Page 84 of Catalyst
“Watch the arm,” Adam growls.
“It’s all good, brother. Pull yourself together,” Matthew teases. He keeps his arm around my shoulder as he leads us into the kitchen. “You hungry, Ellie Beans? I think Mom brought enough food for four family dinners.”
“I don’t think even a Nolan-sized portion would be enough to feed me right now,” I joke.
“Damn, that’s saying something.” Matthew laughs.
Cindy bustles into the kitchen, and for the next couple of hours, I am fawned over and loved on by part of the Ellis family. It’s been weeks since I’ve smiled this much. My cheeks are starting to hurt.
A knock on the door interrupts Cindy’s story about how she found Adam and Matthew butt naked in a mud puddle in their backyard, and I don’t miss Adam’s murmured “Thank God.”
When he stands from the couch, Cindy winks at me. It’s hard to believe how easily she’s incorporated me into the family. I haven’t felt, for a single second, like an outsider, and that’s sort of incredible.
“Everyone, this is Jessica, our PR extraordinaire. Jessica, these are our parents, Cindy and Steven, and you already know Matthew and Ellie.”
I stand from the couch. “It’s nice to meet you in person, finally. I’d shake your hand, but I’m down a wing.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“We’ll let you guys get down to business.” Cindy walks over to me and gives me a hug. “Ellie, if you’re up for it, I’ll plan a family dinner next week.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
“You’re family now, dear. It’s what we do.” With another quick hug from her and Steven, they leave the house. The flashes of cameras catch their departure, and I grimace. This is affecting everyone in my life.
“All right, let’s make a game plan because I can’t continue to live with reporters outside my house,” Adam says. He grabs my hand and leads me back to the couch.
Jessica sits in the chair Cindy just vacated and pulls out a tablet. “I’ve come up with an idea, but I’m not entirely sure you’re going to like it.”
“Hit me with it,” Adam says.
“A joint interview.” Jessica holds her hand up in the air when Adam opens his mouth. “Hear me out first. Then you can say no.”
Adam tips his head in agreement.
“Normally, an interview would go nowhere and only add fuel to the fire. This time, I think that by taking over the narrative, the story will lose its steam. Adam, you’ll be able to address the articles that came out, and Ellie will be able to talk about how the Byrnes family has hurt many people’s lives.”
“The chance of the interviewer asking questions we have no desire to answer is too high. I don’t trust them.”
“In most cases, you would be right, but that’s where my job comes in. I will approve the interviewer and the questions and make sure you have full rights to shut down the interview if they ask a question you don’t want to answer. I’ll also make sure it isn’t live so they won’t be able to catch you off guard.”
Adam looks at me, letting me make the final decision. I look back at Jessica. “Who do you have in mind?”
“Winter West. She’s done many high-profile interviews, and she isn’t a sensationalist. I think she’ll do the story justice.”
“Do you really think she’d want to interview us?” I agree that Winter would do a decent job, but she’s a well-known reporter. I mean, she’s interviewed Oprah.
“Ellie, have you not seen the news?” Jessica asks.
“No, we’ve been avoiding most TV stations,” Adam tells her.
“The attack and subsequent arrests, not to mention your connection to Adam and his company, have made national news. The story is running all over the country right now. I’ve had tons of interview requests already.”
“That makes no sense.” I shake my head. “But if you think it’ll stop all of this madness, I’m up for it.” I wave my hand toward the window.
“I’ll make sure of it.” Jessica’s confidence gives me hope that this nightmare might be over sooner rather than later.
With her marching orders in place and a heavy-handed warning that Adam and I keep a low profile, Jessica leaves.
