The Miracle Girl Page 19

  Chapter Twenty

  I sat by the window in my bedroom, smoking a cigarette. I had popped the screen out so I could ash outside. The heat was cranked so I could leave the window open. It was only November, but winter had decided to arrive early. My thick terrycloth bathrobe was tied tightly around me. Janie lay in bed, naked. We’d just had a marathon love making session. A blanket draped over her midsection exposed her tiny breasts and slender left leg.

  I knew my relationship with Janie couldn’t last much longer. She was exciting and all, but I didn’t just want a fuck buddy. I wanted Claire. I sighed.

  “What are you thinking about?” asked Janie in a seductive voice.

  I stubbed out my cigarette and lit another immediately. “Oh, nothing.” I could tell from her body language she knew what thoughts I was entertaining. Her mouth twitched angrily. “What about you? What are you thinking about while lying naked under the covers?” I tried coaxing her with a smile and eagerly taking in her slender leg with my eyes.

  “You have it bad, don’t you?” Janie sat up against the headboard and pulled the blanket to cover her entire body.

  “What do you mean?” I had a feeling what she meant but felt no desire to talk about Claire.

  Janie started to laugh maliciously. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be brilliant, you really are dumb. I can’t believe I fucked the Miracle Girl and she has no clue who I am.”

  This piqued my curiosity somewhat. Something told me that the next few minutes of my life were going to be intense. My brain sent warning vibrations to every part of my body, but I sat there listless not giving a damn. The only thing I managed to accomplish was to fiddle with my phone, making her think I was stalling for time and not letting on that I was recording the conversation.

  “Yeah?” I croaked. “Tell me, who are you, Janie?” It was hard to dig deep to summon the energy to probe and to speak loud enough for the mic.

  “Ever hear of Senator Fuchs?” The look in her eyes annoyed the shit out of me. She eyed me like I was a cornered rat about to die. This helped me muster some energy to pay closer attention.

  “Of course. You related or something?” I tapped my cigarette out the window and watched the ash float away on the wind.

  Senator Fuchs from New Hampshire wanted to be the next President of the United States. His aspirations were grand considering the only thing he had going for him was he was running his campaign in New Hampshire, a key state when it came to early primaries. Most despised the Republican who wasn’t even from the Granite State. He’d moved there for political ambitions and now wanted the assistance of everyone who lived there.

  “No. Not related. I work for him.”

  “That’s interesting.” I flicked more ash out the window, wishing I could float away that easily. “Why are you in Colorado, then?”

  “For you, of course.”

  I cocked my head and inhaled deeply on my Marlboro Light. “Senator Fuchs thinks I’m important. That’s flattering.” My brain was working overtime now to figure out how I’d been fooled.

  “I’m amazed how easy it was to bed you, really. I think the senator should write Claire a thank you note.”

  It took every ounce of control not to flinch. I kept every muscle in my body relaxed, not wanting to let on she was getting under my skin. If I showed weakness now, I was toast. Sayo-fucking-nara.

  “Maybe I should thank the Senator as well. You’re an incredible fuck.”

  Janie looked pleased with the compliment.

  “You too, my dear. If you didn’t have Claire on the brain, I may have reported back that I failed. I think you’re the type of person I could fall for, really.” Her eyes told me she wasn’t flattering me to soften me up. Janie had the look of a young woman who was absolutely convinced she could sway me to get over Claire. Only the young could manage that level of confidence.

  “Another time, another place. Isn’t that usually the case?” I flicked my cigarette out the window. “So what exactly is your mission?” I lit another cigarette.

  “Tad wants Beale Media Corp to back his campaign.”

  I burst into laughter. “You’ve got to be joking. They’ll never back such a prick and a Republican!”

  “That’s where you come in, Miracle Girl.”

  I shook my head, not understanding. “I run a dying paper in the West. I’m not exactly running the show at headquarters.”

  “No, but you’re Cora’s Miracle Girl. And after all those AA meetings when you sobbed to everyone about Claire and how you got the moniker, well, let’s just say I knew I hit a fucking grand slam.” She mimicked swinging a bat. “Besides, everyone knows they’re grooming you to take over for Cora.” The menacing gleam was back in her eyes. Fucking hostess at a steak joint. I’d fallen for that.

  “You’re not an addict, are you?”

  She shook her head.

  “And I guess you won’t honor the code. Not speaking about what’s said in meetings.”

  “That depends on you.”

  “Ah, I see. If Senator Fuchs doesn’t get his endorsement, you’ll out how and why I got the name and Cora’s role.” I nodded, appreciatively. Oh, the irony was too much. Cora had forced me back into AA, instructing me to bare my soul to fellow addicts, and now this. I wanted to laugh.

  “Now you’re getting it. Maybe you aren’t just a good fuck after all. I even have photos of the tattoo on your back. It’ll go well with the story, I think. Tortured executive kicks cocaine while reeling from … That’s right, you don’t know what happened to you that one night. Raped? Prostituted yourself? Or just an out of control drug-induced orgy? You have no fucking clue. The tabloids will love it. And of course, we’ll produce ‘witnesses.’”

  Flicking the half-smoked cigarette out the window, I moved to sit on the bed next to her, slipping my finger under the sheet and tracing it up her naked body. “It’s a shame really.” I had to play this right. The clock was ticking.

  “What is?”

  “I liked sleeping with you.”

  Janie whipped the covers off exposing herself once again and flashing that look that claimed she could take all my pain away if I just gave her a chance. Be with her. Leaning down I took her nipple in my mouth, biting it. She gasped, relieved.

  “So we have an understanding, then?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes. I understand everything. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen things this clearly.”

  I fucked her for the last time.

  Seconds after Janie left my place I rolled over in bed and grabbed my cell phone.

  Cora’s raspy voice snapped, “This better be important.”

  “Stop the presses.”

  I could almost see her bolt upright in bed. “What have you done, JJ?”

  “Found a way to end the charade.”

  “What charade?”

  “The Miracle Girl scam, of course. It’s time I shed my past completely.”

  “What in the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Boy have I got a story for you.” I could already see the headlines.

  “And I’m assuming this is also your way of committing career suicide.”

  “Most definitely.”

  “Why should I agree to it then? We’re talking about my career as well.”

  “Because it’s a great story. Sex, drugs, corruption, presidential hopeful, and we have the scoop. My paper has the scoop.”

  She sighed. “It’s no secret I’m on my way out. What do you need from me?”

  “Get the people I need in the office. Our best writer, George. Avery. Brenda—”

  “Brenda?”

  “Trust me on this. She looks like a kook, but she knows her stuff. She should be my replacement, along with Avery.” I could picture Cora jotting everything down. “I’ll be in the office in an hour. I have to stop by my parents’ first. Prepare them for the media storm.”

  She was silent for a moment. “Jesus, you�
�re really going to do this, aren’t you?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I sat in the restaurant, wondering why Darrell wanted to meet with me. I had hoped I would never have to see him again. Less than a week after the exposé, he called and insisted on meeting. For some insane reason I agreed. Maybe it was the newspaper woman in me. Not that I had a job anymore. It was decided it was best for the company if I resigned immediately. I agreed wholeheartedly. Cora and I planned on starting an online media company in the new year, but no word of that had leaked yet.

  He slipped into the seat opposite me and nodded hello. The waiter immediately approached. “I’ll have a Coors Light,” said Darrell, and then he looked at me guiltily and corrected his order. “Actually, I have to drive later. I’ll have a Coke.”

  I wanted to disappear into my seat, embarrassed that Darrell of all people felt like he couldn’t order a beer because of me. I hated pity, and pity from him was too much.

  The waiter retreated. “You can have a beer, you know.”

  Darrell started to speak, but changed his mind. He shifted in his seat, and I noticed he had a hard time getting comfortable. I remembered Claire saying he had football injuries and wondered how often he was in pain. I was sure the car wreck months ago didn’t help matters.

  “I have to give it to you, JJ. I thought I did a splendid job wrecking my career, but you went above and beyond.” His thin lips curled up into a smile. “You okay?”

  Darrell’s concern floored me. Was that why he wanted to meet? To commiserate losing our standing in the publishing world? “Fine, thanks. It was a long time coming … for me, that is.”

  “And for me.” He cleared his throat. “You were right. I couldn’t see the writing on the wall. The newspaper business isn’t what it was twenty years ago. Hell, it’s nothing like it was five years ago.”

  I smiled. The business changed almost daily with social media. “How is the newspaper business in Wyoming treating you?”

  “Not bad. Not exciting, but I’m learning not to expect much. The publisher has his own agenda, and I have a family to support.”

  The hint about Claire and Ian was like having hot lava poured over me after having all of my skin peeled away. I jolted in my seat, not that he noticed.

  “That’s why I came today.”

  “What is?” I asked.

  “Claire.”

  I stared at him, unable to speak.

  He put a hand up to silence me, even though I hadn’t spoken a word nor had I made a move to speak. “Just hear me out for once, will ya?” Darrell’s cocky smile irritated and intrigued me. “When Claire saw the news‌—‌about you and, well, there’s no need to discuss the rest‌—‌she confessed to me why she left the paper.”

  I felt the room spin violently like I was drunk and was about to spew my guts all over the floor.

  Darrell either didn’t notice my distress or chose to ignore it completely. “She loves you. You do know that, don’t you?” His eyes softened, and his tone implied he was trying to get me to see the error of my ways. “You should go to her. She’s afraid to come to you.”

  “Why?” I croaked, barely able to get the word out. “You did a pretty decent job of sabotage. She thinks I threatened you at the hospital.”

  He paled and looked away. “No she doesn’t. I told her what really happened. How I blackmailed you and how you called my bluff. By the way, that was masterful the way you handled that.”

  “When did you tell her?”

  “The day the news broke about—” He pointed at me.

  That was four days ago. “Why hasn’t she called?”

  He shrugged. “Probably the same reason you’ve haven’t. Fear of rejection. Isn’t that what we all fear?”

  Neither of us spoke.

  He broke the spell. “Did it work?”

  “What?”

  “Did you save the paper?”

  I laughed. “Kinda. Cora extended the deadline another six months before making the decision. She wants to see how everything plays out.”

  He nodded.

  I knew Cora was leaving at the end of the year and didn’t want to be the one to close the paper I gave up everything for. Word was Beale Media Corp was looking for a buyer for Mile High, and with all the hoopla I’d generated, hopes were high someone would bite.

  * * *

  I looked at the address scrawled in Darrell’s writing. It had taken me two days to get up the nerve to see Claire. I decided against giving her any advance warning, but Darrell assured me she didn’t leave the office until seven each night when Ian was with him.

  It was just after seven, and I leaned against her car in the Fort Collins Gazette parking lot.

  As I saw her exit the building, I realized my legs were shaking.

  Claire was on the phone, but when she saw me, she stopped everything, including speaking. Then I heard her say, “Can I call you back tomorrow?” She ended the call.

  She didn’t speak.

  Neither did I.

  This wasn’t going as I’d hoped.

  “Hello,” she said in a tone that puzzled me. Was it frosty? Or nervous?

  “Hi, Claire,” I said like an awkward teenager.

  “JJ.” She nodded her head.

  This really wasn’t going well.

  “Would you like to come in?” She pointed to the office building.

  “I was hoping I could take you to dinner.” I wanted to be on neutral turf.

  She looked conflicted. After a few seconds, she nodded and approached me slowly.

  Nervously, I pointed to my car.

  She shook her head, making me smile.

  I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward me. Claire didn’t fight me, and I wrapped her in my arms. “God I missed you.” I rested my head against her chest.

  “Why didn’t you come sooner?” she whispered.

  “I had to sever all ties to my past first,” I babbled between sobs. “I didn’t know it at the time, but now I do.”

  “Even me.”

  I looked up at her. “So I could be with you.”

  “And you think you can waltz back into my life, just like that.” She backed away from me.

  “No. Not just like that. I’ll do whatever you say, and I’ll wait however long you need.”

  She didn’t move a muscle. Both of us stood, staring at each other.

  “Just give me a chance to prove myself.”

  Still, she gave me zero indication of what she was thinking.

  “It took guts to go public about the reasons behind the label,” she said.

  “I should have done it years ago. It wasn’t until I confessed publically that I realized how much it was holding me back. Look, I can turn my head completely to the left. I haven’t been able to do that in years. No more Bengay.”

  She nodded. A slight smile was creeping onto her face.

  “And now I want to focus on the future. Not the past.”

  Claire crossed her arms.

  “What are your plans?”

  I laughed. “I’m looking for a house in Colorado. Know any good neighborhoods up here?”

  She jutted her chin out. “You’re not moving back to New York?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not running this time.”

  Claire blinked. And then blinked some more. “You’re in luck. They recently opened an Olive Garden just down the street.” With that, she walked to the passenger side of my car and waited for me to unlock the door.

  I climbed into the driver’s seat of my SUV.

  Claire had opened the door for me, and I wasn’t going to blow my third chance.

  I turned the key in the ignition. “How have you been?”

  “Better now. Much better.”

  I rested my hand on her thigh.

  Claire laughed. “I do plan on making you work for it.”

  Leaning back in the car seat I said, “I’m committed, one hundred percent.”


  “That’s good to know, Jamilla Jean.”

  “You know, that name doesn’t sound that bad coming from you.”

  Claire placed her hand on mine. “Darrell told me the truth. I had no idea you were protecting me and Ian. I should have trusted you.”

  I squeezed her hand. “And I should have told you everything. And I never should have had a drink. I know better. I just didn’t know what to do that night.”

  She nodded her head. “So, what’s the next step, Miss One Hundred Percent Committed?”

  “Tonight, dinner to talk about us. Tomorrow, well I’m not sure yet. One day at a time, Claire. One day at a time.”

  “Saying it that way makes it less scary.”

  It did. I finally realized that.

  “Being here, with you, makes everything worth it.”

  “Can you pull the car over, please?” The urgency in her voice rattled me.

  “Sure. Is everything okay?” I pulled into a deserted church parking lot.

  Claire didn’t respond. Instead, she pulled my head to hers and kissed me. It was a kiss that said she never wanted us to be apart again. She pulled away. “I don’t want to go to Olive Garden. You remember the way to my parents’ cabin?”

  I nodded. “I could never forget anything associated with you.”

  “Use your New York driving skills and put the pedal to the medal. I need you. And I want to show you how much. We’ve wasted enough time.”

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  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading The Miracle Girl. If you enjoyed the novel, please consider leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon. No matter how long or short, I would very much appreciate your feedback.

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  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my editor, Jeri Walker-Bickett. I am extremely grateful for all the hours she spent hunting for my mistakes, and for her patience, insight, and guidance. Editors play a vital role in the publishing business, and many don’t understand how wonderful it is to find an editor that is easy to work with and who understands the ins and outs of publishing. Guido Henkel did a fantastic job formatting this e-book. I marvel over his ability to make the final product look amazing on all devices. Erin Dameron-Hill designed a stunning cover. Lastly, my sincerest thanks go to all my blogging buddies who have cheered me on for the past four years. When I first heard of blogging I scoffed, thinking I would never take to it. It wasn’t until I met so many wonderful people online who have been there for me through the best and worst times that I realized how wrong I was. I’m honored to call all of you my friends, and I’m so thankful I changed my tune about starting a blog.