Starlet's Web (The Starlet Series, #1) by Carla Hanna Page A

that.”
    The mention of a bartender immediately made Byron pour himself a drink from the bar and light a cigarette. Byron was a chimney.
    I really felt for him. He probably couldn’t quit acting for another five years with the contracts to which he was bound, and he was a walking time bomb of self-destruction. He had no handle on the fame. He repeated the same story about himself to everyone he met and, after he was smashed an hour later, told the same story again. He probably thought people cared but would soon learn that nobody did. He’d soon learn to trust no one.
    Â 
~    PROM PLANS    ~
    I fumbled through the bag left for me in the limo and found my cell phone. Dad and Celia sent a text praising me. I texted a return thanks. I called Manuel.
    â€œBueno,” he answered. He and his father said ‘bueno’ instead of ‘hola’ and I never truly understood why. He said it was just a greeting and didn’t mean “good” in context.
    â€œHey, Manuel,” I said as I closed my eyes, instantly feeling relief from hearing my best friend’s voice, feeling loved.
    â€œYou did it. My mom cried, ya know. Thanks for thanking us.”
    â€œUgh, I wanted to die. It was excruciating.” My lungs constricted just thinking about the stress.
    â€œYeah, I’m sorry. I know. Just keep in mind that you did it.  You’re awesome.”
    â€œThanks.” I sighed, ready to change the subject. “Byron and I are heading back to San Diego. So what are you going to do tonight?”
    â€œI’m going out on a double date with Alan to some fight, I guess. Alan is paying. He got a driver so it should be an easy date.”
    Alan Goldberg, my producer’s son and our classmate—when I went to classes—was a compelling jerk, one of those mega rich guys who was the life of the party, knew everyone, treated girls as whores, made enormous social errors, and then apologized sincerely for being an ass. He was scrawny, only a few inches taller than me, and completely un-athletic. 
    All of us had sworn off our friendship with him and yet we all somehow forgave him. Each time we forgave him, we felt like fools and the cycle continued. Now that we were seniors in high school, with the exception of me at work most of the time, we finally gave up trying to exclude him since the effort was futile anyway.
    â€œI thought you’d never get set up again with Alan. I mean, you’re on the seventh girl you thought was a slut and moved too fast for you.” I had counted.
    â€œThey are all so vacant. I just can’t deal with anyone I’ve dated since Kate. But Alan set me up with that cute girl I like from Brentwood when I called him to get her number. Her name is Trish. She goes to the school where Beth’s dad teaches. Tuition there is $32,000 per year, for a high school! That’s so insane! I asked Beth’s dad about her.” He sighed. “Beth and I got into a huge fight this morning. Anyway, Trish doesn’t take his classes, but she’s really smart and plays classical guitar and piano. She’s a singer. She’ll probably think I’m a total loser but I gotta try, right? So, Alan’s taking Sherry since she knows her.”
    My heart sank but I tried my best to sound supportive, “You're trying to impress a girl by taking her out on a Sunday night with Alan? Are you mental? Take her out to Malibu and have a stroll on the beach. Please, Manuel, don’t take her out with an asshole and his slut to a fight!”
    â€œI can’t. I don’t have a car. What am I gonna do? Ride the bus to Brentwood to pick her up on my bike?”
    â€œNo. Wait a second. Take my car. It’s in the garage at my house,” I urged and then felt stupid for giving him the means to have a successful date.
    He laughed. “You’re really trying hard to get this girl to like me. Thanks, I guess, my little