by Reese Ryan
I feel nauseous and barely make it to my chair before my legs buckle beneath me.
“Melanie! Honey, are you alright?” Leslie fans me with the manila folder.
My head is throbbing and my throat is dry. I reach for what’s left of my cup of coffee and take a few sips. I look up at Leslie.
“You recognize him now, don’t you, love?” Delveccio can barely contain his smug grin.
“It’s him. Raine...he really is Beau Montgomery,” I say, more to myself than to either of them.
“Your boyfriend, Raine Mason, is the son of one of the most powerful men in the music business. You know him as Beau Montgomery. His given name is Rainbeau Mason Montgomery. You’re probably a lot more familiar with his famous siblings—Autumn, Summer and Skye Montgomery.”
My face is flushed. It feels as if the room has surged to 110 degrees. I put my hand to my head, trying to make sense of everything. “Why didn’t he tell me?” I look at Leslie.
There are several more quick flashes of the camera.
“Cut it out, you jerk!” Leslie screams. “Can’t you see she’s already traumatized?”
It feels like she just took a baseball bat to my skull.
“So, now that you know,” Delveccio says, “I wonder if you’d be open to a brief interview. Tell us what happened to Beau Montgomery once he fell off the face of the earth?”
“No! I will not give you an interview, and you do not have my permission to use those photos! Don’t come back here ever again. I mean never!” The sound of my voice reverberates in my skull like a BB gun pellet ricocheting around a tin garbage can.
“If you want me to leave, I will. But the public wants to know what happened to former heartthrob Beau Montgomery. My job is to discover that information and deliver it to them, as honest and fair as I can. And I’m very good at my job. It would be easier if Beau would talk to me himself so I can spin the story the way he wants. If not...well, I guess I’ll just have to tell the story my way.”
He grins, slings his bag over his shoulder and tosses his card on my desk. He salutes us as he heads out the door.
“I’ll be in touch,” Delveccio calls over his shoulder. He tosses another card on Leslie’s desk on his way out.
I’m shaking and I can barely breathe.
Raine Mason is actually Beau Montgomery?
My stomach churns. My head spins. Raine knows everything there is to know about me. I don’t really know him at all.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I’m parked on my living room couch, feet curled underneath me, still dazed as I nurse my second Jack and Coke. Jamie’s perched on the La-Z-Boy next to me, and Mimi is sitting so close to me on the couch I’m considering asking her if she plans to sit on my lap. It’s been at least twenty minutes since any of us has spoken. Occasionally I lift the ice-cold glass to my forehead.
Mimi draws a tan fleece throw around my shoulders and rubs my arm. “Look, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But I think it would help if you did.”
Jamie scoots to the edge of her seat. She’s been patient with me today. The old Jamie would have told me to suck it up and get over it. “Fuck that asshole. He was never good enough for you, anyway!” was her typical response to any man trouble I had.
Today she sits quietly, makes me drinks and tries to force-feed me dinner.
“Talking about it won’t change the fact that I have no fucking clue who this guy really is.”
“Have you talked to Raine—I mean, Beau? Given him a chance to explain himself?”
I shake my head. “I can’t deal with him right now.”
“Well, how do you know it’s true? We all have doppelgangers out there somewhere.” Mimi’s eyes brighten. “People stop me to ask if I’m some other person all the time.”
“The reporter ID’d him, Mimi. Leslie and I looked at the photos. It’s the same guy. Plus, he’s using parts of his real name. Do you really think that’s all just a coincidence?”
“I guess not.” She sighs. Her voice is small and defeated.
“He lied to me. He’s lying to everyone about who he really is,” I say. “That’s what hurts. I don’t care if he’s Marshall Montgomery’s kid or if he’s related to those dumbass Montgomerys. But don’t tell me you love me when I don’t even know who the fuck you are.”
“He does love you.” A smile creeps across Mimi’s face. “You’re the only person who isn’t convinced of that.”
“I didn’t believe him when he said it because...well, you know. I figured he just got a little too into it. But this weekend he made a point of telling me he meant it.”
Mimi smiles, despite the situation. “I told you! I told you when I first met him that he looked like a man in love.”
“None of that matters!” I say sharply. “How can he love me when he doesn’t even trust me enough to tell me who he really is?”
“He never said anything that would give you the slightest indication about his real identity?” Jamie asks.
“No. Never,” I say. Then I think back to our meal at the Wine Bar. I start to laugh.
“What’s wrong, Melanie? Are you okay?” Mimi exchanges a nervous glance with Jamie.
“Oh my God! We were at dinner, and I wanted to pay. I didn’t want him to go broke from spoiling me over the weekend. He said, ‘Would it make you feel better if I told you I was a trust fund baby?’ He actually said it. God, I’m a fucking idiot. No wonder he was able to get us backstage passes to see Jace LeRoth. And that explains why Jace talked to Raine like he knew him. His label is Skye Records.”
“So maybe he was planning to tell you when he felt the time was right,” Mimi offers.
“It doesn’t change the fact that he’s been lying to me.” I refuse to budge on this point. “And okay, if he doesn’t want people to know about it in his business life, I get it, that’s fine. But he’s the one who’s always saying that I can tell him anything. That he wants to know everything about me. Seems pretty disingenuous when you’re lying about your identity. Even to your girlfriend.”
“Melanie, until you talk to him, you can’t understand his reasoning. And I don’t know if I agree with you about him lying to you,” Jamie says.
“What do you mean?” I cross my arms, daring her to take Raine’s side in this.
“The way I see it, it’s kind of like people in witness protection. Are they lying to you when they introduce themselves using their new names and tell stories about their lives that don’t include the parts they want to forget? Not really. Because this is who they are now. They can’t tell you the truth. Even if they wanted. It has to be that way.”
“People in witness protection are running from the bad guys, Jamie. Not trying to shake off a suspect past.”
“You don’t think that paparazzi guy who showed up at your office today was a bad guy? And believe me, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure there are a lot more just like him out there. That’s not what Raine wanted for himself and he certainly didn’t want it for you.”
I stare at her for a moment, not sure how to respond. She continues.
“Raine went through a lot of trouble to abandon his old sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle and his loser friends. He could still be living that life if he wanted. He could be hiding out overseas, living under an assumed name on his parents’ dime if he wanted. But he hasn’t done any of that, Mel.” Jamie moves over to squeeze in next to me on the couch. “He reinvented himself and dedicated his life to helping others who are less fortunate. People who didn’t grow up with shitloads of cash, three nannies and a Benz for their sixteenth birthday. Raine is a good guy. Give him a chance to explain.”
Mimi nods. “It’s only fair. Hear his side of the story before you do anything rash.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to him. Just no
t tonight. I can’t handle it right now.”
“He hasn’t called you?” Jamie inquires.
“I’ve been screening his calls.”
Mimi nods and rubs my back. “I know it’s a lot to deal with right now. But don’t let this drag on. Talk to him. He’s a good man. I know it. Even Mommy adores him and she’s an excellent judge of character.”
“I want to believe that, but let’s face it, he’s not much better than any other guy I’ve dated. They’re all just a bunch of liars. What makes him any different from Jaxson?”
“I knew it. You’re just looking for a way to equate Raine to Jaxson!” Jamie shoots to her feet and paces around the table. “This shit is exactly what I was afraid of the minute I found out you were working with that fucking asshole!” She’s shaking, her hands balled in fists. “It’d be just like that jerk to take advantage of you in a situation like this.”
“Jamie, calm down!” Mimi says. Then she looks at me again. “Melanie is too smart for that. She knows better. Raine is no Jaxson Payne. Maybe Beau Montgomery was,” she admits, “but Raine, he’s nothing like Jaxson.”
I turn to my sister. “You’re so convinced Jaxson is incapable of change, even though he did something so generous for your family. Even though he’s an amazing dad who adores his daughters and treats them like princesses. If you’re so convinced Jax hasn’t changed, can’t change, why do you expect me to believe Raine is some fabulous new version of his former self?”
Mimi stares at me, exasperated. Jamie plops down in the La-Z-Boy again and expels a puff of air in frustration.
I walk over to the kitchen counter where Jamie has left the bottle of Jack Daniels and top off my drink. “Exactly,” I say. “You’re asking me to believe people are truly capable of change, something neither of you can do when it comes to Jax.”
“I believe people can change,” Mimi huffs. “Jaxson just isn’t one of those people.”
“I don’t.” Jamie’s voice sounds small and fragile. “Not really. Look at my parents. They never changed.”
“We don’t know that about your dad.” Mimi tries to sound reassuring. “And Earlene, well at least she’s trying.”
Jamie snorts. “Trying isn’t the same as changing, is it? It’s just a bunch of new broken promises. Let’s face it, my parents are complete fuck-ups and so am I.” Jamie slams back against the chair and stares at the ceiling. “What am I doing? I’m just fooling myself thinking I can be the kind of woman Miles deserves. You said it yourself, Mel. People don’t change.”
Mimi squints at me and elbows me in the side. I get up and sit on the edge of the coffee table in front of Jamie.
“Jamie, you’re an amazing person. It’s been remarkable to see the change in you. But this isn’t about Miles. He may be the impetus for your change, but this is you. This is who you’ve always been. This is the girl who was buried beneath the scarred tissue. Miles just helped you peel away those charred layers to reveal the person you’ve always been, who we always knew you were.”
“We’re practically family.” Jamie’s words come out in a muffled half laugh, half cry. “You’re supposed to say nice things about me.”
“It also happens to be true, honey.” Mimi smiles.
Jamie smiles in return and wipes her eyes with the sleeve of Miles’s sweatshirt.
I walk over to the window. It’s dark and cold outside. The streets are filled with slushy, gray snow. I turn back to Jamie. “I didn’t really mean it. I was just angry. People can change.” Then I look at Mimi. “I’ll talk to Raine. I promise to listen to his side of the story. Just not tonight.”
They both look relieved. Jamie heads to the kitchen counter and pours herself another drink.
“It’s a good thing I’m not working tonight. And by the way, I’m crashing on your couch.” She takes a long sip of her drink then picks up the cable remote. “What’s on tonight anyway?”
Mimi stands and grabs her purse. “I wish I could stay and hang out with you guys, but I’ve gotta get home. Mom’s been watching the boys all week because Marcus has been taking on some contract work. He’s really excited about it. To be honest, I don’t think he’s been this happy in a while.”
“Happy? I thought Marcus only did slightly amused.” Jamie imitates his voice, expression and mannerisms. We all laugh, but Mimi throws a pillow at her.
“We’re glad to hear it,” I say. “Sounds like you’ll be back at home again in no time.”
Mimi pauses, arms folded, chin resting on her fisted hand. “I’ve been thinking about it and I don’t want to be stay-at-home mom. I’d like to be a work-at-home mom. You know, make my design business official.”
“That’s a great idea,” Jamie says. “You did an excellent job here and on Miles’s place. Even his highbrow bitch of a mother was impressed.”
“Thank you and be nice.” Mimi points a finger at her. It’s a refrain Jamie’s been hearing for years. She turns to me. “What do you think? Am I just being silly?”
“Of course not. You’re certainly good enough to do it, but running a business takes a lot of work. Are you prepared for that?”
A broad smile lights up her entire face. “I am. I want this more than anything I’ve wanted my whole life.”
“Then I believe in you. Now you’d better get home to that happy, hardworking man of yours and give him a little reward.” I slap her on the behind and smirk.
“You two are circus-worthy clowns, you know that? Good night!” She heads for the door.
I follow her and hug her. “Thanks for coming by tonight. You’re the best sister a girl could ask for, and I love you. I don’t tell you that enough.”
Mimi smiles. “Love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
It’s Wednesday afternoon, and I’ve been dodging Raine’s calls for three days. I know I promised Mimi and Jamie I would hear him out, that I wouldn’t let this drag on forever. But every time the phone rings, I think of something else I should be doing. So I don’t answer it. He’s left me ten messages already.
I sit in my office, door closed, reviewing Crain’s for prospects when Leslie knocks on my door then ducks inside my office and quickly shuts the door behind her.
“You have a visitor.” She shifts her weight from one foot to the other.
“What’s wrong? Is it that Delveccio guy again?”
Leslie shakes her head vehemently. “No. It’s...it’s Autumn Montgomery.”
“The Autumn Montgomery?”
Leslie nods fervently. Her ponytail shifts on the back of her head.
I stand. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. If she’s here, photographers can’t be far behind.”
“Those aren’t photographers.” Leslie sneers. “They’re the goddamned paparazzi. Piranhas and bottom feeders who make their living off other people’s pain.”
I sigh. “This is what I get for not talking to Raine. I don’t know what I should or shouldn’t say.”
“Do you want me to send her away? I don’t care how rich she is, I’ll send that scrawny waif packing.”
I laugh, despite the fact that it feels like a hole is burning its way through the lining of my stomach. I rifle through my desk, looking for an antacid. “No, that won’t be necessary. Just give me five minutes. Then send her in.”
“Okay,” Leslie says. It’s more of a question.
I pop a couple of Tums in my mouth and give her a reassuring nod. Then I sit back in my chair and steady myself for what’s to come.
Five minutes later, Leslie ushers Autumn Montgomery through the door. “Melanie Gordon, this is Autumn Montgomery,” Leslie announces. Her speech is unusually formal. “Ms. Montgomery, this is Melanie Gordon.”
Autumn is wearing oversized, dark shades and a tan crocheted hat pulled to one side of her head. A fur-trimmed Prada a
norak and a pair of Christian Louboutin over-the-knee tan suede boots complete the look. In person she appears even thinner than she does on the hundreds of tabloid covers she’s draped across in a typical year. Her skin is pale and translucent. I can see the blue veins in her tiny, childlike wrists, dripping with platinum and diamonds. Two sets of diamond studs are in each ear. Another small diamond stud is in her left nostril. A large diamond pendant dangles from a platinum herringbone chain, which decorates her narrow throat. Her earrings alone are probably worth more than I’ll make in five years.
I stand and smile at her politely as I reach out to shake her hand. Autumn assesses me carefully. Perhaps she’s valuing the worth of my attire, as I’ve just done hers. Hopefully I’ve done it more discreetly. She sticks her bony, cold hand in mine and lightly shakes my fingertips. It’s the worst of all handshakes. The kind that keeps job candidates from getting hired. I try to ignore it.
“Good to meet you, Ms. Montgomery,” I say. “How can I help you?”
“It’s good to finally meet you, Melanie. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She takes a look around the office. “Is it okay if I sit down?”
“Yes, of course. Can I offer you coffee, tea or a bottle of water?”
“It’s freezing here.” She rubs her hands together. “I’d love a cup of tea. I don’t care what kind. Just something with caffeine. Lots of it.”
“Would you mind?” I ask Leslie.
“Of course not.” She finally takes her eyes off Autumn. “I’ll bring you both a cup.”
My attention returns to Autumn. I can tell she’s staring at me beneath the dark shades.
I want to ask what she wants again, but I don’t want to seem rude. Unlike Leslie, I don’t think it’s a great idea to piss off the rich and powerful. At least, not without good reason. So far she hasn’t given me one. Nor has she given me the reason for her visit.
“So, you’re probably not used to the cold weather.” I lean back in my chair.
“Oh, I go skiing all over the world. I just couldn’t imagine living somewhere where it’s so cold, like, every day.”