I stomp my feet against the wet matt and start to pluck off my gloves. As I do, I see Adam coming down the lobby staircase alone.
Great, just what I need. I hope he doesn’t see me.
He stops midway just as I’m about to turn my back on the staircase.
I look away from him as he continues down the stairs, reaching me just as I yank my hat off my head. I begin to unwrap my scarf from around my neck.
“How was the maple thing?” He asks, his hands sliding into the pockets of his black trousers. He gives me a wide smile as he waits for me to answer.
“Great, fun,” I answer, “excuse me.” I move around him, stomping more snow off my boots. As I reach the stairs, I realize he’s right behind me.
“Where’s everyone else?”
“Still making syrup, I assume,” I answer climbing the stairs quickly. “Can I do something for you?”
“I uh, I want to talk to you about last night.” His voice drops to a whisper and I stop mid step. I sigh as I turn around to face him, he’s two steps below me and looking far from embarrassed about yesterday's behavior.
“I hope it’s to apologize,” I say coolly. “And to promise you won’t ever do that again.”
He shrugs before running a hand through his hair, “I’m sorry you ran off, sure. Dinner got really boring after that.” He snickers.
“Do you think this is funny? That...” I step off one step as a couple passes us and lower my voice. “That little game of footsie with me when your wife is sitting at the table?”
The corner of his mouth twitches into a smile. “It’s always fun when it’s done in secret.”
My mouth twists repulsively. “What?”
He chuckles at my flustered state and I run both hands through my hair. “You’re unbelievable. What’s your plan here? To use me to hurt Diana? I don’t know what’s going on in your marriage but I’m not going to be a pawn in this little game because your side chick is in L.A.”
“Don’t be stupid,” he replies, his smile disappears as he steps up closer to me. “I wouldn’t use you like that. And stop it with this side chick stuff, it’s not true.”
“I don’t care,” I suddenly realize. “Just—stay away from me for the next few days.”
All I have to do is get through two more days of this reunion and I’m free.
I won’t have to see Diana or Adam again, ever.
My feet seem to have a mind of their own, as they start to rush up the staircase.
“Jules, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I had something to tell you at the bar and I chickened out, then I had one too many drinks and acted like an idiot.”
“Stop following me,” I order him.
As we reach the top of the staircase, his hand wraps around mine boldly and I snap it away before turning to face him.
“I’m not going to stop bothering you until you listen to what I have to say,” he threatens. Before I can flip him off again, he goes on. “Diana and I aren’t working out. It’s been a mess for over a year, we barely even see each other during the week. She’s always at some party, and I book several patients a day just to keep busy.” He becomes frantic as he gestures between us, “I made a mistake four years ago with Diana. I got caught up in something new...You and I were having problems and I don’t know if—Christ, if I just wanted to escape it or what.”
I’m shot back to that first phone call three years ago, right as he agreed to the terms of our divorce. His one o’clock in the morning tearful phone-call.
“Stop it,” I demand, and both hands go over my ears. “I don’t want to hear this again.”
He pulls my hands off my ears but holds them firmly. “You agreed to meet me and you never showed up. But you agreed to meet me three years ago, and that’s how I knew you still loved me. I think you still have feelings, otherwise why would you agree to do the show? You knew Diana and I would be back, even if she said we wouldn't. You know her.”
I wretch my arms away from him. “Christ, Adam! That was three years ago! You start calling me, confessing your love and I was confused. Confused, angry and upset. I wasn’t thinking straight.” He shakes his head as if he doesn’t believe me. “You’re not thinking straight right now. And I agreed to do the show to get Reagan back, not you.”
Partly true. He doesn’t have to know I needed the money or wanted to show off how fabulous I was to the three people that broke my heart.
“I’m thinking straighter today than I have in the last few years,” he shoots back. “After you left me waiting in the hotel lobby, I thought that you did the right thing. I thought, if we started up again, I would no doubt leave you for Diana again. I thought maybe you were right to never show up, even if you still loved me. Then the years passed, everything went to shit and—and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. The phone calls. The meeting.”
His eyes drop onto mine expectantly, and the weight of them gives me goosebumps.
Neither of us moves.
I feel my stomach rumble, though, and I suddenly feel queasy.
After a moment, Adam steps closer, but keeps his hands close to his chest. “I was the one who put the reunion show idea into Diana’s head, pushed her to get the ball rolling. I knew she’d do it because she loves the attention. I did it so I could, I don’t know, win you back or something. So I could tell you I will do anything to have you back. I’ll change. I’ll sell the practice and move back to New York. Christ, I’ll even go to therapy. I love you.”
I feel my stomach spin as I look up at Adam, but his eyes skid over me and he takes a quick step away from me as I hear a set of footsteps approach us. “Hey, Simon.”
“Afternoon!” Quips my fake boyfriend. A moment later, I feel him slide an arm around my waist. “Whoa, you’re soaking wet darling.” He plants a kiss on the side of my head and I see Adam look away awkwardly.
My voice cracks as I answer him, “I walked back from the maple syrup tapping.”
“Maybe you should get into the tub,” Simon suggests giving me a playful squeeze. He smiles as he motions towards Adam, “Adam and I have to meet with the director, but we can have dinner afterwards.”
“Sounds nice,” I say, I give him a small smile but make sure to keep my eyes off Adam. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Simon smiles back, “Wonderful,”
I hurry away from the two of them as fast as my feet can carry me.
Once in my room, I call Finley.
I tell him everything, from Declan’s firing to what just happened with Adam.
I just want to go home.
“There is no way you’re leaving, Jules, no friggin’ way.”
“Fin. These people, they’re bad news. Nothing has worked out for me since I got here. I’m completely alone here!”
“You can’t break your contract again! Jules, this time they can and will sue you!”
I kick the end of the dresser beneath my television set and drop my head.
“You have less than forty eight hours,” Finley reminds me, “you just have to put up with them all until then.” He lets out a breath, “Look, if it makes you feel better just think about what Adam’s going through as karma. For what he did to you. And you’re not alone, aren’t you and Jill friendly?”
“Yeah, and I thought things with Declan where alright. I thought…I don’t know what I thought.”
There’s no way I can confess to my brother that I’m starting to get those feelings again. I run a hand through my hair. “What Diana said, about his firing...it brought up all those feelings.”
“I could see the network executives giving him the axe after what he did, sure. I remember he was up for a promotion, and he butchered it I guess.”
“But you didn’t hear about it? From anybody?”
If he was fired, it just confirms everything. He did use me, Adam, Diana. He used us and messed with us for the show.
And I’m falling for him again.<
br />
Again.
“Not that I remember. I mean, I guess I could ask around...hold on, why’s this bothering you so much? You’re loser ex-husband just confessed he wanted you back and you’re more interested in whether Declan got the sack four years ago?”
I stop pacing the suite, and hold my phone close to my lips. “I’m just, I’m just curious is all.”
“Angie says you’re hanging out with Declan a lot, and now you say things feel like they did the first time? What are you talking about?”
“Nothing, forget it,” I don’t mean to sound so defensive.
“Julie,” Finley sighs loudly on the other end. “I told you to be careful with him. I don’t know why you would ever think befriending him again after what happened is a good idea—”
“He didn’t force Adam to cheat on me with Diana, isn’t that what you said?” I remind him. “He didn’t put a gun against his head.”
“Right I said that but I also told you to keep him at arm’s length. He put the idea in Adam’s head, and he most likely put the two of them into situations where they were alone. Not everything was shown on television, remember?”
“I know.”
“He could be playing the same game; he could be pretending to be your friend just to mess with your head for the show. I bet he’s trying to get back the promotion he lost four years ago, it’s obvious his career into documentary making is going nowhere.”
But when we kissed, it felt real.
Everything with him feels real.
“Jules, think about it carefully. Think about what happened last time. How he was supposed to be your friend but he showed up to support Adam at the divorce proceedings. Adam, not you. How Adam said he told him Diana was interested and that maybe he should cut you loose.”
I drop my head into my hands.
Have I fallen for the same, stupid plot?
“You have less than two days left, after that you’re done with these people forever. You can survive two days, just stay away from Adam and Declan. Focus on your wonderful, fake boyfriend.”
I shut my eyes as I nod to myself. “Okay.”
“How’s that going by the way?”
“He’s having a meeting right now with Adam and Oscar, he loves this.”
I hear Finley smirk. “Yeah, he’s getting a great rep online. I think I can get him his own show, if he manages to keep up the charm.”
I frown as I sit back on my bed, “His own show?”
“Oh, I’m representing him now. Already have him scheduled for two talk shows and a handful of tabloid interviews,” Finley explains excitingly. “Since my number one client plans to retire in two days…”
I shake my head, “When was I ever your number one client?”
“When you were in demand...I have to go. Keep me updated the next few days alright? Simon says he’s planning something that will secure interest in the show indefinitely.”
“So I’ve heard,” I sigh.
“From who?” Fin asks.
“From Simon,” I say, but I’m quick to add, “And mom.” It’s silent on the other end. “Finley?”
“Sorry, you just surprised me. Mom told you?”
“Yes, she called me. She told me everything, Fin. Everything.”
He sighs, and I hear something thump on his end. “I told her to keep her mouth shut…”
Unbelievable.
“So mom planned all this? She called Simon and tell him what to do?”
“Before you freak out, just listen to me. I only agreed to this because what mom said was right. You got shit on last time and I wanted, we wanted, you to have a break. Simon was—is a good idea because he’s good looking, from a good family, and he promised he would be sweet and charming. Mom told him what to do, she told him when to kiss you, when to pick a fight with Adam—”
“Oh my God!” I cry. “All this time I thought it was Simon’s ideas but it was hers! She had to control everything, again, just like last time.” My blood rushes to my head and I can feel my cheeks blaze up in a rage. “What’s he meeting the producers for? Do you know? What did mom tell him to do?”
“I can’t tell you. I want to Jules, trust me I do. But I promised mom that—”
“Unbelievable. You are unbelievable. After everything you—I have to go. I can’t talk to you right now.”
I hang up and toss my phone onto my bed.
Everybody is lying to me. Well, almost everybody.
Is there anyone telling me the goddamn truth?
I can’t even believe Adam...I don’t want to believe it.
And Declan....who was apparently fired after I broke contract. That must mean everyone knows he messed with Adam’s head, and possibly mine, all those years ago. So what was that kiss about way back then? I caught Adam and Diana days after that drunken night, but they had been sneaking around for almost four months at that time.
Was that drunken night in his plans too?
I can feel the back of my head start to throb.
I need to get out of this room.
I decide to go check on Jill. Her suite is just down the hall from mine and I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts anymore. Besides, she’s the only one I can trust, it seems.
I leave my room and hurry down the hall, the last thing I need is to run into Adam again. I get to Jill’s room and knock on the door loudly. “Jill, its Julie.”
“Hold on!” She calls back.
I wait a few seconds until the door swings up and she appears. She’s in grey sweatpants and a zip up black hoodie. Her short hair pulled back by a thick headband, and she looks completely frazzled.
“Come in,” she says, moving out of the way. “How was tree tapping?”
“Not bad,” I answer, “kind of boring. I mean, Diana made it interesting flirting with Lumberjack Joe all afternoon.”
Jill lets out shrill laugh as she shuts the door behind her. “Who?”
“The guy from the shop,” I clarify as I turn to face her. “So, how were your conference calls?”
“Just fantastic,” she sarcastically replies, she sighs longingly and walks around me. “I think I can kiss the skincare line goodbye. Two investors have already backed out, and one is considering it. The worst part is Oscar was filming the entire conversation from my end. I was humiliated. He loved it though, naturally.”
Poor Jill. This isn’t fair.
I watch as she walks over to the set of couches under her television set and falls onto the armchair, disparagingly. My heart caves for her, “Is this because of Diana’s stupid rumors?”
“What else?” Jill leans forward, setting her elbows on her knees and dropping her head in her hands. “Unless my P.I. can find definite proof she started the stupid rumor, I’m backed into a corner. Rumors have taken down whole companies before.”
I can’t believe Diana’s wickedness is going to ruin another life.
I hate it.
I can’t let it happen.
“Well, maybe you can bribe her?” I suggest.
“Bribe her?” Jill glances up at me. “What do you mean?”
“Declan says he knows her marriage with Adam is on the rocks.”
Jill perks up. “How?”
“He says because he watches them…” I explain but Jill frowns confusingly. “Diana doesn’t want any bad press right? She may back off and retract the rumor if she thinks you’re going to blow the story of her failing marriage. She’d hate the story getting out, and people saying how its karma or whatever…the rumors are already making her crazy.”
“How does Declan know though?” Jill asks me. “Did he see something?” She gasps and sits up. “Did he see Adam with his side girl?”
“What? No.” I clasp my hands together at my front.
After his confession today, I realize I may be his side chick. Ugh.
“I don’t think he saw anything really,
he just picked up on stuff.”
“That isn’t helpful,” Jill lets me know. She slumps back into the armchair and stares off into space. “It’d be so nice to just once give Diana a taste of her own medicine you know? She always comes off victorious, even with the little stupid things. Like the dog show, remember that? My Peggy was a for sure win and then she got sick. The vet said it was food poisoning and Diana was the last one in the kitchen with Peggy.”
I had forgotten about that.
“Or the charity fashion show. She wanted to wear that dress that was fitted for Brooke. I know she was the one who slit the fabric in the back so when Brooke started down the runway it would spilt…”
That, I remember clear as day. Brooke cried for hours afterwards because everyone saw her spanx.
“And,” Jill goes on, shaking a hand my way, “what she did to you. She needs to be smacked off her pedestal just once.”
“Adam just told me he loved me.” The words leave my mouth without much thought.
Jill’s eyes float over to me, but she doesn’t move. For a second I don’t think she heard me but she suddenly comes alive and asks, “What?”
Too late to back out, Jules.
“Adam told me he wanted me back.” I motion to the door behind me. “He told me he loved me and came on the show to win me back.”
Slowly, she sits back up and peers into my eyes. “When did he say this?”
“Just now, in the hallway” I say. “Simon interrupted us, thank God.”
“I knew it,” Jill mutters looking away from me. “I knew it. Didn’t I tell you? Didn’t I tell you he was still in love with you? What else did he say?” Jill begins to tap her foot eagerly.
“He said that it took his failing marriage with Diana to realize how much he still wanted me. How he’s willing to change in all these ways…”
Repeating his words puts me on edge.
“Interesting.” Jill wags a finger at me. “So, he’s running away from his problems, just like he did with you. He ran from you, to Diana.”
I never thought about it. “You think he doesn’t mean it?”
Reuniting Reality Page 24