Page 70 of Hot Mess

“That speaks highly to what rent costs out there. The only reason either of them live at home is Uncle Dave doesn’t charge them. He also doesn’t monitor their activities, their friends, what they eat… none of it.”

I sighed. This was exactly what I had wanted to avoid. I couldn’t talk about anything without getting upset. I took a deep breath.

“California was fun, and for a minute I made a lot of money and got to work with some pretty glamorous people. Jessie was trying to use me to get introduced to those people. I wasn’t in a situation to do that.”

“She’s your cousin,” Mom interrupted.

I nodded. “That doesn’t mean I know her. And I wasn’t on the job long enough for anyone to trust my motives for introducing my cousin right away. So, when she saw that I had a project that involved a major actor, she started to get pushy.”

“That’s not what happened at all. She was trying to be your friend. And you pushed her away. Kayla, you really hurt her feelings. And I expect you to make things right.”

“Look, I have to go, or I’ll be late.”

“Why isn’t Amber picking you up?”

I shrugged and walked out the door. As soon as it closed behind me, I picked up my phone and called Amber.

“Why are you calling me so early?” She answered immediately.

“I lied and told Mom I was having breakfast with you. Get dressed and come pick me up at the corner.”

Between my walking slow and her getting ready fast, I didn’t have to wait long before she pulled up in her mother’s old panel sided station wagon.

I slid into the passenger seat and immediately asked if I could borrow ten bucks.

“Of course, why?”

“So, I can buy breakfast. I’m completely broke.”

“I’ve got you covered. That bad at home?”

I waited until we were in a booth at McDonalds before I folded over on the table. It was more comfortable than my bed. “Amber, I’ve fucked everything up.”

“Hold up, back those horses back into the stables. What have you done with Kayla?”

I glared at her without lifting my head from my crossed arms.

“When did you start using the f-bomb? LA changed you.”

“LA didn’t change me. Everything that happened did.”

Amber took a sip of her coffee. She had that ‘tell me more’ expression on her face.

“So, you and Mr. Nick?” She wiggled her eyebrows and swirled her finger in the air, asking without using words.

I groaned and wrapped my arms over my head.

“You and Mr. Nick did!” She sounded entirely too happy about the state of my virginity, or lack thereof.

“Yes, Nick and I, and it was everything you said it would be. And I wanted to fall in love with him. But there was this other issue, and I can’t talk about it.”

“Don’t want to, or can't?”

“Like legally can’t.” I was terrified if I said one word the blackmailer would know. They had threatened me with so much damaging information, and they seemed to know where I was living and when I moved. Of course, this last move I told them when I gave them every penny I had.

“But that’s not the worst. Mom knows I’m lying. And she is on my case about being nice to my cousin. She just won’t listen to reason and takes Jessie’s side in everything.”

“Tell you mom, Jessie is a two-faced bitch, and clearly is trying to get something from you.”

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