Read Sunset Boulevard for Free Online Page A

and winey against his neck.
    Gordon rose, nodding to Ash. "Come with me to the bar for a second? I need something
    stronger."
    Ash followed his dad to the bar in the main restaurant area. The other patrons stole glances at
    them, knowing the back room of Spago was sure to conceal boldface-name types. The
    bartender, an Amazonian girl with mahogany hair that swished like it was animated by Disney,
    purred, "What would you like?" Her velvety brown eyes never left Ash's dad.
    Gordon squared his shoulders, leaning against the bar. "Surprise me."
    Watching as she poured several shots of Grey Goose into a silver cocktail shaker, Gordon
    muttered to Ash, "So, I noticed you looked upset back there."
    Relief washed over Ash. So his dad wasn't so dense, after all. "Yeah, I was just a little
    surprised, is all," Ash said, pushing back a lock of hair that had somehow escaped the gel's
    death grip. "But honestly, so much is going on in my life, with school and this whole Myla
    thing--we broke up, Dad--that I think Daisy would just be awfully hard to swallow right now.
    I bet Lee would love to do it," Ash suggested, naming his dad's number one lackey.
    The bartender set a martini glass with a curvy blue stem in front of Gordon, her maroon lips
    curved in a smile. "Grey Goose martini with lemon peel. Hope you like it," she said, swishing
    away to take another order. Gordon took a long, slow sip and turned to look at Ash.
    "You're right. Lee would love to do it. Guy would sell his left nut for the chance to move
    higher on the totem pole. But look at Lee. He's thirty-two. Totally out of touch. Still thinks
    American Idol is hip. Daisy is a special case. She's... fragile. I need someone who she can see
    as a friend, as a peer. So of course I thought of you."
    Ash knew his dad's salesman mode. Smooth patter, you're my guy pep talks. He'd heard it all
    before. But he'd never been on the receiving end. He couldn't remember the last time his dad
    had complimented him, and even if it was with an ulterior motive, it felt... good. A hell of a lot
    better than criticism and derision. As his dad's hand closed tightly around his shoulder, Ash
    knew he'd say yes.
    He nodded. "I'll do it."
    Gordon's eyes went from serious to alight, like a slot machine hitting diamond sevens. "I knew
    I could count on you," he said, patting Ash's shoulder once more before turning to head back
    into the dining room.
    Ash closed his eyes, hating that his father's tiny gesture made him feel like a grateful, freshly
    trained puppy. Inhaling, he concentrated on sound: silverware chiming against plates. Wine
    being poured into glasses. Voices mingling in the air.
    Just as he was convincing himself this was a good thing, that Gordon would appreciate him for
    a change, he heard it: Daisy's loud voice, somehow traveling from Spago's back room to the
    main floor. "Where's that dishy son of yours, Mr. Gilmour? We're gonna have a right time."
    Ash sincerely doubted that.
    RODS AND MONSTERS
    Jojo slunk into her American history class and found her seat, three desks back in the center of
    Mr. Castorman's classroom. She nodded a hello to Myla, who sat two rows away. Myla halfsmiled, examining her freshly painted deep red nails. Jojo looked down at her own hands, her
    short, squared nails done in a similar color but chipping already. On Sunday Myla had taken
    her to Elle, one of the poshest manicure salons in the city, as a sort of peace offering after their
    rocky start. Ever since the Barnsley incident Myla had been really sweet, and seemed to have
    accepted the fact that Jojo was in her life for the fore-seeable future. But Jojo wasn't counting
    her chickens yet. As grateful as she was for a friend in her sister, Jojo still didn't trust Myla.
    Who knew when she would change her mind?
    Rod Stegerson was holding court with a few of his buddies, talking about the San Diego
    Chargers' poor performance on Monday Night Football . Jojo flipped open her massive
    textbook and pretended to read