CHAPTER TWO

 

 

A warm California breeze embraces me as I sidle out of the Uber I took to the party, making sure my little black dress doesn’t creep too scandalously high up my thighs.

The streets of Los Angeles seem more lively than usual tonight. Music throbs from open business doors and girls in sky-high heels stumble down the sidewalk arm-in-arm. Windows gleam and billboards flash. The moon is bright and full over the city of angels, but the stars are shrouded by neon lights.

Even from the street, I can tell the club is absolutely packed.

A long line of desperate people vying for a spot at the exclusive party has formed from the door to the street. I already know from experience that none of them are getting in without an invite, but they stand their ground all the same. Their determination is almost admirable.

I give the cute Uber driver a wave over my shoulder, then saunter past the line of people up to the bouncer waiting at the front door of the club. Cameras start flashing as I traipse by, my platform heels clicking on the pavement. Men and women alike let loose shrill shrieks of, “It’s Sutton!” and, “Glammers for life!” and, “Tell Kali and Liv we love them!”

Every few steps, I pause to chat with the fans calling my name. I smile and shake hands or engage in hugs, along with taking quite a few selfies with them. When I interact with our followers, either in real life or online, I do my best to make sure each one of them feels special. They’re part of my big, happy family and I adore them the same way they adore me.

“Good evening, gorgeous.”

The big bouncer with shoulders as wide as a house grins at me when I finally approach the door. I wait for him to ask my name, but he must recognize me because he simply taps a button on an iPad that looks way too small in his hands and steps aside to let me into the club.

I can’t help but blush a little bit as he gives me a wink, even though I know he’s simply being friendly. It’s just been so long since I’ve had a boyfriend or even been on a date. Back in the day, I used to have a different guy on my arm every week, before G&G went viral, but now I have work to think about—as well as my online reputation. With the rigorous demands of the Glossed & Glammed channel, as well as all the editing I have to do behind the scenes, I don’t have much time for myself anymore. And I definitely don’t have time to date anyone.

Sighing, I return the bouncer’s smile and step through the door and into the trendy club where everyone who’s anyone in Hollywood hangs out.

Once inside, I stop and look around, taking in the colorful decor. I immediately spot the staircase leading up to the terrace and I know I definitely have to take a peek up there, but right now, I make a beeline for the bar. Couples grind and twirl on the dance floor as servers weave in and out between small tables and plush couches to serve fancy cocktails and posh hors d’oeuvres.

The bartender swoops over as soon as I lean against the bar.

“Long Island iced tea,” I request, sliding him a nice tip when he immediately whips up the drink and slides it over to my side of the polished bar.

Condensation drips from the glass and forms a ring of water around the cocktail napkin underneath it. I pick it up and take a small sip. I’m always careful not to drink too much when I’m out in public. You never know who’s recording, and all it takes is one slip-up and your internet fame is snatched away forever.

Living such a public life can be tough, but I thrive off it.

As one of five children, fighting for attention sometimes felt like waging war against my own siblings. Right smack in the middle of two older sisters and two younger ones, no matter how hard I tried, I felt like my parents didn’t notice me. Heck, when I was in elementary school, my mom forgot to pick me up from ballet class because she was shopping for a prom dress with my eldest sister. Then she and my dad couldn’t come to the dance recital where I had my very own solo because my second oldest sister had a softball game the same day. Even now, all these years later, thinking about how it felt to be the only little girl there without anyone in the audience hurts so much I want to cry. Maybe that’s why I ended up pursuing a theatre major at USC. Because I wanted people to finally notice me. Looking back on it now, I know it was the best decision I ever made. And not simply because I’m famous. But because I met Liv and Kali there. So, while the rest of my sisters all picked more normal jobs—dentist, teacher, librarian, and stay-at-home mom—and even though I work just as hard as all of them, I often feel like my parents are much more accepting of their choices than of mine. Sure, they love me, but would they be happier if I’d become a CPA like they wanted? Yeah. But at least, I'm living my dream.

I pull my phone out of my purse and absently start scrolling through social media while I sip my drink. I make sure to capture a few solid shots of the club’s lights gorgeously reflecting in the glass of melting ice and alcohol so I can add them to the G&G feed later. I have to get a few good shots with the celebs at the party, too. The crowd here tonight is definitely as elite as I’d hoped. I’d made the right decision in coming despite the fact that I’d done so on my lonesome. I spy with my little eye numerous superstars, other high-profile influencers, and even some swoon-worthy athletes and big business types. This is a great chance to rub some elbows and make some solid connections, at least online. Half the battle of being famous is portraying a relationship with someone notable even if there isn’t really one. It can be tiring at times to fake those connections, but it’s a must when it comes to the world of influencing.

As I scroll further through the feed, I come across a picture that makes my heart lurch. Wincing, I take another long sip of my Long Island iced tea. I can feel the booze warming my whole body now. My veins are slowly starting to simmer. The sensation is pleasant and warm, but it doesn’t do much to ease the sting of the photo on my phone.

Apparently, Kali had taken my advice about posting a picture of her and Grayson all dressed up. In the photo, the loving couple affectionately gaze into each other’s eyes as they stand in the doorway of the beach house.

Will I ever have a boyfriend who looks at me like that?

Because that’s some fairy tale, romance movie-type love Kali and Grayson share. The kind that’s almost too good to be true. The kind you almost don’t want to believe in because you’re not sure you’ll ever have even a taste of it.

The comments on the post are just as tough to handle. There’s a flood of heart-eyed emojis and joyous comments, and the number of likes on this photo makes it one of our most popular pics ever. She and Grayson are breaking all kinds of records in the G&G world.

I try to remember the last time I posted anything that garnered that much attention, but I come up empty.

How am I supposed to compare with Kali and Grayson’s love story? Turns out the Glammers are a bunch of romantics at heart, not that I can blame them. I mean, look at Kali and Grayson. Not only are they perfect for one another, but they’re also gorgeous beyond belief.

Heck, even Liv has something extra special in the cute, mysterious way she tries to edge out of our pictures and videos. Fans are always begging for more posts of her because they’re rarer than ones of Kali or me.

What do I have?

What makes me special?

How long until I fade completely into obscurity?

Throat suddenly tight, I shove my phone back in my studded clutch. I think it’s time I order a second drink.

Before I can finish slurping down the first one, the barstool beside me squeaks and someone slides into it. A wave of cologne follows, stinging my nose and almost making me gag.

Has this guy bathed in the stuff?

I spare one glance toward the newcomer only to realize that he’s already staring at me.

“’Sup?” he says with a crooked grin. He’s manspreading so wide that his knee bumps against mine and almost pushes me out of my seat.

“Not much,” I answer with a forced smile.

Politeness is always my go-to just in case the person I’m chatting with is a Glammer on the down-low. Judging by this dude’s skintight white shirt and black leather pants that threaten to rip, he’s not a subscriber. Liv would never recommend that kind of style.

He leans closer and loops an arm around the back of my chair. His fingers brush across my skin and send a shockwave of disgust rolling through me.

Jerking away from him, I snatch up my drink and hold it up like it’s some kind of shield that will protect me from him, but the jerk doesn’t even seem to realize that he’s gotten on my bad side. I play nice most of the time, but this guy is pushing it.

He drags a hand through greased hair and winks at me. “This party is hella lame. How about you and I bounce?”

“Bounce?” I echo, voice rising. A few people around us are starting to glance over at us and I lift my drink a little higher. “Oh, I’ll bounce. I’ll bounce you straight to—”

“Darlin’, I was just looking for you,” a deep and husky voice drawls suddenly, interrupting me before I can make a scene.

To my surprise, another man has eased up next to me.

I turn my head to look at the newcomer, who simply smiles knowingly at me. I don’t recognize him at all, but I can tell he’s trying to save me from the sleazeball on the other side of me. Not only is this new guy cute, but he has some serious style too. He’s wearing a fitted black suit that makes his blue eyes absolutely glow. A thin, black tie rests against a white button-up shirt that strains over visible muscles. His is a classic style, but it fits him flawlessly. His gaze is gentle and warm before it narrows warningly on the other man. He pushes the gross guy’s hand away from me and sweeps me to the side so that there’s space between me and the creeper.

“How about we go get some air, darlin’?” the stranger masquerading himself as my suitor suggests. When he speaks, he has the sweetest southern twang I’ve ever heard in my life.

They don’t make men like this in LA, that’s for sure.

Before I can even fathom a response, he’s whisking me toward the staircase leading to the rooftop terrace. I can only dazedly follow along.

Who is this guy?

And why are his eyes the most dazzling shade of blue I’ve ever seen in my life?