“What?” I ask innocently, even though we both know exactly what.
“I love you and I do want to marry you. I just want this behind us before we start planning our life together. I don’t want it in the way at all. OK?”
“OK, baby.”
I fucking love her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ANDI
The promo commercials leading up to my interview airing created a lot of media buzz for me and for MaxMorgan Music, some good and some bad, but all of this has really made me think about our life together. I don’t want to start it with this black cloud hanging over us – always waiting to rain on our parade. I just want a clean slate when I walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Lucas Woods.
Even though Travis Malone is supporting me,the bastardandthe bitchupped their smear campaign immediately after the first promo aired in their preemptive strike and they have plenty of people to help them. The attacks on my character increased yesterday immediately after the Lindsay Blair show ended. The big national stations began airing several "biographical exposé" segments - also known as complete loads of bullshit - that were aired by journalists no one has ever heard of before.
In one form or another, every one of the exposés portrayed me as a complete liar who was constantly seeking attention and love because my parents died at a young age. They also portrayed my foster families as the most wonderful people who just tried to give me a loving home but in return I lashed out at them in anger and didn't appreciate their generosity. Most of the stories were just entertaining fiction but some were blatant attempts to sway public opinion against me.
I don't normally care what others think of me, but this particular fight isn't for me. One story was particularly upsetting because it included a brief interview with the family who gave me all these scars. They talked about how impossible it was to control me and how I lied about everything. The doctor who treated me also briefly appeared to verify their story. He looked very unhappy with being forced to blatantly lie and say that I lied about my claim of being physically abused.
If I was a vengeful person, I would look into the legal aspects of that doctor breaching the confidentiality laws by talking about my medical information. IF.
Luke and I have talked a lot about what has been reported over the last few days. With each report that came out, I’ve corrected the "mistakes" the reporter made in the storyline. Local journalists got in on the action and started airing stories about Pop, Shane and of course, Luke. By the time this is over, it'll takeLisa Renee Jonesto figure out all the twists and turns.
We alsoend up having another conversation about who should protect whom and I gave in to him again when he kissed me. With Luke settled on why I want to wait to set a date and with him being the protector, we settle on the couch to watch a little television and just spend some time together doing nothing.
Imagine my surprise, as Luke is flipping through the channels, he stops when he sees a familiar face being interviewed about me. Funny thing is,the story on the national network news isn't slander against me this time. Lindsay Blair is being interviewed on CNN right now. She is explaining why she pursued the interview with me.
"To be honest, at first I wanted to skewer Andi Morgan. I saw a spoiled little rich girl who didn't already have enough fame and attention. I saw a young woman who just inherited her father's kingdom and reportedly sold it for billions of dollars, but that wasn't enough for her. I wanted to be the one to expose her for what she really is.
What I wasn't prepared for was the complete life story of Andi Morgan. What I didn't consider was how many years she suffered - first at losing her family at such a young age, being turned away by a blood relative and finally the long line of abuse at the hands of her foster families. But what blew me away was how selflessly she devotes her life to helping others - both the younger girls who lived with the Rhoades and the youth center she funds here in Atlanta.
She has never publicly announced that and I hope I'm not betraying her confidence byrevealing it, but her involvement with the youth center is being unjustly scrutinized. The kids are the ones who will suffer if the parents keep them away from Andi," Lindsay quickly wipes away a tear and takes a breath to give the anchor a chance to ask another question.
"Would you allow her around your children, Lindsay?"
"Absolutely. I would consider it an honor if she spent time with my children."
"Lindsay, as I understand it, the local station is changing their programming lineup for you to do aliveshow today. Tell us a little about that," the anchor prompts.
Lindsay's smile is knowing and confident, "Elle, that is correct. I am doing a live show this evening and I appreciate being able to comment on it. Immediately after my interview with Andi Morgan was taped, I tracked down other children who have been in the Rhoades' foster care over the years. Several of those who are now young adults have agreed to appear on my show to give their account of life in Speaker Rhoades' care. It will air atfour o'clock Eastern today."
"Will they corroborate Ms. Morgan's version?" the anchor challenges. She's trying to get the scoop but Lindsay is too shrewd to answer that outright.
"Their revelations will definitely be something you'll want to hear. I will also have a couple of surprise guests," Lindsay answers.
"We will all be waiting with baited breath. Thank you for joining us today, Lindsay," the anchor responds before starting the next story.
I am completely amazed and surprised at this turn of events. "I can't believe she found some of their former foster kids. I wonder who it is."
Part of me worries that it is Maria and that she resents me for not protecting her when she needed me the most. I wonder if she hates me for leaving her when they sent me off to the psychiatric hospital. I'm afraid I'm the last person she would ever want see - besides the Rhoades he- and she-devils, anyway.
Luke rubs up and down my arm as he continues to stare at the TV without speaking. I've noticed he does this when he's contemplating the best way to protect me. He doesn't think I've noticed this. I love the little acts of love he shows me without saying it. I secretly love how protective he is of me and how he wants to be the king of the jungle. I love my complex, alpha-male/street brawler/counselor/fiancé.
"Luke, you ok?" I ask, smiling and a hint of teasing in my voice.
"Uh, yeah. Lindsay's been busy, hasn't she? You didn't know about any of this?" The concern in his voice is blatant. But the suspicion that I was actually a part of it is a little more disguised.
"No. I didn't know anything about it, Luke." I'm not disguising the pissed-off glint in my tone.
