Take Me Now (14 page)
“I thought you guys should see this,” Will announces before brushing past me and waltzing into my house. Funny, I don’t remember inviting him in. He’s brandishing a copy of today’s
Gazette
as Ivy hurries out of the kitchen, her face white. Will lets his gaze roam hungrily across her body, taking in how few of the buttons are fastened on the shirt she’s wearing…which just so happens to be mine. The paper is wet from the rain that’s coming down outside, but I can clearly read the headline from where I’m standing. And it makes my blood boil.
STATUTORY RAPE CHARGES TO BE FILED AGAINST INTERN.
“What?” Ivy snatches the paper out of Will’s hands and frantically begins to read. “Ivy Thompson, 21, a recently released intern at the
Independent Gazette,
is expected to be charged with the statutory rape of an underage co-worker, according to a source at the police department.”
Will doesn’t appear all that concerned as Ivy sinks to her knees, dropping the newspaper in the process. I shove him out of the way and take her in my arms. “I can’t believe they did this, but it’s going to be okay. There’s not a shred of truth to what they’re saying.”
“I can’t read anymore.” Her voice shakes as she tries to hold back her tears in front of Will, who seems to be rather bored by her reaction.
“I’ll give you the gist of it then.” Will nonchalantly bends over to pick up the offending article, tucking the paper under his arm. “They’re saying that Ivy attacked Ryan last night, came on a little too strong or something. Apparently, he has the bruises to prove it along with a piece of Ivy’s lingerie. Of course, the cops could probably care less about a boy and a girl getting frisky in a car, but based on the last name the kid has and the fact that he’s seventeen complicates matters. It’s going to be a classic ‘he said, she said’ battle royale, and since Ivy doesn’t have the funds to mount a capable legal defense, it doesn’t look good, especially with his stepsister running the biggest media outlet in town.”
“Why did you come here, Will? I’m sure we would’ve found out about it ourselves.” I stare him down as Ivy shudders beside me.
“Because I’m the one who wrote the story.” Will laughs, and all I want to do is shut him up, but Ivy’s clinging to me with everything she’s got. “Hold on, let me explain. You already did a number on Ryan. I don’t want to be your next victim. Although judging by how you look, the kid must’ve put up one hell of a fight.”
“So you know I didn’t do it.” Ivy glances up at Will, unshed tears threatening to fall.
“Of course I do. But when Lauren offered me the chance to work with her uncle on an upcoming project, how could I refuse? I do have some communication courses under my belt, like news writing, and she needed someone outside the paper to write it so there wouldn’t be a conflict of interest.” Will strolls into the kitchen and selects an empty mug off the counter. “Lauren basically dictated every word anyway, just using my name for the byline. She was in a rage when she saw the condition Ryan was in when he got back to the theater. Why she didn’t target Eric directly? I have no idea.”
“Because she’s still in love with him,” Ivy states robotically. I’d rather she didn’t say anything in front of Will, but it’s too late now. “It figures she’d get the story all wrong. Ryan’s the one who tried to rape me.”
Will whistles through his teeth before filling the mug with coffee. It’s grating on my nerves that he has started helping himself without even asking. The arrogance of this guy is unbelievable. “And Eric found out about it and wanted to settle the score, huh?” Will asks, tipping his mug in my direction.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stop referring to me in the third person since we’re obviously in the same room.” My outburst causes him to smirk. He likes pushing my buttons. I can’t let him see that he’s getting to me.
“Well, my man. All I know is your little girlfriend here is in a shitload of trouble because of you. So what do you intend to do about it?” He squares his shoulders, challenging me head on.
“I certainly wouldn’t tell you.” I hate being the one to have to back down, but there’s no way I’m revealing anything to this snitch. He’s just playing both sides to his advantage. He’s probably here because Lauren expects a full report on how we plan to deal with the situation.
“Okay, brilliant. You have no plan. So let me talk directly to Ivy. Lauren has you backed into a corner with not many options. You’re emotional, irrational even. You’re certainly not thinking straight, but take a minute and figure this out. Did you hear anything from the cops?” Will leans back on his elbows after taking a sip. He’s enjoying this way too much.
“No, but Ryan took my phone. I don’t know if they’ve been leaving me messages or not.” Ivy slumps against the wall while continuing to hold my hand. I hate seeing her so defeated.
“Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say?” Will hovers over the sink, peering at the rain through the window.
“What are you getting at?” A sense of tiredness is creeping into Ivy’s voice. Her brain is muddled after not getting a lick of sleep last night.
“And no one’s called you, Eric? Even though your name is mentioned in the fourth paragraph? I thought your phone would be ringing off the hook since you’re front page news and all.” Will shifts his weight from his right foot to his left, agitated that it’s taking us so long to realize the point he’s trying to make.
“What does it even say about me? I didn’t get a chance to read it.” Something is off here. I hate to admit it, but Will’s right. My dad, at least, would have mentioned something when Ivy talked to him this morning.
“It doesn’t matter.” Will rolls his eyes and quite easily dismisses me.
“Oh yes it does.” I start to get up. I refuse to be baited by this asshole in my own house. He’s either going to give us some answers or I’m kicking his sorry ass to the curb. Something I should have done the moment he started threatening us.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s my life that’s about to get fucked up, not yours.” Will exhales dramatically, setting his mug down. “Because this paper isn’t real.”
“Will, what the hell are you talking about?” Ivy is near hysterics. He’s playing with us like this is some kind of game—or is he?
“There’s only one copy, and I’m holding it.” Will whips it open and throws it at our feet. “Lauren had a mock version made up to scare you. Ryan doesn’t intend to press any charges. C’mon, do you really think that family would air its dirty laundry in public? You two are far more gullible than I thought.”
“You have to be kidding me? She went through all this trouble…for what?” Ivy’s head is about to explode, but I think I see where this is going.
“You refused her darling stepbrother,” Will says, pointing at Ivy. “You had the audacity to refuse the queen bee, herself,” he continues, pointing at me. “Did you think you were going to just walk away into the sunset? Guys, this isn’t a movie. We’re talking about Lauren Price here.”
“And let me guess? She wanted Ivy to leave me so this would all go away.” Now it’s my turn to slouch against the wall.
“Not only that, she was going to keep stringing Ivy along until you agreed to marry her. That’s when I knew she was crazy. Diabolically smart, but crazy.” Will, not having had enough caffeine, refills his empty mug.
“But why did you decide to tell us? It doesn’t make any sense.” Ivy’s brow furrows as she plays with the cuff of my shirt.
“Because I always had a thing for you, Ivy.” Will shoots her a dazzling smile and my gut clenches. This could actually turn out worse that I thought.
“Cut the crap, Will. We both know that’s not the case. What’s the real reason?” And in those few words Ivy utters, my hope is restored. Whether she knows it or not, her effectively cutting Will down to size emphatically shows me just how much she’s over him. For some reason, it’s something I needed to hear. I accept the fact that I can never be the first guy she loved, as long as I’m the last.
“All right, I’ll level with you. What the hell? I came back here this summer, not to organize some low budget film festival. Please, give me a break. Do you think I’d leave L.A. for this? Not a chance.” It kills me to admit it but it’s like there’s a freaking celebrity standing in my kitchen. The guy looks that good. It’s pathetic.
“So, Will, why did you come back?” My sarcasm is grating but he fails to acknowledge it.
“Because I’m on a scouting mission. I pitched the idea of a screenplay about this area to one of the major producers in Hollywood, way bigger than Lauren’s uncle, that’s for damn sure.” He chuckles like he’s letting us in on some kind of inside joke. “This backwater town has indie cred written all over it. The blue collar vibe. The local color. The small town authenticity. It screams Academy Awards, especially in the hands of the right casting director.”
“You’re kidding.” Ivy can’t conceal her contempt.
“No, I’m dead serious. They came out here last night to get a feel for the place, firsthand. And they freaking loved it. The atmosphere. The tone. The mood. They gave the project a green light. The only thing that’s missing is the script.” He pauses, drumming his fingers on the counter. “At first, I wanted to get close to you, Eric. You have one heart-wringer of a tale there, man. But they thought it was too Lifetime.”
“How dare you…” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.
“Hold up. I’m not trying to insult all that you went through. I’m talking from a purely business standpoint, okay? They’re looking for sex, deceit, revenge, and Lauren’s given us all three, wouldn’t you say?” Will’s grinning from ear to ear now. “I’ve got my story and I’m ready to kiss this sorry-ass town goodbye.”
“So you’re going to write it about Lauren? Won’t she know?” I can’t help but wonder at Will’s flawed sense of logic. “Won’t she come after you?”
“I’ll fictionalize it as much as I can. I won’t name names. But it doesn’t get any juicier than this. I can crank it out in no time. We could even be in production by the end of the year, if all goes well.” There’s a faraway look on Will’s face, like he’s forgotten that we’re even sitting here. “I could be younger than Matt Damon and Ben Affleck when they won an Oscar for
Good Will Hunting
. Can you fucking believe that?”
Ivy and I shake our heads in disbelief.
“I know, right? Of course, the two of you will have to be mentioned in some capacity. But I think I just did you a big enough favor that you’ll allow me some creative liberties.” He claps his hands together like it’s a done deal. “And what is really crazy is that you’ll all still be living here stepping on each other’s toes. The potential for sequels and spin-offs is unreal.”
“Will, I don’t…” Ivy starts.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m sure the two of you can take care of yourselves now that I’ve gotten Lauren off your back.” He places his mug in the sink before glancing at his gold watch. “Listen, I have a plane to catch. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime…or not.”
Ivy and I watch as he gives us a halfhearted wave before breezing out the door.
“Did that really just happen?” Ivy asks, her eyes wide.
“Yeah, I think it did.” I meet her bewildered gaze with my own.
We sit against the wall trying to absorb it all.
“So I guess my internship is officially over,” she says, curling her feet beneath her.
“I would say so,” I concur, idly bumping her knee with mine.
“I figured as much.” She doesn’t sound too upset.
“But if you want to fight it, Will left you irrefutable proof to back up your story.” I nudge the discarded newspaper with my toe, bringing it to her attention.
“I think that’s already caused enough damage, don’t you?” She gives me a sly wink. “The bad karma surrounding that thing has to be off the charts. There’s no way I’m showing it to my advisor. It’d only stir things up, don’t you think?”
“Probably.” I hate to concede defeat, especially when Ivy’s in the right on this.
“And they can keep my phone. I’ll get another.” She’s unburdening herself of her problems one by one. It has to feel good.
“What about your car?” We may as well sort everything out while we’re at it.
“I have roadside assistance. I’ll have them tow it to the nearest garage and pick it up when it’s done.” With everything straightened out, she stands up, holding out her hands for me to join her.
“What are you going to do about school?” It’s the final item on the agenda, but it’s the one that has the power to tear us apart.
“Honestly? I don’t know yet. We’ll see what my advisor tells me and take it from there.” She’s dodging the subject for now, but after the morning we’ve had, I can’t say that I blame her.
“Do you still need a change of clothes? I can have my dad pick up some things before he gets here.” I focus on the practical. Ivy is standing in front of me. She’s still here. I have to learn to live in the present and quit worrying about the future.
“You know what? Don’t bother. I don’t have to face Lauren now, so my day’s wide open. I’ll tie a bed sheet around me if I have to.” She laces her fingers through mine as I get up off the floor. “I’ll man the garden center and pick out something to wear. If your dad can come back and help me when you’re done with your appointment, that’d be great. It’s about time I got my feet wet.”
“Are you sure?” I don’t know what to make of her plan. It sounds like she’s having a change of heart. Why does she want to learn the ropes all of a sudden? Is she seriously thinking about forsaking college and working alongside me? It’s hard to say if that makes me happy or not.
“Positive. You need to rest when you get home, and why should you miss out on your busiest day of the week? I can handle it. Trust me.” She pats me on the back and proceeds to clear what remains of our breakfast.
The doorbell rings again, and this time I know it’s my dad. Shep is barking like a mad man, knowing he always has a dog biscuit or two in his pocket. I look down and realize I’m still in my underwear. This is about to get really awkward. There’s no way I can run upstairs and throw something on. Shep is going ballistic.
I open the door a crack as Shep paws at my bare leg. “Dad, I’ll be right down. I just have to get dressed.”
