When Juliet said no, Thea said, “I’m going to send you a link. Watch, then call me back.”
Juliet did exactly as directed—she had a feeling not many people told Thea no. What she saw on the screen had her stomach roiling and anger knotting her gut. Lisa Swan, the woman who’d slept with Juliet’s then-husband, had called Juliet a home-wrecker and a gold digger who wouldn’t “remove her claws” from Reid.
But Lisa hadn’t stopped with shredding Juliet’s character, she’d intimated that Juliet had only gotten the job with Everett because of sexual favors. Worst of all, she’d sniped about how Juliet had managed to “worm” her way into the “wealthy and connected” Bishop-Esera family through her friendship with Charlotte.
“She’s probably planning to hook one of the men.” Lisa had curled her lip. “Since she’s not too particular about if they’re married or not, the Bishop-Esera wives better watch their men.”
20
Do Not Mess with Juliet Nelisi
Calling Thea back on a wave of pure, blinding rage, Juliet fought to keep her voice even. “She is a lying disgrace to women everywhere!”
“I know that, sweetie. Did you notice how careful Ms. I’m So Overwrought was not to use any words the station would have to bleep out?”
“I didn’t even notice that, I was so focused on not smashing my phone screen,” Juliet admitted. “Reid slept with Lisa while we were still married. I never made it public.” Though she’d been glad to be out of that toxic marriage, she’d felt humiliated nonetheless. Hard to feel any other way when she’d walked in on the two in her and Reid’s marital bed.
Dickish move number two zillion.
Thea whistled. “Talk about pot and kettle—but we’re not going to go down the road of exposing her. It’ll just add fuel to the fire, and you know she’ll lie her face off.”
Juliet nodded, though Thea couldn’t see her. “I’ve got no desire to rake up that muck either. It’s in the past—where I wish Reid and Lisa would stay.”
“I’ve put out some feelers,” Thea said. “There’s a reason they’ve orchestrated this media storm, and we’re going to find out why.”
Juliet squeezed, then flexed her free hand. “I’ve been trying to stay out of the spotlight. I want to have a normal life.”
“Here’s the thing,” Thea responded in her crisp LA accent. “Right now they’re writing the script. You can’t win unless you take control. I can tell you how to douse the flames, but it’ll mean a public appearance and statement.”
Shoving off her blanket, Juliet strode to the windows that overlooked the water. “There’s no other option?”
“There are always other options—but the easiest way to stop this is to be blunt and up-front and brutal in a way they won’t expect. Don’t play their games and don’t hide—it’ll make you look guilty when you have nothing to be guilty about.” A short pause. “Right, I just looked up your boss. He’s a dish. He also has a very muted online presence for someone with his level of success. Are you sleeping with him or have you ever slept with him?”
Juliet blinked, the insult burning her cheeks… until she realized this had nothing to do with insults. Thea just wanted to know what she was working with. “He’s gay,” she said. “He’s also in a long-term relationship.” Her stomach twisted again. “God, I hope his partner doesn’t take Lisa’s allegations seriously.”
“Is he out?”
“Yes.”
Everett was a private man, but he was open about his sexuality if the question came up—which it mostly did when women who didn’t know hit on him. As Thea had pointed out, he was a dish. Kalia had been one of those enamored women, but the photographer had taken his gentle rebuff with cheerful grace and was now friends with both Everett and Rufus.
Clearly, the lazy-ass gossip columnist who’d done the initial upload had simply assumed Lisa’s sexual allegation was a viable possibility.
“Why do you ask?” she said to Thea.
“Not our place to out someone who isn’t.” Thea sounded like she was tapping a pen on her desk. “What are the chances he’d let you use his name in a statement or make a statement of his own?”
Confused and overwhelmed, Juliet said, “Can I have a few minutes to brush my teeth and grab a cup of coffee?”
“Take the time you need, but remember, the faster we handle this, the faster it ends.”
“I won’t be long,” Juliet said before hanging up and heading into the bathroom.
It wasn’t until she had the coffee going that she called Jake. “Why did you sic Thea on me?” It had to have been Jake who’d contacted Molly and set things in motion.
“Because you need a barracuda, and Thea’s a friendly barracuda.” His voice was a little sleep-rough.
“How do you know?” she said, exasperated. “You just met Fox and Molly before the wedding.”
“I’m a fan of the band.”
“Oh.” That wasn’t so much of a surprise—he’d messed with her about the heavy metal, but he’d always blasted hard rock in his car.
“I’ve seen her on camera dealing with things over the years. I could tell no one messes with her.”
Juliet bad-temperedly poured a mug of coffee. “So you took it upon yourself to organize my life?”
“I saw that recording late last night and I knew you’d be drowning by morning,” he said, unrepentant. “I threw you a life raft. Whether you take it or not is up to you.”
It was annoying because he was right. He’d found her the help she needed, but he wasn’t forcing her to do anything about it. “I suppose you expect thanks.”
“What I expect are a few moments of peace before my daughter wakes up. Go away and let me drink my goddamn coffee.”
He sounded so grumpy that she grinned. Looked like Jake wasn’t a morning person. She grinned even harder when he hung up on her. Only he called back almost at once.
Answering, she said, “Yes, sunshine?”
“I forgot to tell you,” he grumbled, “but I did a bit of ringing around last night. A few media contacts I trust. Not the gossip people, but serious journalists like Rachel—she was my wedding date and she’s a good friend.”
“What did you find out?”
“Reid and Lisa have been pitching a reality show to the networks. No one was interested because he’s not even a D-list celebrity at this point. He’s a drunk who’s one failed selection away from total obscurity. Not much drama in that.”
Rage was a scorching wind through Juliet. “I’m going to crush that little pinhead,” she said with open fury. “After that, I’m going to come over and kiss you.”
A grumpy “Don’t come in the morning” before he hung up again.
Juliet immediately called Thea and passed on what Jake had dug up.
“Let me confirm that,” Thea said. “Since one of the Bishop-Eseras is calling you, we don’t have to put out a fire there, right?”