Page 29 of Love: Take Two

"They really—" I stop, choked up. "Why didn't you or Adam tell me? I had no idea it was that bad."

"Like you told everyone you were planning to transfer?" Cory asks. His anger is clear, and I stay quiet. After what he's been through, he has every right to be mad.

"You did what you felt you had to do, and we support you. But next time you're planning on making some life-changing decision, maybe let your brothers in on it?"

I nod and blink back my tears.

"I will. I'm sorry I didn't say anything. I just…felt like everyone would try to talk me out of it. I'd wind up clerking at some soulless law firm just to make Dad happy."

Cory snorts.

"Well, I bet you're happy now," he says, grinning. "With Crystal, and Awa, and Emma keeping your bed warm, and two thousand miles from Dad's bullshit, what's left to complain about?"

I chug my beer to hide my reaction to hearing Awa's name. We were friends. I told her nothing would change once wehooked up, and then I completely ghosted her. I felt like shit every time I ignored her texts. Even worse when I screened her calls. But nothing prepared me for that look of hurt when she caught me with Emma.

We weren't exclusive. We weren't even dating. But I broke her trust, then acted likeshegot the wrong idea. She didn't get the wrong idea. I'm just an asshole who's not ready for the feelings that I felt when I held her that night. Sex, I can handle. And I was warming to the idea of female friends, even though we were clearly more than that.

Whatever that warm feeling was in my chest when I felt her clench around my fingers? What I saw in her eyes before she snuggled against me and fell asleep? Nah. I'm nowhere near ready for that.

"You know it," I lie, unwilling to share my true feelings with my brother.

We've had enough sharing for the rest of break. I just want to hang with my brothers, patch up whatever can be saved with my dad, and focus on the school that almost tore my family apart.

Chapter sixteen

Noah

Present Day

"First, I want to thank Rory for giving me the opportunity to speak to everyone today," Yong-rae says to the small crowd. The noisy generators powering the production lights almost drown out his voice, and he has to stand on the steps of the dailies trailer to be seen past the first three rows of people.

Most of the surrounding faces are in various states of irritation or impatience, with Tabitha and Awa leading the charge. This apology might be long overdue, but during filming, time is money. I subtly gesture for him to get on with his speech.

"I know we've got a full day of shooting ahead of us, so I won't take too much of everyone's time, but I wanted to apologize for my earlier behavior on set.

"Though you don't need me to say this because I'm sure it's glaringly obvious, I've never worked on a film of this scale. On my last movie, the official bathroom was a Starbucks around the corner, and craft services was turkey sandwiches and chips, not a full coffee cart and pastries."

That earns a few chuckles from the crew, and the knot in my chest loosens infinitesimally. I point up, directing Yong-rae to turn up the charm even further. From the snort to my right, Awa didn't miss my coaching, but I don't care.Whatever it takesis the theme of the day.

"But that all stops now. Gary?" He motions to the key grip. "I've tripped over your rigs for the last time." Gary, a tall, burly man who looks like he could play professional rugby, huffs out a breath that I assume is his version of a laugh.

"Kennedy?" Yong-rae nods at the diminutive woman with pale brown hair and an ever-present backwards baseball hat who serves as the boom operator. "I'll hit my mark so you don't pick up my pants rustling on every take." She bows her head in thanks, but remains quiet as ever.

"And you," he turns to Tabitha, who's sipping a steaming cup of coffee, one hand on her hip. "I will pull my weight. No more forgetting my lines or stepping on yours."

He gives her a rueful grin, but her expression remains impassive. That's fine; Yong-rae will win her over. If there's anything I've learned since landing him as a client over a year ago, it's that when he really wants something, he puts everythinghe has into it. He may have fucked up, but he won't waste his second chance.

Rory stands up from where she was leaning against a nearby trailer.

"All right," she yells, clapping her hands. "Yong-rae's ready to work, so let's get to it!"

Everyone immediately resumes their duties prepping the first scene. There's no applause, no commentary. It's just back to business.

I see Tabitha slowly approaching Yong-rae, her face still skeptical.

"Did you mean what you said?" she challenges, keeping her voice low enough that most passersby won't hear. But I do, and so does Awa from her position at her flank. She raises an eyebrow at me.

"Every word," Yong-rae vows. His tone is earnest, and that seems to thaw some of Tabitha's chilly demeanor.