Taylored to Perfection (Taylor Made Book 2)

by kj lewis

  “How long was I asleep?” I ask still not moving.

  “I’m not sure before I came in, but you’ve been asleep in my lap for about forty-five minutes.”

  “I’m sorry,” I say before stretching and moving off his lap. “Your legs are probably asleep.”

  “It was the best forty-five minutes of my day.” He places a loose hair behind my ear.

  “How’s Addie?” I ask.

  “Kyle is getting her settled at the hospital. They have a lot of preliminary tests to run. She made the trip without issues. She has some concerning lab work that he wants to get a handle on. You can see her tonight if you want, but Kyle is hoping you’ll wait till tomorrow to come. He thinks she’ll be in testing most of the night.”

  “If that is what he thinks is best, then I can wait until tomorrow. I don’t want to give her my cold anyways.”

  “You do feel warm to me.” He says standing. For the first time I’m aware of his stature. He’s tall and healthy, like me.

  “I’ll be ok. I’m ready to get this over with and then I’m headed home.” I smooth the lines in my dress.

  “Mrs. Taylor.” Cassie enters the office. “Your four o’clock is in the conference room.”

  “Thank you, Cassie.” I turn and stand on my tip toes to kiss Harry on the check.

  “I love you, Dad.” He pulls me into a long hug.

  “I love you, Em.”

  Together we walk to the conference room and I’m aware of the change in Harry in just a short distance. Like Graham, he can turn into all business at the drop of a hat. Almost like a warrior going to battle.

  “Mr. Willis.” I shake his hand.

  “Emme. This is my campaign manager Roger.” He introduces me to a willowy man who looks like he chain smokes.

  “Evan. How are you?” He looks like he’s been beat all to hell.

  “I would be lying if I said I was okay.” He’s grateful I think when I reach out to squeeze his hand.

  “I would like to introduce you both to my father, Harry Forrester.”

  They make their introductions, but Harry never reaches out to shake their hands. He pulls me back by my elbow to where he is slightly in front of me.

  “If everyone would have a seat please.” I take my seat as the door opens and the brooding men of Taylor Organization enter. Graham takes a seat at the head of the table looking every inch of the sexy CEO, even in his exhausted state. None of them speak or make the acquaintances of the Willis’s. Shaking my head, I introduce our visitors to Adam, Ben, and Charlie. They already know Graham.

  “I called this meeting because I want to make sure we are all moving forward with the same understanding and goals of how I expect this to be handled.”

  “I appreciate that,” Roger speaks, “but you have to understand that salvaging our campaign is our number one priority.”

  “What I understand,” I say, putting my hand up to stop the others from speaking, “is I have the financial backing to destroy your campaign. Before the day is even over.” I wait for his compliance. Once I know he’s listening I continue.

  “Fortunately for you, I want what is best for the both of us. It has come to my attention that we have more information than you do, so listen up. I’m going to fill in the holes for you. You don’t have the full video.”

  “How do you know?” Roger asks, suddenly interested in what I have to say.

  “Because Evan still thinks we had sex.” I look to Evan who raises his head to look me in the eye.

  “But we did. I realize we both were drunk, but that doesn’t change things.”

  “That’s correct. But it wasn’t me. It was Addie. And you think the worst thing that happened that night was the video. You told me as much this morning when you didn’t acknowledge the rape, so I knew you didn’t know.”

  “Rape?” he says lost.

  I look to Graham and see the shock on his face, along with the rest of his entourage.

  “I told you to watch it to the end,” I say to him before giving my attention back to the Willis’s.

  “Emme, you’ll forgive me for being so direct, but I would know the difference between you and Addie.”

  “Not when you are inebriated. You two had sex, you said my name, and then you passed out. After that, you can hear Addie crying before she also passes out. Then about thirty minutes later, you wake up and leave.”

  “I went downstairs. I was in charge of the party. I left you, well, who I thought was you, in my room to sleep. When I came back up, you were gone. You flew back here before I could see you and we lost contact. After that, Addie changed and I couldn’t seem to reach her.”

  “I will have Charlie forward the video to you. After you leave, five guys come into your room, where they take turns raping her.” My voice falters slightly, and I do what I need to do to lock my shit down.

  “That’s not true.” Evan looks at me shocked. “There’s no way that could happen and I didn’t know about it.”

  “It can and it did.” I turn to the Taylor men. “Evan didn’t know there was a video and he didn’t know what happened afterwards. He and Addie were drunk and they—and I—made poor decisions that led to Addie being in the position to be taken advantage of, but that was not his intention, nor would he have ever done that to her. Or to me. Not to mention, in the State of Tennessee, if you are unable to give consent, which Addie clearly wasn’t able to do, it’s rape.”

  There is a knock at the door and Jackson enters, his eyes immediately landing on me. He looks irritated when he sees Graham is not sitting next to me.

  “There’s a difference between law and public perception,” Roger says.

  “Rape is rape.” I mince no words.

  “So what are your plans to neutralize this?” Roger asks.

  “This is Jackson Hollingsworth. I’m sure you have heard of him. He’s the best in the business. He and Charlie will be working on the best way for us to get ahead of this. The first thing is to confirm my interview with the Today show. It is set for next week, but it is my goal that we move it up to the end of this week. The sooner we get ahead of this the better.”

  “I have a friend who runs the best crisis management team in the country. I’ll be bringing him in.” Jackson says and Charlie nods in agreement when he floats the name Theo Jacobs.

  “My father and I will be making a decision on how and if we will proceed legally on Addie’s behalf. My guess is they released the video as a smear tactic. Once they understand it is more harmful to Graham than it is to Mr. Willis, they will release the remainder of the video. Charlie and Jackson will be working on a statement and releasing the video before they can.”

  “Is that what you want?” Adam asks, concerned.

  “It is. As long as it’s hanging over our heads, it gives them power. I refuse for that to be the story. They need to be on the defensive, not us. They raped my sister. They videoed two consenting adults without their permission. That is how we gain control over the story, and fortunately it happens to be the truth.”

  “We may not be able to make them pay in a court of law, but they will pay in the court of public opinion,” Jackson says, already prepped for the meeting. “How they choose to proceed will determine if Charlie and I simply make trouble for them, or if we destroy them.”

  “So you don’t want anything from us?” Mr. Willis asks.

  “Other than following this strategy, no. We will not be putting this back on Evan. Your team can come out swinging in defense of Evan as long as you come out swinging in defense of Addie. If Charlie or Jackson catch wind of even one person on your team so much as suggesting anything about Addie, I will allow my husband to do what he wants to do. Destroy you,” I promise without batting an eye.

  “You have my word that we will not, nor would that have ever been our strategy,” Mr. Willis says.

  “Make sure Roger understands,” Graham speaks for the first time.

  I stand to dismiss the meeting.

  “If you have any
questions or issues that arise, no matter what they are, you bring them to Charlie.” I shake their hands.

  “I’m sorry,” I say to Evan. Because I am. He never intended for this to happen. He was a stupid college kid who thought he was sleeping with an ex-girlfriend. “I know you cared for Addie. Watching the tape won’t be easy. You need to forgive yourself.”

  “I’m sure someone needs to say the same to you. If she would have just told me, I could have helped her. This is why she pushed us away. It’s what led to her spiral.”

  “Go by and see her. Make your peace. If you’ll excuse me, I have another meeting.” I announce before leaving without waiting for anyone.

  I take the stairs to the next conference room so I can have a minute to regroup. If I can keep myself in the business mindset that I have right now, I might just make it until I’m in the privacy of my own home. Giving myself a pep talk, I proceed to where everyone is waiting. This meeting will be harder. With this group it’s personal because this is my family.

  “I’m sure the guys will be here any minute,” I announce, taking in the group before me. Jules, Ruth, Lucy, Eloise, Teague, Smith, Matt, Drew, Richard, Holt, and Reggie are in the room. George opens the door for Cassie and the guys to enter. I continue to stand while the others take a seat. Some standing around the room. Graham stands at the head of the table, but still doesn’t touch me.

  “I wanted to bring you together so I can tell this story once and not have to repeat it.” I tell them about Addie and what happened that night. I also tell them extensively about Addie’s condition, how I have been caring for her the last six years, and what my intentions are in handling this moving forward.

  “That’s a lot to take in,” Jules says.

  “I know.”

  “It’s unsettling to feel relieved that you didn’t have to endure that, but knowing that your sister did.” And I know she is saying what everyone is thinking. I know it registers with Graham.

  “That’s only natural. You didn’t know Addie. It’s a common response, but I wish it had been me. I might have had the tools to have handled it better. For Addie, it’s what caused her to lose her way.”

  “So they understand what you expect of them?” Eloise asks, regarding Mr. Willis’s team.

  “They do.”

  “What can we do for you darling?” Ruth asks.

  “Just love me through it. If you get asked about it, answer it with the guidance that I’ve given you here. The only part I don’t want is for you to discuss Addie directly. This is about what happened to her, not about how she handled it. I don’t want that to be the story. I know it will be to a certain extent, but I hope for Charlie and Jackson to contain it as much as possible. If you don’t want to say anything at all, refer them to Charlie’s office. Under no circumstances are you to engage in a debate over what happened or attempt to defend my honor. There are idiots everywhere. Arguing with one just makes you look like one.”

  “You had me until now,” Matt says standing. “I’ve told you before, I’m allowed to defend you and I will. You need to know that.”

  “Within reason, I understand,” I concede. “Just don’t buy a ticket to the circus is all I’m saying. The video will speak for itself. I don’t want the story to be how one of you lost your cool over what someone said. Understand?”

  “So Addie is here?” Ruth asks.

  “She is,” I answer, filling them in on her move today.

  “And Kyle went?” Drew looks frustratingly at Matt when I affirm his question.

  “Don’t be mad at Kyle. He’s neuro. I needed his opinion, and I asked him not to tell.”

  “I have a question,” Jackson says darkly. “Why are you telling us this?”

  “I thought you all deserved to know the truth, and I want you all to know so you can be there for me.”

  “No. What I mean is why I haven’t heard a word from you,” he says to Graham.

  “How Graham and I choose to handle this is between the two of us and is not up for discussion, nor is it open to judgment.”

  “That works in the land where leprechauns shit rainbows, but this is the real world, and I know you, Emme. And I’ve come to know Graham.”

  “Jackson,” I warn.

  “Sorry.” He stands too. “I have to say it. We’ve entrusted her to you. Don’t fuck this up.” Graham is still unresponsive. It’s obvious that Jackson is speaking for several people in the room.

  “Don’t!” I yell angrily, slamming my fist onto the table. “Graham is my husband. He deserves respect. None of you know what it feels like to be me today. Imagine how you would feel if it was your husband or wife on that video. Only then are you close to what Graham is feeling right now. I won’t tolerate it. Understood?”

  “That’s sweet,” Harry says, also rising. “You know what is expected of you here. If you don’t step up, I’m taking over,” he tells Graham.

  “No one is taking over. I’m in control. I have already handled everything.” I raise my voice thinking it will allow me to be heard.

  “Enough!” Eloise’s voice cuts through.

  “Sit down,” Ruth says to Harry and Jackson.

  When the men finally sit, Eloise says, “Listen to Emme. She is telling you what she wants, what she needs. She is handling this incredibly well. If you pompous asses don’t start listening to her, you’re going to find yourself left out of her circle. Stop talking about what your expectations are and start listening to hers.”

  “Emme, you have our support, and we hear you,” Ruth says.

  “Thank you.” I’m grateful for the strong women around me. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I’m going home.” I leave the conference room before I have to endure the comfort each one wants to give me right now. The only way I can keep my composure is to keep my distance. Back in my office, I grab my purse.

  “You could have just told me,” Graham says sharply from behind me.

  “If you had watched the end of the video like I told you to, you would have known.” I don’t turn around. When there isn’t a response, I finally look over my shoulder. “I don’t know what’s wrong, but don’t take too long. Despite what it looked like today, I need you. I don’t want to have to be in control. I want to give it to you, but you have to earn it. No matter what demons you’re fighting.” I pick up my cell and turn to face him on my way out the door.

  “I love you,” I tell him as I walk by, not touching him.

  Teague makes sure I am secure in the apartment before leaving me. I’m thankful to have some quiet time without an audience.

  Picking up the phone, I make my last call of the day.

  “Hello?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Hello to you to,” he says sarcastically.

  “Don’t start with me Jake. Today is not the day.”

  Releasing a deep breath, he answers. “She made me promise not to.”

  “She’s been comatose for six years. She wouldn’t have known if you broke your promise.”

  “I would. I loved her, Mags. I was keeping my promise.”

  We sit in silence for several minutes.

  “I’m sorry,” he says.

  “Me too,” I tell him.

  “We didn’t know there was a video. If we had, I would have told you.”

  “Why didn’t she tell me?”

  “You were thicker than thieves. She didn’t know how to. Shit, Mags. You raised her. Protected her. She wanted you to have a chance at a new life. She felt like she was betraying you by having feelings for Evan. Then when she slept with Evan, and he thought he was sleeping with you, she said something in her broke.”

  “You shouldn’t have kept this from me. I could have made her see reason. I would have helped her. I would have done everything in my power to make sure they paid for what they did. Just because she complied and didn’t fight back, doesn’t mean she wasn’t raped and taken advantage of.”

  “Mags, I told her all of this. I went with her to counseling s
essions. I went with her to report the incident to the school, and later to the police. I was there for her when Tony broke her heart. I was there for all of it. I just couldn’t save her no matter how hard I tried.” His voice breaks at his admission.

  “She went to the school and the police?”

  “A few days after it all happened. They investigated, but it was a she said/they said kind of thing. They weren’t able to make any charges stick.”

  My stomach starts to flip.

  “What did you mean when you said that Tony broke her heart? I didn’t think she saw him anymore?”

  “After everything, she went to him. She thought he would be furious and help her convince the police to file charges.”

  “And?” I prompt.

  “Why do you want to know Mags? There’s nothing that can be done to change anything.”

  “I want to know if he is responsible for adding to the hopelessness she was feeling. I want to know what happened to the sister I love.”

  “She died that day. She tried to be strong. She tried to make it, but it was too much. She started drinking more and more, until she fell.”

  “And?” I ask again. “Jake. Just tell me!”

  He releases a deep breath. “And Tony said he always knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her legs together. That she was a slut,” he pauses, “just like her sister.”

  “Mags?” he calls my name after several minutes before I hang up without responding.

  That’s it. It’s too much. All the resolve I had mustered up today, all the strength I was claiming, is completely obliterated when I learn that in the end, I couldn’t protect Addie from Tony. The one thing I promised myself I would do.

  Lowering the shades, I crawl into bed without the energy to change out of my work clothes. It doesn’t take long for me to fall into a restless sleep of nightmares and videos replaying over and over.

  I’m jolted awake, catching the time on the clock as I part run, part crawl to the toilet. It’s after three in the morning and I am by myself. I just make it in time to expel the contents of my stomach—which is really just Diet Coke—into the toilet. I throw up for what feels like an hour before passing out on the cold tile. Only then does my mind find relief from the ugliness of this day.