Author's Note: Here's the fun chapter. As if they aren't all fun and full of shenanigans. This one is just pure, no-holds-barred fun, though. I hope you enjoy it. I think that Katie will end after the next installment, Chapter 20. But it is going to roll seamlessly along into the next book. There's so much more ahead for this group. I think it's a nice, clean break with some of the plot things coming up!
* * *
Our limo ride from the Chinese Theatre to the Hollywood & Vine houses felt interminable. My heart was beating out of my chest. From excitement. Okay, and also cocaine. We passed around a coke bullet as the car wound its way into the hills, pushing our energy level and excitement even higher while we waited for the molly to kick in. We rode in silence, except for the sound of snorting. Before we had departed the screening of Tapestry of Scars, Juliet had dropped a bombshell on us. She finally shared the guest list for the after-party.
There were going to be forty absolutely peak A-list celebrities in attendance. This was like a who's-who of the Oscars red carpet. It had taken our breath away. I finally broke the silence when we were about five minutes away from our destination.
"So, uh," I said and cleared my throat. "How about rules for tonight?"
"I don't see how we can have any rules tonight," Rita said immediately.
"None?" I said, raising my eyebrows.
"None," Jess chimed in.
"This is once-in-a-lifetime," Katie said. "I mean, how many people that you had, like, posters up in your bedroom of are going to be there? Partying with us. With us!"
"No rules," I said, nodding my head.
"I wish I felt in a more festive mood," Kat lamented.
"Just go with the flow, girl," Jess said.
"Yeah," Jess said. "That's the whole point. If there are no rules, then you aren't locked into anything. It's about doing what you want. Be impulsive. See something, take it. Do what you want."
"And none of us can be mad," I said.
"There's no use in being mad," Katie said.
"This whole scenario is one big hall pass," Kat said, seeming to perk up. "Everything is exempt."
"That's the perfect description," Rita said. "Everyone who will be here? Is on that list of celebs you'd bang."
The limo pulled past the gate at Hollywood & Vine. We had left the theater just quickly enough to be a few minutes ahead of the other guests. The security guards at the door knew us, of course, so we breezed through. But it was at that security check -- where everyone else would have to leave behind cell phones and purses -- that the attendees would receive their masks. For men, it was a standard black masquerade mask, with a thick cloth tie to keep it in place. For the girls, it was a lace butterfly mask in a variety of colors, with an equally thick tie. That way they wouldn't come off even when the wearer underwent vigorous activity.
"Jess, oh my god!" Kat exclaimed when we walked inside a transformed Hollywood & Vine.
The interior had been covered in a red-and-black motif. The lighting was soft and dark -- and mostly provided by scores of candles. There was simultaneously a warmth to the space, along with a shared secrecy and intimacy about the atmosphere. Just inside the entry, we were greeted by a half dozen of the staff for the evening. They were actually well-known models and actors themselves, just not quite up to the level of the power brokers who would be in attendance that night. They were completely nude, except for a costume that made a playful nod to Venice. They wore the hat and scarf of a gondolier, also in either red or black. They held trays of coupes filled with Champagne. At the base of each glass, Jess had come up with an additional party favor. In lieu of a charm clasped around the stem for people to identify a glass as theirs, she used the clasp to attach a small velvet bag, inside which guests would find a gram of cocaine and a small snuff spoon to indulge.
We walked into the main part of the first floor, where six additional servers were. The women were gorgeous, and it was a thrill to recognize them. The men were in shape and, to the last, hung impressively. It could make a guy self-conscious to realize that some of these models and TV stars were talented and packing the heat. And then I saw them. Anja and Violet. Standing side-by-side, smiling generously, without a hint of regret in their eyes. I made a mental note to circle back later.
"I have to say," Jess explained loudly enough for anyone to hear, "the best part of our service team tonight? They are free-use. They've all agreed. So if you want a taste?" She walked over to a very popular sitcom star and cupped his heavy balls to illustrate her point. He simply smiled. "Take a taste."
"Okay, maybe I'm feeling a little more like indulging," Kat said as she scanned the room.
We clinked our glasses together, and the Champagne blew me away.
"This is awesome," I said, lifting the glass to my nose and inhaling deeply.
"Krug Collection," Jess said. "1990."
"Nice choice," I said approvingly.
Katie had drained her glass already, and Anja immediately stepped forward to replace it. She didn't make eye contact.
"Hang on," Katie said, taking the velvet bag from her empty stem. "I'm going to hang on to these." Then she accepted a fresh one, with another bag of cocaine attached to it.
"This is incredible," Rita marveled.
"Just wait," Jess said.
She led us through the first Hollywood & Vine house and outside. There was a tent and temporary, covered walkway erected to add privacy.
"Security even has an alert system for drones," Jess said proudly.
