Things Lost In The Fire (24 page)

Tess’s eyes narrowed. “The story being ‘Who Shot Lee Walker’?”

He nodded, a side grin brightening his face. “Tell me you’re not a little curious about it. Besides, Sadie deserves the truth.”

“What she deserves is to know that the people she trusts are actually trustworthy,” Tess countered, tilting her chin up defensively. “She probably doesn’t realize that this story you want to publish—if you end up learning the truth, anyway—will only reopen old wounds for her, worse than the ones split open by Valerie’s betrayal. The press could run on this for weeks, and it might overshadow any attempt she makes to enter the industry. Have you even
thought
about that?”

He grimaced, hating that she was, in part, correct. It still didn’t change anything. “Once the truth is out, the scandal dies for good. She can finally move on.”

“Or you can leave well enough alone and stop digging,” Tess pointed out, shaking her head. “I don’t know why, but she has this stupid crush on you. Don’t use it just to get what you want out of her. She deserves better than that.”

Heat flushed over his skin at her words. “I’m not using her. I care about her.”

“If you cared, then you’d want what’s best for her. We both know that feeding this scandal is not the answer.”

“But feeding her denial is?” he fired back, trying to keep his voice down despite his anger. “She needs to face what happened to her head-on. Surely you understand that—you encouraged her to come back here, to perform onstage under her alias. That was a big risk, and look, she did great. She’s stronger than you think she is, Tess. Stronger than everyone thinks she is.”

Tess frowned. “I know. But I also know what she’s been through these last eleven years. I’ve seen her struggle with her confidence and self-esteem. She went through a lot of shit you don’t know about, a lot of pain. The only thing that fixed any of it was the music and Piper Gray. That alias gave her hope, and now she’s back at square one. So excuse me if I’m not sympathetic to your mission to expose her even further.”

Brody hesitated, unable to think of a good response. Silence fell over the room as they stared at each other, both still heated with anger but emotionally drained. Surprisingly, Sadie was still asleep, unaware that her friends were waging a war over her.

He let his head fall as he exhaled, realizing he couldn’t win with Tess. She made sense, even though he knew he couldn’t give up. Though maybe it was in everyone’s best interest if he backed off for a little while and gave Sadie a chance to breathe.

“I should probably go,” he said as he got to his feet. He looked at Sadie then to Tess, who nodded silently at him. Nothing more was said as he left the house, shutting the door behind him. He hopped into his car and drove off into the night, knowing he wouldn’t sleep. Not with Tess’s words ringing in his mind, or with the image of Sadie asleep on his shoulder. She was, other than Chase, the only person who’d ever trusted him with so much easy faith.

In truth, he knew he didn’t deserve it.

WHEN SADIE awoke the next morning, she realized she’d put off seeing her mother long enough. She couldn’t stay away forever, despite how pleasant that idea sounded half the time. Sooner or later she had to face Valerie, and today was as good a day as any.

She knocked lightly on her mother’s front door, half hoping no one would be home and she could just leave a note. Her illusion was shattered as the door opened, and her mother stood on the other side.

Valerie’s face brightened. “Darling Sadie! How nice of you to stop by.” She gestured for Sadie to come in.

Sadie stared at her, taken aback by her mother’s enthusiasm. “How are you feeling?”

Valerie hugged her, eyes dancing with glee. “Fabulous. Did you know I received a phone call this morning from none other than Sir Elton John? He’s written a duet for he and I to sing together. All proceeds will sponsor some cancer charity he has lined up.”

Sadie blinked in surprise. “Wow, really? That’s great.”

“I know,” Valerie preened, guiding Sadie into the kitchen where Carla was busy making fresh iced tea. “Tell her, Carla. Tell her about Elton.”

Carla whirled around to smile at Sadie. “Such a nice man.”

“I bet.” Sadie took a seat at one of the barstools flanking the marble kitchen island, flustered by her mother’s energy. “So I take it you’re doing better? How was your doctor’s visit the other day?”

“We brought the cameras in and they filmed the entire thing for my upcoming interview with Oprah. Imagine that? I’m now the face of cancer-fighting women all over the world.” Valerie clapped her hands excitedly, accepting the glass of tea Carla shoved at her. A pill case was also pushed over the marble countertop, which Valerie ignored.

“Take your medication, Ms. Ryan,” Carla instructed, casting a knowing look at Sadie.

“I will later. It always makes me drowsy and right now I’m just too happy to take a nap,” Valerie contested. She reached for Sadie’s hand and smiled. “I know I was angry with you before, darling. But let’s just put all that behind us. I was playing around on the piano earlier and have some wonderful song ideas for you.”

One of Sadie’s eyebrows rose. She wanted to roll her eyes and scream at her mother for not listening to her before, but didn’t have the heart to do so. “That’s nice.”

“Has that mean reporter stayed away from you?” Valerie asked. “Maybe you should get a bodyguard. These paparazzi types just don’t know when to stop. Trust me, I should know.”

Sadie fought back a smile. “He’s behaving.”

“Good. Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s so beautiful out today.”

They went outside, taking the stone pathway that wove through the gardens. It led them past a pond filled with vivid orange koi fish and Valerie’s vast array of colorful flowers. Butterflies floated on the breeze, joined by the zipping sound of a hummingbird’s wings and the soft rustling of wind caressing the eucalyptus trees. Sadie let her mother ramble on, only half listening as she tilted her face back and let the sun warm her skin.

She’d always loved her mother’s garden. It was like a tiny slice of paradise amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Large enough for a child to get to lost in, yet contained by the comforting walls and security cameras that kept the evil outside from breaking in.

Well, most of the evil.

The thought of Lee Walker soured her mood. It threw her out of her memories and back to the present, where her mother was excitedly chatting about Oprah, oblivious to her daughter’s distress. Sadie’s arms came around her body as she fought back a wave of uneasiness, wishing it would all just go away. Wishing it didn’t have such a hold over her anymore.

“Mom?” she interrupted, turning to Valerie with uncertainty.

Valerie paused, irritation flashing over her features. “Yes?”

Sadie looked away, unable to hold her mother’s gaze. “Why did you
really
go to the press with my secret? Was it all just to get yourself back in the news again?”

Valerie gasped at the accusation. “Of course not.”

“Then why?” Sadie stopped walking, wanting nothing more than to sit down. She settled for a nearby boulder and lowered herself onto it. “Because you’re sure enjoying all the publicity.”

“No daughter of mine should be ashamed of where she comes from and who she is,” Valerie declared, straightening her back in defiance.

Sadie lifted her gaze to her mother’s, her heart aching. “But I
am
ashamed.”

Valerie stared back at her in stunned surprise, clearly at a loss for words.

Sadie continued, letting the bitterness take over. “What happened here ruined me, don’t you see that? It’s this blemish I can’t get rid of, this mark I wear like a big red ‘X’ on my chest. I hate that the first thing people think of when they hear my name is that I was attacked and nearly raped by your drummer and that you did nothing to help prevent it. You let him into our lives and he hurt me, and what he did continues to hurt me to this day. Piper Gray was the only way I could put myself out there and know people would only associate me with my music, not my past. And now you’ve taken all that away from me.”

“You don’t need to feel that way—”

“God, shut up. I do feel this way, okay?” Sadie shot to her feet, feeling irrational and recklessly mad. Tears blurred her vision and only made her more upset. “I’m not looking for a rationalization of my feelings. I just want you to understand what you did and how it’s hurt me. Though I doubt you even care.”

Valerie reached out to try and touch her, but Sadie flinched back. “No. Enjoy your publicity, but I hope you realize that when you’re hurting and afraid and really need someone, those people won’t be there for you. I’m the only person who will ever be there, in spite of everything you’ve done to me.”

She left before her mother could speak, not wanting to hear it. She’d said her peace, and though her body shook with emotion and she feared she might faint from the adrenaline rush, she was proud of herself. She’d stood up to the woman who essentially ruined her life. Never again would she let something Valerie said or did take a toll on her the way Lee Walker and the exposure of Piper Gray had.

From now on, she’d stand on her own two feet.

SHE LET her anger give her a sort of reckless courage that carried her all the way down the hill and into the parking lot of a local coffee shop. She’d parked before she realized where she was, which led to that first white-hot lick of panic.

Oh, God. What am I doing?

Getting a nice cup of coffee like any other normal person, Sadie told herself. She checked her face in the rearview mirror, wondering how stupid she’d look if she wore her sunglasses inside. Did anyone fall for that anymore? Or would they all know she was hiding something?

Who cares, the reckless side of her declared. The rest of her cowered in submission and fell silent, giving her just enough time to gather her purse, slip on her round, silver-rimmed sunglasses, and exit her car. She headed for the entrance of the coffee shop, faltering as a kind, middle-aged man held open the door for her. She gave him an awkward smile and went inside, toying with her purse strap as she stared around the room. It was busy, as the lunch crowd was taking advantage of a coffee break. Hopefully she’d blend in.

With her face all over the headlines lately, she knew hiding in the crowd could be tricky. But as long as she acted casual surely no one would care.

She got in line to order, her eyes straining against the darkness of her sunglasses to read the chalkboard menu on the wall. Folksy rock music played in the background, masked by the sounds of voices and laughter that echoed off the exposed ceiling and brick walls. The short brunette standing in front of her wore perfume that smelled like strawberry heaven. She focused on the scent and let it calm her.

When it was her turn at the counter, she ordered a small cinnamon vanilla latte. It was lame and not very creative, but she wanted the ordering process to be as quick and painless as possible. The clerk smiled cheerfully at her and took her cash.

“What’s your name?”

Sadie froze, her entire body vibrating with mortification. “Um.”

“So we can call you when your drink’s ready,” the clerk supplied, patient despite the confusion.

“Oh, right. Um, Piper.”

“Piper.” The clerk jotted down her name on a cup and set it aside. “It’ll be ready shortly.”