Idol. Carrie Duffy

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СКАЧАТЬ on his lip. He’d told Ryan he’d try and go a little easier on her, but he wasn’t sure it was a promise he could keep. He swallowed, trying to prevent himself from saying something he’d regret. He could feel the warmth of her body next to his, could smell the Chanel No. 5 that she had optimistically spritzed on that morning as part of her new image.

      Zac stood up suddenly, causing Jenna to lose her balance on the sofa. She burst into giggles as Don helped her upright.

      ‘I should get going,’ Zac announced, struggling to keep his temper. Everything Jenna did drove him crazy. ‘I told Amber I’d be back as soon as I could, and we’re obviously not going to get any more done here tonight.’

      ‘Maybe we could work on the track some more now?’ Jenna asked hopefully.

      ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’

      ‘Why not?’ shot back Jenna, her eyes flashing dangerously as she began to get defensive.

      Zac paused and took a deep breath, remembering his vow not to get mad with her. ‘Well, look at Nick,’ he tried to joke. ‘He’s hardly in any fit state to play, is he?’

      Nick was laid out on the floor, his blue eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. ‘Are we done here?’ he asked, struggling to sit up. ‘You want a ride home, Jenna?’ He tried to focus on her face, but he could see two of her. He liked the idea of two of her.

      Jenna smiled. ‘Thanks for the offer, but I’ll just call my driver.’

      ‘It’s no trouble, really, it’s on my way,’ slurred Nick.

      A natural-born charmer, Nick was used to getting what he wanted. From girls to money to a place in one of the world’s biggest bands, life came easy to Nick.

      Zac forced a laugh, trying to make light of the situation. ‘You’re wasted, Nick – there’s no way you can drive, not even the few blocks over to Jenna’s. You’d be DUI’d the second you get behind the wheel.’

      ‘You live close by?’ asked Ryan, turning to Jenna. Jenna nodded, wondering how Zac knew. She was pretty sure she hadn’t mentioned it. ‘I can give you a ride if you want,’ Ryan continued.

      ‘Hey, I’m a proper Southern gent. I’ve gotta make sure the lady gets home safely,’ roared Nick.

      ‘She’ll be fine, Nick. Which is more than can be said for you,’ muttered Zac.

      ‘Would that be okay?’ Jenna asked Ryan uncertainly. ‘I hate to bother my driver so late, and if you’re sure it’s not out of your way …?’

      ‘Not a problem,’ Ryan replied generously. ‘I haven’t been drinking anyway, ’cos Kelly hates it when I come home trashed.’

      ‘Thanks,’ replied Jenna, giving him a broad smile that lit up her face.

      ‘Jenna, I will give you a ride home,’ declared Nick, attempting to get to his feet as he waved his arms expansively. ‘It is absolutely no problem for me – don’t listen to what these bastards are saying. Or we can just share a cab to my hotel,’ he added, with a wink.

      ‘It’s fine, it really is,’ Jenna insisted, tempted though she was to take up Nick’s offer and spend the night in some decadent suite where they could fuck so hard she wouldn’t be able to walk tomorrow. But she didn’t think that would go down too well with the others – Zac would probably fire her for lack of professionalism. ‘I’ll get a lift with Ryan.’

      ‘Ryan,’ Nick whined, his forehead creased in an expression of bitter disappointment. ‘But that’s not fair. You’re married!’

      ‘Which is why she’ll be safer with him than with you,’ explained Don firmly. ‘Now let’s call you a car.’

      ‘This is totally unfair,’ complained Nick.

      ‘Quit acting like a jerk,’ snapped Zac, tiring of Nick’s behaviour. ‘I’ll see you guys tomorrow,’ he added shortly, as he headed for the door.

      ‘Do you want a ride too?’ asked Ryan. ‘I don’t mind the drive.’

      ‘No, thanks. I’ll make my own way back.’

      Zac glared at Jenna and walked out of the door.

      7

      ‘Ryan?’ asked Jenna.

      She settled back comfortably into the vast seats of his Range Rover, watching the bright lights of London flash by. It was drizzling lightly outside, and Jenna’s breath on the window caused it to steam up, obstructing her view. She shivered slightly, realizing with a stab of annoyance that she’d left her jacket in the studio.

      ‘Yeah?’ asked Ryan. Following his GPS he signalled right, turning from the main street with its parade of shops into a wealthy-looking residential area, lined with beautiful white stucco-fronted houses.

      Jenna hesitated. ‘Why does Zac dislike me so much?’ she finally asked.

      Ryan’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel, and he kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road ahead. ‘He does like you Jenna,’ he began uncertainly, his words lacking sincerity. ‘It’s just that … oh, I don’t know. He does like you Jenna, don’t worry about it,’ he reiterated.

      ‘Oh come on, Ryan,’ shot back Jenna, her voice rising slightly as she felt herself beginning to get upset. ‘You’ve seen what he’s like with me – he can’t stand me. He won’t talk to me, he barely looks at me …’

      ‘Hey, it’s not that bad,’ Ryan insisted, worriedly glancing across at her. ‘He’s having a little trouble adjusting after working with Josh, but he doesn’t hate you Jenna.’

      ‘I don’t know what else I can do,’ she continued desperately, as though he hadn’t spoken. ‘I’ve tried to make him like me, I really have. I so want this to work. And now it’s causing a problem with the band, and Don’s getting pissed off with me …’ Jenna trailed off, her breath coming fast.

      ‘Don’s not pissed off with you,’ reassured Ryan, sounding surprised. ‘Why do you think that?’

      ‘Next street on the left,’ snuffled Jenna, trying to keep her voice steady as she felt the tears gathering in her eyes. She almost wished she hadn’t started the conversation, knowing that if she began to cry she wouldn’t stop. But she had to know. The situation was depressing her, stifling her enjoyment of what should have been one of the most exciting and creative periods of her career.

      ‘Look, don’t take any notice of Zac,’ said Ryan dismissively, trying to keep his tone light. ‘That’s just what he’s like.’

      ‘No, he’s not,’ Jenna protested. ‘Everyone who’s worked with him says he’s the sweetest guy, and I’ve seen what he’s like with everyone else. He gets on fine with them, and they all love him. It’s just me he’s got a problem with.’

      ‘Jenna, sweetheart, please don’t beat yourself up about this,’ Ryan implored, wishing there was something he could say to make her feel better. It was heartbreaking listening to how upset and vulnerable she sounded. ‘Zac’s obviously got some problems СКАЧАТЬ