curb. Cassidy wandered over and sat on my other knee. I had no doubt she would be going on our trip.
◊◊◊
Chapter 30 – Something In The Water Saturday January 7
Everyone was headed home today. While Brook packed, I wandered downstairs to the kitchen and made cinnamon rolls, a giant frittata using a lot of the leftovers, hash browns, and bacon.
Lexi was the first one down because she didn’t have to pack. She made a pot of coffee and opened a bottle of fresh orange juice.
“What are you doing today?” I asked.
“I’m going home. My mom is complaining she never sees me. I think she plans to have family over,” she shared. “What about you?”
“After everyone leaves for the airport, I’ll just hang around here. Can you let the neighbors know that they’re not invited? I don’t want to have to deal with being harassed today. I’d like to be able to give Manaia a day off.”
“Sure. I’ll call Teresa and Liza now. Teresa can deal with her mother,” Lexi said.
Everyone started to show up when the cinnamon rolls came out of the oven. We had a good breakfast, and then most of them had to finish packing.
◊◊◊
“Can I talk to you?” Tami asked. “In private?”
That didn’t sound ominous at all.
“Care if I tag along?” Brook asked.
Tami thought about it for a second, then nodded her assent. We walked out by the pool to soak up some rays.
“Thank you for inviting us all out for the week. It was interesting to get a glimpse into what you’re doing out here,” Tami said.
“Mostly, he works sixteen-hour or more days, and I never see him,” Brook shared.
“This was a good week for me. I needed a break,” I admitted.
“David, I’ve known you longer than anyone here, and we’ve been best friends for most of that time. I know if you saw something going on in my life that wasn’t quite right, you’d say something. I hope you don’t take offense at what I’m about to tell you,” Tami said.
“With that kind of buildup, I’m a little worried,” Brook said.
Tami got a pained expression on her face, like she wasn’t sure if she should say anything or not. I smiled at her to assure her I was okay with whatever she had to say.
“It’s not only you. Maybe it’s how things are done here in LA. It might be something in the water.”
“That’s clear as mud,” I teased. “Just say it.”
“You’ve lost your moral compass out here,” she said, and then shut up.
Brook knew me well enough to give me time to process this before she commented.
I was sure Tami was talking about all the sexual activities that had occurred recently. It wasn’t like I’d always been a little angel. Tami saw my confusion.
“From what I’ve seen, people act differently here in LA. It’s like that couple that hooked up with your friend Ridge and his girlfriend. Everyone thought it was no big deal that the guy would offer up his wife and want to watch.”
“Really? Who did that?” Brook asked.
“Liza and Carl. They’re the younger neighbor couple. They approached me after she’d hit on me the other day. She runs around with Paulina,” I explained.
“That bitch Paulina is a slut,” Brook said without thinking.
Of course, Tami picked up on my girlfriend’s anger. I was glad she didn’t ask what that was about right now.
“I was talking to Lexi, and she explained that it’s much more casual here, that people don’t necessarily date but hook up. That’s why there aren’t a lot of people who are married for any significant length of time. I bet you can’t name ten Hollywood couples that have been married for several years.”
“She’s right. I’m not sure I could name five off the top of my head,” Brook agreed.
“Take your friend Zak. When you were filming with him, you told me about him hooking up several times a day. You said he’s dating Bec for now, but do you honestly believe that will last?” Tami asked.
I wasn’t about to throw my boy to the wolves, but he didn’t have a great track record.
“Then there was last night,” Tami said. “You broke your personal code with two different women.”
“What’s she talking about?” Brook asked.
