Bottle It Up: (A Between the Pines Novel)

by Lisa Shelby

  “You got something?” Max asks him before he’s hung up.

  “Maybe. The pictures were sold to a celebrity photo agency who sells them to the highest bidder. So I have to work backward. My contact at Online Buzz told me the agency they bought the pictures from, and luckily, I know a couple of the paps over there. So I’m gonna head into your office to start making calls if that’s cool with you, Josh.”

  “Of course. Thanks, Jace. I really appreciate it.”

  “I know you do.” He smiles at Josh. His eyes project just as much love as Josh’s do. I’m such an ass for thinking for even a split second Jace could be the person behind all of this.

  “What about Eastlyn?”

  Huh?

  Why is Josh asking Max about Eastlyn?

  “I have connections in Portland that are a few hours away, but I’ll reach out to them as well as the local authorities. We’ll be sure things are secured there too.”

  “Why, what’s going on in Eastlyn?”

  “We’re just taking precautions, Emmy.”

  “What was on the text?” I ask the room, only to be met with silence.

  When nobody answers me, I stand, holding my hand out to Max. “Give me my phone.”

  He hands it over to me, but the text is already deleted from my phone.

  “What was it?”

  “Miss Ford. We’re still verifying if it is a recent picture or not. We think it’s old and just being used as a scare tactic. Let us clarify things before we share the details with you. We don’t want to upset you if it’s just smoke and mirrors.”

  Yes, I see the pleading in his eyes, but I don’t care. I’m not a fragile woman who can’t handle the truth.

  “Don’t leave me in the dark on this.”

  Josh pulls me into his side. “Let’s get changed out of all of this bullshit, and I’ll fill you in, okay? We won’t leave you in the dark. Let’s just give Hopper and his team some time to do a little research. I promise I’ll fill you in.”

  “Fine, but tonight. No exception.”

  He looks at Max before he relents. “I promise. Let’s just give them some time. But it will be me who tells you. Is that clear to everyone?”

  Everyone in the room nods their agreement.

  Max and his team spend the next few minutes going over how we’re going to clear the hair and makeup team, not to mention Josh’s stylist for tomorrow’s prep for the movie premier with Sibby on speakerphone. Josh will fill Jace in later, and in no time flat, a plan is in motion. Sibby has her role just as the rest of us do.

  Max asks his team to convene in the security room, which is just a bedroom with an en suite that was originally built to be live-in quarters for a housekeeper or nanny, but Josh doesn’t require any of his staff to live on-site, so Reeves turned it into their home base. It also houses all the monitors.

  I now know that Max sits at the island because he can see all the cameras on his laptop not requiring him to be in the security room to monitor things. He may be running his business, but he’s also keeping an eye out. Of course, I also now know that he sits at the kitchen island to be closer to me.

  And that feels great.

  Smith and Cleveland leave the room, but Reeves hangs back to let Josh know he’s going to stay on-site tonight before he leaves the room Max following behind him.

  “Hey, Hopper. A word?”

  Max is almost out of the room when Josh stops him. I break into a sweat, my heartbeat picking up speed as I wonder what in the world he has to say to him.

  “Sir?”

  “Listen, I just want to say how sorry I am for behaving the way I did yesterday when Emmett told me she had met someone. I was an asshole, and even though she’s already forgiven me, I hope you will as well?”

  He extends his hand out to Max. I swear it feels the same as watching my dad and my high school boyfriend meet for the first time.

  “No need to apologize, and there’s nothing to forgive, Mr. West.”

  Not releasing his hand, the Josh I’ve given two years of my life up for says, “You make her happier than I’ve seen her in a very long time. Take care of our girl.” Letting go of Max’s hand, he turns to me. “I’ll give you two a minute. Come find me when you’re done.”

  “Thank you,” I whisper.

  His thumb wipes a tear from my cheek. “No tears. Come find me once you've changed, and we’ll watch Friends until we fall asleep. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  Josh leaves the room, and the right corner of Max’s mouth lifts, easing the insecure anxiousness that was creeping in. “You told him about me?”

  “Well, he saw you sneaking out this morning and kind of busted us. But yes, he knows everything, sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. If I had my way, the whole world would know.”

  “Are there cameras in here?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “So the guys can see us on the monitor right now?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Can they hear us?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “I really want to touch you right now.”

  “Miss Ford, I know exactly what you mean.”

  “I suppose since Reeves is staying over tonight, you won’t be sneaking in my room?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Text me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He lowers his head, bowing to me as if I’m some kind of royalty and starts to leave the room. But then I remember he hadn’t been there tonight because he got his son at the last minute.

  “Hey, Max?”

  He turns back to me.

  “I thought you had Nick tonight. Where is he, if you’re here?”

  “He’s in the security room.”

  I gasp, a thrill rushing through me at the thought of meeting his son.

  “He’s here?”

  His brows furrow ever so slightly. “Is that a problem, Miss Ford?”

  “Not at all. In fact, I’d love to meet him.”

  “Ma’am, I think it might be a bit odd if you were to follow me to the security room to meet my son.”

  “Well, I don’t need to follow you. I know the way. Besides, he doesn’t need to be in there while you guys discuss what was so horrible you couldn’t even let me see it. I’ll take him to the kitchen and get him a snack. We can go to the theater room and watch a movie until you’re done.”

  He smiles. “We won’t be meeting long enough for you to watch a movie, but I’m sure he would love a snack.”

  “Great!”

  I may portray confidence leaving Max to trail behind me as I march through the halls of the house, but I should be the one with the Oscar. Anxious doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel about meeting the most important person in Max’s life.

  Rounding the corner to the short hallway, I enter the open door at the end of it, and there he is. Spinning around in an office chair, he’s adorable. The spitting image of his father, he has long, gangly ten-year-old legs and feet he hasn’t quite grown into yet, but that indicate he’ll be tall like his daddy. His hair is brown, just like his dad’s, but he’s got a faux hawk that says he’s cool and maybe a little rebellious but not such a rebel that he’d actually go full Mohawk.

  Seeing him in person made the fact that Max is a dad all too real.

  Getting to the room before Max, I don’t waste any time, so I don’t chicken out. “You must be Nick? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Emmett.”

  I offer him my hand, and the sweet boy stands politely, shaking my hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “I’m here to rescue you from the boring work that’s about to be discussed. How does ice cream sound?”

  His eyes grow large, but he looks at his dad for permission first.

  “Fine, but only one scoop.”

  He turns his steely gaze on me, trying to appear firm, but all it does is turn me on to see him in his role as dad.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Miss Ford, it’s late. One sc
oop, no more,” he warns.

  “Yes, sir.”

  The corner of his mouth fights the smile he wants to release when I call him sir, but with an audience of his employees standing a couple of feet away, he manages to win the battle.

  “Come on, Nick. Let’s leave your dad and the guys to their work while we go have our one”—I give him a conspiratorial wink—“scoop of ice cream.”

  As I usher the sweet brown-haired boy out of the small dark room full of monitors, the fear creeps in. I’ve never been so nervous to make a good first impression. He takes a couple of small steps ahead of me, then turns and waits for me to reach him. For a few short moments, the only sound is the swishing of my dress as it swings back and forth while I try to think of what to say first, but Nick breaks the silence before I get a chance.

  “So is Mr. West here too? My dad said this was his house. Is that true?”

  Damn, it’s always about Josh.

  “Yes, this is his house, and yes, he’s here. Should we see if he wants to have some ice cream too?”

  He shrugs, playing off the excitement I can see brewing under the surface. I’ve seen it a million times before. The feeling is almost palpable.

  “This house is huge,” he says with quiet awe.

  “Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve gotten lost more than once. It’s way too big, if you ask me.”

  “Whoa.”

  Yep, kiddo. That was my reaction the first time I saw this place.

  When we reach the kitchen, I pat the counter where Max’s laptop usually takes up residence. “Here, have a seat while I get our ice cream.”

  I wish I had my phone so I could text Josh and have him come back down to meet Nick. If there were ever a time I would be willing to use Josh for his fame, this would be it. Even without the fame, his charm and ease with people might make things a little easier.

  “Sorry we ruined your night with your dad.”

  “You didn’t ruin it!” He spins in his chair and looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “I’m hanging out in Josh West’s house. I mean, how cool is that?”

  “Pretty cool?”

  “Uh, you could say that. It’s sure better than going to Dad’s office. That’s usually the only place he takes me. Not that he’s been working in the office much. This is a lot more fun, that’s for sure. Besides, I was already in bed, so you won’t hear me complaining.”

  “Does your dad usually take you to the office a lot?” I ask while reaching for bowls to add to the ice cream and spoons I already have out.

  “Dad and I do everything together. It’s been strange with him working here at Josh’s house, but he says this is a really important job.”

  “He said that?”

  He’s up on his knees trying to look around the house, I’m sure to catch a glimpse of Josh, when he answers me, but he’s not really paying attention. “Yep.”

  Along with his bowl and one giant scoop of vanilla ice cream, I also slide chocolate sauce and a can of whipped cream in front of him.

  “Your dad said one scoop, but he didn’t say anything about toppings. I forgot to ask. Do you like vanilla?”

  He chuckles and lifts his hand for a high five. “That is the biggest scoop I’ve ever seen! Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome,” I say, slapping his hand.

  Taking a seat across from him, I try not to stare, but it’s like watching Max as a little boy.

  I can’t take my eyes off him. Now that I’m up close, I can see that he has his dad’s hazel eyes and the longest lashes. He’s a beautiful little boy.

  His lashes lift, and he looks right at me when he asks the question I had been dreading.

  “So is Mr. West your boyfriend?”

  Shit!

  I want to yell, “No! Your daddy is my boyfriend!” but of course I can’t.

  I’m struggling to come up with an answer that isn’t a lie but also isn’t the truth when Josh enters the room and saves the day.

  “Well, who do we have here?”

  Nick’s eyes grow big, and his full mouth of ice cream hangs open, unable to answer.

  “Josh, this is Hopper’s son, Nick.”

  Now it’s Josh’s eyes that bulge. “No shit?”

  “Josh, language!”

  Looking sheepish, he mouths his apology to me.

  “Hey, Nick, how the heck are you, man? It’s nice to meet you.”

  Suddenly quiet, Nick takes Josh’s outstretched hand, and says, “Hi, Mr. West. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Well, with manners like that, I’d say your dad is doing a pretty good job.” He lifts an impressed eyebrow in my direction. “But please, call me Josh.”

  A smile stretches across his face, and I’d say this is much better than going into his dad’s office.

  “So, how old are you, Nick?”

  “Ten.”

  “So what grade would that be? Fifth?”

  “Yep.”

  “What’s your favorite subject?”

  “Social Studies.”

  “Nice. You get good grades?”

  “Yes, Dad will take away my X-Box if not.”

  “Your dad sounds like a smart guy.”

  “He is. He has his own company and everything.”

  “He sure does.” Josh shoots me a small smile, recognizing how cute it is that Nick is bragging about his dad. “And lucky for me, he’s helping me out. Sorry we interrupted your night, though.”

  “That’s okay. Miss Ford gave me the biggest scoop of ice cream ever, and your house is pretty epic.”

  “Hey, why didn’t you get me any ice cream, Miss Ford?” he teases me with a smile.

  “Here, have mine. I’m not hungry, after all. Besides, I’m wearing Chanel. I shouldn’t tempt fate.” I push the bowl over to where he stands at the end of the island between Nick and me.

  I’d give him anything he wants right now as long as he keeps this easy conversation going with Nick.

  “Dude, hit me with that chocolate sauce.” Nick slides the plastic bottle to Josh, and he proceeds to douse my ice cream in chocolate. “Don’t tell my trainer.” He winks in the ten-year-old’s direction.

  “So, got a girlfriend?”

  Nick blushes, his full mouth fighting the giant smile trying to break free when he shakes his head vigorously.

  “How about your dad? Does he have a girlfriend?”

  I gasp in shock, and I can feel my eyes bugging out even more than Nick’s did when Josh walked into the room.

  I smack him on his arm. “Josh!” But Nick has no problem answering the question.

  “I don’t think so, but he seems really happy lately. Kinda like my mom did when she first met her boyfriend. So maybe?” He shrugs.

  “Do you like your mom’s boyfriend?”

  I don’t hit him this time, but I shoot him a warning glare. He looks at me confused as though he doesn’t know what I’m freaking out about.

  “He’s okay. He has season tickets to the Lakers, and sometimes when he can’t go, he’ll give mom and I the tickets.”

  “So he’s nice to you?”

  “Yep. He’s nice, and the more he’s around, the more I get to see my dad, so that’s cool.”

  Josh casually eats but keeps asking all the questions I would have been too afraid to ask.

  “Why do you get to see your dad more?”

  “Mom and Dad don’t really like babysitters, so if mom is out with Randall, then I get to stay at Dad’s even if it’s not his night. As long as he’s not out of town. Then they have the sitter come over.”

  “You like your sitter?”

  “She’s cool. She likes video games. I’d rather be with Dad and Molly, but she’s not bad.” Another shrug.

  Aw, he loves his daddy.

  “What else do you like besides video games? You look pretty tall. You like sports?”

  “Basketball is my fave. I’m on a travel league.”

  “Whoa. Travel league is no joke. You must be good?”

  Nick blushe
s. “I’m pretty good, but don’t tell Dad I said that. He says it’s not nice to brag.”

  “Your secret’s safe with me. How about you, Emmett? You won’t tell his dad, will you?”

  Josh is trying to involve me in the conversation because at the moment, I’m just sitting here observing them like a tennis match. My head goes to Josh in fear of what he might ask and then over to Nick, waiting with bated breath for his answer.

  “Promise.”

  “Hey, Nick? You know who was a stud basketball player?”

  “Who, you?”

  “Nah, I was a baseball guy, but Emmett here was all-state in high school.”

  “Really?” He furrows his little brow, skeptical.

  “Don’t let her fancy dress fool you. She’s a badass.”

  “Language!” I scold him again.

  Nick laughs. “It’s okay; I hear my mom and dad cuss all the time.”

  It’s then I realize I’m still in my dress and heels from the gala, whereas Josh is in sweat shorts and a T-shirt.

  So not fair.

  “Chocolate sauce and whipped cream? Really? I thought I was pretty clear.”

  Hopping off my chair, I stand at attention addressing Nick’s daddy. “You said one scoop. You didn’t say a thing about toppings.”

  “Semantics, Miss Ford.”

  He’s trying to be firm, but there’s a smile in his voice and a softness in his eyes.

  “Next time, you’ll have to be more clear.”

  He shakes his head, but I can tell he’s happy to see us all getting along.

  “Well, things are in order, so we should get out of your hair. Take your bowl to the sink and rinse it out, buddy.”

  “Aw, do we have to go?”

  “Nicholas...”

  “Okay, okay.” Nick slides off his chair and heads to the sink.

  “You’ve got a pretty cool kid there, Hopper.”

  “Thanks, Mr. West. I would have to agree with you.”

  Josh gives him a nod, and Max replies with a barely-there one of his own.

  The moment gives me goose bumps.

  The sounds of Nick rinsing out his bowl come to an end, and he joins his dad near the kitchen entrance.

  “Thanks for that one scoop of ice cream, Miss Ford.” He beams, and so do I.

  We already have our own little inside joke or secret, or whatever it is. The point is we have it.

  “You’re very welcome. It was nice to meet you.”