Chapter 21

Cassandra arrived shortly after Spencer reached the coffee shop.

He had no problem recognizing her. She exited her ridiculously overpriced car, her blond hair blowing in the breeze. Being a young actress in Hollywood sure had its perks.

She raised her sunglasses and narrowed her eyes at him. “Spencer?”

“That’s me. Cassandra?”

“Hi, Spence,” she said before hugging him. “So you hit Brandon.” It wasn’t a question.

Spencer shrugged. “Allegedly.”

Cassandra grabbed his hand and inspected his knuckles.

“Allegedly, my ass. Good thing Lindsey can think quickly on her feet. You are coming with me.”

“Okay,” Spencer said with a short shrug. He had no idea what Lindsey and Cassandra were up to but he didn’t have many choices left.

Cassandra climbed into her car and opened the passenger’s door for him.

“Hurry, before the paparazzi realize you’re not at the hotel and start looking for you.”

Spencer went into her car and they speed away.

“Where are we going?” he asked as she drove deftly through city traffic.

“To my place. Open the glove compartment.” She pointed, and he did as she asked. “There’s a pair of sunglasses in there. Put them on.”

“Did anyone ever tell you you’re bossy?”

Her face lit up. “Am I?”

“Yes.”

She glanced over and smiled, then turned her gaze back to the road.

Spencer stared out at the ocean scenery whipping past them as Cassandra drove. It was beautiful. Mesmerized by the waves crashing against the shore, he could understand why so many people liked to live here.

“How come you’re in LA?”

“I’m sure you can figure that out,” he teased gently, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Well, it’s about time Lindsey did something for herself. I mean, seriously, how long was she planning to live under her sister’s clutches?

Spencer burst out laughing. “Bossy and direct. I like you.”

“Hold on,” she warned before turning the wheel sharply to the right. They cruised through a residential neighborhood and pulled up to a house, unlike anything he’d ever seen before in his life.

The large iron gates swung open as she pulled her car inside, then ground to a halt before shutting with a groan when she pressed a button on her rearview mirror.

“Is this your house?” he asked in awe.

“Mine and Alan’s,” she said offhandedly as if he should know who she referred to.

Spencer followed her inside.

“Babe, is that you?” a guy’s voice shouted from somewhere deeper in the house.

“No. It’s a robber,” Cassandra called out with a giggle as Spencer followed behind her, unsure where they were headed.

“Do you have him?”

Spencer stumbled to a halt as Alan rounded the corner, his face instantly familiar, and he wanted to smack himself for not realizing who Cassandra had been referring to. He had been part of Teenage Dreams too.

“I’m Alan. It’s nice to meet you, Man,” he extended his hand toward Spencer and he automatically reached for it. Alan glanced at Spencer’s hand, noticing the bruising around the knuckles.

“You need ice,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s about time someone beat the shit out of Brandon.”

He cocked a grin at Spencer as he pulled open the freezer and tossed him an ice pack. “Beer?”

“Definitely. After the way your girlfriend drives.” Spencer jerked his thumb in Cassandra’s direction, and she snarled at him.

“Tell me about it,” he joked. “We don’t let her out of the house much.” When Cassandra smacked Alan’s head in response, he shot back, “What? It’s the truth.”

Alan pulled two bottles of beer from the fridge and popped the tops, handing Spencer one.

Spencer took a swig and swallowed it hard. “Thanks.”

“I’ve always wanted to hit Brandon. I’m so jealous. What did he do?”

“Said some shitty things about Lindsey ... and Mel too.”

Cassandra sneered. “I hate him so much.”

She took a long look at Spencer and asked, “How long have you known Lindsey?”

“Since we were kids. We grew up together. Melissa and I were dating back then. Then, when she came to California and cheated on me with Brandon, Lindsey was there for me. She listened and supported me. We became good friends till she left town to work for Melissa. When Lindsey went back to Middletown for her father’s funeral I reconnected with her and the old feelings came rushing back. I thought we had something going, but when that guy Carson appeared with Brandon...”