She stares at me long and hard but then she nods, accepting I’m being truthful. I might not be the president of the Tenley Garrison Fan Club but I’m also not a complete jackass and I would never fuck up her family dynamic—whatever the hell that is. Right now, I have no clue but I trust Tenley isn’t trying to screw over anyone in her family. She may have a lot of faults I will gladly list, but she is more loyal than a Golden Retriever.
“You should drive. I’m not in a good space.”
I nod and hold the front door open for her.
On the ride to Crew's house, Tenley explains the footage of Anne-Marie and what she said about Crew. It takes everything in me to stay calm and focused on the road. I want to scream obscenities and find Anne-Marie and drive my car right over her. When Tenley finishes explaining that the shithead director wants to actually use that footage, I feel her hand on top of one of mine on the steering wheel. It's gentle, like a warm blanket. "Your knuckles are white. Take a breath. We'll find a way to stop it."
“Of course we will. I’ll call my dad. He has a lawyer who will start action against her. She signed an NDA when she got her divorce settlement and this breaches the fuck out of it,” I reply.
Tenley moves her hand off mine. “Why does she keep saying this? She did it in my preliminary interviews too, which is why I tried to axe her from the whole thing. And why is there an NDA?”
I sigh. It’s not my place to tell Tenley about my twin’s sexuality but… I mean… fuck. “You don’t tell people’s secrets and neither do I, but I think Crew would be more than willing to explain things to you.”
“Okay…”
“I’ll hold off on calling Dad until we’re all together.”
She doesn’t respond as I weave my way through Laurel Canyon. We get to Crew’s and he opens the door, surprised to see us. “Hey! Liv said you were coming over. What’s up? Did you two accidentally add a baby to your accidental marriage.”
“Don’t even fucking kid,” I bark out. “Can we come in?”
He nods and opens the door wider. We step into his front hall with the Spanish tile and stucco walls and funky furniture. It's… well, my worst nightmare. So many colors and eclectic shapes. I am not into it at all. Just like with everything else, Crew and I are opposites in style too.
He leads us down the hall to the sunken living room with dark wood beams and a fanciful fireplace. Liv is on one of the curved couches. She smiles, but it fades quickly. “You two look serious.”
Crew sits down next to her and Tenley and I sit on the opposite couch facing them. I open my mouth but struggle to figure out where to begin. Tenley looks at me, waits a beat, but when I’m still not saying anything, she turns to Crew. “So… are you bisexual?”
Crew’s face drops. Liv sits straighter and she moves a hand to Crew’s leg. I glare at Tenley. I know she can feel the weight of my stare but she ignores it. “I don’t care and it’s none of my business, but your ex-from-hell is involved in my docu-series, against my will, and she keeps telling people you’re gay.”
Liv sucks in a breath. Crew is yet to move a muscle. I think he's even holding his breath. "I know you aren't gay. I think… I mean, I have a degree in figuring shit out. And I think this bitch is telling people you're gay because you're bi and she knows it. She knows if she says you're gay and that gets out there, some guys will be like 'Yeah I've been with him.' And then it will look like you're closeted and it will hurt you and your image, and your family and my cousin. And I just don't think she should get away with that so I'm here to tell you what she's trying to do."
“I’m not closeted,” Crew says quietly. His eyes move from Tenley to me. “I tell people who I am when I want to. And yeah, I am bisexual.”
“And before you ask yes I know,” Liv adds. “I didn’t tell you because it’s not my place.”
"No, it's not," Tenley agrees. "And that's why Nash didn't tell me either. And I'm sorry if I forced you to tell me now but we need to get ahead of this bitch because the idiot they made director wants to use her footage."
“I’ll call Dad?” I ask and Crew nods, so I stand up and walk over to the windows and start dialing.
“I don’t mind that you know,” Crew says. “I appreciate you trying to protect me.”
“Always. You’re basically family,” Tenley replies.
Liv gets up off the couch and hugs Tenley tightly. "Thank you for always being truthful and always having my back. You're the best friend and the best cousin in the world."
I note the look of anguish that briefly passes across Tenley’s pretty face as she hugs Liv back. My dad picks up on the third ring. “Dad, we have a problem. I’m here with Crew, Tenley, and Liv. Can I put you on speaker?”
Two hours later, I’m driving Tenley down Laurel Canyon, back to the loft. We’re both silent the whole ride and it’s a long drive back to Venice Beach. Finally, as we ride the elevator up, I say, without looking at her, “Thank you for being supportive of my brother.”
“You think I would be anything else?”
I consider that. “No. I think you’re pretty much the most kind, inclusive woman I’ve ever…” I pause.
“Married?” she finishes and we both smile.
“I’ve ever been involved with,” I say as the doors open and she steps out and I follow. She smiles. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Oh I won’t,” Tenley replies as I pass her in the hall so I can unlock the front door. “I’m sure that anyone you’ve been involved with before me was as interesting as your choice in home decor.”
