Rumor Central Read Free

hair. “Unfortunately, it’s not a joke,” he finally said. “Corporate has made the decision not to renew the show.”
    So that’s what that crazy conversation from Tamara was about! She’d pulled me aside at the party to ask if I would be interested in my own show. Of course, I told her I would, but she made it seem like that was something for the future. She never said anything about canceling Miami Divas , which I definitely couldn’t appreciate because she was supposed to be a friend of the family—her aunt and my mom knew each other and she’d interned at my dad’s company.
    Fired.
    I couldn’t get that word out of my head. Why would Tamara talk to me about my own show if she was planning on firing me?
    â€œBut I thought we were doing great in the ratings.” That was Sheridan, speaking for the first time since we gathered in the conference room.
    â€œYou were just doing okay,” Tamara said, finally speaking up. I should’ve known something was up since she sat at the head of the table all quiet. She usually called the shots so the fact that she let Dexter begin should’ve been our cue that this wasn’t going to be pretty.
    Tamara sighed heavily as she continued. “And well, quite frankly, with the demands you all were making . . .” She let her words trail off. Shay coughed loudly as she shot me the evil eye. She had been completely against us demanding anything, especially because, as she said, “It’s not like we needed more money.”
    But it was the principle of it all. When we’d started the show, it was just a way to highlight our fabulous lifestyle, so we were all in it just for the fun. My dad is actually the one who convinced me that since we had blown up so well the first season, we needed to demand more money and perks and we shouldn’t take no for an answer. Everyone had been on board, except for Shay. Now, she was shooting us an “I told you so” look.
    Whatever. I wasn’t about to take the blame for this. I hadn’t held a gun to anyone’s head and made them agree with me.
    Anyway, I wasn’t about to beg for this stupid job. I’d had it going on before this show and I would have it going on after it.
    I grabbed my custom-made ostrich Berkin bag, pulled out my Chanel sunglasses, and stood up.
    â€œI don’t have time for this,” I said. “Maya Morgan doesn’t stay anywhere she’s not wanted.”
    Tamara narrowed her eyes at me. “If Maya Morgan would shut up, sit down, and listen—”
    â€œHold up!” I said, raising my index finger in her direction. “You must think you’re talking to some lowlife or something because I’m not the one.”
    Tamara took a deep breath, then exhaled. “Maya, please have a seat and let us finish.”
    We faced off. I wondered if I should tell her to kiss my Pilates-toned backside, but up until today, I had liked Tamara, so I let her make it as I slid back into my seat.
    â€œAs Dexter was saying,” Tamara continued, “we are canceling the show. But . . .” She and Dexter exchanged glances. “We are keeping one of you.”
    All of us sat straight up.
    â€œWhat?” Sheridan said.
    â€œYou can’t do that!” Evian cried.
    â€œWe’re a team,” Bali said.
    â€œWho are you keeping?” I tossed in as my heart raced. Everyone turned around to stare at me, but I didn’t care. I needed to know.
    â€œWell”—Tamara hesitated as the room got quiet—“Maya, we’d like to keep you on board to head up the show I was telling you about. It’s called Rumor Central .”
    I wanted to jump up and shout for joy and if I wasn’t afraid of breaking my five-inch Louboutins, I would have.
    â€œOh my God. So, like, what will I be doing?” I wasn’t even trying to hide my excitement, even though I could feel the other four shooting