Page 37 of Catch Me (Townsend Legacy #4)

A ndreas

“Then how the hell did they get those pictures?” I demand from my manager. I’m on a call with Stan and my PR rep, Rachel, on speaker.

Ever since that damn blog post came out two days ago about me and Amber fucking Jones, I’ve demanded answers from my team on how this bullshit got released.

My team has already had the piece removed from the popular celebrity blog, but I’m still pissed.

“Andreas, you know how this thing works,” Rachel says. “Most of these blogs don’t ask or need proof to write what they want.”

“I’ll sue them out of business,” I say, before peering over my shoulder at my closed bedroom door.

“Now, Andreas, let’s not be too hasty,” Stan intervenes. “While this isn’t what you wanted, we can spin this to our advantage. What if?—”

“How many fucking times do I have to tell you I’m not doing one of those publicity relationship contracts. I am not going to repeat myself on this.”

Stan goes quiet.

The entire line goes quiet, and I imagine Rachel mentally scrambling to fix this.

“Understood,” Stan finally replies. “But that’s not what I was referring to. The photo of you and Rachel isn’t the only issue. In the writeup, it also mentions that you were spotted getting into an altercation with, uh, Dennis?—”

“James,” I finish for Stan.

“Is that true?” Rachel asks.

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. “They should’ve put that picture in this damn post. That’s the real story of that luncheon.”

The headline from the blog post went with the story of Amber Jones and my non-relationship, including a few photos of us eating lunch together and Amber holding my hand before we parted.

“That could be a potential problem,” Rachel says.

“He’s a non-issue,” I tell them. “That piece of garbage is on the verge of bankruptcy and possible criminal charges for stalking and harassment."

Turns out, Dennis James didn’t leave his antics to the online space. At least one woman has come forward claiming harassment with evidence.

“We can use that to spin this if it gets out,” Rachel says after I tell them about Dennis’ history and what happened at the restaurant. “Maybe if Ivy is willing to?—”

“Absolutely not,” I say through clenched teeth. “I don’t want her anywhere near this. He’s done enough to her.”

“But what if?—”

“No. Ivy’s not for public fodder. End of discussion.” My tone is razor sharp.

“Okay, we’ll do everything in our power to keep your private life private,” Rachel promises. “Meanwhile, we need to figure out a way to get ahead of this Dennis James thing. If footage of you assaulting him gets out …”

“I’ll deal with it,” I say.

“Andreas, Rachel is right to bring this up,” Stan agrees. “You assaulting someone is the last thing we need with you starting promotions for Late Nights soon.”

My top lip ticks.

“He deserved that punch and much worse,” I counter. “If it gets out …” I glance back at my closed bedroom door. “I’ll handle it. I have to go.

“In the meantime, set the record straight about me and Amber. The past is over. We broke up more than three years ago, and it’ll remain that way.”

“Will do,” Rachel answers.

“I’ll be out of touch for the next week. If you need anything, my assistant is on standby.”

“Once you return, we need to hash out your promotional schedule for Late Nights ,” Rachels tells me.

“I spoke with Michael yesterday and post-production is going well. He’s ahead of schedule. We should have the final viewing within a couple of weeks.”

I run my free hand through my hair. All of this sounds great, but I know that means my schedule is about to get even more hectic.

“I’ve already got two scripts ready for you to review. I definitely think?—”

“We can discuss it when I get back,” I tell Stan, at the same time I turn around to see Ivy quietly leaning against the wall.

She’s dressed in the button down top I left on my bedroom floor last night in my rush to get inside of her.

The shirt stops a few inches above her knees.

Her eyes drop to the phone in my hand before she gestures to the bedroom, trying to escape back inside.

My arm around her waist traps her to me, though.

“I have to go,” I tell Stan and Rachel.

“Have a safe trip home,” Stan says.

“Are you sure we can’t send a birthday bouquet to your mom?” Rachel asks for the second time.

“She hates those things,” I answer. My mom doesn’t need or want for anything. Which is why if one of us gives her a gift, she prefers it be in the form of quality time or something made by hand.

“Talk to you both in a week.” I disconnect the call and toss my phone on the sofa. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” I ask Ivy before nipping her ear with my teeth.

She lets out a husky laugh, her body melting into mine.

“How’s Stan doing?” She turns and wraps her arms around my neck.

“Rachel was on the call, too.”

“About your actress girlfriend situation, huh?” She raises an eyebrow.

I growl, making her laugh. “She’s nothing to me.”

Ivy nods. “I know.” The trust in her voice means the entire world to me.

As soon as I saw that blog post, I called Ivy to let her know it wasn’t true and the reason why I was at lunch with Amber. She trusted me almost immediately.

“I saw the pictures,” she’d said. “But I know the way you look at me. That can’t be faked. Not even for an actor as good as you. I know there’s nothing between you two.”

“I love you,” I tell her as I remember those words from two nights ago.

Ivy pulls back when I go to kiss her.

“What about the other thing?”

I narrow my eyes. “What other thing?”

“Dennis James.” She looks at me expectantly.

“You read the post,” I say. Up until this moment, I’d thought she had just seen the pictures and read the headline. Now I know she read the post before I had it taken down.

“And I just heard your conversation. I wasn’t eavesdropping,” she hurries to say. “Did you really punch him?”

“Maybe.”

She pushes at my shoulder. “Andreas, seriously.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Stan doesn’t seem to think so.”

I curse myself for having my phone on speaker phone.

“You could get in trouble. Dennis James seems like the vindictive type. He?—”

I cut her off with a kiss.

“He’s not a problem you should worry about anymore.”

Ivy narrows her eyes. “What do you mean he’s not my problem? The only reason you have an issue with him is because of me. What if this thing with him causes backlash in your career?”

“Then I’ll deal with it.”

“But—”

I kiss her again. “He’s a nonissue. A piece of shit who’s spent too long harassing women online and off.”

“Off?”

I nod and tell Ivy about the alleged stalking situation. “And she’s probably not the only one.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Me either.”

“Seriously, though,” she says, pulling out of my embrace. “I don’t want to be the reason you face any public backlash or damage to your career.”

“Baby, you’re begging for me to put you over my knee. Say any more bullshit like that again and you’re going to need a pillow for that ass during our flight.”

“I’m being for real.”

“So am I when I say anything that does or doesn’t happen to my career is a direct result of my actions. I knocked the hell out of Dennis James because he’s a piece of human waste and deserved much worse. I’ll accept full responsibility on that account.”

I tighten my hold around her waist.

“Now, can we stop talking about that bastard? Because right now the only opportunity I’m missing out on because of you is the chance for another orgasm before we have to get ready for our flight.”

Ivy finally agreed to come to Williamsport with me.

“Andreas!” Ivy shouts when I lift her over my shoulder. “Put me down.”

“Hush!” I order at the same time as I smack her ass. “We’re going to settle the rest of this in the shower. Damn, I’m glad I chose to have the bench installed when I moved into this place.”