Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Fevered Halos & The Wounds They Circle
I don’t choose the pain. I just keep letting it dress itself in love’s disguise.
“Daddy, it wasn’t like that. I swear Callum wasn’t there to cause trouble.” I lift my head from my lap while pressing an ice pack to my nose and mouth.
They made me go to the hospital, but after they ran a few tests, I was released. My parents were told to watch for more bleeding.
I’m sitting on the couch near my mom. She keeps wiping my hair away from my face as she stares down at me with concern surrounding her aura.
My dad paces before us. “Livianna, what he did could’ve gotten you killed. You’re like two semi-trucks going toward each other at a million miles an hour and hitting head-on. You’re a catastrophe waiting to happen.”
The doorbell rings and my dad stomps off to answer it.
My mom gazes down at me. “Darling, you need to see how destructive your relationship is. For Christ’s sake, he’s been arrested on assault charges. How much worse do you think things can get?”
“He didn’t mean to hit me.”
“But he did because he can’t control his temper. The studio said if he didn’t realize that you were hurt, they don’t think he would’ve stopped attacking that guy.”
“That idiot is a piece of shit and deserved it.”
Ms. Mayze and John appear in the living room with my dad. My heart rate spikes.
I push away from my mom and point to John. “What are you doing here?”
“Livianna, please hear me out.” He pumps his hands in a please relax gesture.
I want to scream and demand he leave, but Callum is in jail. John knows more about that situation than any of us and I want to know what’s going on. Begrudgingly, I sit next to my mom.
John motions to the other side of the couch. “Can we all gather and discuss the situation with Cash?”
My dad finds a seat next to me. “Please. We’d appreciate the details.”
Ms. Mayze and my mom have a pleasant hello, but it’s fake on my mom’s part. She’s still upset that Ms. Mayze helped get my painkiller prescription filled.
We told my parents I needed them because of the terrible cramps I was having, caused by a terrible fall I took in the mountains. I’m not sure they believe us, but they didn’t push the subject.
While Ms. Mayze was standing in the pharmacy, the tech asked her about me and my age and if she knew how powerful the medication was. Through this interaction, someone in line overheard and sold the information to the tabloids. It seems everyone wants a piece of me.
Once Ms. Mayze and John are seated across from us, John leads the conversation. “First off, Livianna, please understand I hired the man from New Year’s Eve based on your studio’s recommendation. I thought he could be trusted.”
My mom and dad exchange puzzled gazes while I remain stone-faced. I’m not going into the details of that night with anyone. It’s over and that means it’s done.
I hold the ice pack to the corner of my mouth. “Callum already explained that. What’s your point?”
“I reported what occurred to your producers. They promised they would look into it and that man would no longer be a concern to you.” John runs his palms down his pants like he’s wiping sweat off them.
“I didn’t know that part.” My defenses come down a little, but I’m still confused. “Why would he still be around the set if you did what you say?”
“When I spoke to them today, they said…” He glances at Ms. Mayze, who nods, then turns back to me. “They documented the concerns and removed him from the area when you’re there. But they had no recourse since you didn’t file a report with the hotel and there was no proof that anything happened.”
I straighten my back, bracing myself for the barrage of questioning that’s sure to follow.
My dad faces me. “What took place that night, Livianna?”
“Nothing. It was a misunderstanding.” I try to calm my breathing. “Callum and I were having a hard time communicating since he lost his phone. I went back to the hotel early. That’s it.”
Ms. Mayze gives me a sympathetic smile. “Honey, John told me and Bubba what he saw when he returned with your brother.”
I shake my head and shrug. “So?”
My mom pushes off the couch and goes upstairs.
“John, would you like to share what you saw?” My dad peers over at John.
His gaze darts around my face. “Livianna was in the room alone, but there were security people from the hotel there.”
I steel myself. He’s going to tell them and I have no way out of this now.
I place my hand on my dad’s knee. “Daddy, it was nothing but a little disturbance. Nobody was hurt and we quieted down right after the hotel staff left.”
My mom and Bren return to the room.
Bren scratches the back of his head. “What’s this about?”
“Sit down, Brendan.” My dad points to a space on the couch. “We need your help with something.”
Dammit!
It’s obvious my dad doesn’t believe me. Usually, I can get him to listen to my side and at least go easy on me. This doesn’t appear to be the case right now. My mom finds a seat next to me.
Bren sits next to her. “What can I help with? I wasn’t there today. Hell, I didn’t even know Cash was going to the studio.”
“This is about New Year’s Eve.” Ms. Mayze cups her hands together and rests them in her lap. “Please help us understand what you and John saw that night when you returned to the hotel. It will be great information to assist Bubba in getting out of these ridiculous charges.”
Bren bites down on the corner of his mouth and stares my way. I try to remain neutral since everyone is analyzing every move I make. My mom nudges Bren.
His shoulders fall. “John and I came back to the room thinking Cash would be there. He wasn’t, but Livianna was with the hotel staff.”
“We already know that.” My dad’s irritation level is becoming obvious. “What did you see when you returned? Not as in who was there, but what was going on with Livianna?”
“Her clothes were torn.” Bren gives me an apologetic shrug. “She was a mess. Her makeup and hair were all over the place. Once everyone left, I realized she had been cutting on her wrists again.”
I lower my head as my chest caves in. I want to cry, but I shove it down. It won’t help. If anything, it will only prove to everyone that something did happen.
My mom runs her hand over my back. “Why were your clothes ripped?”
I stay frozen, my gaze stuck to the floor.
“Livianna, the studio wants to press charges against Bubba.” Ms. Mayze’s voice cuts in. “He says the man provoked him by telling him some inappropriate things about what took place in your hotel room. Please help my son by exposing the truth.”
His future rides on me. I can only imagine what the evil guy said to him that would’ve made Callum act the way he did.
Nothing in me wants to say it, but I gather all my strength for his sake. “The guy assigned to me that night forced himself on me.”
“He did what?” My dad towers over me, shaking.
Bren rises to my dad’s level. “He tried to rape her, but Livianna stopped it somehow. That’s all any of us know.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell anyone?” My dad spins and stumbles to the fireplace. “You’re only fifteen, Livianna. You don’t need to take on the world’s problems at your age.”
“I don’t?” This time I get to my feet. “I’m expected to do everything an adult does, but when it comes to making decisions that are right for me, I’m told I’m too young. Which one is it? Am I an adult or a kid?”
My dad’s stunned silence is enough to tell the room I’ve made my point. I turn to Ms. Mayze and John.
“Anything Callum needs, I’ll do. He was only defending me.” I cup my hands over each of my wrists, crossing them. “We already know New Year’s Eve is going to be a he-said-she-said issue since I didn’t say anything to anyone, but I’m sure you guys can come up with a plan.”
“Thank you, Livianna.” Ms. Mayze comes over and hugs me.
John stands and takes a step toward me.
“No.” I shake my head. “You might have Callum on your side right now, but we all know what you did.”
“Livianna, I’m so sorry. I know you won’t understand, but I was on drugs. I haven’t touched them since that day.” John pleads with his eyes for forgiveness.
“Once you put Callum first instead of what you need from him, I’ll consider what you’ve said. Until then, keep your distance.” I start toward the staircase. “I’m really tired and need to rest.”
“Livianna.” My mom stands and steps toward me. “We need to know everything so we can help you.”
“The five of you together know enough to get Callum out of this mess. Figure it out but know I’m not discussing it with anyone else. Not even the police. They’ll only twist the facts.” I give my mom a knowing look.
She nods. “Okay, we’ll come up with something all parties can accept and respect your privacy.”
“I figured since you’re all masters at controlling other people’s lives. Maybe this time you’ll do it to help us, not use us for your gain.” I make eye contact with all of them except Bren.
He’s the only one who doesn’t use me or Callum. He simply lets us decide, regardless of his opinion.
I return to my room and find the hidden painkillers I have left over. I take two and text Callum even though I know he won’t receive the message until he’s out of jail.
Me: The roses were beautiful. Thank you. I love you.
I send the message and wait for the high to hit me while fighting the urge to slash at my wrists.
Callum hugs me as we stand next to his tour bus. “I’m gonna miss you so much.”
“Me too.” I bury my face in his chest. “Promise we’ll talk every day.”
“Any chance I get, I’ll text you.” His heart pounds hard against my cheek. “Thanks again for helping to get me out of that jam.”
“Our families did that, but I’d do anything for you.”
“And I would for you.”
“So six months of probation is worth it?” I peek up and force a smile.
“I’d take life if it meant that dick was taken care of.”