by Anthology
I pulled up a gossip blog, typed Mason’s name in the search field and hit enter. Those seconds between hitting enter and the image appearing on the screen seemed endless. I’m not sure what I was expecting but when I saw what was staring at me from the screen my jaw dropped.
“What the hell?” I yelled.
It was a picture of Mason and me leaving the club all right, but instead of me looking as sexy as I’d felt I was coming down the stairs in front of Mason with his hand on my upper arm. My eyes were somewhere between open and shut, my leg was at a weird angle that made it look like I was in danger of tumbling down the stairs. I looked like I was drunk as hell and could barely stand up straight. The picture must’ve been taken when I stumbled and Mason had prevented me from falling. The headline underneath read, “Why Can’t Nash Keep the Addicts Away?”
“So you didn’t know about this?” Skye asked me.
“No, I didn’t know about this! I knew they got a picture of us outside of the club. I thought at worst they’d be speculating who I was and maybe at some point tie me to that video.”
“What are—”
“Shhh. Give me sec to read this.”
I skimmed through the article briefly and my horror turned to outrage. How could it be legal for people to make shit like this up? The article alleged that I’d been hired as Mason’s mom’s addiction counsellor after her run-in with the law. Where had they come up with that? They even had a smaller picture of Mason and me leaving the Texas police station further down the page. How lucky for me. Apparently while treating Mason’s mother he and I had begun a hot and heavy affair. Unbeknownst to him I was secretly hiding my own addiction and that terrible night at the club I couldn’t help but give in to the temptation of booze around me. They even had quotes from people who’d supposedly been at the club that night who witnessed us arguing after he confronted me about my lying, scheming ways, and accused me of only being with him to try and break my way into Hollywood.
What a load of crap! Where did they get this stuff? These people should be career novelists for fuck’s sake.
“None of that is true.”
“I know that. What are you going to do?” Skye asked.
“What can I do? It’s already out there and that stupid picture makes it look like what they’re saying is true.”
“Are you going to tell Mason?”
“I don’t think I’ll have to. I’m sure he has people on his payroll to do that.”
“I can’t believe they can just print whatever they want,” she said.
“I’m so sick of not being in control. People keep saying these horrible things about me and no one seems to care if they’re true or not, while I just have to sit here and take it.”
“Anyone who knows you will know all of this isn’t true.”
“But what about everyone else?” Tears burned hot behind my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I was sick of feeling sorry for myself. There had to be something I could do. “I feel awful for Mason. He’s going to be upset that his mom’s situation has been dragged into the spotlight. I can’t even call him. When I told him I wouldn’t be coming over tonight he made plans to work from some small recording studio in Richmond. I guess it’ll have to wait until I see him tomorrow.”
I wasn’t sure how Mason was going to take the news that his mother’s story was all over the press. I worried that it would bring him to that dark place I’d seen a glimpse of on our way to Texas.
The next morning I logged onto my Facebook account and sure enough I’d been tagged several times with links to the bullshit article. My page was full of posts about Mason and me. Those who knew me pretty well knew the article was a lie, but were more interested in knowing about Mason, while the rest of the posts came from people expressing their extreme disgust that I could go to such lengths to try and trick Mason and hurt his ill mother.
I was beginning to understand why Mason didn’t want to be on social media. This’d only be a glimpse of what he’d have to deal with. I logged out and closed my laptop and was taking a final glimpse in the mirror when my mother barged in through the closed door.
“I saw the article that’s making the rounds this time,” she said in a concerned voice.
“None of it’s true.” I turned away from my reflection and faced her.
“I know that, Ellie.”
“How’d you find out about it?” I asked.
“Reporters started calling the house phone early this morning.”
My eyes might have bugged right out of my head. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “Don’t worry. I told every one of them that called the same thing. The entire article is a lie and my daughter is a bright, college-educated girl who is most certainly not an alcoholic and not trying to trap some man into something.”
“It might be better not to say anything at all.”
“If that’s what you prefer. I’ll ignore the phone when it rings for the next few days.”
“Thanks for defending me, Mom.”
“Would you ever doubt it?” She looked a hurt by my comment. She placed her hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.
It was silly because I saw her every day, but I suddenly realized how much older she was. Crow’s feet had started to form at the corner of her eyes. She had some wrinkles set into her forehead, and her skin no longer had the same glow I remembered from my youth. For some reason it made me sad. Sometimes you have a picture in your head of a person and then they change so slowly you don’t notice it until one day it slaps you in the face and you wonder how you could have missed it.
“I realize I didn’t set the best example for you growing up—”
“Mom…”
“No, let me finish…we’ve never talked about this. I know I clung to men and had them provide for us instead of providing for myself. I know you’re probably ashamed of me, but you’re not me. I’m not strong like you are. When I read that article I didn’t think for one second there was any truth to the fact that you were trying to trick this Mason boy into something for your own gain. That’s not who you are. I’m proud of who you’ve grown up to be, Ellie. You may not have the job you want or deserve right now, and I know you’ve had a hard time dealing with public opinion lately, but you will be okay.”
“You can’t know that, Mom.”
“I do know that. Sweetie, you have always had an independent spirit. Even when you were a toddler you wanted to do everything yourself. Nothing’s changed. People like you aren’t down and out for long. If something doesn’t happen for you soon I know you’ll make your own luck and land on your feet.”
To my utter embarrassment a tear slipped down my cheek. My mom and I didn’t do emotional. We locked everything in the vault never to be spoken of again. This was the first time she’d ever mentioned the way she acted around men, and I wasn’t sure how to react so I pulled her in for a hug. She gripped me back tightly.
“I’ve never been ashamed of you. I know you were just doing your best.”
She nodded her head against me but didn’t say anything. When she pulled away I saw that she’d been crying, too. I suppose we’d both been overdue for that talk.
“So,” she said, wiping the tear from her cheek and composing herself. “When do I get to meet this Mason you’ve been spending all your time with?”
I smiled at the mention of his name. “He’ll be here to pick me up soon. You could meet him then if you want.”
“I believe I will. I want to ask something though.” I gave her a questioning look. “Is he worth all of this trouble you’ve found yourself in?”
I hadn’t been sure what she was going to ask me but that was an easy one. “I think so.”
She seemed to accept that. She said nothing, just headed to the front door to wait for Mason.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Ellie slipped into the car after we’d said goodbye to her mom on the driveway. I saw now where she got her looks from. She’d been a nice enough lady; not
quite what I’d expected given how Ellie had described her. I’d pictured a women with teased hair, lots of make-up, sporting leopard print leggings and too much plastic surgery. What I’d found was an attractive woman with warm eyes, not that unlike Ellie’s, and a modest wardrobe.
I leaned across the seat to kiss Ellie on the lips. “Hi.” She kissed me back and gave me that smile that made me feel what fifty thousand screaming fans couldn’t. I hated it, but I was going to have to wipe that smile off her face. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“I already know about the picture and the article, Mason.”
“Why didn’t you call me last night?” My question had an accusatory ring that I hadn’t intended.
“Because I knew you were busy working. I was too angry anyway.”
My stomach clenched. Since day one I’d been waiting for Ellie to say all the bullshit that came with seeing me wasn’t worth it. Here it was. “I didn’t find out until this morning. I’m sorry.”
She spun in her seat to face me while I drove. “You’re sorry? Why would you be sorry?”
“It’s my fault you’re being dragged into this. When the Texas pictures were taken I suggested to Troy that we say you were an addiction counsellor.” I punched the steering wheel with my hand.
“Even so. You didn’t take the pictures and pick the one you could twist into some juicy gossip, and you’re not the one saying nasty things about me on social media.”
“If it wasn’t for me none of that would’ve happened in the first place.”
“People make their choices, Mason. The people who’ve chosen to work at the tabloids know what they’re doing. They have to realize they’re destroying people’s lives. They choose not to care.”
“What do you want to do about it? I spoke with Troy this morning and he wasn’t happy but he had a few ideas—”
“I don’t want you or Troy to do anything. I’m worried about you. You know they mentioned the trouble your mom had with the law right?”
My grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I know. Assholes.”
“Are you okay?”
“It’s not me I’m worried about. If Olivia and Justin see the article I’ll have to deal with it. I know that if my mom continues to drink I won’t be able to protect them forever. I’ve just been doing it so long the thought of them finding out exactly what their mother is makes me sick.”
Ellie’s hand came to rest on my leg. “Even if that happens they’ll be okay because they have you.”
“We’ll see.”
“How is your mom doing?”
“I spoke with her and her sober companion this morning to give them the heads-up about everything in the press. Seems she’s been going to her meetings, following the program. I wish I could trust her but she’s just let me down too many times.”
“It’ll all work out.”
I took my eyes off the road to look at her for a second. “We can’t not respond to the allegations against you.”
“I didn’t say there wouldn’t be a response. I said it wouldn’t be coming from you.”
Her reaction wasn’t what I’d expected. I’d expected her anger, sure, but I’d assumed it’d be directed at me. Instead she seemed resigned to the fact that she’d been dragged over the coals again. “What do you have in mind?” I asked.
“You’ll see. They’ve got me good and mad now and I intend to do something about it.”
I laughed. “Remind me not to piss you off.”
She chuckled for a moment and from the corner of my eye I saw her looking at me thoughtfully before she spoke again, her voice quieter. “I wanted to ask why you chose to visit a woman’s shelter.”
“You’re smart. I’m sure you realize it has to do with my mother. Growing up I saw her get into more than one abusive relationship. A couple of them weren’t so bad…they just shoved my mom around. I heard them yell at her. The worst of them would hit her right in front of me.”
“I can’t imagine.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“I always felt so ashamed I couldn’t do more to stop them. I was the only guy in the house. I should’ve been able to do something.”
Ellie’s hand came to rest on my khaki coloured shorts. “You can’t blame yourself…you were a kid.”
“I know.”
“Isn’t it unusual for them to let a man in one of these places? I’ve never been to one but I’d think they didn’t see too many men around there.”
“You’re right, they don’t. When the director heard that this was where I was hoping to volunteer she spoke to all the women staying there and they were okay with it. I guess some of the older kids are fans of mine.”
“That’s great.” She squeezed my thigh for emphasis.
I pulled the Range Rover up in front of a nondescript building and got out of the car. We were in a residential area with some small sixplexes and corner stores dotting the block. This property looked more a mix between a commercial building and a small apartment building. A set of cameras mounted on top of the building tracked our movements as we made our way to the front entrance. We waited as an older woman with short greying hair and a long floral dress walked through a set of double doors. She locked them behind her and came to unlock the outer door we stood in front of. She smiled and opened the door wide.
“You must be Mason,” she said. She reminded me of the type of woman you saw on TV playing someone’s grandmother. She was warm and friendly and instantly put us at ease.
I reached my hand out to shake her hand. “Mason Nash, pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
She waved a hand in front of her at that. “Please call me Lorna. I’m the Director here. And who do we have here?”
“This is my friend, Ellie.”
They shook hands. “Pleasure to meet you, Ellie.”
“Likewise,” she responded.
“Well, everyone here is very excited to meet you. As you can imagine they haven’t had a lot of happy occasions in their lives lately.”
“I’m happy to come and spend some time with them, really,” I said.
“Terrific. Well let’s get you out there. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction!”
Lorna led us inside and down a hallway with threadbare carpet. We went through a door and exited into a courtyard. The building was a large square and in the middle was the courtyard. It was covered in grass and well-protected from the street. It was perfect to keep the residents of the women’s shelter free from the prying eyes of anyone outside the building. Some women were sitting at picnic tables dotted throughout the yard. Others sat with little ones on blankets. A group of teenagers crowded in one corner keeping to themselves.
Lorna put her hands to either side of her mouth. “Can I get everyone’s attention please?” All conversations ceased and everyone turned to look in our direction. Some of the women blushed, the teenagers eyes bugged out of their heads, and the little ones couldn’t have cared less. “This is Mason Nash…I know you’re all familiar with who he is, but he’s here to spend some time with us this afternoon. This is his friend, Ellie.” We both gave small waves to the crowd. Lorna turned to face Ellie and me. “Please make yourselves at home. If you need anything at all let me know.”
Ellie leaned in to say something to me. “What do we do now?” she whispered.
I turned and winked at her. “We mingle.”
We walked to the group of women closest to us and I introduced myself and Ellie again. They made room for us at their table and we sat down. So it went. We’d talk with one group for a while and move on to another. Eventually Ellie and I split up and visited with different groups.
I watched her talking with a woman and bouncing a baby on her knee. There was absolutely no judgment at all on her face as she took in the horrific stories of the women around her. I’d been sent here to use my celebrity stature for the greater good, but these women would’ve taken or left me. After speaking with Ellie it was clear they were enamoured with her.
; I’d felt it when I met her the first time and clearly they had, too. There was something about her that made you want to open up and spill your soul. She reminded me of news footage I’d seen as a kid of Princess Di as she moved through a room, providing comfort to others.
Ellie looked up briefly and I caught her eye. She smiled wide and winked at me. That small gesture and a thousand like it before cemented her into my heart.
I was still staring at her across the courtyard with an idiotic grin on my face when the guy with the gun stormed in.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
This poor woman’s story was breaking my heart. As I bounced her baby boy on my lap, I sensed a pair of eyes on me and I glanced up. Mason was looking at me from the other side of the courtyard. He had an amused smile on his face and his green eyes sparkled. I winked and smiled back.
A commotion across the yard had me turning to see what was going on.
Time stopped and everyone seemed to move in slow motion. I guess that wasn’t something that only happened in the movies. A middle-aged blond man wearing a Hawaiian shirt was yelling and waving a gun around. I remember thinking he’d been out in the sun too long because his face looked burnt. What a strange and innocuous thing to think at a time like that.
He was yelling the name Trina over and over. The baby on my lap started fussing and crying. That was enough to draw the man’s attention to us.
“Shut that fucking kid up! Now!” He came closer, pointing his gun at us. Blood thrummed through my ears; it was all I could do to hear him over the sound. I handed the baby back to his mom and he quieted once he was in those familiar arms.
“Trina! Trina! Where are you? I know you’re here, you stupid bitch!” He moved in circles frantically looking around the yard. I had no idea how he’d gotten in but I hoped he hadn’t hurt anyone to gain access.
Some of the staff members were trying to herd the women and children to the door leading out of the courtyard. The gunman spun in their direction shaking his gun at them. “Don’t fuckin’ move. You all stay where you are.”