"What's the big deal?" Lennox asks Nolan after he's informed the entire team about Avery Greer's offer.

"Do you want us to lose any credibility we'd gained over some ridiculous video blog?" Nolan asks irritably. "Reputation takes years to built up and only minutes to destroy."

"Maybe we'd convert her," Lola says.

"Or maybe she'd completely tarnish everything we've accomplished over the last few years," Nolan snaps.

Lola, Sid and Lennox all share a Look. Clearly, Avery Greer had rattled Nolan a great deal. Normally, Nolan was a fairly easy-going guy. Not much got under his skin. It was one of the reasons he was such an amazing paranormal investigator.

"You got a thing for her?" Lennox teases, grinning cheekily at Nolan, who merely scowls.

"You're missing the whole point," Nolan says.

"Which is?" Sid asks.

"Oh my God." Nolan stares at Sid, who's struggling not to smirk.

"She could ruin us," Nolan says quietly. That simple statement causes them all to hesitate.

"We have to think about us first, as a team," Nolan continues. "Not to mention those people who really need help. If they start to doubt our credibility, we're screwed."

"We understand that, Nolan," Lola says quietly. "And we know how much this society means to you."

"Which is why we need to be cautious about who we allow to represent us."

"Even negative publicity is still publicity," Lennox adds.

"Normally I'd agree with that," Nolan says. "Except what we do is usually met with such skepticism and most people find what we do laughable and it wouldn't take much for everyone to start doubting our professionalism."

"It's one person, Nolan," Sid says. "Avery Greer isn't planning on bringing in an entire filming crew and airing these episodes all over the country, is she?"

Nolan shrugs. He doesn't know what Avery has planned. He cringes somewhat, realizing he didn't hear the whole story. All he could think is: she's going to destroy everything we've worked so hard for.

"You didn't ask, did you?" Sid asks. Nolan shakes his head.

"I think we should call Avery back," Lola suggests. "And tell all of us what she has in mind. If you still feel uncomfortable with it, Nolan, we'll follow your lead."

Nolan nods. What Lola is saying is reasonable enough. That is, if Avery Greer will even speak with him again.

"All right," Nolan agrees. "I'll see if Avery Greer is willing to make a case for herself."

***

"How'd it go?" Everly asks when she stops by Avery's place later on in the day.

"It was a total bust," Avery reports.

"They didn't want you to do it?" Everly asks. Avery shakes her head.

"Nolan Wright may be hot, as you say, but he's also highly unreasonable. The minute I told him who I was and what I was thinking, he immediately shut me down."

"Probably because he's a big phony and he can't risk that getting around. He'd be ruined."

"I don't know," Avery says. "I think he's more just protective of what he does."

"What he does," Everly says. "Is duping people into thinking that he knows what the hell he's doing, when he's just faking crap just to earn some phony credibility."

"Maybe, maybe not," Avery murmurs. She's not as easily convinced as Everly that Nolan Wright is a big phony. She sighs. Too bad she won't have an opportunity to find out for herself.

"Since the ghost hunting thing is a bust, guess you'll have to figure something else out, huh?"

Avery nods. Damnit. She really would have liked to have at least seen whatever it was that Nolan and his team did.

***

Nolan puts off reaching out to Avery. He knows she'll probably be surly towards him and he doesn't blame her for that. He should have at least listened to what she wanted to do.

He sighs, reaching for his phone and looking up her number, which he'd kept on his phone.

It rings several times before going to voicemail. Nolan decides that's not a great sign. He pictures Avery sitting there, glaring at her phone, wanting to burn his number with her eyesight.

"Hey, Miss Greer. This is Nolan Wright. I spoke with my team and although I'm not too big on you doing this, they'd like it if you could come back and explain what it is you'd be doing. Please call me back if you're still interested. Thanks."

Now all Nolan could do is wait and see if Avery would return his phone call.

***

Avery is just finishing up after taking her shower when she hears her phone going off, out in the living room. She hurries out, figuring it's probably one of the executives calling to say they're dropping her.

Instead, Avery sees the number flashing across her phone screen that belongs to none other than Nolan Wright. She doesn't answer it, though, preferring to wait and see if Nolan leaves a voicemail. He does.

After listening to the message, Avery sits down, thinking. Should she return and explain what precisely she has in mind? Or should she just figure out something else to do for her blog?

Several minutes pass and Avery makes a decision. She'll go back and explain to the paranormal society what exactly she has in mind, then if they still refuse, she'll have to figure out something else.

***

Nolan is doing some research when his cell chimes. He rubs his eyes, and reaches for his phone, briefly checking the caller ID. He blinks in surprise. It's Avery. He quickly answers.

"Nolan Wright," he says.

"Nolan, it's Avery Greer. I got your message and I've decided that I'll return to speak with your team since you're so inclined for me to do so."

Nolan breathes a sigh of relief. Thankfully Avery is far more lenient than he is.

"I appreciate you taking the time to do this." Nolan pauses, clearing his throat and shifting uncomfortably in his chair. He's grateful Avery can't see his discomfort.

"I should have let you explain further instead of simply shutting you down."

"That would have been nice," Avery says, but there's no acid in her tone. As crazy as it sounds, Nolan almost wishes she were being somewhat rude. At least then he wouldn't have to feel so guilty about how he acted earlier.

"I apologize," Nolan says quietly. "But you need to understand something here; I have to watch who I let in."

"I understand," Avery says.

"So, uh, when can you swing by?" Nolan asks.

"Whenever it works for you and your team," Avery replies.

"We'll be leaving town for a week tomorrow afternoon. So anytime tomorrow morning works," Nolan responds.

"How about nine o'clock?" Avery suggests.

"That'll be fine."

"Lovely. I'll see you tomorrow morning at nine."

"We'll be ready, Miss Greer. I hope you can make a convincing case."

"I'll give it my best, Mr. Wright."

***

Lola hasn't seen Nolan this nervous in a while. He keeps fidgeting with the pen he's holding, occasionally shifting around in his chair, his dark eyes trained on the tabletop.

"You doing okay there, boss?" Sid pipes up.

"Huh?"

"Are you feeling all right?" Sid asks. Nolan nods.

"You worried?" Lennox asks, elbowing Sid, who smirks.

"Why would I be worried?" Nolan slides his chair back and stands to his feet, and immediately begins pacing.

"I don't know," Lennox says. "You tell me."

"There's nothing to tell." Nolan stops by the front window, peering out. Lola sees his shoulders tense and she knows that Avery Greer has just arrived.

Nolan hurries over to the front door, holding it open so Avery can enter. The two share a tense smile as they greet one another.

"Everyone," Nolan says, turning to address his team. "This is Avery Greer. Avery, this is my team." Nolan points out each one as he says their names.

"Lola Wells, Lennox Bell and Sid Elton, whom I think you spoke with briefly the other day."

Avery smiles at each one, saying how nice it is to meet them all.

"Well." Nolan nervously rubs his hands together, licking his lips and gesturing for everyone to take a seat.

"Miss Greer, take it away."

Avery nods, waiting until Nolan has taken a seat as well before launching into her speech.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedule to hear my reasons for wanting to showcase your work on my blog," Avery begins.

"Before you begin," Lola says. "Might I ask why you think that our society is something you're interested in showcasing?"

"Absolutely. Mostly I cover what a lot of people would consider controversial. And dealing with the supernatural can certainly be controversial at times," Avery responds.

"You ain't kidding," Lennox says. "A lot of people think that what we do isn't even really all that important."

"Yes," Avery agrees. "So I'd like to change that, if possible. I want to show people out there, that what you do is just as important as what doctors do."

Nolan's eyebrows raise. That certainly wasn't the tune Avery was trying out on him when she first came to see him.

"So you're telling us that you're willing to put the truth out there?" Sid asks. "And by that, I mean the real truth. Not your idea of the truth?"

Avery nods, clasping her hands together. She sneaks a peek at Nolan, who appears to be lost in thought, absently twirling the pen in his hand.

"Yup. I'd only put what you were comfortable with me putting out there." Avery pauses. "Of course, I'd also add my own personal opinions as well."

Nolan looks over at his team. They all nod in agreement. He sighs. He still has plenty of doubts about Avery Greer's intentions, but if his team is willing to give it a try, so is he.

"All right, Avery," Nolan says. "We'll give it a try."

Avery grins. She's beyond excited about this.

"Thanks," she says, addressing the entire crew. "You won't regret this."

"Don't get your hopes up, Avery," Nolan warns. "If for any reason, I decide I distrust your intentions, the deal's off."

"Understood."

Kerning

☆Three☆

0 Comments