For the Record (Record #3)(25)

She claimed that when Brady had driven Liz home from the restaurant, the night that Liz had first met Erin, something had happened, and then again in October—both of the times the reporter had asked Liz about, and he’d included her own words stating she did see Brady the first time but had no comment on the relationship. It made Liz’s heart heavy.

She couldn’t stop herself from reading the rest of the article numbly. Erin spoke briefly about her relationship with Brady. She alluded to his always being distant and said that their time together was rocky. Not how Liz remembered it, but she had only met Erin once. She talked about how wronged she was by a man she had loved. That Brady had kept the breakup hush-hush. Again she asserted that was because he was still sneaking around with Liz at the time.

“God, I can’t believe this,” Liz grumbled, closing her computer and walking out into the living room.

“Hey!” Victoria said. “I was just coming to get you. You were gone yesterday, so I didn’t get the chance to tell you— Wait, what’s wrong?”

Liz had tears welling in her eyes. Had it really only been a couple weeks since all of this had started? It felt like a lifetime.

“Did something happen?” Victoria asked.

“Brady’s ex-girlfriend spoke to the press saying he cheated on her with me while they were dating.”

“Well . . . didn’t you?”

“I mean, yeah, that one night in October, but we stopped. We didn’t go farther, and nothing happened before that. And it all just looks so bad,” Liz explained.

Victoria moved her to the couch and made her sit down. She plopped down in the seat next to her. “How badly does this set you back? Can’t you just tell them to f*ck off?”

Liz laughed bitterly. “I wish. I spoke to the press. I feel kind of like an idiot. I mean, what use is all my reporter knowledge that I’ve built up for years if I can’t even handle the press in my own situation? I feel so shitty about it. I’m ruining everything.”

“Okay, melodrama, calm down for a second. You’re not ruining anything. People make mistakes. Brady isn’t going to dump you for making one, and he’s what matters here, right?”

“No, I mean, yes. He is what matters. And you’re right: he isn’t going to leave me because I spoke to the press. I just feel like I should be better,” Liz tried to explain. “I feel like I mar his perfect reputation.”

Victoria shrugged. “Would you rather deal with this bullshit and have Brady or be alone and not have to deal with any of this?”

Liz gave her a look. “I’m just saying it’s difficult.”

“Every relationship is difficult. And I respect your decision to blubber . . .”

“I don’t blubber!” Liz cried. “You’re so bad at this comforting thing!”

“Maybe, but you’re not crying anymore,” Victoria said, shooting her a wicked smirk. “I think you should come to terms with your relationship with Brady. As far as I see it, it’s never going to be easy. You had to fight to get him and you’re going to have to fight to keep him. The lowest lows bring the highest highs. And when you find someone who brings you both, that doesn’t mean you should walk away; it means you have something special.”

Liz smiled despite everything. “When did you become the bearer of wisdom?” Wherever it had come from, Liz liked it. It was clear from Victoria’s face that she was happy and maybe even feeling similarly with Daniel.

“Happens to the best of us,” Victoria said casually.

“Or the worst of us,” Liz teased.

“Lowest lows and highest highs, bitch.”

“Well, thanks for dealing with my lows lately.”

Victoria beamed. “I have to listen to you so I don’t feel guilty burdening you with my highest highs.”

“Oh, God, I don’t want to know if you and Daniel had a threesome,” Liz said, pretending to cover her ears.

“Better!” Victoria squealed. “I got into three of the top genetics PhD programs in the country!”

“Victoria! That’s amazing! Which ones?”

“MIT, Berkeley, and Johns Hopkins. I’m still waiting to hear back from a few others, but I would be perfectly content at any of them.”

“I’m so proud of you,” Liz said. “Did Daniel get into any of the same schools?”

Victoria brightened further. “Johns Hopkins for now. He didn’t apply to Berkeley and MIT.”

“Well . . . what are you two doing this weekend? I’m flying up to D.C. to go to some banquet. Have you been on the Johns Hopkins campus yet?” Liz asked excitedly. “You could do a tour and finally meet Brady!”

“Oh, hell, yes, you know I’m in. I have to convince Daniel, but I can think of a few ways,” she said mischievously.

“I don’t even want to know!”

“Let me talk to him and I’ll get back to you. It’s kind of last minute, but I’m a last-minute kind of girl!”

Liz’s name appeared in the campus newspaper again later that week. Luckily it wasn’t on the front page this time. She only saw it because a few people in class glanced over at her and snickered. She dug the newspaper out of the trash once they were gone and read a watered-down version of what the Washington Post had run. Wonderful.