Page 29 of Breaking Hollywood

“Wow,” I say to him. “Your home is beautiful.”

I walk into the living space, which is the size of my whole apartment. It’s wall-to-wall windows, and I can see all of Hollywood from here. Dusk is just setting in. I bet it looks stunning at night when the city is all lit up.

I walk over to the window. “You have a terrace and a pool?” I turn to face him.

“Yeah.”

He empties his pants pocket of his cell, wallet, the key he just used in the elevator, and his hip flask, which I’m pretty sure must be empty from the way he was drinking it on the way back. Honestly, if I drank that much liquor, I’d be flat on my back right now. I’ve always been a lightweight.

He tosses his stuff onto the wooden coffee table in front of him, which looks like it probably cost more than my car.

Then, he sits down on the massive white leather sofa that faces the view, putting his foot up onto the footstool. He sets his crutches next to him. “I’m just gonna sit a minute, and then I’ll show you around.”

“No need. You sit and relax. I’ll show myself around. I can snoop better if you’re not tailing me.”

I grin, and he chuckles.

“Have at it.” He rests his head against the back of the sofa.

“You need me to get you anything?” I ask, walking over to him.

“Nah, I’m fine. Just gonna rest a sec.” He closes his eyes.

I look at his face. His full lips are pressed together. Enviably long lashes sweep his high cheekbones. His hair is all mussed up.

Lord, he’s pretty.

“Speedy, are you staring at me?”

I almost jump out of my skin. Busted.

“No! Of course I’m not,” I squeak. I step away, my heels suddenly sounding a lot louder on the marble floor.

He chuckles darkly.

I’m glad his eyes are still closed, as my face is flaming.

“Right, I’m going to look around. Be back in a few.” I drop my bag on the floor by the sofa.

“Don’t go looking in my underwear drawer, Speedy.”

“Why? What’s in there?”

He pops open one eye. “My underwear.”

“Funny.” I stick my tongue out at him and then head for the door on the other side of the room.

“You’re gonna look now to see if there is actually anything else in there, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am.”

His laughter follows me as I walk through the door and into a hallway.

I discover a sublime, large kitchen that looks like it’s never been used and a utility room. Two bedrooms, both with en suite bathrooms. I guess which bedroom is Gabe’s right away. Aside from the fact that there are dirty clothes tossed on the chaise, it has framed movie posters of Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and all The Godfather films up on the wall. And there’s a photograph of him with Robert De Niro.

Must be a De Niro fan.

There’s also a framed picture of him and Tate on his nightstand. No picture of his parents though.