"That's why it's called acting," Demi said to her feet, her face red. "I should be able to do both."
Anton was not letting up. He was in a hell of a mood. "This is a cable show. Did you know they're already talking about having you do a topless scene? With me. A topless sex scene in front of the world. That what you were going for?"
Demi, looking more miserable by the second, responded with a forlorn, "Topless? Oh no. My parents are going to kill me."
"I told you not to audition," he continued relentlessly. "This is not a good fit for you. Mark my words."
"Knock it the hell off," I told him. "She's an actress and the path she takes is her business." We had a pretty aggressive stare down, but eventually he broke the gaze. "Now quit being an ass and congratulate her."
"Congratulations," Anton looked very pointedly at Demi, who still wouldn't look at him. "In a few weeks, I'm going to be playing with your naked tits in front of an audience. Hope you're okay with that." He got up and stormed away.
"What the ever-loving fuck?" I asked anyone that might know what Anton's problem was.
"Asshole," Leona breathed, shrugging off her quiet but clingy pilot boyfriend to go put her arm around Demi. "You okay, sweetie?"
Demi nodded, but she was chewing on her lip. "I think he thinks I'm intruding on his territory. It's his show, he's the lead in it, and I don't think he wants me being a part of it."
That was it. I got up and went after him.
His long stride had covered a lot of distance fast, but he'd stopped as soon as he hit the nearest bar, which was about a foot away once you hit the street, so it wasn't hard to catch or find him.
I took the barstool next to him, glancing around. We were getting some stares. It was a quick walk from the beach, but no one else in the place was wearing swimsuits. Also, they may have recognized Anton.
Whatever.
"That was so out of line," I told him quietly after the bartender left our earshot. "Were you trying to make her feel like shit?"
He sighed heavily. "No, but I think she'll feel like worse shit if her perfect family sees her topless in her first big role. And topless is just the edge of it. They've got a scene written of her . . . servicing me in a bathroom. It's not what I want for her. Is that what you want for her? Her biggest role to date and the world gets to see her topless and on her knees?"
Jesus. It did make me feel overprotective, but . . . "That's beside the point. Regardless of how you feel about that particular subject, do you think you're handling this in a good way? She's out there looking like she might cry because she thinks you don't want to work with her. You need to go apologize, and you need to make it stick."
He cursed, long and fluid. He finished his beer with one long swig, standing up. "Fine. Fine. You're right. I'm an asshole. I'll go apologize."
He settled his tab and we left.
When we got back to the group, he quietly asked Demi to take a walk with him.
Farrah and Mitch went swimming, and Leona's pilot and Harry went to grab a beer together.
It was just me and Leona sitting side by side, watching the water when she said, "It's so peaceful, isn't it? The ocean, I mean."
Peaceful? I did not find the ocean peaceful. I found it troubling. I didn't see the calm waves or the beautiful water, I only saw the chaos underneath, the dangers lurking in the depths. Riptides, strong currents, high tides. Sharks. Other things that bite and/or sting you.
Today on Scarlett looking at the world with fear and pessimism: Oceans.
It also didn't help that it reminded me of a certain bastard's eyes.
But all I said was, "It certainly gives the world perspective."
Which was true, and yet another thing about the ocean that I hated. If you stared at it for too long, it made you think. Reflect on your life. Your choices. Your state of well-being.
My current state was clearly not well.
My foul mood, uneven temper, and damn near steady drunk. Is that who I was becoming? Fucking Glenda? Was I really letting myself turn into someone I despised? Pitied? And for him?
Not fucking likely.
"Did you know about Demi getting that part?" I asked Leona.
"Yeah. It's so awesome, isn't it?"
"It is, but I had no clue she even auditioned. I'm such a shit friend."
"Stop that right now," she said sternly. "You are a good friend. The best kind of friend. You found out a few hours later, so what? Who was the first one to get on Anton about being an ass to her? Who was the one that got him to come back and apologize?"
"That's just because I'm good at being the bitch."
"No. No." She was shaking her head. "I don't agree with that. You're a lioness, not a lamb, and you don't need to apologize for it. You're overprotective and fiercely loyal. None of those are bad qualities. They're your strengths and I've always admired you for embracing them.
The best kind of friend is one that makes you feel like a better version of yourself, and Leona was an absolute pro at that. "Thank you," I said quietly. I hadn't been fishing for a pep talk, but I realized just then that I'd sure as hell needed one.