Among Wildflowers (2 page)

Macy leaned back in her chair,
waiting for Brandon to get off his cell phone.

“Yes, Kathy, I realize that.” He shoved a handful of ringed fingers through his curly blond hair. “Don’t you think I’m working on it? Listen, Kathy, I have my freaking hands full right now. I’m doing all I can just to keep shit together, so if I could have a little bit of patience from your end it would be appreciated. Hey, just take me at my word. It’ll get don.” He punched
END
on his iPhone and tossed it onto his desk.

“So, Macy, you’re back.”

She nodded. “Yep.”

“You look good, Macy.”

“Thank you, I feel good.”

“So do you feel like you’re ready to go back to work?”

“Absolutely.”

He nodded, leaning back in his chair and regarding her carefully. “Are you sure?”

“I’m not broken, Brandon.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I know. But, Macy, what happened—”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. I needed some help. I got it. Now everything’s fine.”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal? It was a pretty big goddamned deal.”

Macy shook her head. “The point is I’m okay now. Let’s get on with it. I’m ready to go back to work, so put me on a job.”

Brandon sighed and let his head fall forward for a moment. “Okay. I do have a job for you.”

“Great. Where is it?”

“Montana.”

Macy made a face. “Why the hell would I go to Montana?”

“Because that’s where your job is located.”

Macy rolled her eyes. “Who?”

“Ryland Quinn.”

Macy’s eyes widened. “Ryland Quinn? Like the country music hick? Like the CMA’s artist of the year Ryland Quinn?”

“The very same.”

“I don’t do country music stars. Get someone else for him. What else do you have?”

Brandon’s laugh was humorless. “You don’t get it, Macy, do you?”

“Get what?”

“You had a nervous breakdown in the middle of a high-profile photo shoot with not just one A-list celebrity, but five. All you had to do was get through the day. Take the freaking pictures and send them off. That was all.”

She looked down at her hands, wringing them together in her lap. “I know I embarrassed myself—”

“You didn’t just embarrass yourself, Macy. You embarrassed me. You single-handedly embarrassed our whole company. You’re a liability.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

Brandon sighed and stood, coming to stand beside Macy’s chair. He dropped down to his knees and took Macy’s hands in his.

“Macy, I know I don’t and won’t ever understand what happened. I know it was big and what you were going through was tough, and I respect that. But this is Hollywood. No one gives a shit about anyone else. No one cares that your aunt died. Macy, the truth is nobody wants to work with you anymore.”

Macy felt a lump form in her throat. “So what you're saying is that my career is over.”

“No. I didn’t say that. But it’s damaged, Mace. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. You’re going to have to work hard to earn people’s trust
again.”

“So I have to go to Montana.”

Brandon nodded. “It won’t be easy. Ryland Quinn isn’t a particularly pleasant person to get along with. It won’t be easy to get the pictures we need.”

“What do you mean? I’ll set up a country scene. Have him sit on
some bales of hay or a tractor or whatever. Done. I’ll be finished in a day.”

He grinned. “Not so fast. This story we’re working on is all about why Quinn hasn’t released any new singles. Why he
completely fell off the map two years ago—right smack in the middle of his world tour. Why he’s been dodging his producers and putting off the release of his new album. This isn’t just your average run-of-the-mill photo shoot. I want you and Lane to really capture Ryland’s life. What has he been doing for the past two years? Find out what his life is like on the ranch. Find out what makes him tick. Everyone suspects that he’s either a raging alcoholic or he’s suffered a mental meltdown.”

Macy winced and looked away, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth.

Brandon sighed. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. That’s not what I meant.”

“Yes, it is, but it’s okay. I don’t expect you to tiptoe around me, Brandon.”

“Macy, what I’m trying to say is, I need Lane to get the juicy story, and I need you to get the pictures that illustrate that story. You need to be totally professional and wow people with this. You and Lane need to make this story count. It’s the only way you’re going to get your career back on track.”

Macy bit her bottom lip and nodded solemnly. She knew he was right, but it didn’t make this any easier to swallow. She was accustomed to photographing high-profile fashion shoots, A-list celebrities, and major movie promos—not some country music has-been that had fallen out of the limelight.

“Be ready to leave at the beginning of next week,” Brandon said, picking up his phone and putting it to his ear as a sign of dismissal. “And stay there until you two have the story.”

Macy nodded and gave Brandon a sarcastic thumbs-up before heading back to her office. There was so much paperwork piled on her desk that it made her sick to even consider going through it. After all the hours of therapy she had had to endure, she should feel better, feel more in control of her life. But her life had never felt in such disarray before, and this stupid assignment in Montana was the last thing she needed. But if it somehow helped get her career going again, she had no choice but to grin and bear it.

As she sat back in her chair and began going through the papers, images of her last day at work began to flood her mind. Shaking her head, trying to clear it, she tried once again to focus on the task at hand, but the memories were too fresh and the emotions were too raw to overcome.

“What is her problem?” the little blond actress, America’s sweetheart Heather Reynolds, asked as Macy stepped away to pull up some of the photos from the shoot up on her laptop.

“I have no idea. This is the shittiest shoot I’ve ever been on. I have plans tonight and I’m going to be exhausted after this cluster,” said Heather’s co-star Rachel.

“I seriously will not put up with her bullshit anymore today,” Heather said.

Macy ground her teeth and bit her tongue to keep herself from responding. She’d been on edge all day and these little spoiled brats were really pissing her off. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket and she yanked it out, answering irritably without looking to see who was calling.

“Jeeze, what’s got your back up?” Logan asked.

“I’m at work, what’s up?”

“My mom wants to meet for dinner tonight.”

Macy pulled the phone away from her ear to grimace at it for a moment before putting it back to her ear. She so desperately wanted to be alone tonight and going out somewhere sounded exhausting.

“Tonight?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know. I’m not really up for dinner. I don’t feel like seeing anyone tonight.”

“Are we just going to stand around all day while she talks on her phone?” Macy heard Heather mutter.

“Listen, I guess dinner is fine. I’m just not having a very good day today.”

Logan sighed. “Macy, I’m really starting to get sick of all of these ‘bad days’ you’re having. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I need a normal girlfriend again.”

Macy bit her bottom lip, not knowing what the right thing was to say. “I’m doing my best.”

“And I’m not?”

“Logan, I’m in the middle of the shoot. I have to go.”

“It’s always about you, isn’t it?”

“No, of course not, but I’m working—”

“Fine. Don’t bother with dinner tonight. She was just being polite by inviting you anyway. I’ll see you at home.”

***

Macy watched Logan pace back and forth across the kitchen, his hands shoved into the pockets of his dark-washed designer jeans.

“I don’t like this idea, Mace.”

Macy slipped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his chest.

“I’m fine now. Logan, I’m ready to go back to work. I can do this.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

She lifted her head. “What do you mean?”

“You’re going to be spending a week with some country music superstar at his secluded ranch.”

Macy blinked at him for a moment before responding. “Yes, but Lane’s coming with me. He’s going to be conducting the interview, and I’ll just be taking the pictures. I’ll hardly be speaking with him at all, really.”

“I don’t like this idea,” Logan said again, pulling away and sinking down on the couch.

Macy sat beside him and turned to him, taking his hands in hers.

“Logan, I need you to be on board with this. After…what
happened, no one wants to work with me. This is the only assignment Brandon could get for me. And the only reason I got this was because Ryland Quinn said he didn’t care who they sent out. Quinn’s career has turned to shit, and he doesn’t really have a choice about this whole interview anyway.”

“Macy, Ryland Quinn made People Magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ twice. I don’t like the thought of you hanging around on your own with him.”

Macy sighed and squeezed his hands.

“Logan, you know I hate country music. It’s stupid. And I definitely don’t have a thing for Ryland Quinn. You have nothing to worry about. I don’t like the prospect of having to hang around Hicksville Montana for a week, either, but I don’t have a choice. I have to get my career back on track or else. And I don’t have anything else.”

He cupped the side of her face and pressed a quick kiss against her lips.

“You have me,” he whispered softly.

“Thank you,” she whispered back.

Logan settled back in the couch, pulling Macy with him so she was nestled against him, her head against his shoulder.

“Besides, Lane is the one Ryland’s going to have to watch out for. He has a ridiculous crush on him.”

Logan shook his head. “Don’t forget about the party tonight.”

Macy groaned. “I think I’ll skip it, if that’s okay.”

“What?” Logan furrowed his eyebrows. “You don’t want to come?”

“No, no, I do. I just don’t know if I’m ready to be in a setting like that again. I’m still getting back on my feet.”

“Macy, please. It’s going to really embarrass me if you’re not there. Everyone’s been asking about you, and I want to show them that you’re okay.”

Macy summoned up the most convincing smile she could. “I’ll be there.”

He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. “Thank you.”

Her smile faded the moment she tucked her head beneath Logan’s chin. She wasn’t sure what else she could do to convince him that he needed to take her sobriety seriously. He didn’t seem to understand or even want to understand. The longer she was out of Tall Oaks, the more she questioned her own sobriety and mental
health. Everything she’d learned during the countless group
therapies, one-on-one treatments and exercises had taught her that, if she was going to get through this, she was going to need support—and a lot of it. She didn’t want to end up like Patrice, but sometimes that’s where she feared she was headed. Some days she didn’t know if she was strong enough to make it through, to take one more step. But she had to. She’d fought tooth and nail to make it as far as she had. She only prayed she had enough strength left.

“Macy! It’s
so
good to see you.
You look so rested!”

“Thanks, Candy.”

“When I saw Logan today at the office I asked him how you were doing.”

“Oh, that’s very kind of you. I’m doing fine, thank you.”

“I heard Lindsay Lohan was at the same rehab as you.”

It was all Macy could do to not roll her eyes at the woman. “I really don’t know anything about that. Maybe. I never saw her though.”

Candy looked disappointed. “You’re so lucky to have such a caring man in your life. He worries so much about you.”

“Yes, he does. I know I’m lucky.”

Candy put her hands on her hips and pushed her lips out, furrowed her brows, and tilted her head to show how concerned she was. “He was so distraught after you left that I did all I could do to console him. One night over drinks he told me he was afraid you might not make it through.”

Macy’s skin crawled and she fought the urge to punch Candy in the face. “Well, here I am.”

“Thank goodness,” Candy said sweetly. “Oh! I see my friend near the bar. Gotta run!”

Macy gave her a little wave and watched her strut her stuff over to the bar, hips swaying in an exaggerated fashion. Macy rolled her eyes and fought back the urge to stick her finger down her throat.

“There you are, my dear!” Logan’s mother Betty came up to her and kissed her cheek before pulling her into an awkward hug. “You look so much better!”

Macy so wished she was somewhere else. Her stay in Tall Oaks had been the kind of gossip that this circle of rich snobs lived for. She was sure they had all been happily speculating about her, and it made Macy increasingly uncomfortable being around them. Her sponsor had warned her to stay clear of situations like this as they would be a major trigger for her, but she didn’t want to let Logan down. She would just have to be strong and endure it.

“Thank you, Betty. I feel better.”

“I’m so glad your relationship with Logan is so strong. I was so worried it wouldn’t survive after... well, you know.” Betty smiled her usual sickly sweet smile.

“Yes, me too, Betty.” Macy held her chin up, determined not to feel bullied or embarrassed. “We’re doing just fine.”

Betty stood smiling at her for a moment, clutching her glass of champagne.

“Where did you get your outfit? It’s positively gorgeous.”

Macy glanced down at the grotesquely expensive Vera Wang dress Logan had insisted she wear.

“Oh, isn’t it lovely? Logan picked it out.”

“He has good taste.” Betty paused for a moment, as if choosing her words, and Macy braced herself for what she knew would be the blow. “Believe me, Macy, I understand how hard this life is. Growing up with a father in the real estate business, and then my husband, and now Logan is following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps. I know how challenging it can be to live up to the expectations of the elite. It’s not easy. My parents demanded I go to finishing school.” Betty clicked her tongue and shook her head. “I know you didn’t have that opportunity, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I’m not ashamed,” Macy said.

“Of course not! Growing up with the circumstances you did is noble and I commend you for it. But what are you trying to prove?”

“What do you mean?”

“I guess what I’m trying to say is, this life isn’t for everyone, dear. And it’s okay to be at peace with where your place in life is. You have a lovely job at the newspaper. You’ve done very well for yourself, Macy.”

Macy’s head was spinning. It wasn’t a secret that Logan’s mom didn’t think Macy was a good candidate for a daughter-in-law, but it always astounded Macy just how blunt she was about it. Macy didn’t have a distinguished pedigree like Logan did, so therefore she just simply wasn’t good enough.

Bristling, Macy said, “Oh, I see someone I need to talk to. Excuse me, please.”

“Oh, okay, dear.” Betty offered one last dazzling smile before Macy made a break for it.

She let out a heartfelt sigh and made her way to the bar where she spotted Logan.

“Hey, babe.” Logan pulled her against him and kissed her cheek before returning to his conversation with his friend.

“Can I get you something?” the cute brunette bartender asked, her hands full of dirty glasses.

“She’ll have a glass of the house red,” Logan answered.

“Yes, sir,” said the bartender said.

“Logan,” Macy whispered, suddenly panicked.

“What’s the problem, Mace?”

“I can’t have that wine.”

“Why not?”

Macy felt the sharp sting of hurt and resentment in her chest, but she drew in a deep breath and tried to recover. “I’m sober.”

Logan sighed and rolled his eyes upward for a moment as if he was trying to summon up some patience. “It was a requirement that you had to be sober while you were at... that place. But now you’re out and you’re better now.”

“I... I... no. I can’t drink it. I’m sober. I can never drink again, Logan. If you had come on visitors’ day and sat through the group family sessions you would fucking know that!”

Logan stood and grabbed her upper arm forcefully, pulling her away from the bar. “Would you please keep it down? People might hear you.”

“Are you embarrassed by me?”

He looked down at her for a moment before responding. “Quite frankly, yes.”

Macy blinked at him. “What?”

Logan’s expression softened. “I don’t really mean that. I just
mean...what happened wasn’t normal, Macy. You really worried me—all of us. You know how people talk. I’m just trying to protect you.”

“I appreciate that, but I don’t need protecting. I learned a lot while I was at Tall Oaks. I’m stronger… healthier.”

Logan smiled before kissing her forehead. “I believe you.”

Macy looked up at Logan, wishing so badly that his mother hadn’t been right about her. She wanted to be what Logan needed. She wanted to be that girl that he was proud of, and she used to be, but not anymore. Macy had dashed all that away, and now she felt like some mess he was just trying to sweep under the rug.

“Macy, your hand looks empty and I’ve got just the cure—gin and tonic!” Lane’s sing-song voice broke through the noise of the crowd as he approached and shoved a glass into Macy’s hand. He bent down and whispered in her ar. “It’s just Sprite, alchy.”

She smiled gratefully and took a sip, grabbing his arm to stop him.

“Thanks for coming tonight.”

He gave her a wink in response. “Of course. Hanging out with Logan and his stuck-up friends is never on the top of my list, but for you, anything.”

Thank God for Lane.

***

Standing on his porch, Ryland crossed his arms and gazed up at the stars. Only two years ago, his career had been booming—beyond successful. He had been in the middle of a world tour with his band, and his songs were played continuously on the radio. He had had everything he wanted. Then in the blink of an eye the rug had been pulled out from beneath him and he had mentally collapsed. He’d completely lost it—canceled his tour, stopped showing up to the studio, stopped writing music. He’d fallen apart. The only thing in this damned world that held him even halfway together was this ranch, and he wouldn’t let go of that for anything.

Now he was awaiting the arrival of two pompous reporters from some celebrity trash magazine who were going to do just that to his name—trash it. They were going to come out here to his ranch, his home, and get their juicy story about what a has-been he was. He could just picture his face on the front cover of next month’s issue: RYLAND QUINN—WHAT WENT WRONG?

He ran a hand through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut. What had gone wrong? He let out a humorless chuckle and kicked at a clod of dirt that was stuck to a porch step. Ryland had always thought of himself as a strong man, but oh, was he wrong about that. The past two years had proven to be the hardest of his life, and when faced with the ultimate heartache, he had crumpled like a piece of paper. Ryland knew this story with Celebrity News was either going to mend his career like Robbie said, or it was going to put an end to it once and for all—and he was perfectly fine with either outcome.