Chapter 30

30

T he Scottish October chill nipped through the layers of Gennie’s heavy period costume and the woollen fabric chafed against her skin. She shivered and yanked her down coat tighter around her frame as she settled into a foldable chair outside the trailer. Every muscle ached, but it was the emotional toll of the past week that weighed heavier. The forest around her was a riot of orange and gold, but Gennie saw only her doubts and fears.

Melody plopped down beside her and pulled out a thermos of coffee, the elixir of life. ‘Oof! What a day,’ she groaned and pushed a cup into Gennie’s hand. ‘So, about last night. You never finished the story. What exactly happened with Lord Lover-Lover?’

‘He’s not a lord,’ Gennie said and took a sip. The warmth spread through her, a fleeting comfort against the chill. It did nothing to thaw the ice in her chest, though.

She was determined to concentrate on the one thing she could control – her work. This was her chance to prove herself, to cement her reputation as a flexible, reliable performer, and she wouldn’t let the personal drama get in the way.

Nice try, Rivers. A for effort.

‘Okay, Mister Surly Scotsman, then.’ A naughty grin sprang across Melody’s face. ‘What’s his deal?’

Gennie stared at the steam rising from her cup. Nathan’s harsh words still stung like a red-hot poker. ‘I don’t even know where to begin. I can’t tell if he takes me seriously. He straight-up accused me of betraying him. As if I… Never mind.’

Melody sneered. ‘If he didn’t take you seriously, he wouldn’t have gone apeshit over those photos.’

Gennie gripped the arm of the chair. ‘He thinks I sold him to the press like his ex-girlfriend.’

‘And did you?’ Melody’s tone held an edge of challenge.

‘Mel! No way.’ The words spilled out. ‘I would never. I have no reason to screw him over. Why would you even… He’s the best guy I’ve ever met, hands down. Too good for this world. And so intense, you know? Like, nothing he does is half-assed. Everything is intentional. Meaningful… But I guess I was just fooling myself.’

Melody studied Gennie with a frown that could curdle milk. ‘So you’re going to let him get away with it?’

She blinked. ‘Get away with what?’

‘Are you going to let him think you sold him out, that you’re a fame-thirsty bitch?’

She sighed and her gaze dropped to her bitten nails. ‘You didn’t see his face, Mel. He was gutted. The betrayal in his eyes… I don’t think I could do or say anything to make him believe me. To convince him I didn’t tip off the paps.’

Melody squeezed her arm. ‘Why’d he freak so bad about a few photos, anyway?’

Gennie took a breath. ‘He was famous when he was younger. Thrown under the bus by his management and his girlfriend. The press hounded him until he broke and left the country for years.’

‘Well, yeah. That’s messed up. But famous? Sounds intriguing. Definitely need the details on that juicy tidbit later. Seriously, Gen. I think you need to woman up and talk to him. You know, once the dust settles and he pulls his head out of his ass.’

Gennie chewed her lip, the taste of copper sharp on the tip of her tongue. ‘I don’t know when or how. And what do I even say to him?’

‘Make your case. Show him that Gennie Rivers is no snitch. He needs to know that. It’s a matter of honour.’

Gennie let out a hollow laugh. ‘What’s the point, Mel? I mean, even if… I live in L.A., he’s in Scotland. Wouldn’t have worked anyway. Was doomed before it began.’

Melody’s eyes narrowed. ‘Oh, don’t give me that defeatist trash. That’s not you. There’s more than enough film work here in Scotland. In the end, it comes down to what you want. I mean, what you really, really want.’

Gennie arched a brow. ‘Are you spice-girling me right now?’

‘Perhaps? Look, how often do you meet a guy who’s handsome, honest to a fault, caring, capable, and fucks like a god? Never, that’s how often.’

A flush rose to her cheeks. ‘Mel!’

‘Don’t even try to deny it. Last night, when you were three sheets to the wind on gin, you said, and I quote, “He’s got a dream dick, Mel. A dream dick.” You were pretty specific and insistent about that particular point.’

Gennie buried her face in her hands and a mortified groan rattled in her throat.

‘Yeah, you went there. You totally did. Girl, at the very least you can’t let penile perfection escape you. Even if it’s attached to a broken soul. Gotta keep holding on to that quality schlong.’

Gennie rolled her eyes, a smile pulling at the corners of her lips. ‘Melody Mendoza! You kiss your momma with that filthy mouth?’

As crass as Mel could be, she had a point. Gennie had been turning the events over in her mind, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions.

Truth was, she missed them.

Nathan and Abby.

More than she was willing to own up to, even in the privacy of her own mind. The sense of belonging she’d briefly tasted lingered, a dull ache that refused to subside. As if she’d grasped something precious, only to have it snatched away again. Like one of those rigged claw machines at the Santa Monica Pier, the prize always just out of reach. Maybe she should have fought harder, made him listen. Maybe she’d tucked tail and run too quickly, her bruised pride and fear getting the better of her.

Wouldn’t have been the first time.

But this was the first time it mattered.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced down to see a text filled with a flood of emojis – bats, pumpkins, spiders, and ghosts.

(NATHAN MACMILLAN 17:42) Please come to our party. Abby

Gennie stared at the screen. Her heart twisted, caught between hope and fear. Abby’s sweet little face appeared in her mind. Part of her wanted to dive in, to seize the chance to reconnect. But the other part, the one that had been burned too many times… What if she went and made things worse?

‘Mel, I got a text from Abby.’

Melody’s eyes narrowed, a hint of sincerity shining through. ‘Isn’t that his kid?

A sad laugh fell from Gennie’s lips. ‘Yeah, that’s the one. She wants me to come to their Halloween party.’

‘Awww! That’s gotta be a good sign. I mean, why would she reach out if her dad was still on the warpath? How old is she?’

‘Seven.’

‘No way she’d written that text without him.’

‘But why isn’t he texting me? And what if I’m setting myself up for another crash on the concrete?’ She shook her head. ‘I mean, come on, Mel. He’s the one who kicked me out, not the other way round. Why would he suddenly want me there now?’

‘Who knows? His schlong might have changed his mind. Since when does Gennie Rivers let a little logic and reason get in her way, huh?’ She reached over and nudged her arm. ‘You gotta go, babe. Fear’s never stopped you before. And you won’t let a kid down. She’s got you wrapped around her little finger, and you know it.’

Gennie met her friend’s gaze as Melody’s words sunk in. For a fraction, she saw the reflection of the fearless daredevil who chased thrills without hesitation. Never backing down. Had she really let fear cage her in? With a defiant tilt of her chin, she straightened in her seat.

‘You know what? You’re right.’ Her lips curved into a grin. ‘I’ll go and set the record straight with Nathan, come hell or high water. And if he kicks me out again, I’ll kick right back.’

‘Atta girl! That’s the Gennie I know and love.’ Melody paused. ‘Just…be careful with that one, okay? He may be a grumpy old bastard, but he and his kid have clearly got a hold of your heart.’

A flush crept up Gennie’s neck. ‘Yeah, whatever.’

She’d go to that party, she’d talk to Nathan, plead her case. More fight, less flight. And if he still thought she was a traitor, he might as well hang, draw, and quarter her. Because that’s how her heart felt, anyway.