Beloved Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy Book 3), page 17
“Why is that such a ridiculous request?” I say, laughing at her expression. “We said we’re not going to hide our relationship anymore. And you said yourself you don’t care what anyone thinks.”
“My father isn’t ‘anyone.’ I care very much what he thinks.”
“Aw, come on. I brought you to meet my mother, and I was scared to death to do that. And look how fantastically that turned out.”
“That’s different.”
“Why?”
“Because your mother would never think I’m your boss. Because I haven’t paid off your student loans, and your mother’s condo, or paid for your mother’s expensive medicine.”
“Well, I’m not your boss. So, that’s not an issue.”
“My father won’t understand that.”
“And I can’t fathom your father will have a problem with me taking care of you, and someone you love dearly, to the best of my abilities. Plus, you really shouldn’t care what he thinks, Georgina. In the end, all that matters is what we think. What we feel.”
“Yes. That’s true, in relation to everyone in the world, except my father.”
“Are you planning to see him for your birthday when we get back?”
“On Saturday. I’m going to his house for dinner and cake.”
“Then I’m coming with you.”
She winces.
“Stop being a coward. We’re doing this. We’re both open books now, remember? We’ve got nothing to hide.”
“From each other.”
I laugh. “Come on, Ricci. Put your big girl panties on. Stop being a wimp.”
“He’s going to grill you, exactly like Tony said. He won’t be happy with anything except you saying I’m the great love of your life.”
“Great. Then, we’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Georgina makes that face I love. The one where she opens her mouth all the way, like she can’t believe what she’s heard.
“Is that a yes?” I say.
She flashes me a million-dollar smile. “Okay, let’s do it. But don’t you dare tell him I’ve moved in with you. He still thinks I’m living at the hotel. Let’s not give the poor man a stroke.”
Tony’s eyes crinkle in the rearview mirror at that.
“Don’t worry.” I touch Georgina’s thigh. “I thought today would be a disaster, and it was the best day of my life.”
Georgina bites her lip. “It was?”
“Yup. Thank you for pushing me to do it. You were right. It was beautiful. Freeing.”
She takes my hand. “What’d I tell you? The truth shall set you free.”
We rhapsodize about today’s visit for a bit. But after a while, Georgina says she’s tired, and I open my arm to her and let her crumple against me for a nap. After a few minutes, when I’m sure she’s out like a light, I pull out my phone and tap out a text to Josh and Henn.
Me: Georgie and I just finished visiting my mother. It went fantastically well. Tomorrow, we’re visiting her stepsister in Boston. Saturday, I’m going to dinner at her father’s condo in LA.
Henn: HOLY SHIT!
Josh: Whoa. Mutual meeting of the parents? This is a first for you, right?
Me: Yep.
Josh: Damn, dude. This is as serious as you’ve ever been with someone, isn’t it?
Me: I just told her she’s the great love of my life. And saying it felt good, not scary.
Henn: I have no words.
Me: Josh, send me your brother’s phone number, por favor. I want to ask him a question.
Josh: You can’t ask me?
Henn: Or me? I’m the smart one, remember?
Me: You’re not the right guys to answer this particular question.
Josh: Well, now I’m intrigued.
Henn: Ditto.
Me: Don’t read too much into this, but I want to ask Jonas what made him decide to propose to Sarah, as opposed to continuing to shack up with her.
Henn: HOLY FUCK! You’re thinking of proposing to Georgina?
Josh: Henn, no. Don’t be stupid. He’s obviously thinking of proposing to Sarah.
Henn: I knew it! When we talked and you said she’s breakfast-worthy, I said you sounded like I did after meeting Hannah. I’m a genius.
Me: Calm down, Peter. I’m simply gathering information, out of curiosity.
Josh: Last time I checked, Henn and I are every bit as married as my brother. We can tell you why we proposed.
Me: But Jonas’ situation is the closest to mine. Henn’s always known he’d get married and have kids one day. And you, Josh, only proposed after knocking Kat up. Yes, it turned out great for you, but you didn’t put a ring on it out of the blue, like Jonas did. I want to talk to a dude who wasn’t always planning to get married, same as me, and also didn’t knock his girlfriend up.
Josh: I didn’t ask Kat to marry me because she was preggers. I was perfectly fine with having a baby momma. I only proposed when I realized I wanted Kat to be my wife.
Henn: And I didn’t ask Hannah to marry me because I had some thumping need to marry just anyone. I only asked Hannah because I knew, for sure, she was The One.
Me: I’m not questioning your undying love for your wives, fellas. I just want to know what makes a guy who’s never been interested in marriage, like me, suddenly do an about-face and pop the question.
Henn: I’m answering it, whether you like it or not. I knew it was time to pop the question when “girlfriend” wasn’t nearly enough.
Josh: Perfect way to explain it. That’s how I felt, too. Girlfriend/baby momma wasn’t enough. Even fiancée kind of bummed me out after the novelty wore off. I couldn’t wait to call her my wife. Mrs. Faraday.
Henn: Same. Mrs. Hennessy. Couldn’t wait.
I look down at Georgina, at the top of her dark head. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The great love of my life, like I implied a moment ago. But, at least for now, I’ve got no problem calling her my girlfriend. In fact, when I introduced Georgina as my girlfriend to Tony, and then Oscar, the orderly, and then to my mother, I felt nothing but buzzed and excited each time. But before I’ve answered my friend’s latest texts, my phone buzzes with one from Henn.
Henn: I wanted to propose to Hannah after knowing her for a week. I only waited out of fear of rejection. But, really, the minute I saw her, I thought, Hello, Wife.
Again, I look down at Georgina against my shoulder. I didn’t think, “Hello, Wife,” when I saw her in that lecture hall. I thought, Oooh, I want to fuck that one.
Me: See? That’s exactly why you’re not helpful to me, Peter. What sane man sees a woman and thinks, “Hello, wife”? Back me up, Faraday. What did you think when you first saw Kat?
Josh: I thought, “OH, GOD, I WANT TO FUCK HER!”
I chuckle. Josh and I have always shared a brain.
Me: So, Josh, how’d you get from that to “I want to call her Mrs. Faraday?”
Josh: It’s too much to explain in a text. Can you talk?
I gently lift Georgina’s chin to make sure she’s fast asleep, and when it’s clear her head is dead weight in my hand, I tap out a text, telling my friends I’ll call them both, on a three-way call. The call connects. My friends express shock and excitement that I’ve opened this line of discussion. And, again, I tell them to pipe the fuck down.
“There’s no need for you to call Jonas,” Josh says, referencing his fraternal twin. “I know exactly what he’d tell you, because he’s already said it to me. It was back when Jonas had just proposed to Sarah, after a month or two of dating, and he was hell-bent on having the wedding right away. So, I was like, ‘Dude, what’s your rush? And why do you need the piece of paper at all? Do you think it makes your love official?’ And Jonas looked at me, all intense—you know how he is when he flashes those serial killer eyes—and he goes, ‘Josh, I’m not marrying Sarah because I think I need a piece of paper to make our love official. I’m marrying her because I want to be there for her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health—and I want to let her know that’s my eternal promise to her, in the most irrevocable and sacred way known to mankind.’ Or something crazy like that.”
I chuckle. “And that made you want to propose to Kat?”
“No. At first, I was like, ‘Well, okay, dude, you do you. That’s not how I feel about Kat, so I guess that’s further proof I’m not the marrying kind.’ And then, I saw Kat standing there at Jonas and Sarah’s wedding, looking so damned beautiful, and I just... I don’t know. Out of nowhere, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I suddenly felt exactly the way Jonas had described it to me. Plus, the thought of Kat marrying someone else made me fucking homicidal.”
“I feel like that didn’t improve at all on my succinct, but powerful, answer from before,” Henn says. “Deep thoughts, by Peter Hennessy: ‘You know it’s time to pop the question when the word “girlfriend” simply isn’t enough.’”
“Yeah, I admit that’s pretty damned good,” Josh says. “So, do you still want Jonas’ number?”
“No, I think I’ve got what I need.”
“What does that mean?” Henn says. “Is the word ‘girlfriend’ not nearly enough?”
I look down at Georgina sleeping next to me. “No, it’s enough. At least, for now. Like I said, I was just curious. Gathering information. Don’t read too much into it, boys.”
My eyes meet Tony’s in the rearview mirror. He looks away quickly, but not before broadcasting his sincerely held belief that I’m full of shit.
“Of course, we won’t read into it,” Henn says sarcastically. “Why would we think there’s any correlation between you introducing Georgina to your mother, and her introducing you to her father, and you wondering how you’ll know if it’s time to put a ring on it?”
“I gotta go, guys,” I say, my cheeks flashing with heat. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Let us know the minute ‘girlfriend’ isn’t enough!” Henn says.
But I don’t reply. In fact, I disconnect the call, without saying goodbye. And when I see Tony’s eyes in the rearview mirror again, I quickly look out the window at a car in the adjacent lane of the expressway.
What the hell am I doing? Georgina is way too young to want the fairytale. I’m sure she wouldn’t even want an engagement ring, if I offered her one. Not at her age. I kiss the top of Georgina’s head and pull her into me. For fuck’s sake, I admitted this woman is the “great love of my life” today. If that’s not enough, then I don’t know what is.
Chapter 24
Georgina
When Reed and I enter the packed coffee house, Alessandra is getting herself situated on a tiny stage. When she sees us, she waves enthusiastically, and Reed and I return the gesture, before joining the back of the line for the counter. Normally, upon seeing my stepsister, I’d rush to her and hug her. But since the three of us spent hours together today, enjoying my magnificent birthday lunch and walking The Freedom Trail, an enthusiastic wave from afar seems natural and appropriate.
After several minutes of waiting, Reed and I finally reach the counter, and when our cashier lays eyes on Reed, her face ignites. “You’re Reed Rivers!”
“Last time I checked. Hello”—he looks at her nametag—”Reena. How are you? We’ll have a mocha and a cappuccino, please.”
But the girl is too frazzled to take Reed’s order. “I’m such a huge fan of all your artists. Your label is amazing. You’re amazing.”
“You attend Berklee?”
She nods profusely. “I’m a singer-songwriter. Oh my God. Can I send you my demo? Or will you check out my Instagram?”
She scrambles for her phone, but Reed puts up his palm, making me brace myself for whatever harsh and/or rude thing he’s about to say to her. Surely, it will be something along the lines of what he said to the blonde at Bernie’s Place.
“Sorry, Reena,” Reed says. “If I check out your Instagram, I’m going to be bombarded with similar requests all night. And that would make me cranky for two reasons. One, I’m here to scout tonight’s performer, Alessandra, and I want to give her my undivided attention.”
The cashier and I exchange a look of excitement for Alessandra.
“And, two...” Reed continues. He puts his arm around me. “I’m on a date, with my girlfriend, Georgina, here—the great love of my life—and I’d like to relax with her tonight without being interrupted.”
Predictably, the cashier looks disappointed she won’t be able to capitalize on this potentially life-changing chance meeting. But she manages to say, “I understand. Enjoy your night, Mr. Rivers.”
“Thanks.”
I’m thinking that’s that. Which, I must admit, is a bummer, simply because this girl is so darling and charismatic.
But when Reed’s gaze meets mine, whatever he sees on my face makes him exhale and return to the cashier. He leans over the counter. “Okay, kid, it’s your lucky day. Georgina here likes you and wants me to give you a shot, so...” He pulls out his phone. “Tell me your Instagram handle, and I’ll send it along to my music scout to take a look. If she likes you, and tells me to take a look at you, then I promise I will.”
“Oh, wow. Thank you, Reed! That’s amazing.”
The girl tells Reed her Instagram handle and he taps out a text onto his phone. And two seconds later, my phone vibrates in my hand with a text from Reed.
Look at this girl’s IG for me, Music Scout. Thanks.
“Okay, I just sent a text to my music scout,” Reed says to the girl, shoving his phone into his pocket.
“Thank you!”
“As a return favor, would you make an announcement that I don’t want to be bothered tonight?”
“Sure thing.”
“Aw, Reed,” I say. “I’m sure your music scout wouldn’t mind checking out a bunch of Instagram profiles for you. In fact, I’m sure she’d be happy to do it.”
“Whatever floats her boat.”
I address the cashier. “Why don’t you make an announcement you’ll be collecting Instagram handles and YouTube links for Reed’s music scout, to ensure Reed himself won’t be bombarded tonight.” I turn to Reed. “And in exchange for Reena being a doll and gathering all those links for your scout, maybe you could do something you hardly ever do and check out her Instagram account, personally, without using your scout as a middlewoman?”
“I can do that.”
“Oh my gosh! Thank you!”
“Maybe you’ll even give Reena some brief feedback and guidance about her music, one way or the other?” I look at Reena. “Would that be helpful to you?”
“That would be a dream come true. Good or bad. Please. Just give me brutal honesty.”
“That happens to be my specialty, Reena. I’ll look it over in the next few days and be in touch.”
“Thank you so much! Oh my gosh.”
“Reed, as long as you’re feeling benevolent tonight, why don’t you grab the mic and talk to everyone for a couple minutes about the music industry, before Alessandra starts her performance? When Reena introduces you, that’s when she can make the announcement about her collecting handles and links for your music scout.”
Reed says no. “It’s Alessandra’s night to shine,” he insists. Blah, blah. But I know he’s only being cranky, so I insist he’d be doing a huge kindness for every person in the coffee house. And Reena backs me up.
“Fine. Just a few words, though. This is Alessandra’s night.”
As I pop over to Alessandra to tell her the plan, Reena heads to the small stage. She introduces Reed and tells everyone they should give any demos and Instagram handles to her, to be forwarded to Reed’s music scout. “So, without further ado,” Reena says. “I give you... Reed Rivers!”
Enthusiastic applause erupts, during which Reed traipses onstage. He takes a stool and grabs the mic, and begins talking to the crowd about what he believes they all need to focus on as aspiring musicians, if they hope to make an actual career in music. And, just like at the panel discussion, every person in the room is riveted to him. Mesmerized. In awe. After about ten minutes of speaking, Reed opens it up for questions, and, instantly, he’s deluged with a roomful of raised hands.
As Reed answers questions, Alessandra leans into me at our small table. “He’s so nice to do this.”
“I know. He’s such a sweetheart.”
“He’s so much nicer than I thought. I can’t believe I thought he was such a jerk.”
“I know the feeling.”
“I can’t wait to show him just how much I’ve grown since my demo, thanks to everything he said to me at the party.”
My stomach twists. “Whatever happens, don’t take his word as gospel, okay? A lot goes into Reed’s decision-making that has nothing to do with talent.”
Alessandra winks. “You don’t have to protect me, Momma Bear. I’m scared to death to perform in front of him, but I’m also excited. Whatever happens, I’ll be okay.”
“Okay, guys,” Reed says onstage. “Let’s let Alessandra do her thing now. Be sure to tip her, okay? I’ll get things started.” He pulls out his wallet and stuffs a wad of bills into Alessandra’s tip jar, and everyone laughs and applauds and marvels at his smoothness. And I can’t help giggling to myself to see my Reed, the man I know and love, morph into Panel Discussion Reed before my eyes. It’s not an act, actually, when Reed turns into this dazzling version of himself. The suave, charming, debonair guy who says all the right things, and elicits chuckles and applause at all the right times. That guy is sincerely him. But what I’ve come to learn is it’s only one facet of him. A facet I love... although, I must admit, I’ve come to love the parts of him that aren’t quite as perfect even more.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Reed says, “I’m going to take a seat with my beautiful girlfriend and enjoy the show.”
Alessandra gapes when Reed calls me his “beautiful girlfriend,” and I blush.
“He’s been calling me his girlfriend every chance he gets during this trip,” I whisper.
“Swoon!” Alessandra whispers back.
