Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 114492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
“Fuck,” he says, gripping my hand. He looks up at the ceiling for a brief moment, apparently gathering himself. “Goddammit.”
50 Cent raps his famous line about being into sex rather than lovemaking and I can’t help but sing along at the appropriate moment.
Josh chuckles. “You’re hell on wheels, Kat. Jesus Christ.”
Out of nowhere, Reed appears next to us, swatting Josh on his shoulder. “Hey, man.”
“Oh, hey, bro.” Josh glances at me, a wistful smile on his lips. “Thanks for the song.”
“Did it work?” Reed looks at me. “Did you kiss him?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“No? Uh oh. Are you losing your touch, Faraday? I thought it was a foolproof plan.”
“Hell no, I’m not losing my touch. I’m wise and powerful; you know that. This woman’s not normal. She’s made of fucking steel or something—the most stubborn woman alive.”
“Oh, she’s stubborn, huh?” Reed says. “So she’s the female version of you?”
Josh laughs. “Hey, maybe that explains why I find her so goddamned attractive.” He squeezes my hand.
Reed laughs. “So, hey, man, there’s someone I want you to meet.” He looks over his shoulder, zeroes in on some guy across the room, and motions to him. “I just signed this amazing guy to the label—a rapper-singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist. Oh my God, he’s so fucking incredible, man, I’m crapping myself that we got him. A year from now, mark my words, he’s gonna be the biggest thing in music.”
A blonde guy with tattoos walks up with a beautiful, dark-haired girl on his arm.
“Guys, this is Will Riley—’2Real’—one of the most talented songwriters and performers you’re ever gonna meet, no exaggeration—and his girlfriend, Carmen.”
“Aw, thanks, Reed,” Will says. “Hey, guys.”
Carmen smiles sweetly and waves at us in greeting—and she instantly reminds me of Sarah.
“This is my buddy, Josh Faraday, and his apparently stubborn friend, Kat.”
“Hey, Josh,” Will says. “Hey, Stubborn Kat. That sounds like a character from a comic strip—like some sort of bad Garfield rip-off.”
Josh laughs. “Oh no! Stubborn Kat won’t get off the couch and it’s already noon.”
“Damn it, Stubborn Kat! She won’t chase the ball of yarn,” I add. “No matter how many times you throw it for her.”
“Chase a mouse?” Reed says. “Hell no. Stubborn Kat just painted her claws.”
“Damn that, Stubborn Kat,” Josh adds.
“Stubborn Kat won’t do anything you want her to do—as usual. Aw, gosh, Stubborn Kat!” Will says.
We all laugh hysterically.
“So, hey, guys,” Reed says, “I’m throwing a little party in the penthouse suite right now. The guys in Red Card Riot just got into town for their show at the Garden Arena tomorrow night, and they’re ready to blow off some steam tonight. Plus, we’re celebrating Will coming on board. You two wanna join the party?”
Josh looks at me for confirmation and I nod furiously.
“Yeah, absolutely.”
“Hey, isn’t Henn in town with you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, call that little fucker and tell him to join us.”
“I doubt he’ll come. He’s working on an important job tonight.”
“Well, shit, man.” Reed looks at his watch. “It’s almost two. Call him and see if he’s done for the night. It’s not a raging party ’til Peter Hennessey breaks out his dance moves.”
Both guys laugh hysterically.
“Oh man,” Josh says, shaking his head. “One of the simple pleasures in life. I’ll call that little fucker right now.”
Seventeen
Kat
When Josh and I walk through the door of Reed’s penthouse suite, along with Reed, Will, and Carmen, we join a raging party already in progress in the most magnificent hotel suite I could ever imagine. The interior is fit for a sheik—twice the size of Jonas and Sarah’s suite—plus, French doors at the far side of the massive main room reveal a private terrace and swimming pool outside.
I glance around, my heart racing. Insanely attractive people are milling around, lounging, laughing, swigging drinks, smoking pot, making out—and I’d say half of them are at least vaguely recognizable to me from my near-constant consumption of celebrity gossip.
Reed motions to two young guys on the couch smoking pot—a strawberry blondie with piercings and tattoos and a dark-haired hottie with striking, cobalt blue eyes—and they stride over to Reed and bro-hug him.
“Hey, man,” the dark-haired hottie says to Reed, hugging him.
“How was Dallas?” Reed asks.
“Fucking awesome,” dark-haired-hottie says. “Great crowd. It still gives me chills every time an entire arena sings along to a song I wrote.” He grins adorably.
Reed pats his cheek. “Get used to it, Baby Dino. Where are the other guys?”
“Around here somewhere. Probably passed out. It’s been a long-ass day.”
Reed addresses our small group. “Everyone, this is Dean Masterson and C-Bomb from Red Card Riot. RCR is playing tomorrow night at the MGM Grand—lemme know if any of you want tickets to the show.”
Will and Carmen instantly leap at the offer, thanking Reed profusely, while I jump up and down, tugging on Josh’s arm.
Josh laughs at my exuberance. “Looks like Kat’s in for sure. But I’m not sure what the fuck we’ve got going on tomorrow night—I’m in town for this thing with my brother.” Josh looks at Will and Carmen. “If it turns out I can’t go, can Kat go with you guys?”