As the manager flips on the lights, my phone buzzes in my hand, alerting me to a message from Drew.
Scrubbing my face, I laugh. Fine, at least one person cares about my dating status.
Can I be ur mystery woman, Joshy-poo?
Suck it, turd, I type back. Don’t forget dinner this weekend!
After I’m done reviewing my notes with the theater manager, the sun is still bright along the horizon when I get to my car.
My phone buzzes again, this time with a text from Spencer.
My house NOW.
Does anyone care that it’s the middle of the workday? Not my brother, apparently.
I’m busy, I text.
Immediately, a call comes in. Without preamble, I hear, “I know he’s your friend, but seriously, can’t you get a handle on him?”
“Hello to you too, Spence. I see your political career has made you remember all the niceties of conversation.”
“Goddamn it, Josh. You need to help me.”
“And who are you talking about?”
“Drew. He tags along with you to every event, and he’s always wasted. One stupid story ends up in the news, and I’ve lost.”
I snort. “Then why the hell did you invite that gossip blogger? Gary’s an ass. Did you see what he wrote about me this morning? He’s the one who will ruin you. Not Drew.”
“I’m sorry the news is so slow that Portland has to be entertained with your dating status.”
“Hey, it ain’t easy being a stud.” I can tell by his laugh that he knows I’m joking. “Spence, not all of us can be the savior of the masses.”
His voice softens. “Look, I need the publicity, but I need the right kind. And you know better than I do that Drew can be bad news. He seemed like such a normal kid growing up. How did he end up being such a fuck up?”
My jaw tightens. Drew might be a mess, but he’s been there for me more than anyone in my immediate family. “That’s easy. His parents don’t give a shit about him while ours are up our asses.”
“Yeah. I get it.” Spence pauses. “But can you do me this favor? Please?”
As many times as I’ve envied Spencer, as many times as I’ve wished I was more like him, I don’t want his life. I like mine just fine. But I’ll always support him. “Okay. I’ll keep Drew away until after the election.”
The moment I say those words, though, I have a twinge of regret. I don’t like hiding my friends. Just like I don’t like hiding my girlfriend.
“Thanks, brother. This is really important to me.” He’s quiet a moment. “You always do the right thing, Josh. You know that? You always do.”
I swallow, the swelling of some emotion I can’t quite name blooming in my chest.
Because I hope I’m doing the right thing. As much as I’ve resented my family at times, I love them and want them to do well. And I’d hate for my blog to come back to bite me on the ass and hurt them in the process.
Even though AATD is doing better than it ever has, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s really worth the risk.
25
Evie
Kendall weaves us through traffic on our way to the restaurant to meet Josh and Drew. I didn’t think telling her Josh’s identity would be a big deal, but I guess I was wrong because she’s gone completely mute.
A few minutes later, I clear my throat. “Are you mad I didn’t tell you? You know I couldn’t disclose who Josh was until he said it was okay.”
She shakes her head and her thick red hair falls over her shoulder. “No, I’m not mad at you. It’s just a lot to take in.”
“You said it yourself that this should be simple. Josh and I both like each other and want to take things further. Anything outside of our relationship shouldn’t matter.”
As she pulls her BMW into the turn lane, she tilts her head to look at me. “For the typical guys you date, this is not a big deal. But you’re dating Josh freaking Cartwright, one of the heirs to the Cartwright mega-fortune and one of the biggest porn bloggers in the country. I’d say this is a big deal. Especially if any of this lands in the press.”
She mutters that last part under her breath as she returns her attention to the road.
Her words send a bolt of unease through me. “Kendall, you promised you wouldn’t utter a word of this to anyone.”
Frowning, she gives me the side-eye. “Of course I’m not telling anyone. Cross my heart, hope to die. Stick rusty needles in my eye.” That promise, the words we’ve been saying since we were kids, makes me smile. “I’m just…” She shakes her head, and silence fills the car while I wait for her to finish what she was saying.
“Just what?”
“I’m worried about all of this. I mean, his brother is running for Congress! You weren’t joking when you said Josh was a high-profile client, and people like this always have leeches who use their proximity to them for their own gain. I’d hate to see you get caught in the middle if anything went wrong.”
Ugh. This conversation is not going the way I planned.
“You and Drew are the only two people who know about Josh’s blog, and I think that secret is safe with his best friend.”
“Fine, but what about your office? It’s huge. Any number of people there could get wind of this. Your secretary always screws up my calls. You’re sure she won’t see his files and leak that info? Add the complication that you’re sleeping with a client, and this reeks of trouble.”
“Penny wouldn’t rat him out. She’d never risk her job over something like that. She’s actually a great secretary. Our phone system is ancient, and no one ever took the time to train her properly, so don’t blame her for the firm’s cheapskate ways.”
But Angela? Angela worries me.
Her grabbing my files the other day and flipping through them freaked me out. Not wanting to add to Kendall’s argument, though, I don’t mention my archnemesis.
I tap on the window. “Besides, Josh and I already decided we’d talk to my boss as soon as things calm down at my office. This week was insane.” Not a conversation I’m looking forward to having, but necessary nonetheless.
When we pull up to the curb of the restaurant, Kendall turns off the ignition and reaches for her purse to apply one more coat of lipstick. “I’m surprised Josh said it was okay to tell me who he is. If this is all so top secret.” Smacking her lips together, she glances over at me. “He really said, ‘Sure, tell Kendall who I am’?”
“This was his idea. Although… after he suggested this little get-together, I had to tell him that you already knew his first name and that he was the blogger I was representing. That definitely gave him a moment of pause. But eventually he said that I’m important to him, and if we’re going to be in each other’s lives, then he wants to know the people who matter to me because they’re important to him too.”
With her lipstick halfway to her mouth, Kendall turns to me with a wistful expression. “Damn, that’s sweet.”