Ch 31: Game On

Pulling up to Luke’s mansion for the party, Michelle let out a slight gasp. “Holy moly,” she said. The massive house looked festive, lit up from the inside against a shadowy night sky. Once we exited the car, we could hear the noise of music and people bustling toward the back. A valet took my keys, and Michelle and I walked to the door.
A large, tall man in a goatee with a receiver in his ear stopped us at the door. “Name,” he said abruptly, not even glancing in our direction.
“Stella,” I said, “and this is Michelle.”
He looked on his clipboard and crossed off our names. Then he opened the door.
I originally thought Luke meant he was going to throw a party for some cast and crew, a small affair. Instead, it looked like all of Hollywood was partying on Luke’s estate.
On the other side of the towering entryway, a dozen tall tables stood as places for guests to hold their food and drinks. A makeshift bar sat to the side of the kitchen and the breakfast bar featured an array of snacks. Wait staff glided around with trays of hors d’oeuvres, while others fetched drinks for Luke’s myriad of guests.
Michelle entered the foyer and turned around, taking in the immense size of the place. A waiter offered us a glass of champagne, and we made our entrance. Michelle pointed to a famous Hollywood producer and his wife, having seen them in the gossip rags. In just five minutes, we recognized four movie actors, a famous musician, and a well-known director.
With all the A-listers milling about, no one really noticed us. We tried to blend in and not appear star struck, but when Michelle came back from the bathroom she jumped up and down and giggled that the lead singer of a famous girl band had just passed her in the hallway.
After we struck up a conversation with some of the crew from Luke’s last movie, I felt comfortable leaving Michelle to go find him. I stepped outside, seeing a small rock band playing in the yard to the side of the pool. More guests talked and sipped, standing by the pool and other nooks along the manicured lawn. In a few moments, I noticed Luke conversing poolside with another action-adventure star.
Walking up next to them, I felt like a troll entering a country of giants. They both towered over me, looking daunting in height and breadth.
“Stella,” Luke looked happy to see me and kissed me on the cheek. “This is Will.”
“I know,” I nodded and shook his hand. His grasp nearly crushed my bones, his hands strong and beefy. Will smiled and commented on the band. We talked a little about music and then he excused himself and turned to join the rest of the party.
“Some party,” I said, shouting over the music. Luke looked around, smiling. “Do you know everyone?” I asked.
“Basically,” he said. “I want you to meet someone.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me along to a group of older men and women huddled by Luke’s glowing outdoor fire pit. Even though it was a warm night, the heat provided a sultry glow that illuminated the faces surrounding it. Luke squeezed his way into the circle, still grasping my hand.
“Hi, everyone. This is the trainer I’ve been telling you about.” Again with the trainer bit, I thought. They nodded in my direction, and then the man to my left starting asking me about my training techniques. I mentioned Daniel and how much he helped me, how he encouraged me to pursue my training license. We talked a little more about swimming and weight lifting before the crowd started to disperse from the glowing fire.
The band took a break and more people filtered outside. The heat from the fire and started to make me sweat, and I took off my jacket. Michelle joined Luke and me by the fire pit along with Daniel who had swaggered in a few minutes before. Daniel, catching the eye of a tall blonde asked Luke to introduce him, and they walked over toward the pool.
Lyle sashayed my way, air kissed me on both cheeks, and said,” You looked great on the red carpet, darling.” He wore a bright blue shirt, black bow tie, and black leather pants.
“Thanks, Lyle,” I said, willing to let go of my grudge. “That dress was beautiful.”
“I know. One of my better ones. I designed it.” He smiled smugly.
“Oh wow,” my mouth fell open. “You did a really great job.”
“Luke insisted I add the seashell detail. We make a good team.” He turned toward me, a smug look on his face. “I’m trying to break into designing, but that was my first design on the red carpet.”
I nodded. “Glad this ostrich could help,” I said. He smiled and glided away to another group, calling, “Darling, that jacket is just magnificent…”
Just then Michelle pointed out a guest I wasn’t prepared to see. Gina, a cane under her left arm, hobbled onto the pool deck. She looked better, the scratches having healed, able to put a little weight on her foot. A man in his 20s, tall and striking, with the chiseled face of a male model, stood at her side. I wasn’t sure why Luke would have invited her, however. He had some explaining to do.
When Luke came back to check on me, I asked why he invited Gina, pointing in her direction. He bristled. “We had a little chat,” he said. “She apologized profusely. I think she knows what she did was stupid.”
I gave him a doubtful look. “She begged me to come. Claims she has a new beau anyway.”
“Well, that was fast,” I said. “I guess that green juice really is magical.” Luke shrugged. I looked Gina’s way, and she caught my eye. I stared at her, and grinned. She raised her hand and wiggled her fingers in a lazy wave like she did that day on Luke’s couch after she was released from the hospital.
Game on, I thought.