Char (13 page)

“What does your dad think?”

“My dad is supportive. I think he is a little skeptical, but he will definitely let me try it out. Either it works and I’ve proven myself, or I fail and I come back to New York to learn from him,” he says. “But I’m confident.”

“Your dad sounds awesome.”

“He is a great businessman, and a pretty good dad. Not such a great husband.”

“Well my dad isn’t a good husband, or a good dad.”

As we step outside, cameras are flashing, and paparazzi are asking questions.

“What do you have to say about Candice’s sex tape?” and “Should we expect a sex tape from you?” and “Why did Candice make a sex tape?” It makes me furious.

“I don’t know anything about Candi’s sex tape. And I don’t know why she’s a whore. Get your fucking camera out of my face.”

Security from the building comes out and pushes away the paparazzi as we get into the limo. I’m embarrassed that Tristan had to see that. And most of all, I’m embarrassed that Candice is my sister.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him.

“It’s not your fault,” he says. “Let’s just go to my house for now. Maybe stay out of the public for a while.”

“This sucks. I thought it would be better since I’m not in California anymore. And it has
been better. I mean, how do they even know where I live?”

“I don’t know. But it’s going to be alright.”

Five minutes later, we stop in front of the building where Tristan’s family lives. Which is a hotel.

“You live in a hotel?” I ask.

“My dad owns the hotel,” he answers. “We live on the top. The top three floors were designed for my family.”

“Wow.”

I follow Tristan inside. The hotel is very elegant. There is a huge chandelier hanging down in the hotel lobby. There is a bar, where people are already setting, a coffee shop, and a large sitting area. We go to the elevator. Once we’re inside, Tristan puts his key in and we are taken to the top floor.

As we are going up, my phone vibrates with a text message.

Chloe:
I’ll be in NYC next week on Mon and Tue. Want to meet up for dinner?

Me:
Yes! Tuesday is good for me.

Chloe:
Perfect. I’ll see you then :)

“You’re smiling,” Tristan says.

“Yeah, my sister Chloe is coming to eat dinner with me Tuesday,” I tell him. “Chloe is the only semi-sane person in my family.”

Finally the elevator comes to a stop at the top, and the doors open. We walk out into the middle of the foyer, and I look around. I’m a bit intimidated. My dad has money, but this is different. This is a whole new level of wealth.

Tristan grabs my hand. “I live in a museum.”

It does kind of remind me of a museum — marble floors, huge paintings hang on the wall, and there is a sculpture in the middle of the foyer. I’m not sure
what
the sculpture is. I think it’s supposed to be half-lion and half-human. Whatever it is, it’s weird.

“Our house in Hamptons is less museum-like. Dad has a lot of guests here, and he likes to impress,” he says. “My mom doesn’t like it here, so she usually spends all her time there.”

I can understand her not liking it here, but I can’t believe she wouldn’t want to be here with her sons and her husband. I keep my opinion to myself. “Your dad has an entire hotel that he could entertain in. Why does he use your home?”

“I don’t understand my dad’s way of thinking,” he answers.

“Tristan?” I hear a guy’s voice call his name. I look up to see an older guy walk into the foyer. I’m assuming it’s Tristan’s dad. He has the same dark blue eyes as Tristan, but his hair is darker.
 

“Hey, Dad. I thought you’d be out,” Tristan says to him.

“Who is your friend?”

“This is Charlotte York.” Tristan turns to me. “Char, this is my dad, Charles Becker.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell him.

“Are you Robert York’s daughter?” he asks.

I nod.

He looks worried. “The model?”

“No. I’m the youngest. Candice is the model, and Chloe is the actress. I am still in high school,” I tell him. “I’m actually thinking of going to Columbia next year.”

Charles smiles at Tristan. “I like her.”

Well, that was easier than I thought.

“I have to get to the office,” he tells us. “I’ll see you both later. It was nice meeting you Charlotte.”

With that, his dad leaves, and it’s just the two of us. Tristan gives me the grand tour. The rest of the house is just as elegant as the foyer — expensive paintings, designer furniture and rugs — this house, or penthouse, is a dream.

“I can’t believe you live here,” I tell him as we walk into his bedroom.

Tristan’s bedroom is much larger than mine, and the view from his room is to die for. He has a huge king size bed with a simple black comforter. His walls are dark red, and he has a huge flat screen TV on the wall in front of a red leather sectional.

“I don’t really like it here that much,” he says. “I generally spend every moment I can in Hamptons.”

“So why are you here now?” I ask. “And you spent like two weeks here before school started.”

“I came back to talk to my advisers at Columbia. I wanted to change my minor. And Christian was throwing a party, so I thought I would stay the night in New York City with my little brother. Then I met you, and I wanted to get to know you.”

“That’s crazy. You changed your summer plans for a girl you barely knew…”

“You were worth it,” he says. “And if you weren’t, I would have went back to the Hamptons. No big deal.”

“Am I really worth it?”

“Definitely.”

“I’m excited about going there next weekend.”

“Me too,” he says. “Do you want to head out on Thursday night with me?”

I consider his question. Aaron is flying in on Friday morning, and we were supposed to drive there together. I suppose I could have my driver, Daniel, drive Aaron there and I could go early with Tristan. I’m sure Aaron won’t mind.

“I’d like that.”

1pm

Screwed up family.

Tristan and I are eating sushi for lunch. He was nice and went out to get us food, because I’m not quite ready to face the public yet. While we are eating I get another phone call from my mom. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach. I wonder what else she’s going to tell me. Maybe she has a sex tape too. I don’t think anything could surprise me anymore.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Charlotte Ashley York.”

Oh no. She’s using my whole name. This can’t be good. “What did I do this time?”

“You called Candice a
whore
on camera?”

“What are you talking about? I would never call Candi a whore on film…” My voice trails off. Because I did
call her a whore on camera. With the paparazzi. I thought they were just taking pictures, and I had no idea they were actually recording me. “Oh, I guess I did. The paparazzi was standing outside of Dad’s penthouse waiting to ambush me. I just wanted them to leave me alone.”

I get up from the table and walk into the other room. Tristan already knows that my family is screwed up, but I really don’t want him to witness any more craziness.

“Yeah, well you’re headline news.”

“Stop being dramatic.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see through the phone. “They have more important stuff to report than me calling Candi a whore. Besides, she
is
a whore. I’ve always known it, and now that her sex tape is releasing, all of America knows it.” Though I’m sure they knew before. She has a new guy on every episode of
Shores of Malibu
.
 

“I don’t care what you’re feelings are, Charlotte. You can’t call your sister a whore. It’s rude and it’s disrespectful. I raised you better than that. You need to call your sister and apologize right now.”

“Candi never answers my phone calls. Or texts.”

“I wonder why.” My mother’s voice is icy. She should’ve went into politics, because I swear she could scare her way into the White House.

“Mom, chill!” I yell. “I live with Dad now, so you can’t tell me what to do anymore. I’m not apologizing. Candice is a whore. She knows it. I know it. And you know it. Hell, you encouraged it. So excuse me for telling the truth. Grow up and be my mom. You’re making this a bigger deal than it is. Obviously Candi doesn’t think it’s a big deal or
she
would be the one calling me, not you. Seriously, stop creating problems. I’m so over the drama.”

“You know what, you’re right. You’re definitely not cut out for the industry. Go ahead and stay in New York and kiss your daddy’s ass.” With that, the phone call comes to an end.

She hung up on me.

I take my phone and throw it across the room. Then I go pick it up to make sure I didn’t break it. I’m glad to see that it is still in one piece.

“Are you okay?” I hear Tristan ask.

“Not really, but I’ll live. My family is so fucked up.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Definitely not,” I answer. “Seriously, I’ll get over it. Just more bullshit.” Which is the story of my life apparently.

We finish up our lunch, and then chill the rest of the weekend. I tell Dad that I’m staying at Tristan’s house, and he doesn’t care. In fact, he actually seemed
happy
about it… Of course, Tristan sleeps on his sectional and I sleep on his bed, but still… I stayed in a guy’s room. Which makes my dad seem like the biggest hypocrite on the planet. He got
so mad
when he saw Aaron sleeping over. Why doesn’t he care with Tristan? I must admit that I am glad he doesn’t care. I like spending time with Tristan. He is my normal.

Is it too much to ask for a drama free life?

For me, I guess it is.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

7pm

Dark Side

Tonight I am having dinner with Chloe, which I am super excited about. I love having dinner with her. I don’t have to try to impress her by dressing up. I can wear jeans and a tank top and just be comfortable. If I was with Candice or Mom I’d have to wear some crazy expensive dress and fix my hair and makeup… Okay, well I do wear a little makeup, but that’s because I don’t like to leave the house without it. Especially since paparazzi have been camped outside my dad’s penthouse since Candi’s sex tape was released.

I am meeting Chloe at the restaurant, but she texts me to let me know she’ll be fifteen minutes late. I guess they’re doing some filming today, and it’s not going as planned. As I wait, I get a text from Candice.

Candi:
So am I not going to get an apology?

Me:
Sorry for telling the truth.

Okay, so maybe I just threw gasoline onto an already hot fire, but I don’t care. I’m so sick of Mom
always
taking Candice’s side. And I’m sick of Candice thinking she’s better than Chloe and I. I just want my sweet big sister back. The sister that I had before she was famous.

Candi:
You’re so cruel. Does it make you feel good about yourself to attack me?

Me:
I’m not cruel. I’m just telling you what Chloe is too nice to tell you, and what Mom should have told you the first time you agreed to pose naked. Stop being a whore. It’s embarrassing.

Candi:
Embarrassing? Try watching the news and hearing your LITTLE SISTER call you a whore. THEN we’ll talk about embarrassing.

Me:
Whatever. Get over yourself.

Candi:
GROW UP. You really hurt me. We’re not kids anymore, and you can’t just run your mouth. This is my life… MY CAREER… And YOU are messing with it.

Me:
Boohoo. Cry me a river.

Candi:
Until you accept responsibility for your actions and apologize to me, I only have ONE SISTER. And that’s Chloe. Goodbye Charlotte. Hope you’re happy being with Dad. Because you’re just like him.

I don’t reply. I’m so pissed at Candice for saying I’m like Dad. It’s not true. My dad is cruel. He’s heartless. He’s selfish. And he’s pretty much been absent from my life since I was born. I hate being compared to him, and she knows it. But more than pissed, I’m hurt. No matter what I do, it’s never good enough for Candice or my mom. I’ll always be the one left out and it’s not fair. I hate being treated like I’m not welcome in my own family.

Finally, Chloe shows up. She’s still in her Spencer makeup and clothes. It’s funny seeing her like this, because she actually looks my age. “Sorry, I didn’t have time to get changed.”

“It’s okay.” I get up and hug her. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

We both sit down at the table, and the waitress comes over to take our order. After we order, Chloe gets a very serious look on her face.

“Mom told me that you called Candi a whore on TV.”

Ugh. No. Not her too. “I did. I didn’t think that I was being filmed. If I knew, I wouldn’t have said it. But I did, and it’s true. So I’m not apologizing to Candi.”

“Even if it is true you shouldn’t have said it about your sister. Family is important, Char. We
have
to stick together, especially right now,” she says. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“Come on, Chloe. You know it’s true.”

“True or not, you shouldn’t have said it.”

“Well, it’s too late now,” I say. “What do you expect me to do about it now?”

“Apologize.”

“No way. I’m so sick of everybody always treating poor Candi like a baby. She’s a grown woman. It’s time she take responsibilities for her actions.”

“And you think calling her a whore is helping?”

I sigh. “No. But I don’t want to talk about it. Please, can we just have a normal dinner. I desperately need some sister time.”

“Fine,” she says. “I have something to tell you anyway.”

“What?”

“I have a boyfriend.”

I sit up in my seat. “Oh my God! Phillip?”

“Yep.”

“I’m so happy for you!”

“Me too,” she says excitingly. “And we finally did it the other night.”

“You had sex?”

Chloe’s face turns red, but she smiles. “Yes.”

“How was it?”

“It was amazing,” she answers. “Like it hurt at first, but he made me feel comfortable and sexy. We’ve done it quite a few times since then. I’m glad that I waited for somebody I’m in love with.”