Page 8 of Flawless

“Honestly, this couldn’t have come at a worse time, Danica.”

There’s the first telltale sign. She’s called me by my name, and not just Dani or D, as she usually does.

“You think I wanted to get sick? This isn’t my fault.”

“The season is ending, and so is your contract. We’re not sure if the network will renew after this fiasco.”

“It’s one time, Jade.”

“One time, but you haven’t been looking good for a while now. They have to work extra hard to get you ready for the show. You’ve had two DUIs in the last year, both of which we’ve been able to get you out of, covered up, and swept under the rug. God forbid, the media should get ahold of that.”

“As if I’m the only one.”

“No one said that you were, but you’re the only one who we’re talking about right now. The only one who is up for a contract renewal with the studios. The only one who passed out on national TV, and the only one whose career is in jeopardy.”

“I feel like you’re not going to bat for me. I feel like I’m being sold down the river,” I grumble.

“Listen, don’t ever question my loyalty to you. You got me?”

“Then damn it, show me your loyalty!”

She sighs and pulls her fingers through her hair, loosening her ponytail until her dark hair falls around her shoulders.

“It’s temporary. Don’t worry about it. You’ll go and get the help that you need and be back on your feet in no time,” she says.

“No, I don’t want to do it this way. This is my show, and I’m calling the shots!”

Jade blows out a long breath. “I know that’s what you believe, but that’s not the reality, Dani. Marie, Don, and Kendall all agree that it’s time to go a new route. I’ve spoken with them and poured my heart out on the floor, and they didn’t want to budge. I promised them that you would go into rehab for a couple of months, and they said they might consider it.”

“Might? Rehab? I’m not some damn drug addict, Jade! You know this.”

Her light brown eyes swivel away from me, and she purses her heart-shaped lips. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I didn’t say anything,” she says, holding her hands up.

“You didn’t have to. You can’t even look me in the eyes, Jade. I mean, come on here. You’ve always kept it real with me. Don’t start sugar-coating stuff now to preserve my feelings. I see you do that with your clients who are washed up. I’m not some has-been, Jade!”

She sighs. “No, you’re not, but you’re on your way there. You want honesty. Honestly, you’re taking pills to wake up and pills to lie down. You take pills to get you through the day, and you’re drinking four to five glasses of wine a day on top of that. It’s not a good look, Dani. Mel says—”

“Mel? Mel says? You want to tell me about the one person who’s handing them to me while everyone else is looking the other way. Isn’t that a bitch?!!”

“Listen, I have a meeting that I’m running late for. I want you to relax and get your rest. I’ll call you later when I’m done, and I’ll be back to check on you in the morning.”

“Are you seriously walking out on me right now?” I ask as she grabs her Chanel bag and hurries across the floor with her heels click-clacking.

“Look, I’ve got to go make money. I love you, Dani. You know I do, but nothing gets in the way of my money. I have a potential new client. I promise, I’ll call later.”

“You wouldn’t have the money or the clientele if it weren’t for me. I took a chance on you, Jade, when no one else would!”

She shakes her head, tugs her purse up her shoulder, and stops at the door.

“Get it together.”

“Fuck!” I shout, throwing my water pitcher across the room.

Water splashes on the wall and the leather chair across from my bed, and the pitcher clangs to the floor just as she opens the door.

It doesn’t close all the way, and I hear the soft murmur of voices. After several seconds, I begin to get glimpses of the conversation.

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