Total Trainwreck by Evie Claire Read Free Book Online Page B

him. What the hell? This meeting is reaching Twilight Zone weirdness.
    “Of course Spence supports me,” I snap back, crossing my arms and giving her a nasty look.
    “Then I’m sure he would love to throw that considerable support behind your film.”
    It dawns on me why they want this. Spencer Hugo is a force unlike any other in Hollywood. He’s way too young to possess the kind of power he does. Most people, the ones who fought for their rung on the Hollywood ladder, love to write him off as a trust fund brat. Deep down, everybody knows they can’t. Because when it comes to situations like this, he really does matter. His name on an invite ensures people show up.
    “Fine, I’ll ask him.” Defeat softens my voice. I can’t refuse this. Nominations are everything in this town. Mighty needs this. Devon wants this. Of course I’ll do it. I’ll do anything for him.
    “Great. Gucci is dressing you.” She flips open her leather folio and pulls out a stack of papers. “Send your measurements to their assistant.” She slides a card down the table toward me. This is all going so fast. So fluid. They knew I couldn’t say no. In a daze, I sit stock-still while papers fly my way. Gavin gathers them into a neat pile and places them in my hand.
    “The party is completely planned and ready to go. We just need a physical address and everything will be taken care of. Tell Spencer he won’t have to lift a finger.”
    “Spence,” I say under my breath. “He goes by Spence.” But nobody in this room gives a shit. They just want to use him to further their own interests. Sadly, their interests are mine. I’m looking at the door, Gavin’s hand on my back, a stack of papers held tightly to my chest, when I finally realize I’m no longer facing the shark tank. I put on the brakes and push away from the door and his touch.
    “Wait! That’s all you want from me?”
    “Oh, come on, Carly. It’s not like we’re asking you to shave your head and pretend to have cancer. You’re getting off really easy.” The bloated man from earlier all but pats himself on the back for coming up with such a clever joke. His tone and condescension make my fist itch.
    Using one best friend and pretending the other doesn’t exist is far from getting off easy, but Hollywood execs don’t understand that. They wouldn’t know a true friend if it bit them in the ass. I cling to the stack of papers Gavin shoved in my hands, wanting so badly to rip it to shreds and tell them where to go. I can’t.
    “Pretty painless, huh?” Gavin leans in for another cheek kiss and shuts the door in my face.

Chapter Seven
    The second the door closes I fall against the wall. Papers scatter to the floor and I take my head in my hands, sobbing weakly. My life is out of control again. Spinning wildly from my grasp. Now I’ve lost Devon and Maria? No way. I cannot handle this. She’s all I’ve got and they’re telling me we can’t hang out in public? Because being friends with her isn’t good for my career? Fuck that. How the hell does Devon live such lies? It feels so...dirty. And cheap. I love Maria like a sister and the thought of losing her crushes what little remains of my heart. They can’t do this.
    Footsteps echo down the hallway. I duck into the restroom to clean myself up, because crying over this is not the professional image I so desperately need. I’ll get my shit together, hail a cab, and then I can lose it. I wipe my face as best I can, sucking up my tears and slapping on an actress’s smile. Until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Good. God. A girl with insomnia as bad as mine really shouldn’t cry. My eyes are cherry red and nearly swollen shut. No amount of wiping can fix this. Desperate, I pull on my sunglasses. It’s a total diva move, but it’s all I’ve got.
    Ready to face the world, I make my way to the elevator, ignoring everyone I pass. They all think I’m a bitch anyway. The door rolls open. I step inside and the