Chapter 33

thirty-three

. . .

Julius locked eyes with Rebecca, the intensity of his gaze unwavering. “I would slay a thousand demons to keep you safe,” he declared, his voice a mix of fierceness and tenderness. With a fluid motion, he unsheathed his sword and raised it high. The steel gleamed under the bright studio lights.

“Cut!” the director called out. “Great work, Julius. That’s a wrap on this scene. Thanks again for coming in for some test shots in the middle of that tour of yours.”

Julius exhaled, the adrenaline of the performance still coursing through his veins. He sheathed the prop sword and strode off the set, nodding his thanks to the crew members who offered their praise. But even as he tried to revel in the satisfaction of nailing the scene, a familiar ache gnawed at his heart.

He slipped into his private trailer and collapsed onto the couch. The small space was a sanctuary, a place where he could drop the facade of the unflappable leading man. Here, there was no need to plaster on a dazzling smile or deliver witty quips for the cameras.

Unbidden, memories of Hillary flooded his mind. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed at his jokes. The softness of her hand in his as they strolled along the street. The scent of her perfume lingering on his pillow long after she’d left.

But she was gone now, driven away by the very fame and success he’d worked so hard to give to her. No, by you .

He’d been so furious after the article came declaring her and Ethan the next ‘it’ couple he’d gone off the rails. The first person he’d ever loved and he pushed her away, blaming her for something she could barely control.

Julius buried his face in his hands, his broad shoulders sagging under the weight of his regret. He’d been a fool to let her go, to prioritize his career over the woman he loved. Now, months later, the pain of her absence still cut deep, a constant reminder of what he’d lost.

“I miss you, Hil,” he whispered to the empty room, his voice cracking with emotion. “I miss us.”

Outside, the bustling sounds of the film set continued, oblivious to the heartache of its leading man. Julius knew he had to pull himself together, to step back into his role as the charismatic action hero. But for now, he allowed himself this moment of vulnerability, this fleeting glimpse of the man beneath the mask.

A gentle knock on the trailer door startled Julius from his thoughts. “It’s unlocked,” he muttered through his fingers.

The door opened quietly and though he could feel someone enter, Julius wasn’t certain who it was.

“You okay, Julius?” Rebecca asked softly, and the couch dipped slightly as she took a seat beside him. “You seemed a bit off during that last take.”

Julius pulled his hands off his face and forced a smile, trying to brush off her worry. “I’m fine, Bec. Just tired, that’s all.”

Rebecca studied him for a moment, her gaze piercing through his facade. “It’s Hillary, isn’t it? You’re still thinking about her.”

Julius sighed, knowing there was no point in denying it. Rebecca had always been able to read him like an open book. “I can’t help it. I thought I was doing the right thing. But now...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I was an absolute asshole.”

“Love’s never easy in any business, but this business certainly has extra challenges, and you’re not even gay,” Rebecca said, her tone sympathetic but with a lingering smile on her lips as she teased him. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for.”

Julius ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his movements. “I don’t know if I have the right to fight for it anymore. I’m the one who ended things. I’m the one who walked away.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Don’t be a dummy, Julius. Anyone with eyes could see how much you two loved each other. So, you hit a rough patch. That doesn’t mean it’s over.”

Julius looked at her, his head swirling with doubt. “But what if it’s too late? What if she’s moved on?”

“You won’t know unless you try,” Rebecca insisted. “Stop being such an idiot and go after her. Fight for what you want, pretend you’re Alen.”

Julius fell silent, considering her words. Images of Hillary flashed through his mind - her warm smile, her infectious laughter, the way she seemed to ground him without trying. Did he have a right to fight for her?

“I’m scared,” he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Scared of putting myself out there, of being rejected. Scared of finding out that she doesn’t love me anymore because I was a colossal dick.”

Rebecca’s expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. “I know it’s scary. But isn’t the possibility of being with her again worth the risk?”

Julius took a deep breath. She was right. He couldn’t let his fears hold him back, not when it came to something as important as Hillary. He had to try, even if it meant facing the possibility of heartbreak all over again. They both deserved that much because she was far too timid to try to reach him.

Determination settled over his features, drawing tension between his shoulders. “You’re right. I have to fight for her. I have to make things right.”

Rebecca grinned, pleased to see the spark reignited in her friend. “That’s the Julius I know and start with. Now go get your girl.”

“It’s going to have to be full romance hero level, won’t it?”

Rebecca grinned. “I’m not going to say no just because I want to see it.”

Julius returned her smile, grateful for her support and encouragement. “I don’t think I know how to rom com hero…any suggestions?”

“Isn’t she shy?”

He nodded.

“Well, that rules out professing your love through sky writing, jumbotron at a game…” Rebecca’s voice trailed off.

“I think I’ve got something. Something where the limelight won’t freak her out.”

Rebecca’s smile widened, her excitement palpable. “I’m all ears, Julius. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. This is so much more fun than our fake romance!”

As Julius began to outline his plan, his words tumbling out in an eager rush, he started to pace the small trailer.

“Come on then, tell me outside before you pace a hole in the floor,” laughing, Rebecca stood and walked toward the door, leaving him no choice but to follow.

He’d no sooner stepped out than a familiar figure approached them from across the set. Someone he rather didn’t see despite having to work with him.

Ethan.

Julius tensed, his jaw clenching as he tried to ignore Ethan’s presence. The wounds from their past conflict were still fresh, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to face him.

“Julius, can I talk to you for a moment?” Ethan asked, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.

Rebecca glanced between the two men, sensing the tension. She gave Julius a reassuring nod, silently encouraging him to hear Ethan out.

With a sigh, Julius turned to face Ethan, bracing himself for whatever he had to say. “What is it, Ethan?”

“I wanted to apologize,” Ethan began, his eyes meeting Julius’s directly. “What I did, interfering with your relationship with Hillary, it was stupid and selfish. I let my own insecurities get the best of me, and I hurt both of you in the process.” When he said nothing, Ethan continued. “Hillary is an amazing woman, and she’s in a great place right now. But I think she’s missing something, or rather, someone. And that’s you, Julius.”

Julius’ stomach clenched as the words hit him like a physical blow. He staggered back, feeling the weight of the news in his core. Ethan shouldn’t have known those things. Rage boiled within him, ready to erupt. He wanted to grab Ethan by the collar and demand how he knew about her actions. But he restrained himself, his hands shaking with the effort as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

“How?”

Ethan’s brow furrowed. “How what?”

“How do you know any of that?”

“We kept in touch, sort of.” Ethan shoved his hands in the costume’s pockets. “I went to her office to apologize and to make certain she learned how to properly navigate the waters. I wouldn’t say we’ve spent a ton of time together, but we’ve spent time.”

“Time I should have been with her,” the words were a growled warning.

“I may have fucked up, but I didn’t end things, neither did she. We both know who did that and that she’s far too shy to chase you. So, I’m trying to bury the hatchet to help her.” Ethan shifted, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, but I wanted you to know that I’m truly sorry. And if there’s anything I can do to help you win her back, just say the word.”

Julius studied Ethan for a long moment, weighing the sincerity of his words. As much as he wanted to hold on to his anger, he could see the genuine remorse in Ethan’s eyes, and if he wasn’t lying, everything wasn’t ruined.

“Thank you, Ethan,” Julius said finally, his voice measured. “I appreciate your apology, and I know it couldn’t have been easy for you to say all of that. That doesn’t mean I accept it. Not yet.”

Ethan nodded, a flicker of relief crossing his features. “I mean it, Julius. I hope you and Hillary can find your way back to each other. I think she’s too good for you, but you’re both a mess without the other.”

With a final nod, Ethan turned and walked away, leaving Julius and Rebecca alone once more.

Rebecca stepped closer, placing a hand on Julius’s shoulder. “That was big of him, to apologize like that.”

Julius nodded, his mind already racing ahead to the task at hand. “It was. And not terribly like him. Hillary could help me be more down to earth she did it for him, too. But now, we’ve got work to do. If he’s serious, this apology of mine needs to be perfect.”

Rebecca grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You’ve got about a week, that should be plenty of time for us to convince the right people.

Julius’s mind raced as he and Rebecca hurried through the bustling studio lot, the sun beating down on their backs. The anger that had surged through him moments ago began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of gratitude toward Ethan. As much as he hated to admit it, the guy had come through for Hillary when she needed someone most.

Rebecca glanced at Julius, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “You know, you should probably thank Ethan for being there for Hillary.”

Julius grimaced, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. “I know, I know. It’s just... hard to imagine him being the one to support her when it should have been me.”

“But he did,” Rebecca pointed out gently. “And that’s what matters. Even if he is a bit of a loose cannon.”

A chuckle escaped Julius’s lips, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “That’s putting it mildly.”

As they wove their way through the maze of trailers and equipment, Julius’s thoughts drifted to Hillary. He pictured her smile, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she laughed. He imagined pulling her into his arms, whispering apologies and promises against her skin.

“Earth to Julius,” Rebecca teased, waving a hand in front of his face. “You still with me?”

Julius blinked, shaking himself out of his reverie. “Yeah, sorry. Just thinking about Hillary and what I’m going to say to her.”

“Okay, Casanova, let’s get to work. Good thing this was just a single day of shooting.”