Walking Fragile Lines

Tell Me Everything

Whilst the kids were with Brian for the weekend, Liv was attempting to spring clean the house, waddling around the kitchen with her duster as she tried to get used to the quiet. She and Brian had been apart for three whole months, but that didn't make things any easier. Liv would never admit it out loud but she missed him terribly, and they would sometimes share these small moments where she felt a faint flutter in her heart, but the hurt would soon return, reminding her why she had made the decision to end things in the first place. And the more helpful and thoughtful he became throughout her pregnancy, the harder Liv found it to keep herself in check.

After finishing with the kitchen, Liv took a moment to perch on top of one of the breakfast stools when suddenly Bessy let herself in and rushed towards her.

"Bess? What's up?", Liv asked as she furrowed her brow with concern.

"Please tell me you haven't been on social media yet today", Bessy said, catching her breath.

"No I haven't", Liv answered suspiciously.

"Oh good", Bessy gave a sigh of relief. "I wanted you to hear it from me", she continued.

"Hear what from you? Bess. What the hell is going on!?", Liv asked shortly. Bessy took a deep breath as she took a seat on the stool beside her.

"Okay, so - the woman that Brian, y'know...", She struggled to finish her sentence.

"What about her?", Liv shuddered at the mention of her.

"She um - she sold her story. About her night with Brian", Bessy told her nervously.

"Show me", Liv said without thinking.

"Do you really think that's a good-"

"Bessy, just show me. It's okay", Liv cut her off calmly. Bessy gave in, handing her her cell phone with the article for her to read. Liv scanned through Carmen's story, some of it was blatant lies, which Liv knew for certain, but there were other parts she just couldn't quite believe, whether they were true or not. And suddenly, she didn't know whether it was her hormones or whether it was some sudden realisation but Liv had to know exactly what happened that night. Handing Bessy back her phone, Liv took out her own phone, scrolling through her contacts before finding her desired recipient and hitting dial.

"Who are you calling?", Bessy asked as she watched Liv press the phone to her ear. Liv didn't respond as she listened to the phone ring out.

"Hello?", Jack Rovner finally answered, manager to The Tenderloins.

"Hey Jack! It's Liv", she responded.

"Oh hey Liv! Long time no speak", he said. "I'm assuming this isn't a pleasure call, given the timing of a certain story being printed", he chuckled nervously. "It's like I said to the guys; there's nothing I can do about it unfortunately", he continued.

"Oh no, I'm not calling to get you to do something about the article", she explained. "But I do need a favour", she continued as she eyed Bessy for a moment, who continued to mouth the words "what are you doing?".

"Well, in that case - what can I do for you?", Jack asked.

"Could you - would you be able to contact her and get her to meet with me?", Liv dared to ask.

"What!?", Bessy exclaimed as Liv silently shushed her.

"I - I could try, but I don't think she'd show if she knew who you were", Jack told her.

"Then don't tell her. Just come up with whatever you need to to get her to meet me. It's not gonna be a bust up it's just - I need to talk to her", Liv sighed. She heard Jack take a moment to sigh as she waited eagerly for him to respond.