“What you’re supposed to do is make her come to you. And I know just how to make that happen. She thinks you’re keeping her as some dirty little secret, right? Like you’re ashamed of her? Well, it’s a good thing you have access to a billboard. Call the art department.” Jason makes an impatient gesture with his hands when I don’t move fast enough.
“The art department?” I pull out my cell phone and dial my marketing director automatically. “What am I supposed to tell them?”
Jason smiles and rubs his hands together. “Tell them you need a picture of the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen. As big as they can make it.”
A slow smile crosses my face as I realize what he’s suggesting. “Make her come to me, huh? Well, it’s worth a try. If this works, I’ll consider us even.”
23
* * *
As usual morning comes too early and I’m caught between wanting to pretend I’m still asleep and getting up so I can get some housework done for my mom. Decisions. Decisions. I really want to help my mom out around the house while I’m here but this bed feels so good.
I convince myself that five more minutes won’t hurt. Thirty seconds later I concede defeat. My mind is already awake.
When I open my eyes, I smile at the image of my favorite band when I was in high school. “Good morning, Harry. How’s it hanging, Niall?”
The poster tacked on my ceiling has been there for almost ten years now. At this point it’s a classic. Maybe I should have it framed.
These guys are the only reason I’ve been getting any sleep at all since I came back home. Being in my old room gave me a sense of safety that I definitely needed. There’s no chance any reporters or paparazzi will show up in Gracewell. People here might be judgmental but when the chips are down, we don’t like outsiders messing with one of our own.
Any reporters that step foot in the city limits are at risk of getting a round of buckshot in the ass. Or at least that’s what Mr. Hillcrest who lives right outside the city limits always threatens when anyone bothers him.
I check the alarm clock next to the bed. It’s still early. My mom won’t be awake for hours. She’s still working the night shift so I only see her in the afternoon. When I first arrived, she wanted to request time off so she could stay home with me but I made her promise not to. There’s no reason she should burn through her vacation time when really, the decisions I need to make, I have to make alone.
After a quick shower, I walk down the hall to the kitchen. The coffee pot has already come on automatically so I pour a cup. I’m in the mood for chocolate chip pancakes so I pull out the ingredients as quietly as possible and start mixing.
It’s so weird to have time to make a leisurely breakfast but I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts.
James was very kind when I asked for a leave of absence. When I first approached him I was sure that he would just suggest that I don’t come back at all. But surprisingly, he was very understanding and seemed personally offended that the person who sold the picture must be a Mirage employee. He assured me they’re doing everything they can to help Andre’s investigator nail down the culprit but I kind of tuned out at that point.
I’m trying really hard not to think about Andre at all.
I’m in the middle of frying bacon when my mom comes in.
“That smells wonderful.”
“Morning, Mom. I’m sorry if I woke you. I was trying to be quiet.”
“You were. But I was already awake.”
She takes out a bowl of fruit and cuts some for both of us. I plate the pancakes and then put two pieces of bacon on top of each. We sit at the small dinette in the kitchen.
“It’s been so nice to have this time with you, even if I hate the reason why. When do you have to go back?”
“Tomorrow. When everything happened, my boss told me to take the rest of the week off. I thought that was pretty generous.”
“It was. They’re paying you even though you’re not working?”
“Yeah. They’ve been really good to me there. And I’m learning a lot.” Neither of us mentions what else happened last week. “But I’m going to miss you. It’s been nice to be home.”
“Home will always be here, Casey. But hiding out won’t make your problems go away.”
“It was so awful, Mom. All those people online posting hateful things. I just don’t know if I can live like that.”
“The question is can you live without him? Because that’s what’s at stake here. You looked at that man like you were in love. Are you willing to let hateful people who hide behind their keyboards dictate your life?”
“It’s not just about my life. What if he’d asked me to marry him?“