Fool for Love

by Mel Curtis

  Which required a Rule family hug. And a circle of friends, one that didn’t include Vivian. With a measuring look at Cora, she slipped out the door.

  Amber recovered first, wiping away a tear. “Well, what do we do now?”

  Blue took in his menagerie of supporters. “We do what Dad would have done. We step out in the open with a target on our backs and trust the Rules of Attraction.”

  Chapter 34

  L.A. Happenings by Lyle Lincoln

  …Has every woman in Hollywood slept with Blue Rule? According to my inbox, he’s slept with a range of women, including a cast-off of the late, great Tony Curtis.

  With all the less-than-flattering buzz Blue had been getting, Maddy felt a little sorry for him.

  That didn’t mean she had to believe he was heartbroken, as Lyle had written, or answer any of Blue’s calls, texts, or emails, or be nice to Ivan when he called and demanded a copy of her pilot ASAP.

  “Why?” Maddy gladly dumped days of heated frustration onto the studio head. “So you can bury the project once and for all? Does Blue think I’m that gullible?”

  “I want it because one network and three cable channels have asked for it,” Ivan shouted. “What kind of a business do you think I’m running here?”

  “You accepted money from Blue to give me the runaround!”

  “But today, I’ve redeemed myself with four legitimate offers on the table. And no one’s seen a frame of footage! When can I have the pilot?”

  Oh, boy. Nothing like pressure to deflate a girl’s anger. “Give me a few days.”

  “You’re killing me.”

  “You’ll live.” She smiled. She hadn’t felt like smiling in days.

  “And here I thought you were one of the nice ones.” Ivan made backing-off noises. “Call me when it’s done.”

  Maddy began editing, but her heart wasn’t engaged. Everything felt wrong. About an hour into it, she couldn’t concentrate.

  She called Kaya. It was a gamble, but why reach for a sure thing when her instincts were telling her otherwise?

  After that conversation, Maddy lost herself in editing for days.

  “How can the Rules help me if Maddy isn’t talking to me?” Blue asked Amber a few days after his clients had converged on the office. He sat across from Amber in her office. “I’ve left messages for her, apologizing and asking to meet. I can’t put my win-Maddy-back plan into place if she won’t see me.”

  “Have you tried running her to ground?” Amber stopped checking email to look at him. His sister politely didn’t mention he looked like hell, unlike Cora, who’d told him to go home and shave. “Although she’ll probably be just as hard to find as you were when you were hiding from the Avengers.”

  “She’s not that sly. She had to leave an address somewhere.” He headed toward the exit, but stopped at Gemma’s desk, picturing Maddy there, cheerful and unstoppable, holding a camera bag with a pawn ticket dangling from it. “Did Maddy ever give you an address?”

  “Try the lawyer,” Gemma said without glancing up from the billing program. At least, not until he didn’t move. “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything.” Maddy had bet her career on him, not knowing that he was a sham. Had she been able to rescue her grandfather’s photo albums from the pawn shop? Ivan hadn’t said anything about her handing in the pilot, so he had to assume she hadn’t been paid. He could loan her the money…

  “Blue?” Gemma was considerably easier to work with since the Cora meltdown.

  “The pawn shop.” Blue spun and ran down the hallway to the room where they’d filmed the Avenger’s initial interviews. And there, in the top desk drawer, was Maddy’s pawn ticket. It’d been stamped thirty days ago. Blue’s breath stuck in his throat. Thirty days was the term of Maddy’s loan.

  He drove like a fiend across town to Pawning for the Dream. But when he got there, her grandfather’s World War II photo albums had already been sold.

  He slid the big man behind the counter a hundred dollar bill. “I’m willing to pay double for those albums and pay you a finder’s fee.”

  The manager came out from a back room. “I’m sorry, dude, but all sales are confidential and final.”

  Blue began his negotiations in earnest.

  Portia called, interrupting Blue’s deal. “I thought you’d like a heads up. There’s a new video of you going up tomorrow morning on our website.”

  “Jesus, don’t you guys ever quit?” And he’d just moved back to his Malibu condo.

  “Kaya, Jenny, and I hope to be in healthy relationships, thanks to you. We’re trying to decide what to do with the website and all those thongs and T-shirts we ordered.”

  “So why the video?”

  “Because Maddy asked us for a favor.”

  “Maddy…” He’d lost her. He’d accused her of leaking three videos when she hadn’t and she’d decided to leak one herself.

  Blue felt sick to his stomach as he dialed Ivan.

  “It could be harmless,” Amber said for the umpteenth time as they waited for the video to go online the next morning. “What else did you say she filmed?”

  “Everything. She filmed everything.” Whatever it was Maddy was posting, it had to be bad if it was going up on the Avengers’ site. “Whatever she puts out there, I deserve it. I hurt her.”

  “Don’t be a martyr.” Amber scowled. “I’ve got our lawyer on speed dial in case she bought into what the Avengers were selling.”

  “It’s up.” Gemma clomped into Amber’s office.

  Amber punched in the website and angled the screen so Blue could see it. “Holy crap, it’s forty minutes long. Are you ready?”

  Blue nodded. He’d betrayed Maddy’s trust. Whatever she’d put together he’d earned in retribution. He still held out a small crumb of hope that she’d talk to him if he took this like a man, but he had to take it like a man first.

  “Wait for me.” Cora ran in on her high heels, followed closely by Mr. Jiggles and Brutus.

  Forty minutes later, Blue sank back into his chair. “Shit.”

  The main phone line started ringing. Gemma hurried out.

  “Wow.” Cora picked up Brutus and gave him a kiss. The dog barely growled. “Maddy has mad skills.”

  “We should watch it again to make sure we’re looking at this right.” Amber was reluctantly appreciative. “I mean…Wow. Yeah. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”

  “I can’t believe she did that.” She’d put a spin on the Blue and the Avengers situation that didn’t hang him out to dry. He scratched the stubble on his chin. “Why would she do that?”

  “Because she’s not a bitch. She’s perfect for you. I keep telling you.” Cora flounced off, crooning to Brutus.

  “She made you look like you knew what you were doing all along.” Amber grinned. “I want to give you a raise.”

  “On the video…” It was surreal to watch him interact with those women. “I’m nothing like Dad.” And wasn’t that a relief? He’d developed a healthy respect for his father, despite his faults, and now he felt better about himself.

  “I’m glad we’re over that argument.” Amber studied him closely. “You’re still with me, right? You’re going to be the relationship coach for the Foundation permanently?”

  Blue recalled the letter he’d received from his father at the reading of the will, the one requesting he watch out for the family. It didn’t seem like such a burden now. In fact, Amber seemed to be the one watching out for him lately.

  “Blue? Do you want to do this? If you say yes, it means you won’t have a neat and tidy life where you’re in control of your image or your schedule.”

  “It means people will see what they want to see,” Blue said slowly. It wouldn’t bother him if the people he valued saw who he truly was. “I understand. And yes, I want to work here – for you. Not just for the inheritance money, but because I think I’m wired to do it.” It felt right to say it out loud.

  “Good.” Amber looked relieved. She p
ulled out something from her desk drawer. “I know this is corny, but it’s an official life coaching card. Dad set up certain life coaches who aren’t very orthodox and when you run across them you’ll need to present this to get a straight answer out of them.” She handed him a laminated business card with his name on it.

  It didn’t look like anything special. “Who would want to see this?”

  “Lyle Lincoln, for one, although he’s a bit off the reservation.”

  “That’s for sure.”

  “And Senge, although Dad wasn’t behind that offer the sex swami made you.” She dug in her desk for something else. “If you really want to get rid of Mr. Jiggles, you can.”

  “Not a chance. I don’t care what color he is. He’s mine.”

  The little dog ran up and put his front legs on Blue’s calf as if grateful he had a permanent home.

  The phones started ringing again – cell phones, land lines.

  Amber pointed at the phone. “This is one sign of your success. But this is from Dad.” She handed him a sealed envelope.

  Blue took it with suddenly sweaty palms. The last time he’d opened a letter from Dad, his entire life was turned upside-down.

  While he opened it, Amber closed her office door. “I hope you’ll share it with me.”

  “Let me read it first.”

  Dear Blue,

  If you’re reading this, you’ve passed my test. You’re qualified to be a life coach, although you may still have a sales quota to reach.

  Pardon my callousness for not apologizing in person. I have known for years I wasn’t the father you deserved.

  But you passed! You’ve discovered there’s more to love than the physical and that the lasting relationships are the most enriching – worth more than a large bank account.

  He certainly had that right. Blue would give up his inheritance for a second chance with Maddy.

  By learning about love, you’ve learned about communication – something even I regret not mastering. Those you love deserve timely honesty. I am truly proud of you, son.

  The last lesson I hope you learn is Courage. It takes guts to live a full life and lead a family as large as ours. Sometimes you have to go to extremes – embarrassing extremes – to protect your family and their livelihood. I chose Amber as C.E.O. because I knew you’d be better suited to bring the rest of the family into the fold.

  “The rest of the family?” Blue glanced up at Amber.

  She swore and reached for the letter. “Let me see.”

  Blue held it back and continued reading.

  There are other Rules. And when you, Amber, and Cora set the Foundation to rights, my legal counsel will begin introducing you to my other progeny, who will need you more than they ever needed me.

  With all my love, Dad.

  He handed the letter to Amber. She scanned it. “If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him.” She glanced heavenward. “Really?”

  “We’ll have to tell Cora,” Blue said, dazed.

  “We can’t tell her. Because of the will, we’re not allowed.”

  “Amber.” Blue leaned forward. “We have siblings out there. They could be struggling financially. They could be messed up from Dad’s influence, like we were.”

  Amber swore again. “Okay, we’ll tell her, but not just yet. And we’ll hire a private investigator – ”

  “No. We’ll tell Cora this and give her the secrets to life coaching.” Blue ignored Amber shaking her head. “We can’t wait eight months for her to inch toward her quota on gut instinct. She’s ruined my life!” Or at least his relationship with Maddy, although he couldn’t blame that all on Cora either. “Think about this. Are you willing to roll the dice on Cora’s ability to meet her quota without ruining the reputation of the Foundation? If not, we tell her. We train her. And we find the rest of our family.”

  “It’s wrong. The will – ”

  “If Dad kept this from us, he may be keeping their parentage from them. That’s wrong. He said himself he wasn’t a good father. We can make this right. We have to.”

  He was out of arguments, but that was okay. Amber agreed.

  Which still left him with the conundrum of Maddy.

  Maddy sat on her balcony sipping coffee, enjoying her first morning away from her computer in days.

  Of course, the phone had to ring.

  Ivan was livid. “What succubus convinced you to post my pilot on that website?”

  “I had to do it.” She had to show Blue and the world how she saw him. They didn’t have a future together, but she’d always have a fond place for him in her heart. It was a parting gift. Maybe the next woman he met would have a chance with him. “I gave them twenty-four hour exclusivity. Think of this as free promo.”

  Behind her in the apartment, Vera made a salad to take to work, chopping something crunchy.

  “We gain nothing from this,” Ivan railed. “It’s a deal breaker. And the production quality was crap.”

  “It’s fine.” A strange calm had settled over her. “Your computer monitor is old.”

  “The lighting was crap,” Ivan shouted, not to be consoled. “Blue’s face was washed out. He looked like a vampire.”

  “To you, maybe.” To her he looked angelic, maybe even a little glittery.

  “The sound quality was crap. And you used sub-titles? Are you kidding me?”

  “I used them sparingly. They do it on television all the time now. People are more forgiving nowadays.”

  “I’m not.” She heard something in the background. “What? Amy, I told you not to disturb me.” Another mumble of words. “Who? Shit. Maddy, I’ll call you back.”

  So, the verdict was in. Maddy’s career in the entertainment business was over. She’d given it her best shot, but posting the pilot was the right thing to do.

  She was destined for a life in dry cleaning. She’d call her parents later today and tell them she’d be moving back to Sherman Oaks at the end of the month. She’d miss Vera and downtown Beverly Hills and celebrity sightings. She’d –

  Her phone rang.

  “You are so fucking lucky,” Ivan said when she picked up. “That was Bravo. They loved the fucking pilot. I’ll have our legal department work out the details and get back to you in a couple of days.”

  Maddy couldn’t breathe. Her entertainment career was finally taking off. She wouldn’t be pressing shirts the rest of her life. She’d be behind the camera and in the editing room. She’d be working with interesting, talented people.

  And then she realized she’d have to see Blue again. On a daily basis.

  A strange numbness crept up her legs.

  A drink was called for.

  She went back inside to spike her coffee, pausing to look at the calendar, because her stupid brain was already working on production schedules.

  Written on yesterday’s block were the words: pawn shop.

  She gripped the countertop. Poppa Bert. She’d forgotten. The last few days had been a blur of editing and re-editing. She’d hardly left her computer to eat.

  The bonus for the pilot. She needed it. Now. Today.

  If Juan hadn’t sold the albums.

  Fingers shaking, Maddy fumbled with her cell phone.

  Vera glanced up from slicing a red bell pepper. “What’s wrong?” When Maddy didn’t answer, she came to stand next to her.

  “Juan, it’s Maddy. I know I’m a day late, but – ”

  “I sold them, Maddy. I’m sorry, chica. I told you I would.”

  Maddy couldn’t speak. She hung up the phone and threw her arms around Vera.

  Poppa Bert was gone.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Cora waved her cell phone at Blue.

  “Yes. Can you just film me?” Ivan had called earlier to let Blue know they were closing a deal on the reality show. It only made his need to apologize to Maddy more urgent. And since he couldn’t get to her in person…

  “This is really pathetic,” Cora said.

  “Shut up an
d tell me when you’re ready.”

  They stood in the office where Maddy had done the initial interviews with his exes. Maddy had said the light in the room was good. He hoped it meant she’d be able to see his face and the sincerity in his eyes.

  “Fine.” Cora aimed her phone at him. “Action.”

  Blue hesitated. He was used to Maddy’s voice setting things in motion.

  “And…action,” Cora said again.

  “Right. I’m Blue Rule, from the Dooley Foundation.” His voice sounded as if he hadn’t had water for days. He swallowed. “It’s long past time I set the record straight. I’m the man the Playboy Avengers targeted.” Words he’d never thought to say. “And I deserved their scorn. I was attracted to their beauty and I swept them off their feet. I pampered them and treated them like princesses. But I wasn’t honest. I didn’t make them promises for the future in words. Unwittingly, I made promises with my actions. And they judged my actions to mean I was interested in putting a ring on their finger.”

  Behind her phone, Cora frowned.

  Blue kept going, gaining steam with each admission of guilt. “Relationships are based on all kinds of communication. Intercourse doesn’t just mean sex. Don’t get me wrong, sex has been important to me.” Sex had been too important to him. “But looking into your lover’s eyes and talking, sharing your hopes for the future, and exposing your fears is more important. It’s the key to trust. Trust unlocks and strengthens love. I only wish I hadn’t learned this too late.”

  Cora’s expression turned thoughtful.

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be as talented a life coach as my father was.” Blue kept his voice level. It was still a concept he found hard to accept, but it was the truth in both good and bad ways. “But let me be clear. I’m going to try to make him proud.”

  Cora gave him a thumbs up.

  “My dad taught me with hard lessons. But sometimes the most important things to learn aren’t made easily. Sometimes it takes someone leaning across a desk and telling you in no uncertain terms that you’re an idiot.”