Page 11 of All That Glitters

It’s wrong to stay and eavesdrop, but my feet sink into the cold marble beneath my shoes and refuse to move. There’s something about the way she’s speaking…there’s resignation, yes, but more life than I’ve heard in a long time.

I wanted her to be excited about the part, about the audition process in general, or anything that will get her out of this gilded prison and into the real world. Not that I’m calling anything about Hollywood real, but it’s better than isolating herself in the villa, especially since I’d gotten word about an hour ago that the producers want her for the part. It’s an edgy role, something designed to break her mold of Hollywood’s sweetheart but also open doors for future casting.

“Oh yeah? Tell me more!”

“I think I made a good impression. The script was easy to read, and there was something about the part I connected to on a deep level,” Empire continues. “They had me do a scene where the main character is relating to her peers and kind of commanding a crowd.”

She almost sounds excited.

“And you didn’t want to go,” River purrs. “Look at what happens when you step outside of your comfort zone. Wonderful things, Em!”

“I know, I know.”

“It really feels like your luck is changing for the better. What do you think?”

Empire is silent for a second before, “Yeah, I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

“You might not be sure, but I am. You know I love you, and things have been rough, but you have to get out there. It’s not healthy to…you know, stay in. Look at how things changed when you went out today?”

“You’re right,” Empire admits begrudgingly. “You’re always right.”

“Take it from me. I know how it feels to have to hide parts of yourself away because you don’t think people will accept them. It’s the price we pay for what we do, but we’re the same. We’re influencers. People will need to see you pulling yourself out of the darkness and into the light. This role will help you reach more people,” River continues.

I should leave them alone. I should do a thousand things that aren’t standing right outside of the fucking door, listening for some small hint that Empire is okay, that she’s going to be fine through all of this.

“And you had to have hot Daddy Marcus drag you out of the house. Talk about sexy! Which I’d love to hear more about, thank you very much. Did he throw you around? Did you get to feel his muscles up close and personal?”

My ears prick up. What did she call me?

Facetime is a beautiful thing because I get to hear both sides of the conversation. It’s also a burden, because I notice plainly, even though the door, the lust in River’s voice when she talks about me.

But seriously, what the fuck? Is that the name they use when I’m not around? Hot Daddy Marcus?

My eyebrow twitches, and I tamp down the amusement bubbling up inside me. Okay, a guy could get used to that. I’ll consider it one of the perks of getting older.

“Stop it,” Empire warns without heat. “You know I hate it when you call him Hot Daddy Marcus.”

“Aw, why? You know he’s smoking!”

“He’s hot, for sure. I just don’t want to think about him in those terms.”

“Come on. You and I both appreciate a good looking man when we see one. You just happen to have the hottest of them all living under your roof! And the way you said he pushed you in the shower? Forced you to strip down in front of him—” River breaks off on a moan. “Talk about sexy AF. I’m surprised you didn’t jump his bones right there. I mean, think about his muscles under the water and how hot he would have looked.”

“It’s not like that.” I practically see Empire grit her teeth. Her voice drops to a mumble, and I press closer to the door. “He’s like an uncle to me. I could never jump his bones, no matter how nice his muscles look.”

Surprise slices through me. Well, fuck me sideways. She sees me like an uncle? Guilt intermingles with the surprise, and I jolt back from the door. It would make me the perviest uncle out there.

The comment shouldn't hurt the way it does, shouldn’t cause a physical ache in my chest, harsh enough that I have to force my hand to stay at my side rather than rub the area.

I shake my head and push into the room without knocking, having the pleasure of both girls jumping at the unannounced visit—one from the screen and the other on the bed with eyes too wide and dark for her suddenly pale face.

“Hang up,” I demand without looking at River. “Now. We need to talk.”

FIVE

Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod.

Did he hear us talking about his muscles? Did he hear the nickname River had for him?

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