Disclaimer: I don't own Victorious or any of it's characters. I make no money.
:}
Phillip, it turned out, was an early graduate of Hollywood Arts who also happened to be a struggling director. He was, however, known around Hollywood for his eye for talent, causing him to find success as a casting director. A man of middling height and less then fabulous looks, he still maintained an air of importance around him. His graying brown hair was worn in a crew cut, along with a tight beard, making him look like an aging bohemian. And he preferred to dress in light colored slacks and a business casual dress shirt. Jade would watch as Trina went over different businesses with him, spiraling into lunch, then afterwords she was expected to do a couple of readings for them. Jade just tried not to let herself be lulled into complacency, and when they went to lunch, made a point of watching everyone around them. It kept her mind busy, until she was needed for something else.
"I understand you're into martial arts?" Phillip asked her during lunch, It seemed to be out of the blue, given the boring details he and Trina had been going over for some of the side projects she had invested in, both for herself and Tori. "How much control do you have? If I were to place two boards only an inch apart, could you break one and only touch the other?"
"As long as the board you want broken is the front one, yes." Jade said, toying with her salad.
"You're gonna have to show me that." Trina said.
They didn't say anything more about it until they were back in his office, a little before one, where somehow he had already had someone set up the boards. "Jade, if you may, I have this bet with Trina, where she claim's someone could snap the front board and leave the second one unscathed with what, maybe an inch between them? Now, if you'd be so kind, I'll settle this bet I have with her, as well as a couple of my closest friend, right now." The bodyguard looked him over, stepping to where the boards were set up, gathering herself to the task at hand. "Wait!" Her eyes were on the man as he pulled out a video camera and set it up to record her. A second camera was held by one of his assistants. "Now, if you please..."
The blue eyed girl used a palm strike to snap the first board, while barely tapping the second. She knew that was an impressive feat, one many people capable of breaking boards couldn't do. It spoke of her skill and control, two things valued in the martial arts world. A broad smile crossed her face at that accomplishment. "You know, Trina, it has to be easy with the hand. Yes, hands are easier to control. Now what I'd love to see is if she could do that with, say, a kick?"
The assistant produced another board, in the process showing Jade a whole pile of potential kindling, and proceeded to set the boards up again before resuming his position behind the hand held camera. "You want me to only break the first board using a kick, right?" Jade asked. "Straight, side or spinning?" She didn't wait for an answer, spinning around to snap the back board while pulling up short to avoid damaging the front one. That led to several more kicks, a few acrobatic moves, all while repeatedly snapping boards while showing off her athleticism. At some point, they added her reciting lines between the displays, sometimes right before a hand strike or kick destroyed another board. Before she knew it, Jade had spent a good half hour showing off her fighting skills, snapping and kicking and tossing assistants onto the couch, all while reading lines for the man, before Phillip shifted and just read lines with her.
"You know, Jade, you're actually a fairly good actress. Maybe you could help me out with another project? I have this scrips, and none of my female assistants are that good at a cold read. Maybe you could go over this with me, help me see if it needs anything? I'm sure your ready for a break from the heavy exertion, maybe ready to take a rest." Phillip suggested. Jade nodded and looked over the script. This time, they were reading lines from some romantic comedy.
"Now, imagine Tori reading these lines instead of her." Phillip said to Trina. "Just think about how she'd look playing this part." They proceeded to go through the scene, more then once, with Phillip giving Jade suggestions for how to improve the performance between takes. Then they moved on to the next project.
"Is this everything we're doing until you leave?" Jade asked Trina as she sucked down some water. She'd read scrips from at least three different stories while waiting for her body to recover.
"I was gonna have you stand there and let him take a couple of pictures of you." The manager teased. "But yea, I wanted to see what these rolls looked like. You're a tad rusty, but the talent is definitely there."
"I agree." Phillip said, smiling. "I can't wait to show her around. I should have something withing a couple of weeks."
"Send me everything." Trina replied. "But she can't take any dates before the end of the tour. After that, we're open." She hesitated. "That is, unless it's too good an opportunity to pass up."
"Good." The man said. "Now, Miss West, we could go over a couple of other scenes, just to show your range, but I think we have a very good idea already. No need to overdo it. Leave a surprise or two, make them ask for an audition. For now, it's about selling, and between Trina and me, give us the right product, and we can sell it."
"Then why didn't you try and sell Beck?" Trina asked. It had been a sticking point for her, one that had bothered her for a couple of years now. While she may not have liked what Beck had done to Tori, she'd always tried to do solid by him, so having Phillip never give Beck a chance had bothered her, made her feel like she hadn't done everything she could for him.
"Because I don't like him." Phillip replied. His face contorted in disgust at the name alone. "It's more then the way he treated Bernice. One date and dump, even a one night stand based on false presences, thats understandable. I may not like it, but this is Hollywood, and that shit happens. Better she learn that early then have someone use her. No, Beck just strikes me as the wrong type to be in bed with. I don't want to be associated with him when his shit gets out. I'll stay with the pending disasters I know, thanks you."
"Jade's his ex." Trina added.
"This was an audition?" Jade had been so sure it wasn't, that Trina valued her as a bodyguard so much she wouldn't risk losing her, that it never occurred to her that it might be anything else. 'But I've been blacklisted.' It had been obvious, that they were judging her skills, but the girl was so sure that blacklisted meant no one would touch her, so this couldn't have been an audition.
"I know." Phillip responded to Trina, smirking. "But I've heard her American voice audition, and it makes for an interesting back story. Then, we have the cage fighting. That helps sell her. She has good skeletons in her closet."
Jade was still trying to get through her own thoughts. "But I've been blacklisted."
"There are ways off the blacklist, depending on how you got on it in the first place." The casting director said. "With Trina here recommending you, as well as that dick Mister Oliver, I can still shop you around."
"Beck's supporting her?' Trina asked.
"His people called me again, suggested she'd look good opposite him in some rolls." Phillip said offhandedly. "Personally, I think he's trying to get off my blacklist. Won't happen. After everything else, he's a romantic leading man. I mean, you've read his interview about that, how underpaid good, solid actors like him are compared to the, and I quote, 'Shaved, barely literate ape men that are featured doing action movies today.' Unquote. Boy didn't win himself any friends when he said that."
Trina laughed. "That was from four years ago. People forget."
"Then let him show me he's changed, is ready for the genre, and maybe I'll give him a shot." Phillip said. "After all, I do owe you one." Trina raised a curious eyebrow. "You brought me this one." Trina gathered jade around her, and started to leave, when he called out one more thing. "And Jade, the way you were blacklisted, it won't keep you from rolls. Not with the people I'll be shopping you too. And for the record, being Tori's bodyguard helps too, cause that disintegrates the image that your trying to get past. So relax, and trust in me. I know, never trust someone who says trust me, which is why I say trust in me, and have faith in my desire to make a lot of money off of your talent."
"Thanks." The black haired girl murmured as she was led out the door to the elevator. One of Phillips assistants was holding it for them. He made sure Jade had Phillips card, then pushed the first floor button and let them go.
"What the hell was that?" Jade asked, not sure how to respond. She'd managed to stay quiet, even graceful, until they were in the car. That was when the rage hit. 'I don't like being tricked.' she thought. "I don't like being tricked."
Trina just sighed. "I had my reasons for this." The manager said calmly. 'Funny, I expected her to be pissed.'
"You set me up!" Jade accused.
"And you performed well above expectations." Trina said, keeping her neutral expression. "I'm not gonna mention how some people would be thrilled to have a meeting like that, cause I already knew you'd be upset. Frankly, if I'd had it my way, we'd have left before he told me whether or not he could sell you. That way, I could break it to you more... discreetly."
"And what made you so sure I'd be wazzed?" The raven haired girl asked, not even caring it was an odd question. She was mad. Moreover, she was confused about why she was mad.
"You'd moved on, put that part of your life behind you, and I set this up without even asking you." The older girl said. "Knowing you, I knew that would upset you. Then there's the fear of falling on your face. I'll get you an acting coach, have them work with you, and Tori, during your off time. That should make things a touch easier. Still, there is always that risk. But once I get your name out there, you'll make more then you do now, for less risk."
The bodyguard was still furious, wanting to let this girl have it for essentially doing her a favor. Trina continued. "Of course, we'll be holding off until the tours over, unless you want to quit. Somehow, I doubt you do. I suspect, and I could be wrong, but I'm thinking you don't want Tori left unprotected."
"Why?" Jade forced out through clinched teeth. She was shaking, but the mention of the singer had grabbed her attention, allowing her to hear and process.
"Why the meeting, or why am I sure you don't wanna quit?" The manager asked, looking carefully at her employee. She knew better then to be jovial at a time like this, but she needed to be clear. "Shall I start with why I knew you'd be pissed?"
Jade nodded, clinching her fists together, and holding off any words until she knew what she might say. 'I'm not sure I want to know why she's so sure I won't quite.'
"You want the excuse, or the real reason?" The manager asked.
"Give mew both, but let me know which is which." The blue eyed girl said after taking a deep breath. It was getting frustrating.
"I wanted you to be able to date Tori, and I know you'd never allow yourself to date a client." The brown eyed girl was still calm, holding her own with just the truth. "This way, when the tour is over, you can ask her out. I really didn't want to meddle in her love life again, but with everything thats going on with Ryder, I just figured."
"And the excuse?" Jade asked, calmer, but still upset.
"Funny, but this is also true, just not my reason for arranging this meeting." Trina started. Jade rolled her eyes and tried to will the other girl to go faster. "I did it cause Tori asked me too. She hates that Beck cost you your shot at fame, and wanted me to see if she could give it back to you. Admittedly, I'd have waited a bit longer if I were just doing it for Tori. I really like you as a bodyguard, and want you to look after her until the tour ends. Hell, I want you to look after her after the tour ends."
Trina shifted to look the other girl in the face, dropping her professional dispassion. "The mistake I'd made with Beck was I chose him based on his looks, and the likely reaction Tori would get from the fans, when they found out she was dating him. He was being voted out of the competition soon enough anyways, so that kept him on Television, what I thought was his payment for the act. Of course, they had chemistry, and Tori fell for his charms. I wish I'd have made it clear that this act, the relationship, it was only for a short duration."
"I can see that." Jade said, now calmer. "So your interfering in her love life, despite regretting doing it last time." The other reasons, why she might not quit, had already already been implied, just not said.
"Your not Beck." Trina said. "I know you far better then I knew him when I made the deal with him. Hell, I think I know you now better then I know him. Why the hell is he trying to help us, you?"
"He woke up, looked at himself, and realized he didn't like what he saw?" The blue eyed girl guessed. It tasted wrong, but it was all she had at the moment.
"So, anyways, I can't say whether or not Tori will date you. I just set the table, you two have to decide to partake." The manager said, smiling.
"So, it's gonna be our decision." Jade said, testing it out in her mind. "Okay, cause Tori wanted it. But, I agree, not until the tour is over."
"There is one other thing." The manager added. "As your agent and manager, I get fifteen percent. I got licensed as an agent, but do the work of both an agent, a manager, and a publicist. That sound fair?'
"Yea, takes the pressure off of me." Jade agreed. "Wait, thats commissions for acting, right? I still get my day job pay."
"Yep." Trina agreed. "Now lets go tell Tori how it went. And Andre. And maybe Ryder, even though he wasn't in on this one."
"About him," Jade felt awkward asking, "Um, you know he's smitten, right? I mean, how's he gonna handle me getting this break?"
"Ryder is... A complicated guy." The other girl said. "He became a bodyguard cause he kinda fell into it, and he was good at it. But, I'm going to be changing his roll, once the tour is over."
"Why?" The raven haired girl pushed.
"Two reasons." Trina said. "First, we're changing the way we do security. Gonna have multiple layers. That means a small group around Tori while she'd at home, and extras, usually hired by the day or the tour, for when we're heading out. I'm going to rely on Andre, with Ryder's help, to build this whole thing up."
"Makes sense." Jade said, nodding. "I have some recommendations of my own."
Trina's smile screamed placation. "The second reason is I'm planing on stopping with the birth control in couple of months. Just as soon as we get back from the south and central American tours. So I'm gonna need a Manny, someone to watch the kids while I'm at work."
"uuu" Jade tried to make a sound as her mind processed. "um, who's, I mean, who are… Damn."
"I'm only sleeping with Ryder." Trina said, still smiling. "And we may choose a more formal arrangement, should we both want it. But for now, this is what I want."
"And does Ryder know?" Jade wondered aloud.
"I'll tell him." The olde girl said. "Once I'm pregnant, I'll let him know."
They rode in silence for a bit longer, neither knowing just what to say. "Shouldn't he have the right…?" Jade opened.
"If he wants to be the father." Trina countered. "If not, then I have to do something. I mean, girls get pregnant all the time, then don't bother to tell the father. All those guys are is a sperm donor. Kinda uncomfortable when the young'uns ask who their father is, but..."
"And if he wants kids, but isn't ready yet?" The bodyguard asked.
"You wanna hear why life sucks?" The older girl asked back. Not bothering to wait for an answer, she continued. "You come to the conclusion that your ready, that you want something, and that should be it. The next problem should be how do you get it. But no, life has to take what is, in principle, a very simple situation, and makes it far more complicated." She looked over to make sure Jade was listening.
"Ever since you told me he was smitten, I've been thinking about what I want in life. I've made Tori a lot of money. Hell, I'm rich all on my own. So now, approaching the end of my twenties, I'm ready to have a family." The brown eyed girl threw her hands up in frustration. "But do I just want a family? Nooo, my heart wants His kids. Ryder's. I want a bunch of little Daniels running around, needing me to wipe their runny noses, and write stupid I love you notes for their lunch boxes well before they can fucking read. And I just can't stop thinking about how they'd look like the best of us, me and him."
"Trina." Jade interrupted her boss. "Um, maybe you should talk to him about this, let him know what you want. I'm just saying, he may be more open to the idea of a family then you've let on."
"His dad's a jerk." The manager added.
"Then think of it this way. You just did me a solid, trying to help me get a foothold in a business thats almost impossible to just get into." Jade tried. "You may have been doing it for selfish reasons, but it was still a nice thing. But I was angry, cause you did it behind my back. Now how do you imagine Ryder would feel if he found out you'd planned a pregnancy without telling him?"
"I think a lot of guys wouldn't care." The Latina said. "And others would be proud of themselves, cause they'd think it proved they were a man. But I totally get it." She sighed. "I'll let him know whats going on. Just, your gonna do your best, as a bodyguard, and as a potential star. The whole romance bit, I'll try to let nature take care of that." She offered a reassuring smile. 'With as much push as Andre and I can muster.'
That night, Jade found herself in a dress Trina had chosen for her. It was the same indigo dress Mark Winestien had gotten her for that night in New York. Trina had managed to get the remnants of the fight not so much removed as blended into the patter of the tight, revealing dress, making it both fashionable and giving her an edgy look. "You don't think this dress is sending the wrong message?" The bodyguard asked.
"You can look but don't touch?" Trina teased. "Or don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?"
"No singing." Jade stopped her from going on.
"All the girls are dressing up for this evening, many showing off what they have." Trina said, more serious. "This dress says a lot about you, how sexy and toned you are, while leaving just enough to the imagination. It's perfect."
"It has nothing to do with you wanting me to date your sister, right?" The blue eyed girl asked.
"She has her arm candy for the night, and so do you." The manager said. "No, this is just helping you blend in as much as possible while standing out. Now put your shoes on, we have to go."
"Fuck me boots?" Jade asked.
"They go with the dress." Trina assured her, not bothering to hide the smirk.
In the other house, Andre was hurrying Tori along. "Come on, Tori, we wanna get to the car before Trina and Jade. We'll never live it down if they beet us again."
"You know, I do have the space for an extra garage, and I like the idea of having extra living space. It'd be good to have someone in security living here full time. Do you think an extra building, a garage and living space would be a good idea?" Tori commented, checking that everything looked perfect. After the signing, she'd come home to be met by her hair and makeup people. This was her premiere, so she had to look perfect. "Wait, who's my escort for the evening again?"
"It was originally gonna be Beck, but those plans got scrapped a while ago, so Trina and the studio decided to have you go with Tyson Rennals, the up and coming heart throb." Kasey said. "He's gonna be meeting you here, soon, so you should probably be ready asap."
"Yea, yea." Tori walked out of the room she'd converted into a closet and dressing room, wearing a designer number made especially for her to wear that evening. Tori knew that afterwords, she'd be returning the dress, but didn't much care. She looked good. "So?"
"You look amazing." Andre said. "Jade'll be thinking of you all night."
"What?" Tori asked.
"Sorry, I meant Tylor will be thinking of you all night." Andre corrected himself. "And the press will love you."
"They'd better." The singer said. "This material isn't as comfortable as they claimed. It doesn't breath the way they promised it would."
"But you look good." Ryder assured her. "And isn't that what matters."
The doorbell rang, letting them know that Tylor had arrived. Only he hadn't. Cat was standing there, dressed nicely, looking ready for a night on the town. "Oh, hi, I got myself a ticket, and was thinking maybe I could go over with you guys. Is that cool?'
Tori walked over to hug her friend and business manager. "Of course it's cool. I'm so happy you'll be with me tonight."
"Don't let Jade see you hugging her." Dre joked.
"What?" Cat sounded surprised, but was only barely managing to hid her smirk.
"Nothing." Tori glared at her bodyguards, then turned her smile on Cat. "They're just saying Jade's a bit proactive about my fan interactions."
Jade was staring at Tori from the moment the starlet walked to the car, escorted by Tyler. The bodyguard told herself it was just her professional curiosity, and nothing more. "Jade, I'm afraid you'll have to ride in the second car, with Beck." Trina announced. "That way, we can all fit. Seems Tyler here brought his handlers."
"I'm security." Jade protested.
"Then we call Beck, have him show up first." Trina said. Malcolm jumped to make the call.
"I like the dress." Tori told Jade. "Where's the rest of it?"
"Yea, it is a bit tight, but it breaths well, and covers more then you'd think. The rips, they're an adaptation based on the damage it took when I got in a fight in a dive bar. My client at the time was there, and things went down hill." Jade replied. "But it gives the wrong impression, that I'm just arm candy. I should have worn a suit."
"Sorry, what?" Tori asked, pulling her eyes from the other girls chest. "It's just, thats tight, and yet you say it breaths? Can you move? Dance? Maybe I should switch with you."
"Only if I can watch." Tyler joked. "Sorry, but if we're gonna meet up with another car first, we need to get moving."
"No need." Trina said. "Beck's here. Jade, swap cars so we can get the secondary people all fit in. And be nice."
Jade grumbled as she walked over to Beck's limo, sitting down next to Enzo. A redhead sat on her other side, between her and Beck. "Becks' with me tonight." The girl said in a low, threatening voice. The pale girl just counted the ways she could dismember the girl and let it go.
Beck made introductions. "Jade, this is Ashley White, a model and very friendly girl. Ashley, this is Jade, an old friend and Enzo's escort for the evening."
"I figured she was a pro." Ashley said, smirking.
"Hay, she's practically my sister." Enzo snipped.
"Relax, I can fight my own battles." Jade calmed her long time friend down. "So, Beck, moved on from Sophie already? Bills gonna be hurt. I think be liked her."
"Sophie and I just realized we wanted different things in life." Beck said. "Like I wanted Ashley here, and she wanted a rich boyfriend who would buy her chiz. Tell Bill I probably saved him from a world class rejection."
"I'm sure he'll be grateful." Jade drolled.
"Man, this is like old times." Enzo said. "Except I'm in a tux, and Jade's wearing the sluttiest thing I can remember seeing her in, ever."
"So it's understandable that I mistook her for a pro, right?" Ashley said, smiling a very fake smile.
"Can I kill her, just a bit?" Jade's smile was more predatory.
"Try it bitch, I do karate." The model shot back.
"I was a cage fighter, training for MMA." Jade said, still smiling. "Wanna see who's better?"
"No offense, Jade, but Ashley here can suck start a Ford F-150, so she wins." Beck said, smiling. Then to his date he added "But in a fight, Jade would rip you apart, babe. However, she's here as part of the security force, so lets all get along, okay?"
Jade worried that this girl would be proud of how Beck judged her superiority, but soon let that go. Ashley had her own plans, and snagging bachelor Beck was one of them. "So, I'm there to help out if something goes down, while Enzo here is gonna be there cause…?" She asked.
"Cause Tori would never expect me to set things up just so you could see the film." Beck replied. "Jade, you may not realize it, but I've been on Tori's side for a long time. I was just so frustrated that her career just kept climbing, while I stalled. Also, I really do like some pretty kinky stuff, and Tori was far too much of a bore."
"I'm kinda a freak." The redhead pointed out.
"I know babe." He said, soothing her with his words.
"So, you got to date a hot girl, and go to parties, even stay on television for a little longer then the show would have allowed otherwise." Jade said, her voice edging on sarcasm. "I suppose it did help. People love a good romance."
"Please, I helped more then even Trina realizes." Beck said.
"Really?" The bodyguard challenged,
"You remember that Riley chick?" He said, his voice getting lower. "I found out she'd been playing the tragic past for a sympathy, and wanted to do something about it. Well, she knew her time was running out, and so we made a deal."
"Deal?" Jade and Ashley echoed one another.
"Yea, I told her I was interested in a winner, and spent a great deal of time with her as Tori was preparing for the next competition." The pretty boy explained. "I caused her to not be ready for the show, and she didn't have any excuses, cause I made it clear I had proof she'd seduced me. She was the real threat to Tori, and if I'm honest, boring girl had more of an upside. But it's not all bad. Riley did manage to cut herself a career. I see her performing in Vegas sometimes."
"I don't know if I should feel sick of just sorry for you?" The blue eyed girl asked.
"Jade, whats wrong? Upset I was willing to do what I had to in order to win?" Her one time friend asked. "I knew Tori was my ticket. Thats why, when the show was over, I made damn sure we were still dating. Hell, I even kinda fell for her. I mean, I still have feelings for her, and want her to have the best life possible. That is, assuming I get a better one. And this whole George Clooney lifestyle suits me."
"I'm sure I could make you happy." Ashley said, rubbing her body against his.
"But the other thing I realized, once I was free from miss prissy, was that I'd done something really bad." He looked out the window, searching the night for something he'd lost a long time ago. "I'd hurt a friend. Jade, I know I'm a bit of an ass, cause most girls exist to be used. But you, you were my friend first, before your being a girl got in the way of us being friend. I'd like to help you out. I know Phillip hates my guts, but I still called and asked him to consider you. I know you still have a shot in the movies. Maybe even working on an action film with me? Just, don't be a bodyguard the rest of your life. You can do so much more with your talents. And I miss you. Not the girlfriend, cause god, you were smothering me. But my friend, the guy named Jade, I miss him."
"And what are you hoping to get out of this, cause I'm not sleeping with you." The bodyguard asked.
"I have all the pun tang I can handle." He bragged. "No, I'm putting the band back together, and really, you don't have a roll with us. Not any more. But if you were to be my friend and hanger on, I'm sure we could have us some fun. Just, I'd recommend you get real interested in the ladies, cause I'd want to have you date the fat ones." He smirked. "Just kidding, I have plenty of guys to date the fat ones. I need you to date the lesbians, and make me seem more open minded."
"Beck, I'm living my own life now." The raven haired girl said, trying not to be offended by her ex's antics. "I like my job. I like Trina, and Tori, and Andre and Ryder. Hell, I like Bill and Ron. I like my life. And if I do try something new, it's not gonna be cause I want to be one of your followers, no offense." She glanced at Enzo.
"Non taken." He replied.
"So your gonna stick it out with Tori, even in the offer of a chance to make it in Hollywood?" Beck asked.
"At least for the remainder of the tour." She assured him. "Tori also asked Phillip.."
"I knew that." Beck cut her off. "Of course I knew it. Jade, Tori's often a child, not thinking about the consequences of her actions, defiantly pushing to have things her way. Sometimes, she forgets that everyone has dreams, and only once in all the years I've known someone who's dream was to work for her, and that was Trina. And even that was after the talentless one got her ass laughed off the stage at an American Voice audition."
Jade's glare was cold, piercing, enough to make even Ashley shift away from her. "But, as I was saying, of course I knew she wanted you to go to that audition." He continued, acting unaffected by his ex's glare. "She cares about you. I just want her to have as good a friend as I once had. Trust me, she's gonna need it. Once the tour is over, and she's settled in to a life where she has a lot of choices, she's gonna need someone to help her figure out who she really is. Trina, as much as she loves Tori, never gave her that option. She's gonna need a friend."
Jade didn't know what to make of this Beck. His misogyny was on full display, but at the same time, so was the part of him she'd first been attracted to, years ago. It was strange how, now, she could so clearly see how he'd divided the world. She'd straddled two worlds for him, and dating was squarely in the one where she had to be less then him. But the other, the one she was in now, was one where he could wish her the best, cause she was his friend.
Even Enzo and the others were more then just his backup, his entourage. They did more then feed his ego. Beck could be the big man, just like he was back in school, but at the same time, he was trying to bring them with him. Finding a life for them that was more then the streets of New Jersey. Enzo wasn't coming to the premiere to serve Beck, or back him up in a fight. No, the boy was coming both to give Jade an excuse to be there, and cause Beck really wanted one of his friends at the premiere. "If this was your movie, would you be bringing your whole crew?" She heard herself asking.
"Who said I didn't inviting them tonight?" He shot back. "But a musical biopic about Ginger Fox? Come on, other then Enzo here, who's a closet girl about celebrities, who among them would want to see it? No, you go do an action flick, and we'll all be there opening night."
'How hard is it for him, being that bastard, and this friend, both at the same time?' She wondered, again. "So, Tori..." She started, again.
"Look, I'm not pushing, but Enzo here thinks you and her have a shot, and I agree." Beck said. Ashley, for her part, looked pleased that Beck thought Jade was interested in Tori, or anyone other then him. "I told Trina, back in Bermuda, that I would be fine if she liked pussy. It makes her less of a bore."
"And wouldn't it make you look like her beard?" Enzo fed him that question.
"No, I'd spin it as the girl next door just lived in her image so long, she forgot that the girl next door could be a lesbian. Tori loved me like a friend, and convinced both of us it was real. Then, because of that lie, we eventually hurt one another, breaking up, and causing me and Trina to blame one another. Thus, the feud. I'll admit, I had help coming up with the details, but we can sell it, and we all wind up winning. I mean, Tori as gay? Even that tool, Shapiro, called it years ago." Beck smiled at how Ashley reacted to his little speech, the obvious planned end for his and Trina's feud. "Look, we're here. Now Jade, on the red carpet, we explain you're an old friend, and practically Enzo's brother. No lies about why your with him, just a fun night out, okay?" She nodded. "Good, cause it's showtime." Beck said as he opened the door.
:}
Gotta love the duality of Beck. Such an ass, but in his own way, try9ing to be a good friend. He reminds me of the guy who tries to be nice to his less attractive buddies by offering them the girls he's done with. This was a fun chapter to write. Also, kinda liked Phillip.
Your thoughts? What kind of night is jade in for? Guess well have to wait for next time.
So, review, cause I wanna know what you think of Phillip? Beck? What about Ashley? Trina's after tour plans? I'm thinking I covered a few spaces in this one.