Chapter 35

Jenna

I HELD OFF SAYING ANYTHING to Ethan about what I learned from Amelia until I was one hundred percent sure. This weekend had been hard enough on him between his father’s memorial service and his son’s birthday. I didn’t want to burden him with any more. But now that I was home, I could thoroughly investigate this latest bestselling novel that Amelia informed me of that so closely mirrored Ethan’s work in progress. I downloaded the e-copy and spent the entire afternoon immersing myself into the story. I had only read the first five chapters of Ethan’s, and there was no doubt that his writing was much better than this debut author who was currently sitting at number two on the New York Times bestseller list for the fifth week in a row, but the similarities in the story were uncanny.

“What the hell?” I whispered to myself as I went back and forth comparing Ethan’s chapters to the book to find there were some parts that were word for word. None of this was making sense. A million thoughts raced through my mind as I waited not so patiently for Amelia to answer her phone.

“Hey, girl, you got about five minutes and then I have to head into a meeting,” she answered.

“Well, that’s a lovely greeting,” I teased.

“Sorry, just been a bad few days. This morning sickness is taking its toll on me.”

“Oh, no. I’m sorry.”

“Eh, I just gotta get through the next month or so.”

“I won’t take up too much of your time, I promise. I started reading The Sacrifice by Carl Hampton.”

“And...what did you think? Is it similar to Jonathan’s…I mean Ethan’s?”

“Amelia, there are parts that are word for word.”

“Yikes.”

“How could this have happened?”

“I-I don’t know, Jen. That’s a question for Ethan.”

“I don’t know how to approach him with this. There’s is no way Ethan would have stolen this idea from a debut author…none!”

“Jen, you said yourself he’s under a lot of pressure to get this done. He’s riddled with grief…that can make you do a lot of crazy things.”

“Amelia, he’s one of the most famous writers around right now. Do you really think he’d jeopardize his career by plagiarizing someone else’s work?”

“Maybe he’s doing it on purpose. Stranger things have happened in this business. That would be one surefire way to cut ties with his publishing company and stick it to them at the same time.”

I didn’t know how to reply because I knew she may have been on to something. I knew Ethan was sick of the publishing business, but would he risk his reputation by doing something as drastic as this? I shook my head in disbelief. “I just don’t think…Amelia, could you do me a really huge favor?”

“Oh, God…what?”

“I’m assuming this author goes by a pen name?”

“No doubt.”

“Well, would you be able to find out his real name and any other information about him?”

She let out a deep sigh. “Jenna, why?”

“Just please…for me.”

“I’ll see what I can do, but you better not do anything that’s going to get you in trouble. Rebound, Jen…he was just supposed to be a rebound. Stalking people wasn’t part of the plan.”

“I’m not going to stalk anyone, Amelia. I just—” Actually I wasn’t sure why I wanted that information, but if I was going to attempt to figure out what was going on without asking Ethan, it would be helpful to have. “Just, if you could get it for me, that would be awesome.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks, bestie.”

“Oh, you’re such an ass kisser. You’re lucky I love you.”

“Love you too!” I laughed as we said our goodbyes and hung up.

I closed my laptop and put down my iPad. I didn’t want to read anymore because I couldn’t think about it any longer. It was going to be so awkward keeping this from Ethan, but what if Amelia was right? What if he was doing this on purpose? As much as I hated to admit it, there was that whole other side to him that was dark and distant. Even though that part was starting to fade away, there was a hint of it lurking deep inside him. He’d opened up to me more than I’d ever imagined he would, but there were still some secrets he harbored.

I spent the rest of the day checking out the local antique shop, quite pleased with some of my finds. The beautiful Victorian-style headboard and dresser I’d purchased were a great find and were going to be the perfect fit for one of the guest rooms. I was thankful and disheartened when I hadn’t heard from Ethan all day. I knew he was busy and trying to meet his deadline...or was he? I just wished I had the answers to this total craziness. I jumped at the sound of my ringing phone. My stomach tightening when I saw it was Amelia calling, wondering if she had more damming news about Ethan’s book.

“Hey there,” I answered, hoping she was calling with the information I’d requested.

“I’m still working on getting his details, but I thought you’d like to know he’s doing a book signing within driving distance from you this weekend. Maybe you can take a road trip and stalk him,” she teased, but I still sensed worry in her tone.

“I promise I’m not going to stalk the man!”

She gave me that details of the signing and promised to let me know any other information once she got it. I hung up the phone with a million thoughts racing through my mind. Maybe I should say something to Ethan. Perhaps this could all be solved with a simple phone call instead of wasting precious time on my weekend driving a few hours away to stand in line for God knows how long to meet a man I never knew existed just a few days ago. What was I going to do once I met him face-to-face—ask him why Ethan’s work in progress was basically the same story as his? This was ridiculous, but as ludicrous as it was, I knew I would more than likely be standing in line at that signing trying to get some answers.