A strained conversation

"You asshole!” Derek said through gritted teeth, not bothering to answer Steve’s greeting.

Steve irritated him to the high heavens. Luckily enough, the other guys who were with Derek had gone off to find prospective dance partners, or to do something else, so at least, no one was paying attention to Derek and Steve.

“Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?” Steve asked, attempting to make light of the situation, but Derek wasn't having it.

“You’re no friend of mine, Steve, and I was about to leave anyway. You can stay here and carry on with what you were doing. Don’t think I won't tell Ava about it though. She deserves to know just the kind of person you are.”

“Ah, so that’s what this is about. Have you forgotten that I'm a movie star? Fans come up to me all the time. What do you expect me to do? Turn them away? I can't do that, as you well know. These people are the ones who made me what I am today. They watch my movies, and that is how I make my money. If they stop watching my