Chapter 16
Luke listened to Charisma’s idea, grinning like a Cheshire cat. When she finished, he jumped out of the chair. “Consider it done,” he said with a wink, then hurried off to talk to someone backstage.
Rich looked at her cautiously. “Do you really think that will work? I mean, maybe for a few minutes, but then what? Don’t you think they’ll just go right back to fighting?”
She shrugged, picking at the food in front of her. “Maybe, but it’ll give them something to think about Let’s just say we’re planting the seeds right now. If these don’t root, then we’ll try something else.”
Rich chuckled at her meaphor. “Since when do you care so much about Spence’s love life?”
“Well, as his friend, I want him to be happy, but more importantly, as his manager, I want him to be successful. Now, what’s the one thing that can catapult a songwriter into success?” she asked, smiling as his expression changed, the realization dawning on him.
“Love songs!” he answered triumphantly.
“Bingo! Everyone’s a sucker for them, and that’s what makes the big bucks. It’s also the one kind of song he doesn’t write. Now, I’m figuring that‘s because he’s never really been in love. If we can change that, he could make us all very wealthy.”
Rich laughed and looked over at their table. “At least your motives are pure, right?” he joked.
~*~
“You’re not eating,” Lucky said, noticing that Elizabeth was only pushing the food around on her plate.
She shrugged, her eyes wandering back to Jason. “I’m not very hungry, I guess.”
“Elizabeth, you’ve been watching Jason all night. He’s not going anywhere. Frankly, I don’t know what you see in him. Yeah, he’s a nice guy and all, but being with him isn’t exactly safe, no matter what you say about him going legit.”
Liz looked back at him, her eyes clouded with anger. “What do you care anyway? Legit or not, this isn’t your business. I like being with Jason, and that’s all that matters.”
Lucky shrugged, turning back to his plate. “All right, but don’t come crying to me when he ends up in the hospital one of these days with a bullet in his chest.”
“Oh, trust me, you’re the last person I’d come crying to about anything!” she grumbled, glancing over at Jason again.
“Thank God for that,” Lucky muttered under his breath, generating a dirty look from her.
“Is this night ever going to end?” she asked, rolling her eyss.
“You know, you act like you’re being tortured here. Really, eating dinner with me is not that bad. Do you know how many women out there would give their right arm to be in your place right now?” he asked, unable to resist egging on on.
“That’s not a bad idea. Maybe the pain of the amputation would actually overshadow the agony that I’m feeling right now,” she said sarcastically.
“Oh, you’re funny,” he said. “All I’m saying is...”
Liz interrupted him before he could continue. “Lucky, I know perfectly well what you’re saying. We all know you’re a big rock star now, and you’ve got women falling at your feet wherever you go! What I’d like to know, though, is why you feel the need to remind me over and over again about it!” she said, her voice getting louder as she argued.
“I’d also like to know why the great Lucky Spencer is so worried about who I date! Oh wait, I almost forgot, it’s just Lucky now, isn’t it? What, you’re too good for a last name? Think you’re up there with Madonna and Bono? Or are you too good for just one name, maybe you’ll change it to some silly symbol like Prince did. Let me tell you, Lucky, you better just come off that high horse of yours, because you aren’t even on the same level as Charro!” By this time, she was practically shouting, and everyone in the room had turned to look at their table.
Lucky’s face was red with rage as he shouted back, oblivious to the other people in the room. “Now just a minute! Who are you to judge my career choices? Lucky is just a stage name, that’s all! I never once said I thought I was up to anyone else’s level, and I don’t know why you keep acting like I’m some sort of egomaniac! I’m still the same person I’ve always been, so just get over yourself. As for who you date, I don’t give a damn. You could be sleeping with Charles Manson right now for all I care!”
Unable to control her anger any longer, Liz leaned forward and slapped him across the cheek, the sound echoing across the silent room as everyone watched the scene play out. Some people stifled low chuckles at her reaction while others just watched in an uncomfortable silence.
~*~
Charisma leaned over the table. “Luke better be hurrying up with that idea of mine before they kill each other!” she whispered to Rich.
He nodded. “Tell me about it. Although, watching Spence get smacked around like that is pretty entertaining!”
“I just hope he doesn’t hit her back. I’ve never seen him look so mad before!”
~*~
“Um, Jase? Are you going to do something about this?” Carly asked quietly, not really wanting to watch him jump to Liz’s defense, but also starting to feel kind of weird about watching her and her cousin fight like that.
“No, she can take care of herself. If I do anything, she’ll just get mad at me too. I’ve learned when she gets like this, the best thing to do is stay back,” he whispered. Frankly, when Liz got this angry, he didn’t want to get too close!
~*~
“Come on, partner, do this for me?” Luke begged.
“Why don’t you just do it?” Felicia asked, not wanting to get into this.
“Because if I do it, he’ll know it’s just me trying to interfere again. If you do it, he’ll think it’s just part of the auction,” Luke explained.
Felicia thought for a moment, then sighed. “Fine, but you owe me one. These people are all going to hate me for this!”
Luke grinned. “Thanks, babe. And please, try to hurry, before she kills him!”
~*~
Lucky slowly rubbed his face as he stared back at Liz angrily. “What is with you, woman? Is hitting me the answer to everything for you? I swear if you do that again, I’ll charge you with assault!”
Liz laughed. “Assault? Yeah, I’d like to see that stick. I’m sorry, but I think I had perfectly good reasons to slap you. Face it, Lucky, you deserved it: both times.”
Lucky sighed, tired of arguing. “Okay, so maybe the Charles Manson thing was over the line a little, but I only said it to make a point. As for kissing you...”
“You kissed her?!” Jason shouted, standing up from his table and glaring at him.
Liz shrunk back into her chair as the room became deathly silent.
