Page 80 of Secrets in the Deep

“Everything I’ve done toyou?”

How could she say that like she was confused? How could she not see how wrong she was, to meddle in Emily and Ryan’s lives?

A sinking sadness filled her belly. Sadness that her mother would never get it. And she’d never stop. Not unless Emily put some distance between them.

“I’m not going back to California.” It was the first time she’d said the words out loud. It felt good though. The right decision.

“You’re flying straight to Atlanta?” her mother asked, clearly confused.

“No. I’m not leaving Deep River. I’m staying here.”

Her mother flinched like she’d been slapped. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m taking a break from acting.” That break might last a year. It might last five. It might be forever. She had no idea.

Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Contracts have been signed, Emily. You can’t just take abreak.”

“I’ve spoken to the producer. He’s not happy, but I don’t think he’ll sue me?—”

“You don’tthink?”

From her peripheral vision, she saw Ryan step onto the set, his focus on her.

She shifted her attention back to her mother and stepped closer. Ryan couldn’t hear this right now. She’d tell him, but not in the middle of a busy movie set. “I can’t keep doing this. This job, this lifestyle…it’s killing me. Just the thought of spending the next ten months filming a movie I never wanted to film, in a place I don’t want to be, with people I have nothing in common with…it makes me feel physically sick. So yes, I’m sure I can get out of my next contract without being sued—and that’s what I plan to do.”

“Why are we not in position, people?” Roscoe called from behind her. “We should be rehearsing right now.”

Emily went to move toward her position, but her mother grabbed her arm.

“This conversation isnotover,” her mom hissed.

“Actually, it is. You don’t work for me anymore. I was telling you because you’re my mother. Now, I have work to do.”

“Everything okay here?”

She looked up at Ryan. “Everything’s fine.” Then she glared at her mother, a silent “drop it.”

A few long, heavy seconds passed. Seconds where she wondered if her mother would make a scene. Maybe repeat everything Emily had just said here and now.

Instead, she released Emily’s arm and stormed off down the trail, back toward the trailers.

“What was that about?” Ryan asked, watching the back of her mother.

“I’ll tell you later.” She lifted to her toes and pecked his cheek before getting into position.

Roscoe clapped his hands. “All right, quick run through. We’re filming so we can watch back. I want full energy!”

Faye picked up the prop knife from the table beside the cameras and took her position opposite Emily.

Emily took a deep breath as the set quieted around her. She closed her eyes, slipping into the role she was being paid to perform.

“Action.”

Emily’s eyes snapped open and she lifted her hands, breath skittering out of her chest in short puffs. “What are you doing, Vanessa?”

“Stay back!” Faye’s voice trembled with what sounded like real panic.

Instead of stepping back, Emily inched forward. “It’s okay. Everything will be fine. But I need you to put down the knife.”