-Any chance that someone might be you? I'd be surprised, honestly, if Vincent Sharpe hadn't asked you yet.
I reply with: -You're up awfully early! And, no, it's for Luke Sander. Apparently, they are interested in him for the boyfriend role, but he's worried because he heard the production company is having some financial difficulties. He's also maybe looking to switch agents and I thought of you.
Yes, that's sort of a lie. The part about the agent. But I could probably talk Sander into it, if necessary. He's told me on more than one occasion that he felt like he'd outgrown his current agent.
-I'm in New York this week meeting with Tommy about your mother's sudden leave of absence. Is she doing okay? I haven't heard about the company's finances. What did Sander hear?
-She's fine. Just needs a break. And he heard that someone is buying out the company's investors and a hostile takeover is imminent.
-Really? Interesting. I did hear the investors were rumbling about the amount of capital he's sunk into that movie. If that's the case, Luke Sander should stay far away from the project.
Shit.
-Can you get me the script anyway?
-Of course, darling.
-Thank you. And give Tommy a hug for me.
-We should have lunch when I'm back in town. Tommy told me last spring that he expected you to follow in your mother's footsteps. I could get you some roles very easily.
-Thank you. I'll think about it. Either way, lunch would be great.
Then I text Cooper, realizing I forgot to tell him this part of my plan.
Me: I forgot to tell you part of my plan last night.
Cooper: Forgot? Or purposely didn't tell me?
Me: Forgot. I'm having something delivered to Vincent's office today at 4. I thought maybe your friend who met up with his assistant might text her and ask her out for Happy Hour. Like if he got her number.
Cooper: He has her number. What did you send?
Me: A photo I found of him from when he was doing the national search for the next Abby Johnston. I photoshopped the special effect of B's head being blown off onto his head, put it in a picture frame, and boxed it up with some black rose petals.
Cooper: And purposely didn't tell me because I would have told you not to?
Me: Really? No, I thought you'd love the idea. And I was going to ask your friend myself last night, but forgot with the excitement. I'd really like to know how he reacts.
Cooper: I think it's important we know how he reacts. I'll call him later today.
Me: Be sure to have him wait to text her until after it's delivered.
Cooper: Will do.
Me: Have you heard anything from them? Like what he did last night?
Cooper: He was furious about his car. Went home. Stayed there.
Me: Thank goodness. I don't want anyone else to die because of me.
Vincent's day is filled with meetings and calls to his investors, trying to get them to back out of their deals. He pleads, something he loathes to do.
But the good news is, most of them agree.
It's looking possible that his company will continue with him at the helm, especially if his dinner goes well tonight.
He goes to work out mid-afternoon and when he comes back, his assistant holds up a package. "This gift was delivered for you."
Vincent takes it into his office, an idea hitting him. The one piece of the script he hadn't figured out every detail for comes into focus. He holds up the present and smiles.
Oh, yes, this will be perfection.
He hesitates before opening it, knowing his plan, but then shaking his head and realizing he's being ridiculous.
Inside the box are black petals, like the ones Keatyn threw at him last night. He slides the tissue out of the way and finds a photo.
Of himself.
With his head blown off, just like the ones he made of the whore's husband and of Matt.
That bitch.
He lets out a strangled scream and hurls the photo against the wall, causing the glass to shatter and his assistant to bolt though the door to see what's wrong.
That same day, Damian asks Keatyn if she's really ready to star in Twisted Dreams' upcoming video.
Me: If my name wasn't listed anywhere, in theory, the people who know me as Keatyn Douglas, would know it's me and wouldn't be surprised since we're friends. The people that know Keatyn Monroe, I'd just tell them that I did it. It's not like anyone is going to talk about me that much, right?
Damian: I think they will talk about you. But I think you're right. And would it sort of fit into your plan of letting Vincent see you some? Are you planning more trips back home or to the club?
Me: I don't know yet. But probably. Let me think through it and I'll let you know.
Damian: So do you think Riley would be interested?
Me: I think Riley would be thrilled.
Damian: We got invited to play during the MTV New Year's Eve party overlooking Times Square. I have a bunch of tickets that I could sort of repay you both with.
Me: You don't have to repay us, but the party sounds like fun. I'd love to.
Damian: I heard you're not coming to St. Croix for Christmas.
Me: I can't. I sort of lied myself into a corner. I told Aiden I have to be with my family. But I can't actually be with my family. And I can't think up a good reason why I wouldn't go see them, since all I've done is complain about how much I miss them. I'm filming with Tommy and your dad next week, so I'll get to see them. I'll stay at my loft. Aiden bought me a tree. And you'll all be back the next week!
Damian: Still, it's Christmas. I don't want you to be alone.
Me: I have to be, Damian. I'm a big girl. I'll be fine. I promise.
Keatyn has been packing up to leave school for Christmas break. She finds Cooper standing outside.
"I just texted you," he says. "My friend texted Vincent's assistant. She said she couldn't leave early. That her boss had just gotten a horrible threatening photo and had thrown it against the wall, then made her clean up all the glass."
"So he was mad. Then what did he do?"
"Left his office and had dinner with two of his investors. Trying to hang onto his company."
"We need to plan what we're going to do next. I'd like to go back next Thursday but with filming, I can't."
"I think the company takeover stuff is enough for now. Your mom's movie is still getting a ton of buzz. So, you're going to the dance tonight, then going to a hotel with Aiden, then going to your loft on Sunday morning?"
"Yeah, he's staying with me until the twenty-third, then leaving for St. Croix with his family."
"And what are you going to do after that?"
"Stay at my loft. Everyone thinks I'm going home. I won't go out, so don't worry about me."
"It's my job to worry about you. What if you came home with me for Christmas? My parents would love it."
"Really, Cooper?" I blink away tears.
"Yes, really. I don't want you to be alone and I know you can't go home."
"That would be nice. I'll get to see Tommy but it just isn't going to be the same."
"I know. Have fun at the dance tonight."
"Have fun chaperoning."
He rolls his eyes at me. "Yeah, right."
After months of covering up who she is, Keatyn's world changes in an instant at Winter Formal. What she thought was a well-orchestrated plan of revenge against Vincent immediately in jeopardy.
Because of Whitney.
Well, really, because of herself. And although Vincent isn't in this scene and never finds out where she is because of it, it's only through her quick thinking and years of watching her mother deal with the press that he doesn't.
Whitney was only nice to us because she was planning to destroy Peyton the way Vanessa destroyed Mandy.
Peyton is nothing like Mandy. She didn't do anything mean and calculating. She was hurt and needed comfort when she turned to him.
I look out into the crowd and see the boys' soccer coach and remember how Whitney specifically asked him and his wife, who is now five months pregnant, to chaperone.
She wants to destroy them both.
Right here, in front of everyone.
I can't let it happen.
I can't let intimate sexual photos of an underage Peyton be flashed across a screen in front of the whole school.
Not to mention what it would do to Coach Kline's life and his wife's.
Just as Whitney is ready to start the slideshow, I move quickly, dropping Peyton's hand and grabbing the remote out of Whitney's.
And it's at that moment that I know what I have to do.
Even though I shouldn't.
Even though it will ruin everything for me.
I have to do this for my friend.
I turn to a stunned Peyton. "Why don't you take Whitney's computer and put it somewhere safe? Photos aren't necessary. I'll tell everyone the truth."
Peyton gives me a confused look, then takes a shaky step, grabs the laptop, and walks offstage.
I'm left with a crowd of students wondering what I lied about.
Whitney opens her mouth in protest, so I take the microphone from her too.
I notice a small group of reporters have moved in front of the stage.
Not only was Whitney going to tell the school, she brought in the local press.
I start telling every lie I've told since I got here.
I look at Riley and confess. "My name isn't Keatyn Monroe."
Then I find Aiden's eyes in the crowd. "I did recognize you as the goalie that day when you asked."
Then Dawson. "I didn't leave my Mercedes at home because of the snow."
Then Maggie and Annie. "My parents didn't move to France or delete my social media. I didn't get in trouble at home, and my photos didn't get lost when I synced my new phone."
I speak directly to Annie. "I have seen every one of Abby Johnston's movies. We do have the same mannerisms, and our voices are so similar even Tommy can't tell them apart. And that's because I'm her daughter."
Cameras start flashing, so I hold my hand strategically in front of my face.
"I came here because . . ."
I want to tell them why. But I realize I can't.
Not yet.
I can't put them in danger.
I won't.