“Someone’s on their way to get you, so just sit tight. It won’t be long. Stay on the line until they get there,” I order, remembering how good it feels to boss her around.
“How will I know who they are?” she asks, confused.
“Oh, you’ll know.” I smile, wishing I could be there to witness the look on her face when she sees who it is.
“Where are you taking me?” There is a slight tremor in her voice.
“I haven’t decided yet.” It’s going to be fun having this much power over her.
“I can’t leave the area, Lauren. I have to make my weekly doctor’s appointment. That’s non-negotiable.” Already she’s throwing a monkey wrench in my plans. She’s going to have to learn how to obey.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I reply, stringing her along.
“That’s not acceptable. You either agree or—” She stops abruptly. She’s getting all worked up over nothing. I wasn’t planning on transporting her out of town. I’m just not sure where I’m going to put her yet.
“All right, fine. I agree,” I groan. When she doesn’t say anything, I start to get annoyed. “What is it?”
“You sent Ryan?” she asks, her voice trembling.
Not this drama again. This girl needs to get a hold of herself. She claims Ryan attacked her the night of the gala, but I don’t buy it. Ryan told me what really happened when he came back to the theater, beaten to a pulp thanks to Eric. He related how she’d led him on for years and then tried to seduce him on the way to the film festival. I was so mad I could barely see straight. Ryan said that Ivy told Eric that he’d tried to rape her, and Eric went ballistic. I was livid that Ivy’s vicious lie was enough to convince Eric to defend her. I knew Ryan was just coming off of a bad break-up and that it was in no way connected to his supposed feelings for Ivy. I did spot a pair of women’s panties in the inside pocket of his jacket when I was cleaning him up, but I decided to ignore them, thinking it was probably another one of his fetishes that I’d rather not know about. If he wants to wear girly underwear, that’s his business.
I thought Ivy might provide a good smokescreen for him while she was at the Gazette, but no such luck. At least not once she got involved with Eric. I tried to dangle Ryan in front of her like a piece of forbidden fruit, but she didn’t bite. She couldn’t even play the role of Ryan’s beard properly. She is so clueless sometimes. I mean, it wouldn’t have been hard. He’s a good-looking kid. He got her the internship. It was the least she could do to pay him back and show some appreciation. But no, she had to screw the two of us over and get knocked up by the only guy in town worth a second look.
But now she’s going to pay. She’s going to earn her keep—and like it. So what if I sent Ryan to pick her up? She should be kissing my feet that I got someone there that fast. What does she think I am—a freaking taxicab company? She’d better wise up. I’m the one running the show from now on, not her.
“Just get in the damn Jeep, Ivy,” I reply without an ounce of pity.
“Send someone else,” she pleads, practically begging.
“There isn’t time. You’re either doing this or you’re not. I can’t stay on the phone all day waiting for you to decide. Are you in or are you out?” I sling the ultimatum at her, forcing her hand.
“I’m in,” she says as I hear a car door slam.
“Excellent.” I finally have her right where I want her. I almost can’t believe it. I never in a million years expected this twist of fate. I’m only glad I was at my desk when this golden opportunity fell into my lap. And to think I was ready to pack it up and head to L.A. Who says life doesn’t give second chances?
“Ivy, tell Ryan—” But I don’t get to finish, as the call disconnects. Ah, no bother. Ryan will take care of it from here.
Now I just have to figure out where I’m going to put her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ivy
I can’t believe I’m actually going through with this, but what choice do I have? Ryan peers at me, flicking the ashes of his cigarette out the window. Every instinct in my body is telling me to run in the opposite direction. So what am I doing? I’m walking toward him. Typical me.
But I can’t go home with Eric. Not after that crazy marriage proposal. I don’t feel comfortable sharing the same roof with him, never mind the same bed. He expected me to choose between him and the baby. Either or. Like I can’t have both. As if he’s the only one who gets to decide whether or not this baby lives or dies. He thinks he can play God. But he’s forgetting one very important thing. I get a say too.
He’s always been an all-or-nothing kind of guy, but this is taking things a little too far. I know what happened with Cassidy is distorting his perspective, but I’m not about to have him railroad me into getting an abortion just to give him some peace of mind. Who says anyone’s life is guaranteed? I could wake up tomorrow and get hit by a bus. He can’t protect me from destiny. No one can, and he’s foolish to try. Didn’t he learn anything from Cassidy’s death? He can’t control what happens to me, and if he’s not going to be with me on this, then he’s against me. There’s no other way to put it. I’m not backing down. This baby needs me. And if I have to raise it as a single mother, then so be it. At least it’ll be alive.
Tramping carefully through the snow, I stick my phone back in my purse. Hanging up on Lauren probably wasn’t the smartest move, but that was such an insensitive gesture sending Ryan. I mean, really? I know she wants to gloat and rub it in that I came crawling back to her, but I haven’t seen Ryan since the night of the gala. And I feel nauseous just looking at him. The last thing I want to do is get inside his Jeep, back to the scene of the crime.
I don’t like playing the victim, but I’m placing myself in a very perilous position. Girls around the world are no doubt screaming at me to turn around and wait for Eric. It is the more sensible option, but he really hurt me just now. I need some space. I need to give him time to come to his senses. Let him see how much he misses me and how he forced me onto this more treacherous path. Sure, I want him to feel guilty and grovel at my feet. He needs a rude awakening in order to see things clearly and understand just how much he has to lose. I’m not a piece of property. I’m practically his wife, and he has to take me seriously. We’re either going to be equals in this partnership or we’re not going to get married at all. I’m not entering into such a profound commitment unless he’s willing to meet me halfway. It doesn’t bode well if we can’t even compromise at the very beginning. How can he expect me to journey through life with him if he’s going to insist on always taking the easy way out when he’s scared?
I’m at the side of the Jeep, but I jump back when Ryan leans over the seat to unlock the door. His sudden movement reminds me too much of that night. When he forced himself on top of me. I shudder and not from the snow blowing in my face. I open the door and get it before I can change my mind. Everything about this feels wrong, but I’m out of options. Like I could really go home to the projects and live with my alcoholic mother? I don’t think so. Anything’s better than that.
“Ivy,” Ryan says curtly, hitting the gas as we drive by Eric’s truck. I feel like I’m going to cry as I watch it slip out of view and get swallowed by the storm.
“Ryan,” I mutter just as dispassionately. “Where are we going?”
“I’m waiting to find out.” He doesn’t put his cigarette out and a nasty draft is coming in through his window. Already he has two strikes against him. He really knows how to make a pregnant woman feel comfortable. But when has he ever put someone else’s needs ahead of his own?