Bright Smile & London Eye (Walker Brothers #2)

15. Chapter Fifteen – Jackson

Jackson

“And that’s a wrap for Elena.”

The two of us look at each other, hands intertwined and the other one on her hip as we just finished her last scene, a dance sequence at a royal ball.

I don’t know who shouted, but all at once, every single person on set bursts into cheers and starts applauding Elena, who breaks into a bright smile and hides her flushed cheeks behind her hands.

Someone hands her a bouquet so big that she almost disappears behind it, and party music starts playing from the speakers that had been blasting a classical piece just moments ago.

I still have a good two weeks worth of scenes left to shoot, but for Elena, it’s on to the next project.

“I’m going to miss working with you,” I admit, lifting my arm for a half-hug that she happily steps into.

“Likewise,” she says, shooting me the biggest grin as she struggles to hold the bouquet with one arm. “Although I hate having to leave now that it’s getting exciting between you and your crush.”

“Oh, shut up.” I playfully nudge her shoulder, making her roll her eyes at me.

“If I had a hand free, I’d punch you. Lovingly of course,” she teases.

“Of course,” I assure her with a chuckle.

For the last time, we walk off set together, joking as we head toward our respective trailers.

“So, I’m going out with a few friends later to celebrate,” she mentions, listing a few names of crew members and her personal entourage, all people I’ve gotten to know. “Do you want to come along?” She narrows her eyes at me. “Just in case that wasn’t clear, this isn’t a request. It’s my goodbye party dinner, so you better not make me make you come.”

“Okay,” I say with a chuckle. Lexie mentioned something about an appointment today, so I’m free for the whole night.

“You all are crazy,” I mumble much later, barely able to focus as the room spins around me and the ground starts to wobble, even though I’m sitting down.

“You’re a lightweight,” Elena teases me with a giggle and pokes my arm. “How cute.”

I shake my head at her. “Thanks for the invite, but I think it’s time I go home,” I declare, getting up and leaning down to give her a half-hug after finding my balance.

“Wait, I’m coming with you. I need a quick breath of fresh air.” Elena stumbles as she gets up, clutching my arm at the last second before she loses her balance completely.

“Fuck it, nobody needs those,” she mutters, kicking off her high heels and trudging through the restaurant beside me.

“So, you finally got a girlfriend, huh?” I nod. “What a shame,” she admits with a sad smile. “When I heard we’d work together, I kind of hoped I’d have a chance.”

“Sorry,” I say sheepishly, but I can’t help the grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “But she’s the one.”

“What a lucky woman,” she admits, her sad smile lingering.

We reach the exit, and once outside, she leans her back against the doorframe, taking a deep breath. I’m surprised she’s not freezing, the way she stands there with bare feet on the cold pavement.

“So, I’ll see you on the press tour,” I say awkwardly.

“Right, until then,” she says, opening her arms for a hug. I give her one, brief but warm.

What an unlikely friendship. When we started shooting, I was convinced she was insufferable—a real bitch to work with. I know, I always preach to not listen to gossip magazines, but reputation goes a far way, that’s just how it is.

If you’d asked me a year ago, I never would’ve expected the two of us to end up on friendly terms. But hey, here we are.

“I’m going to miss your face,” she slurs and pokes my cheek. I grab her wrist and pull it down, shooting her one last smile before turning around and walking off.

I focus on my steps, trying to keep my balance as I walk along the street that seems to sway under my feet. It’s a good distance home, but I already feel seasick; no way am I getting into a car right now without puking.

Three blocks from the restaurant, my phone starts buzzing. I can’t make out the name on the screen, but who cares? It’s not like a lot of people have my private number.

“Hello?”

“Hi there.” I roll my eyes.

It’s Adam. I’d called him this morning to check in and ask about Zoey, since I’ve been growing more and more worried about her lack of communication. I still follow her on socials, so at least I know she’s alive—posting pictures of her coffee or of her day.

“Nice of you to finally call back,” I say, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

A heavy sigh comes from the other end of the line, and I deflate. “Yeah, sorry, sorry. That was uncalled for. I’m drunk.”

“Well, won’t take that as an excuse, since you say crap like that sober too,” Adam mumbles. I hear him walking through an echoing hallway before a door closes behind him.

"At least I've apologized."

“Jackson, you’ve gotta stop.”

“Stop what?”

“I’m not your dad,” he says, and I freeze. All at once, the tone in his voice shifts. “You keep making jabs at me and I need you to stop.”

“I know you're not my dad. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“You’re doing it again,” he sighs. I can tell he’s pinching the bridge of his nose, probably pacing his office. “One moment we’re fine—usually when you need something—and the next, you fucking hate me. I’m done with your whims. Say what you need to say, but get your shit together.”

“That’s rich coming from you.” A dry laugh escapes me. “You’re the one who never gave a shit about actually being a family member, spent all your time with your family at the office, and now you can make time for your girlfriend, yet never gave us the same courtesy. Now who hates whom?”

I take a deep breath and start walking again. “Listen, can we do this on a day when I’m not coming from a co-worker’s farewell party drunk out of my mind?”

“No,” he says flatly. “There’s truth in alcohol, and I’m sick of always considering your feelings when you never consider mine. So, talk.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“I don’t give a fuck,” he snaps.

“I could just hang up, you know?”

“If you do, don’t bother calling back.” I stop in my tracks. Is he for real? “I’m serious, Jackson. You keep giving me shit for having boundaries—for not answering when it’s three in the morning here and I’m asleep and put it on my girlfriend, when in reality, it’s very reasonable.”

“Okay, then have fun with your reasonable life while this family falls apart,” I tell him with a chuckle. “I’ve tried, Adam. I’m the only one who’s tried to keep the family together the past few years. You’ve thrown yourself into work with the excuse of providing, and look where it got us. Now I’ve got three brothers and a sister who don’t give a shit about my feelings, so yeah, congrats, pat yourself on the back for supposedly sacrificing your youth for us when in reality, you sacrificed it to your job.”

I take a breath, trying to work up the courage to say more, but it all deflates. “Yeah, I’m fucking mad. I’m mad for Reed, Tanner and Zoey and I’m mad for myself. And I’m really fucking pissed at you for the narrative you’re making up in your head.”

I take a deep breath. “You know what changes do to me. Or, well, you would if you’d actually been around the last time. And fine, I’ll be dealing with them on my own and the next time I need help, I’ll deal with it myself.”

After all, I’m used to dealing with everything by myself, putting more and more on my plate.

Worse comes to worst, I will be fine. Would it have been nice to have my brother look out for me in the only capacity he's ever done it, namely his work? Hell fucking yes. But do I need him?

No.

“What did you want?” Adam says and I roll my eyes. I never want to hear a word from him again about me dodging hard conversations.

“I wanted to let you know I’m staying in London a bit longer once we’re done,” I reply, slurring slightly. “Have you heard from Zoey?”

“No,” Adam admits softly. “And I think we need to take a step back. Reed said she wants to be left alone and I think we need to honour that.”

“Do you?” I ask annoyed. Since when does he know Zoey so well? And let's not pretend he was planning on dropping everything to fly out and check on her.

I’m starting to walk once the light turns green, but when I cross the street, I suddenly stop in my tracks.

Through the restaurant window, I see a familiar redhead. It’s Lexie, sitting right by the window with her ex. Both of them are looking at each other fondly, talking to each other, but I can’t hear much through the glass.

Curiously, I walk closer.

Is this the “important meeting” she mentioned?

A part of me wants to walk in, sit down beside them, and demand an explanation. But then I see it: their hands on the table. Her ring lies next to them.

And suddenly, it feels like knives cutting pieces off my heart.

The look in their eyes—a look of familiarity—is like tiny needles pricking my skin. It can't be more than a few seconds, but the longer I stand there, the deeper the pain grows.

“Hello? Earth to Jackson,” Adam’s voice finally cuts through, and I quickly turn away before Lexie or her ex notice me.

“Yeah, sorry,” I mumble and clear my throat, knowing my voice is about to give out. “Something came up. I’ve got to go.”

Ignoring his protests, I hang up and shove my phone deep into my pocket. Then I start walking, faster and faster, until my lungs burn. Soon I’m running through the streets of London.

I need to get home. Away from people. Away from everything.

I thought this change was something to be excited about.

She was something to be excited about.

And now I find myself free-falling once more, with no one there to catch me.