Chapter 6
I checked my lipstick in the mirror as I stepped past. It looked as perfect as it had when I checked two minutes ago. My black evening gown, borrowed from Bec, was still not wrinkled, and still fit me. My silver pendant, in the shape of a love heart, hadnt fallen into my cleavage.
Yet.
My nerves were getting the better of me. Of course they were. This gala was about much more than Bam Clinton. Everyone who was anyone in Norfolk, and in fact the whole state, was here tonight.
I had pulled some major strings to get myself on the guest list, and to get Bam invited to speak. He wasnt the only one, but he was one of the biggest names on the bill. People had parted with good money to come and hear him, and to raise money for homeless people.
I walked past an open door and rubbed my hands up and down my arms. Winter was settling in. That was why this event was held tonight. If guests were reminded of how cold it would be to sleep on the streets, theyd open their wallets wider. In theory anyway.
Can you believe these people?
I turned at the sound of a female voice.
Rubie Thomas leaned against a wall, a glass of something clear in her hand. It looked like water to me, but it might be vodka.
Excuse me? I asked politely.
Rubie waved a hand toward the guests who gathered in groups, chatting and laughing.
Do you think for a moment they care about the homeless? Theyre just here to be seen, and to make themselves feel good before they go back to their mansions and have a bath in champagne.
Why are you here? I said before I could stop myself.
She threw back her head and laughed. The same reason they are, but at least I can admit it. She sipped her drink and looked bored. Every one of these people could just donate, and save everyone the bother of coming out tonight. But they dont. You know why?
Why? I asked carefully. She was even more cynical than I was. That was saying something.
Because who would know? she replied. Whats the point of doing good things for those you dont care about, if others cant fawn all over you and thank you for your generosity?
Im sure some of them donate in ways we cant see, I said. Not everyone needed that kind of attention.
Maybe. Rubie pushed herself off the wall. But galas like this raise a lot of money.
They also make jobs for the bar staff, I pointed out.
Opening bottles of wine that cost more than they make in a month, she replied. She fixed me with a steady gaze. You dont think extreme wealth is obscene?
I hesitated. Anything I said to her might get back to her father. Since he was one of the obscenely rich, that might not end well for me.
I wont tell, she said, as if she read my mind.
Okay, it was obvious why Id hesitated.
I think its a shame some people have so much while others have so little, I said carefully.
Rubie snorted. Right. Thats why I have no interest in being the owner of a football team. Its a status symbol for my father. I dont want it. If I was passionate about football, then I might be all over it, but, she shrugged, Im not.
The team does a lot of good for the economy, and sports encourages kids to run around and get fit, I said.
She nodded once. Right, no debate there. But if Im going to do good things, I want to do it my way. Yknow?
I wasnt sure I did know. But then, I didnt have so much money I could pick and choose how I helped. By donating to the homeless? I suggested.
She waved a hand. Oh, I do that anyway. I meant working in a soup kitchen, or putting together care packages for kids going into foster care. Hands on help, you know? Things that make a real difference.
I looked at her in surprise. There was obviously a lot more to Rubie Thomas than I first thought. I felt bad for judging her the way I had.
Those are all good ways to help out, I said, but they have to be funded somehow.
Yeah, but that could be done in ways that dont stroke the egos of the rich. She gave the whole room a dark look.
At least it keeps them from getting bored, I said, half joking.
She barked a laugh. There is that. Heaven forbid Daddys little trust fund babies get bored. She dropped her glass on a tray as a woman walked by collecting empties. From somewhere in her slender, probably incredibly expensive black gown, she pulled out her phone, smiled at it and took a selfie.
Gotta keep the fans happy, she said.
You dont seem happy. I hoped I wasnt overstepping with that observation.
Dont I? she asked. Then she grimaced. Its pathetic, isnt it? I have more money than Id ever know what to do with, two parents who live to outdo each other by buying me more stuff, and its not enough.
Money cant buy happiness, I quoted. I think it says a lot about your character that you want more in life. Like helping people. Speaking of that, I glanced around for Bam. Where was he? He should have been here half an hour ago.
Some would suggest it says Im a spoilt brat, Rubie said. If she noticed me looking around, she gave no sign.
A spoilt brat would have skipped out by now, I said. You wouldnt be talking to me.
If you werent here, I would have skipped out, she said. I still might. Ive been seen, what else is there to stay for? She gave a bored shrug.
One of the teams players is speaking tonight, I said. You could stay and give him some moral support. Im sure hed appreciate it. Before he tried to seduce her, or some other guest, no doubt.
Her lip curled slightly. Not interested in the team, remember?
You could fake it? I suggested. Just this once.
If I give my father an inch, hell take the whole mile, she said wryly. But I might stick around, for shits and giggles. Besides, its nice to talk to a real person at one of these for a change.
I felt my face heat. Its nice to be called real. It truly was. Plenty of people thought being in publicity was a trivial way to make a living. For me it was about understanding human nature and maximising that. For profit.
Hey, we all had to get by somehow.
Rubie smiled. Any time. I bet youve never even had Botox.
Shed win that bet.
Never, I replied. Something like that was out of range of my budget, even if I wanted to get it, which I didnt. I wouldnt judge people who did, but it wasnt my thing.
This is even my real hair colour. I smiled and patted my dark waves. That would definitely change in a few years. I had no intention of going grey any time soon.
Mine too. Rubie shook her head. Her red hair flew back and forth. According to my mother, it matches my personality.
Bright and outgoing, Im sure, I said politely.
She snorted. More like fiery and out of control. She laughed, so I did too.
I didnt think she was out of control at all. Compared to Bam, she was practically a poster child for self awareness and keeping herself dignified and contained.
Speaking of Bam, where was he? Speeches had already begun in the back of the room. Chatter turned to polite applause as one after the other spoke about the importance of taking care of ones fellow humans.
I wonder if theyve ever met a homeless person, Rubie asked as a man in a perfectly tailored suit stepped down from the podium.
I was almost certain he was a music producer of some kind, probably in town looking for the next big thing. Good luck with that, I thought. The bars were full of talented young bands, hungry for a break. Waves hosted them several times a month.
Music is a tough business, I said. I wouldnt be surprised if he came up from nothing. It was hard not to admire people like that. Blood, sweat and tears got him where he was, not a familys bank account.
Possibly, Rubie said. She smiled slowly. Be careful, you might open my mind.
It was my turn to give her a steady look. Would that be a bad thing?
She cocked her head. No, I could use a little shake up, according to Dad. He could use a bigger one.
Hes not here tonight? I asked.
She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. No, hes in the Whitsundays with some girl younger than me. I sense divorce number four is coming, imminently.
That must be hard on you and your siblings, I said sympathetically.
She shrugged. Were used to it. By the time we start calling someone mother, theyre gone. I think my father does it so we dont get complacent. She didnt try to hide her bitterness.
Im sure youre not part of the reason why hes… I trailed off before I said something bad about her father. That was a line I really shouldnt cross.
A cheating asshole? she suggested.
I was going to say restless, I said as politely as I could.
Restless cheating asshole works too, Rubie said. Funny how he was pissed at Bam for acting out, but he never bothers to check his own behaviour.
This was becoming uncomfortable for me. I didnt mind her venting, but Carson was still my boss. It would be difficult to respect him if I knew his deepest, darkest secrets. Or were they secrets? Chances were the internet knew, or pretended to anyway.
Im sure hes only pissed at Bam because his behaviour could have directly impacted the team, I said slowly. Most football fans seemed a lot more interested in the players than the team owner, unless they were in the public eye a lot.
Or my father is rich enough to buy any photos the paparazzi take, Rubie said. Whatever. I shouldnt be dumping my shit on you anyway. Sorry about that. She seemed genuine in her apology.
I dont mind at all, I said firmly. Everyone needs a friend to confide in.
Were friends now? She seemed amused by that, for some reason.
Sure, I said lightly. Why not? I arched an eyebrow at her, a silent challenge. She could blow me off if she wanted, but here was her chance not to.
I cant think of a reason, she said. She waved down a server. Glass of water, please. When the server bustled off, she added, I dont drink. I have plenty of other vices, but Ive never been a fan of alcohol, or drunk people. Or high ones, for that matter.
I nodded. Water is better for you. I was only drinking wine to steady my nerves. I glanced around again, but still saw no sign of Bam. The speeches were coming to an end.
I pulled out my phone and checked the screen. No messages. No apologies or excuses. Nothing.
I suppose he could have gotten stuck in traffic. I put my phone away.
Or he decided not to come, Rubie said. He wouldnt be the first spoilt sportsman. He wont be the last.
Yeah. But his days on the team were numbered if he didnt show up, and so were mine. If he wanted to throw away his career faster than a ball in play, that was up to him, but if he took me down with him…
Dads going to be pissed as hell. Rubie grinned as though the whole thing was hilarious. Maybe she enjoyed seeing her father disappointed and angry.
I didnt want to see either of those things.
You could try calling him, she suggested.
Right. I pulled my phone back out and dialled his number.
No answer. I was going to tear him a new one when I saw him next. I was going to?—
I sagged a little. I wasnt going to do anything, because if I hadnt gotten through to him the other day, I never would. Bloody hard headed man.
What an asshole, Rubie said.
Yeah, I agreed. Thats a good word for him. What a total, stubborn, dumbass asshole. I half listened to the rest of the speeches with a hollow feeling in my chest.