CHAPTER 22
Sadie only vaguely heard the door open.
Sades
you home? We brought you some dinner! Sad
Liz stopped dead. Sadie was on the bed. Half-naked. Curled up in a tiny ball sobbing.
Oh my God, she gasped, dropping the Styrofoam container in her hand. She rushed to her friends side, Sadie, oh my god, are you all right?
Sadie didnt reply. She only sobbed brokenly. Icy fear raced through Lizs veins.
Sadie, talk to me right now. Did someone hurt you? Did Josh hurt you?
Because she was going to kill the fucker if he did.
Sadie shook her head.
He didnt hurt me, she whispered, He
he just left
he said
he said
The sentence dissolved into nothing. Sadie hiccupped and sniffled miserably. She buried her face in her arm.
Liz noticed Dan standing in the doorway.
Not now, she murmured, conveying with her eyes that it was ok
but they needed a girl moment. Dan nodded.
Ill be in the bar, he said.
Right. Ill find you.
Ok.
The door closed with a quiet click. Liz returned her attention to the sobbing puddle.
What did he say Sadie? she whispered, stroking her friends cold, naked back. Her skin was wet still, and the towel was doing nothing to keep her warm. Liz grabbed a near by blanket. Tell me, honey, come on
Sadie only coughed and shuddered. Liz tried again.
Sadie, what did Josh say to you? What has got you this upset?
Slowly Sadies eyes lifted. Liz had never seen so much pain.
He said I lied, she croaked, He said I lied and I was just a starfucker
after him for the notoriety.
Lizs hand stopped moving. She stared.
Why the hell would he think that? she asked in disbelief. Sadies eyes lowered. Silent tears began to spill again.
He thought I told you about the phone sex, she murmured, And that it was all a scam.
Liz felt her stomach drop as the origin of the problem began to dawn on her. Phone sex
what shed yelled when shed come back for her gloves
I was joking, she whispered, I was joking, Sadie! Was he here when I
Sadie nodded.
It really happened Liz
I know you didnt know. But it really happened. And he thinks I did it to fuck with his head.
Lizs gut hit the floor and she bit down on her bottom lip hard enough to taste blood.
Youd never do that, she choked out, feeling tears in her own eyes, Youd never
and he thinks
Liz its over and its not your fault. Sadie pulled the blanket tight around her shaking body. Its just over. And I should NEVER have been stupid enough to think I could have it to begin with.
Then, Sadie began to cry again.
Liz stood up.
Sadie, Ill be right back, she said slowly, eyes sealed with determination, Im going to go
find Dan
Ill be right back.
Sadie nodded mutely, closing her eyes. The tears continued to spill. Liz went out the door.
Minutes later, she reached the hotel lobby.
Minutes after that, she was pounding ruthlessly on JCs door.
She was a whirlwind when it opened.
Can I help
Shut the fuck up you cocky motherfucker and get the hell out of my way! With strength she didnt know she had, Liz shoved her once-favorite pop star as hard as she could. JC staggered back.
What the
who the hell let you up here? he demanded as Liz pursued him into the room. And what gives you the right to
I told you to shut up, Liz interrupted, staring him down, And I have every right to be up here because you just left my best friend in a crying HEAP on my bed, asshole!
She watched as the recognition dawn in his eyes. It was followed quickly by cold, steely anger.
So youre Liz, he said, voice low and bitter, Huh. Well. Then I dont need to tell you WHY shes sobbing on your bed because YOU already know.
He looked downright frightening when he was angry, but Liz would not be deterred. She folded her arms across her chest.
I know NOW, she shot back, I didnt before.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
It means I didnt know about the phone sex JOSHUA
Her voice radiated with disdain. It was a JOKE when I said it.
He looked confused. Liz surged forward.
I didnt know anything about you two until less than 15 minutes ago
and thats ONLY because I tortured Sadie until she told me.
JC eyed her.
How much did she tell you?
Liz eyed him back.
Enough to make me not like you very much.
She saw him flinch. She kept coming.
Did you ever stop to think, she asked, voice deadly calm, That maybe she really did like you? That maybe she didnt give a flying fuck about your money or your fame? Shes a fan JC, yes. But who the hell isnt these days? Shes also a person. A good person. A person I have trusted for YEARS with my secrets and my life and my tears
She dared to step closer, encouraged by the minute twinge of uncertainty in JCs stare. Her words were venom.
Shes a lot of things to me Josh and she could be a lot of things to you, too, if you let her. But Ill tell you one thing shes not
She waited for him to speak. His adams apple bobbed as he swallowed and prepared himself.
Whats that? he asked finally.
Liz walked right up and glared into his eyes.
She is NOT a starfucker you pompous bastard.
Then, in a gesture of unmitigated hatred, Liz spat on his shoe and walked out the door.