“You jerk! You know this scarf is Hermes! The water stains will never come out!” Warren shrieks, changing his tone as Dave storms out of the restaurant. “Wait, darling! I can explain. He wasn’t even that good.”
I snicker as Warren runs after his beloved, soaking wet. But the way Ivy’s looking at Will—now that’s priceless. Talk about being shell-shocked. How could she not know Will’s gay? I mean, really. No straight guy cares that much about his appearance.
“It’s true, isn’t it?” Ivy stares at Will, a pained expression on her face.
“Sorry to burst your bubble,” he says, swirling the ice in his glass.
“I don’t care who you sleep with, Will, but it shouldn’t be for money,” Ivy responds, clearly troubled. “You’re not out here going to film school. You’re selling your body to the highest bidder.”
“Huh, that’s funny. You don’t care that I’m gay, just that I’m trying to earn a living off it,” he remarks snidely. “You don’t know how hard it is to make it in L.A., Ivy. There’s no way I’m going to bust my ass waiting tables when I can be making a hell of a lot more utilizing my natural assets. Hell, I’d be a fool not to.”
“Hear, hear,” I cry, mocking him. But I’ve had about enough drama for one morning. It’s time to get back to business. “I could go on about how I could strip Ben of his football scholarship and report Eric’s buddy Jack to the IRS for tax evasion, but we have a more pressing matter to discuss, namely Cassidy.”
“Real classy to speak ill of the dead,” Will responds as he spins his knife on the tablecloth.
“What, am I boring you, Will? I assure you I can tell Ivy about more of your sexcapades, if you’d like.” I smile sweetly at him as he sits back in his seat, glumly removing his hands from the table. “I think you consider yourself more of a bisexual, wouldn’t you say? I remember the time…”
“That won’t be necessary,” he replies.
Ah, it’s touching how he still wants Ivy to idolize him. He doesn’t want me to talk about our closed-door exploits that involved a lot more than a pair of pantyhose. Very well. I’ll oblige, for now.
“Turns out Cassidy isn’t as innocent as the world was led to believe.” I raise an eyebrow, goading them.
“What are you talking about?” Ivy asks somewhat reluctantly.
“I have it on very good authority that she was getting a little extra on the side, if you know what I mean.” I revel in bandying about this bit of gossip. It’s like igniting a tinderbox as Ivy and Will start talking at once.
“You’re such a liar!” Ivy cries.
“Where do you come up with this stuff?” Will asks.
“Don’t believe me? Fine. I’ll reveal the proof when the time is right, but for now, here’s what’s going to happen. Ivy, you’re going to write Cassidy’s true story, the way it should’ve been told, and Will, you’re going to work your contacts and make sure this film sees the light of day. It shouldn’t be too hard. Everyone loves a tale of a good girl gone bad.”
“And if we don’t?” Will stalls, waiting to hear just how much leverage I have on them.
“Will, I hope you survive prison because you have jailbait written all over you.” I shift my gaze over to Ivy. “And when the bank forecloses on Eric’s house and then the garden center, it’s going to be really hard supporting a newborn baby without a college degree, isn’t it? So why don’t I give you a little incentive?”
“Like what?” Ivy asks, even though she’s reluctant to engage.
“I’ll sign off on that letter. You’ll get your internship credits and move forward with your education. Whether or not you graduate is up to you, but at least you won’t be stuck in limbo anymore.” It’s what Ivy’s always wanted from me, even as she used her connection with Ryan to get it. It’s like dangling a fresh, juicy carrot in front of a starving rabbit. Of course she’s going to bite.
“And how am I going to attend class at the main campus when I have a new baby? They don’t exactly allow infants in the dorms.” Her logic is sound, but I’m already prepared for that argument.
“That’s why the term stay-at-home dad is so wonderfully appropriate, don’t you agree?” I retort, my eyes gleaming.
“And Eric and I are going to live on what in the meantime?” Ivy asks, and I can see the idea already taking shape in her mind. She wants this. I know she does.
“The royalties from the screenplay,” I remark, sliding the last piece of the puzzle into place.
“And you think Eric is going to agree to this? It’ll break his heart,” Will says, trying to get Ivy to see the light. But it’s already too late. She’s mine now.
“He doesn’t have a choice. I either do this or we lose everything,” Ivy groans, wincing in pain.
“Ivy, are you okay?” Will hurries over to her as she leans forward, nearly taking the tablecloth with her.
“So can I take that as a yes?” I loom over her prostrate form until she nods, gasping for breath. “Good. I’ll be in touch.”
I stand up and brush off my skirt as Will kneels before Ivy, urging her to calm down. She’s in some kind of distress as a puddle of red appears beneath her on the white linen chair. Oh dear, what a mess.
I unclasp my clutch and throw some bills on the table. Everyone’s distracted by Ivy’s cries. Now is the perfect time to make my escape. I slip my sunglasses onto my face and stride out of the restaurant. All I hear as I make my way out the door is Will yelling, “Can someone call an ambulance?”
I never intended for Ivy to miscarry, but if she does, she does. There’s nothing I can do about it now. I didn’t mean to get her so upset that it would put her baby’s life in danger. She really needs to grow up and learn how to handle things. I outplayed her, simple as that. Just because she couldn’t admit defeat doesn’t make me liable for whatever happens to her. She’s too high-strung for her own good. Maybe this will teach her a lesson. She needs to learn that she’s not the one in control.
I am.
Chapter Ten
Ivy
I feel warmth flow through me as I close my hand.
Someone’s holding on to me. My problems are lifted from my shoulders as I float outside of my body. It’s nice not having a care in the world. I can get used to this. It feels good.
There’s a light burning behind my eyes, but I don’t want to face it. It seems too bright, like it would hurt more than staring at the sun. I’m not in the dark, but I’m not completely in the light either. It’s like some sort of strange eclipse between worlds. Somewhere I’ve never been before. I’m intrigued. I want to stay. I want to learn more.
My ears are blocked like they’re filled with cotton. Noises are muffled and I can’t make out any of the words being said. The only thing cutting through is a beep, a metallic rhythm that sounds foreign like it doesn’t belong here. It’s too sharp, too grating, too repetitive. Why won’t it just go away and let me sleep? I’m so tired. All I want to do is rest, but that beeping noise won’t quit.
I move my head and the fingers surrounding my hand tighten, tethering me to that other world. But I don’t want to go back there. Why can’t they just leave me alone? Why are they pulling me toward that place of pain, that agony that ripped through me? I can’t believe someone would be so cruel as to make me experience that again. I give up. I surrender. I don’t want to fight anymore.
But there’s that beeping again. I can’t ignore it. It’s what is drawing me back, calling out to me through the fog. My heart recognizes and responds, beating in sync to it. What is this force and why does it have such a hold over me? Why won’t it just let me be? Why does it need me so much?
“Ivy…” I hear my name whispered through the haze. It knows who I am. It’s summoning me, but I don’t know if I want to respond. I’m too tired. I just want to sleep.
But the beeping gets stronger. It’s incessant. It won’t stop. It’s like an alarm clock I can’t turn off. It won’t let me doze. It doesn’t have a snooze button.
I
groan, moving my head, trying to twist away from the sound.
“She’s coming around,” someone says as a silhouette hovers over the light, blocking it from view. I’m scared. I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t want to leave. I feel safe here, protected. Nothing can harm me. If I wake up, I won’t be immune anymore. I’ll be barraged by pain and I don’t think I’m strong enough to deal with it anymore. I’m weaker than I’ve ever been. It’s going to crush me. I have to resist its pull. I have to.
The pressure on my hand increases again. Whoever it is refuses to let go. But I’m so wretched. I’m not worth holding on to. I’ve made a terrible mistake, one that I’ll never be able to come back from. I can’t hurt him like that. I can’t.
“Ivy, it’s me. I’m right here with you.” And then I hear his voice, and it cuts through my resistance. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. It’s all I’ve wanted to hear. “Open your eyes and come back to me. Don’t fight it.”
He wants me back even after all I’ve done to him. Does he know? Will he still love me when he finds out? Is he really here or am I imagining him? I have to find out, even if it kills me.
I follow the sound of the beeps, straining for consciousness. They are guiding me home, back to where I need to go. I’m not ready yet. It’s not my time. My story isn’t over yet. I have work left to do.
Slowly, I flutter my eyes and immediately wish I’d have kept them closed as a searing shot of light makes my retinas burn. I blink, trying to look away, and when I do I come face to face with the man I love. Any thought of wanting to stay away from him immediately vanishes. Nothing can replace the tenderness of his gaze, its warmth shooting straight to my heart.
“Hello, beautiful,” Eric says, brushing his thumb against my knuckle, my hand firmly ensconced in his.
Just looking into his eyes, it all comes rushing back. The blood. The cramping. The pressure. Our baby. Oh God, our baby.
He sees the panic flash across my face, and I feel his other hand caress my forehead. Why isn’t he saying anything? Why won’t he tell me what happened? The beeping increases. I try to find its source, but Eric holds me firmly in place.
“Shhh, calm down. Everything’s going to be okay. The baby’s fine. We just can’t have you getting all excited again.” Eric’s words comfort me like nothing else can. I relax against his hand, squeezing his in return. I try to speak, but my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. I can’t utter a word.
“It’s all right, Miss Thompson. Just take some deep breaths for me,” an unfamiliar voice instructs me. “Your heartbeat is steady. We need to keep it that way.”
“Listen to the doctor, Ivy. You don’t have to say anything. Just breathe, okay?” Eric smiles down at me, his eyes moist with the tears that are threatening to fall.
I nod slightly and try to swallow. My mouth is so dry. I move my other arm, but it’s connected to some kind of wire. It tugs uncomfortably against my skin, so I stop what I’m doing and just lie still, concentrating on my breathing. Our baby is still here with me. I didn’t lose it. That alone fills me with a relief I can’t express.
“She’s doing good, Mr. Young. You can stay in here with her, but keep the talking to a minimum. I need her to rest for the sake of the baby. We’re not out of the woods yet.” The doctor rustles through a chart before reading the screen that’s monitoring my vitals.
“I won’t disturb her. I promise.” Eric’s voice is gruff as he tries not to give in to his emotions in front of her.
“She’s already doing better, knowing you’re here. Her heart rate is where I’d like it to be, and it seems like she’s responding well to the oxygen. Just keep her comfortable and I’ll be back to check on her in an hour.” The doctor gives Eric a quick nod before exiting the room.
We’re finally alone.
“Oh, Ivy…” he murmurs, pressing his lips against my temple. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
I want to respond, but I already feel the tug of sleep pulling me under. I can’t keep my eyes open as the image of his face drifts out of my vision. The beeping of my heart is lulling me to sleep. I can’t resist its call.
***
I’m in the void until I hear Eric’s voice again.
“You’re telling me you had no idea she was behind this? C’mon, what kind of idiot do you take me for?”
He sounds mad. I don’t know how long I’ve been out, but I don’t want to wake up to him like this, even though he has every right to be angry.
“I’m telling you, I didn’t know it was her. No one did.”
It’s Will. Eric’s fighting with Will. I have to stop them from arguing. We need to stick together. Now is not the time to turn on each other. But it feels like lead weights are holding my eyes shut. I’m starting to drift again. No, I have to hold on. They can’t keep fighting like this.
“So basically she threatened Ivy in front of a restaurant full of witnesses and then simply waltzed out the door before anyone could stop her? I find that hard to believe.” Eric’s voice is low but deadly.
“I got scared when I saw the blood. My sole focus was on Ivy. I didn’t think she’d bolt. I mean, who does shit like that?” Will whispers back.
“But if you had detained her, we could have pressed charges for endangering the life of the baby.” Eric seems frazzled, like he’s grasping at straws. He begins to get more agitated. “She’s all about maintaining her image.”
“Lower your voice, man. Do you really want that nurse coming back in here, telling us to keep it down?” Will warns, jiggling the blinds as he peers out the window. “I don’t do hospital rooms. You’re lucky I’m even here. I’m already starting to feel claustrophobic.”
“This isn’t about you, asshole, in case you haven’t noticed.” Eric gets closer to the bed and his hand finds my cheek. I move my mouth, but my lips are chapped and nothing comes out.
“Oh, I think it is,” Will says then changes his tune when Eric shoves his chair, getting to his feet. “Listen, I’m sorry about what happened to Ivy. I really am, but this whole thing isn’t just about the two of you. There are other people involved too. We have to think this through and decide what we’re going to do as a team.”
“But how could you just sit there and let Lauren goad her like that? I mean, you had to have noticed that Ivy was in distress. Why couldn’t you be a man and get Lauren to stop?” Eric’s voice is heated, but he retakes his seat.
“I was overwhelmed.” Will paces in front of the bed. “Lauren was coming at us from every direction. It was like being pinned against a wall while facing a firing squad. My head was spinning. I didn’t even realize Ivy was in trouble until—”
“Until it was almost too late,” Eric cuts him off.
“But the baby’s fine. Nothing happened,” Will responds a little too cheerfully.
“You know that’s not true. Ivy is going to have to be closely observed for the remainder of her pregnancy in order to ensure the health of the baby. They’re even recommending bed rest from this point forward. So don’t even think she’s going to be working on some damn screenplay in order to save your ass.” Eric sounds tough, but I know he’s scared out of his mind. The thought of losing another baby must be eating him up inside.
“It’s not just my ass and you know it,” Will counters, braving his wrath. “We can limit her hours. I can do the typing. All she has to do is lie there. Just as long as we get the pages to Lauren, we’ll be okay.”
“So you’ve been in contact with her?” Eric grunts. “Why am I not surprised?”
“She called me back after I left her a message about Ivy,” Will protests, turning around as his shoe squeaks loudly on the tiled floor. “I had to know what was going on and how she was going to play this.”
“And?” Eric asks dryly.
“She gave me the whole false sincerity bullshit, but she expects us to get back on schedule once Ivy is released from the hospital.” Even Will sounds defeated as he pats my leg beneath the blanket. “There
’s no getting out of it. She’s not going to let us walk away. She thinks that if Ivy can breathe then she can write.”
“I can’t fucking believe this,” Eric mumbles, his voice muffled as he holds his head in his hands.
“Tell me about it,” Will groans. “It took us months to come up with the first draft and she’s only giving us until Christmas, basically a little over eight weeks to turn it around. It’s going to be virtually impossible in Ivy’s fragile condition, but try telling her that. As soon as Ivy gets back on her feet, she’s going to want to do it. She’ll think she can swoop in and save the both of us.”
“And what’s gnawing at me is that we might not have a choice. If Lauren starts calling in my loans, I can’t repay them. Everything’s going to collapse like a house of cards. I can’t bring this baby into the world without any means of supporting it. She has us, plain and simple.” Eric says, sounding confused and out of options.
“You really think she has that much sway over the bank manager?” Will asks, filling a glass from a pitcher of water positioned somewhere near my head.
“Sway? Her stepdad sits on the board of directors. You might as well say he owns the bank. If I default, it’ll hurt my credit rating across the board. I might not be able to purchase new inventory next spring. I’ll be dead in the water. I’m barely hanging on as it is. One ripple like that and it’s all over.” Eric shifts in the chair, rustling the cushion beneath him.
“Ivy knew her stepdad long before Lauren did. She even mentioned to me once how much he liked her when she was still friends with Ryan. Do you really think he’d ruin her like that?” Will questions before nervously gulping down the water.
“That’s the thing. He wouldn’t be ruining her. He’d be ruining me—the guy who created a public spectacle kissing his stepdaughter, the guy who stole Ivy then beat up his son. Yeah, I don’t think he’d have any problem burying me,” Eric admits, sitting back in the chair with a sigh.
Meant for Me (Take Me Now) Page 9
