that much?” The way Ledger’s expression fell told me he wasn’t disclosing everything. “What aren’t you telling me, Ledger?”
“Anytime Trinity was close to me at the con is there too. The night she and I were out with Ziggy, we had a few too many. She was handsy. Nothing happened but the pictures, they tell a different story for those wanting to believe it.”
“You saw them?” He nodded. “I see, and I’m guessing Trinity isn’t denying them?”
“Nope. She is saying ‘No comment.’ I left a message with Ziggy since he was there every time but miraculously, he’s cut out of every picture.”
I was starting to think Ledger was more upset that I’d believe it than what actually happened, so I put his mind at ease. “You should make a statement and leave it at that. If she wants to be a shit and lie, you show them that she’s delusional, that…” A thought crashed into me so hard, I almost choked on air.
“Shane?” Ledger gripped my hand.
“I just thought of something. What if Trinity’s been the one sending you the songs and gifts? If a reporter got word of that, or dug deep enough, they’d find out everything going on. Add in the fact there are pictures of you and her?” I sighed at the reality of what I was saying. “It would be a strong story, Ledger. One that would be hard for you to clear up.”
Ledger’s eyes widened. “She’s been desperate before, but that’s a little farfetched, even for her.”
“Did you reject her?” He nodded. “Maybe when you ignored the gifts, she leaked some pictures, maybe thought in her mind you seeing the two of you together would spark something.”
Ledger scoffed, but I could see the cogs turning. “How would she think something like forcing me into a relationship would work?”
I didn’t have an answer for him. “I don’t know, but I think we should call Ciro.”
“Who do you think called me this morning?”
“So, he knows. Good. Don’t you have an agent or something?”
“Yeah, I called her. She said she’d contact someone in PR and get back to me. I’m not some big celebrity, Shane. The reason I stay at Joker’s Sin other than everyone is family, is because I do this for the art of it. Because I enjoy it. Not for the limelight. Trinity, she—”
“Thrives on attention and needs more positive than negative? Yeah, I got the memo.”
“I’m sorry, Shane. My whole life is a mess right now.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I was sort of used to life messes. “We’ll figure it out. That is, if you want my help.”
“I want more than your help, Shane.” He scratched the back of his neck nervously. “I really like you.”
“Dork, I like you too.”
Lion chose that moment to fly over us, saying, “Dork, dork, dork” over and over, making us laugh.
“I’m going to go call Ciro and tell him your theory. If you’re right, we can end all this and move on with our lives,” Ledger said.
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” I hopped off the stool and cupped his face. “I’ll be right beside you if you want.”
“I definitely want.” He smiled into my kiss, and I hoped this was the end of the drama and that Ledger and I could, in fact, move on with our lives.
Chapter Eighteen
Ledger
Ciro and his friend Riordan had come over after I called and explained Shane’s theory. While Ciro said it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, Riordan wasn’t so sure.
“What you’re saying is you’ve known this woman for many years, never had any relationship with her other than friends, and now she’s stalking you?” Riordan quirked a brow.
“It’s just a theory,” Shane defended. “She also tried to pursue more with Ledger and was rebuffed.”
“The person you saw at the club the other night, though, they didn’t look like Trinity.” Riordan wasn’t being rude, but it was clear he was good at his job, because he made valid points.
“No, but we’ve all seen the movies. She probably paid someone. I know it wasn’t actually her since she was on stage with Ledger and Ziggy,” Shane said.
“Most stalkers who are pursuing people the way they are Ledger want to be noticed, though. They want to be the center of their world. Why would she hide that?” Ciro asked.
“She was turned down. What better way to convince the world that she was with Ledger than staging it all? Maybe hoping if Ledger saw how much she thought she loved him, he’d—”
“Relax.”