Jackie Collins, page 14
She smoothed down the skirt of her green velvet dress-purchased at a
secondhand shopand tried to compose herself. She certainly hadn't
dressed up and come out to get involved in a slanging match.
"I don't have no chip," she said, controlling her temper.
"Maybe you should," he remarked. "It's a lousy deal-black mother,
white dad-you can't figure out what color you are."
Unexpectedly tears stung her eyes. He was right on, she wasn't one
thing or the other and it hurt.
"My dad was Jewish," Joey continued. "A Jewish cop in Chicago married
to a nice Irish Catholic girl. I never tell anyone I'm half Jewish,
it's not worth the aggravation."
"What aggravation?"
"Y'know-the name calling, the dirty words. You know."
Yes. She knew, all right. Mr. Browning crying out "Black cunt!" in
the throes of his lust. Every man she ever met looking her over like
she was there for the taking.
"You gotta learn to live with it," Joey said wisely. "I did."
She sneaked a quick glance at him. He was kind of funny-looking, tall
and lanky with a shock of brown hair, a lopsided grin and crooked
teeth. She didn't know why she'd accepted his invitation. Maybe
because it was the first time anyone had asked her anywhere formal.
"Wanna dance?" He jerked his thumb toward the crowded floor.
She saw Nick out there breaking his butt with Dawn Kovak to the strains
of "Sugar Sugar."
"I . . . I don't think so."
He noticed her watching. "What've you got against him?" he asked.
She shifted uncomfortably. "Who?"
"Nick. What's he done to you?"
"He came here, that's what," she said fiercely.
"It wasn't his choice," Joey said, taking a pack of Camels from his
pocket and offering her one. "He's a cool guy. You should give him a
chance."
She waved the pack of cigarettes away. "You don't understand."
"Maybe one day you'll explain it to me. Sometimes it's good to talk
-get it out in the open." He paused, realizing he was dealing with a
touchy subject. "Whenever you like-I'm here. Okay?"
She narrowed her eyes and regarded him suspiciously. "What do you want
from me?"
He shrugged. "Nothin', if that's all right with you."
"What time is it?" Meg asked, clinging to Mack Ryan as if they were
the engaged couple.
Stock consulted his expensive waterproof watch-a present from his
parents. "Twenty-five minutes before midnight. Come five past an were
on ourway.
"You got it," said Mack, placing his hand on the back of Meg's neck and
giving her a rub and a tickle. "This little lady an' I-we want some
privacy."
Meg giggled. "We do?" she said coquettishly.
Sure, Lauren thought. And tomorrow this little lady is going to be
complaining about how you nearly raped her.
"Are we gonna party tonight!" Stock proclaimed.
Lauren took a hearty gulp of punch and immediately regretted itthe
stuff tasted disgusting.
"C'mon," Stock urged, pulling her out of her chair. "They're playing
my favorite."
His favorite turned out to be a soapy rendition of "Rocket Man."
She hated it, especially when he began to get romantic, pulling her
close, rubbing his crotch up against her leg and singing off-key in her
ear.
Tonight's the night, she thought gloomily. He's going to make a move
and when he does I'm giving him back his ring.
About time, too.
Across the dance floor Nick edged his way nearer to Lauren, guiding
Dawn until she finally realized something was up and said, quite
testily, "Where are we going? You're pushin' me around like I'm a
vacuum cleaner!"
"We're gonna play excuse me."
"Huh?"
"Like I'll ask Lauren to dance-an' you'll take care of Stock."
"I will?"
"Yeah. We gotta liven things up."
"That'll liven things up, all right," she said, getting the picture and
not particularly liking it. If Nick thought he was about to score with
Miss Thighs Together Roberts he had another think coming. Sweet little
Lauren wouldn't give him a second glance. And Stock would punch his
brains out if he made a move on his precious fiance'e.
As soon as he'd maneuvered them next to Lauren and Stock he gave Dawn a
shove and an encouraging "Go for it!"
Dawn smiled provocatively at Stock. After all, she knew him well
enough-they'd been secretly sleeping together on and off since eighth
grade, and his engagement had certainly made no difference in his sex
life. My turn," she said gaily, pulling him away from Lauren, throwing
a perfunctory "You don't mind, do you?" over her shoulder.
"Go ahead," Lauren said, one eye on Nick-who winked as if to say How
did you like the way I arranged this?
Stock was easily led. Could he help it if girls found him
irresistible?
Dawn played her part, dragging him off to the middle of the dance
floor, clinging to him tightly.
"Hey," Nick said, staring intently into Lauren's eyes. "Looks like you
need someone to dance with."
She felt her heart begin to beat erratically. All of a sudden she
could hardly breathe. "I guess so."
He took her in his arms, pulling her in real close. "Tonight you're
breakin' your engagement," he said, very quiefly.
"I know," she found herself replying.
He held her even closer. "Just so long as you know."
"There's gonna be trouble," Joey said.
"What kind of trouble?" Cyndra asked.
"Big trouble," Joey replied, nodding toward the dance floor.
Cyndra had no idea what he was talking about. As far as she could see,
everybody seemed to be having a good time.
"You don't get it, do you?" he said.
She wondered what she was supposed to get.
"Stock Browning."
Browning. The very sound of that name made her shudder. Damn the
whole disgusting Browning family, they were the worst kind of people.
"What about Stock?" she asked, trying to stay cool.
"Your brother's makin' a move on his girl."
She frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you? Nick's not my
brother."
"Don't make no difference, he's gonna get his ass kicked."
"Good."
"You want him getting' beat up?"
"I don't care."
"Yeah, well . . . I'll havta get into it."
"Why?"
Cause he's my friend."
She studied the dance floor. Stock was gyrating with Dawn. Nick was
way over the other side, slow dancing with Lauren. "Nothing's going to
happen," she said.
"I hope you're right."
"I usually am."
"What's Lauren doing with him?" Meg said, staring furiously across the
dance floor.
Mack was not listening to a word she said. "Y'know, I always had eyes
for you-even when I was going steady," he said.
Meg was distracted. She was enjoying all the attention, but at the
same time she didn't appreciate her best friend cozying up to Nick
Angelo. "Where's Stock?" she demanded. "He should put a stop to
this."
"You got the cutest little butt I've ever seen."
A compliment was a compliment. She forgot about Lauren for a minute.
"I do?"
"Yeah. Cute butt. Cute face. I really dig you, Meg. Always did."
"Yes?"
"Let's go outside an' sit in the car."
"It's cold out there."
"We'll put on the heater, play the radio, finish up the champagne.
C'mon, say yes . . . I wanna tell you about when I first noticed
you."
How could she resist? "You won't. . . try anything?"
He looked suitably hurt. Girls were the most stupid cretures on
earth-did she really imagine it was conversation he was after?
"Who, me? I have too much respect for you, Meg. I really do."
She allowed herself to be persuaded. After all, he was pretty damn
cute himself.
"Well . . all right." ten minutes to touchdown! With a great deal of
effort he tried to keep his eyes off her plump, ripe breasts as he
steered her outside.
As midnight approached a sense of anticipation hung over everyone.
Excitement was definitely in the air.
The band was blasting out a Beatles medley. Nick's arms tightened
around Lauren. "This is a very special night," he said, his voice low
and warm. "The start of something' new."
"I know," she said softly.
"This time in ten years we'll be old."
"Sort of."
"Very."
"I guess."
"But we'll be together."
He sounded so sure, and yet she knew this wasn't going to be easy.
Stock she could deal with-but her parents would go crazy if she ever
started dating Nick Angelo.
Don't be negative, Roberts.
Okay, okay. Take it easy. I'll try to be as positive as I can.
The Beatles medley ended, and the band blasted into their own noisy
version of "Born to Be Wild."
Dawn grabbed Stock's hand as soon as he began backing off.
"Where you going', big boy? We were just getting into it." She licked
her lips suggestively and wriggled her hips. "Don't flake on me now.
Stock felt altogether foggy. "Gotta find Lauren, it's almost
midnight."
"Oh, yeah, midnight," Dawn sneered. "Big deal. I can show you a
better time than little Miss Goody-and you know it."
"Gotta find her," Stock repeated, slurring his words, his face red from
too much Scotch surreptitiously sipped from his father's silver flask
hidden deep in his pocket.
Dawn felt she'd done her part, she wasn't going to beg. Screw Nick
Angelo-this wasn't how she'd planned on spending her New Year's.
Over by the edge of the dance floor Nick and Lauren were locked in each
other's arms, oblivious to everyone around them. Stock spotted them
and started over.
Joey stood up. "Here we go," he groaned, stubbing out his cigarette.
Cyndra toyed with her glass of watered-down punch. "Nothing's gonna
happen."
The bandleader grabbed his microphone. "Five minutes to midnight!" he
roared excitedly. "Five minutes to blast off! Are we ready?"
"Yeah!" the crowd roared back. "We're ready!"
The band switched to "Crocodile Rock"-they were in an Elton John
mood.
"Lauren." Stock placed his hand on her shoulder and whined a plaintive
"I didn't mean to dance with Dawn for so long. C'mon.
it's time to go.
Lauren was startled, for a moment she'd forgotten about everyone and
everything except Nick, Stock had ceased to exist. She turned to face
him. "I I don't want to go," she said quietly, her heart pounding.
"Why not?" he demanded belligerently.
"Because I don't."
Stock began to get angry. Was she giving him a hard time on account of
his dancing with Dawn? For a moment he stood there swaying, suddenly
realizing that while he'd been busy, Lauren had been cozying up to Nick
Angelo.
"What the hell you dancin' with this dumb prick for?" he demanded.
"Take a look at him-he's wearing sneakers, for crissake.
Can't even afford shoes."
She felt Nick stiffen, ready for battle. Quickly she touched his arm,
hoping to restrain him.
"Three minutes to midnight!" yelled the bandleader.
"You come with me where you belong," Stock said.
"No," she replied.
"You're my fiance'e. Cut the shit an' do like I tell you."
Without saying a word she removed her engagement ring and handed it to
him.
He was stunned. "What's this?" he said blankly, staring at the
sparkling diamonds.
over, Stock," she said, finally feeling in control.
"Over?" he said incredulously. "It can't be over."
"It is," she replied calmly, experiencing an overwhelming sense of
relief.
He raised his voice, his face becoming even redder. "Nothin's over
until I say it is."
She stifled a hysterical giggle. Was it her imagination or did he look
like a boiled lobster? "Don't yell at me," she managed, without
breakingup.
"Two minutes!" from the bandstand.
"Shit!" from Stock.
Now people were beginning to notice something was going on and couldn't
help watching.
Nick decided the time had come to join in. He put his arm around her
waist. "Let's go," he said.
"You-fuckin' butt out," Stock shouted, enraged. "This has nothing t'do
with you."
"You've got it wrong there," Nick replied evenly. "It has everything
to do with me.
"Fuck you!" Stock screamed.
"We're rollin' into countdown," the bandleader yelled, his microphone
drowning out everyone. "So let's all do it together. Countin' back
from sixty. Fifty-nine . . . fifty-eight. . . fifty-seven "Jesus!"
Stock smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand and glared at
Lauren. "Now I know why I couldn't get into your friggin' pants. This
cheap, nigger-lovin' prick got there first!"
"How dare you talk to me like that," she said.
"I'll talk to you any way I want. You're nothing but a tramp bitch -I
should've listened to my mother."
Nick stepped forward. "This asshole is asking' for it."
"No!" She tried to block him from getting to Stock.
"Nineteen . . . eighteen . . . seventeen .
"Get out the goddamn way," Stock warned her. "I'm teachin' this
white-trash punk a lesson."
"Don't!" She tried to stop them; she hadn't wanted it to come to ten
.
. . Okay, now everybody together. Let's this.
Eleven hear you all!"
The crowd launched into a raucous chant.
Joey fought his way through, hoping to stop the inevitable. Cyndra
trailed behind him.
Five . . . four . . . three . .
Stock shoved Lauren roughly aside. Nick went to protect her, and
before he realized it was coming, Stock hauled back and let one rip,
sending him sprawling.
..... Two... one. HAPPY NEW YEARRR!!"
Nick didn't have a chance. He fell like a slab of concrete. Just
before he lost consciousness he saw balloons. Hundreds and hundreds of
pretty pink balloons floating through the air.
"Then we'd better get you over to the emergency room," Joey said,
taking charge.
"What emergency room?" Cyndra asked. "This isn't Chicago, you know.
We've got two doctors in town and they're probably both out
