Page 49 of Sangre
“Isla you can do so much better. Who’s the bitch?”
“Lexi Strobe.”
“Ugh… the man’s an asshole and an idiot. He’s got you, and he’s dissing you right now to play up to Lexi Strobe? I bet she’s focused on him because you guys are dating.”
“Well, sorta dating right now. He’s so mad at me because I wouldn’t fuck him a few nights ago, so I know he’s trying to teach me a lesson. I guess I can kinda understand how he feels. I mean, I haven’t been the best girlfriend to him for the past few weeks.”Not since Sangre and I resumed our friendship.She didn’t know what the deal was, but she had no interest in sleeping with Benz, and instead of yearning for him or fantasizing about them together, Sangre was the one who filled her thoughts.But what would be the point even if we started something? I’m going back to LA soon. Maybe we could be friends with benefits? Would I like that?
“Isla? Are you still there?” Madison’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“I’m here. Sorry, I was just thinking about things. What were you saying?”
“I said Lexi’s always after everyone’s boyfriend. If you weren’t with Benz she wouldn’t even be there.”
“You’re right. I’d forgotten that about her. The other annoying thing is that she acts like we were best friends in high school. It’s like she wants to be my buddy now. It’s weird. Something’s wrong with her. Seriously.”
Madison sniggered. “Want to know another thing that’s real weird? She’s now the lead in “Mousetrap.” It’s playing at the Globe Theater. Sharla Davidson was the lead, but now that she’s dead—enter Lexi.”
Icy tingles skated across her skin. “Lexi was Sharla’s understudy? That’s not weird, that’s just fuckin’ freaky.”
“I know, right? And…” Madison paused for dramatic effect.
“What?”
“She told everyone that she had the vibe she’d end up being the lead. She was so pissed when she didn’t get the lead that she bad-mouthed poor Sharla all around the theater circuit. She’s an evil person and would do anything to get ahead. She hasn’t changed one iota from the bitch she was in high school, and she was so damn jealous of you when you’d landed all the leads. I can guarantee your success is eating her alive right now.”
When Isla looked over her shoulder again and saw Benz hugging her gently, Lexi’s gaze fixed on her. Isla shuddered: Lexi’s eyes were cold, calculating, and hard. She faced the bar again. “Maybe she wants my life—you know… Benz… Iris Blue—all of it.”
“This is aTwilight Zoneepisode,” Madison said. When they were younger, they’d devour marathons of the show on the television.
Isla chuckled. “Totally. Oh, she can have my dad and my fucked-up family.” Madison burst out laughing, which made Isla laugh hard. Soon Isla was sputtering and choking while she dabbed the tears from her eyes.
A warm arm snaked around her. “Who’re you talking to?” Benz asked as he placed a kiss on her head.
His action was the antidote to her laughing, and she pushed him away. “Madison.”
“It’s Benz right? Is the bitch with him?”
“Yes and no.”
“Where is she?”
“Not sure.”
“Baby, the break’s over,” Benz said in a low voice, his hand making circles on her back.
“I gotta go. I’ll call you later.” She hung up the phone and slid off the barstool.
“After recording, I want to take you out for a nice dinner. We can have some wine, talk, and be like we used to before stuff happened.”
“Stuffwas you cheating on me. I’ll be beat after recording, so maybe you can take Lexi. She seems to have captured your attention.”Filter. Damn, why did I say that?She hated that the words slipped out of her mouth because she knew they’d make him satisfied.I sound so petty and jealous, just what he wants me to be. Ugh. I gotta have a break from him. Since he’s been here, my nerves have been in overdrive.
“I can’t help it if women find me attractive. You know I have to play the game for the fans, but you’re my number one. I like that it bothers you. I was starting to think you didn’t care about me anymore.” He ran his fingers up and down her arm.
“Benz?” Lexi said as she came over. “What’re you doing?”
Benz drew Isla close to him, and she felt him stiffen. “Talking to my girlfriend.” His voice dripped ice.
If looks could kill, Isla would be dead on the spot. No question about that. She’d never had a person give her such a scathing and evil look before. She smiled. “We need to get back to rehearsal.” She let Benz walk her to the stage but felt the daggers shooting from Lexi’s eyes with each step she took. As he helped her up, the loud slam of a door startled her. When she looked out from the platform, Lexi was gone. Even though satisfaction coursed through her, apprehension pricked at her insides—but for the time being, she pushed it away, picked up the microphone, and belted out the song.
