Chapter 18
Frankie
After fighting traffic, I arrive at Archie’s apartment in Venice after the sun has disappeared, so at least I don’t have to face a beautiful sunset after the day I’ve had. But the Pacific reflects the light of the full moon in a vision of blue and silver that rivals any sunset I’ve seen.
I send them both a wicked glare. I’m in no state of mind to appreciate the picture painted across the sky and the ocean below. It’s there to mock me, reminding me of the something beautiful I’ve left behind.
Cal said he and Junie would be there waiting once I figured things out, but he also said he didn’t want Junie to be caught up in the chaos of my fame.
He doesn’t understand he can’t have one without the other.
I’ve lived most of my life in some kind of spotlight, whether as Malcolm’s daughter, a pro-surfer, or an actor, fame has been a constant in my life.
Yeah, I hid from it for years, but only with the help of an entire community.
They can’t protect me anymore.
More importantly, I don’t want them to.
I’m ready to step into that spotlight again. Have been for a while, but being back in LA a few weeks ago for the launch of Bombora really brought it home.
I should have told Cal that was part of the tug pulling me back here, not just Malcolm. But the realization only just hit me, along with the understanding that courting fame again could make our goodbye more than temporary.
I sweep my fingers under my eyes and check them for mascara. I didn’t ring Archie I was coming. I didn’t want to cry over mobile. Don’t want to cry in person either, so I put on a smile before I knock. Seconds later, it’s Piper, not my brother, who swings the door open.
“Frankie!” Her excitement disappears with one close look at me. “What happened?” She asks while pulling me inside.
I burst into tears before she’s shut the door behind me. “It’s that obvious something’s wrong, yeah?”
“I mean, this afternoon you were texting how great the Holloways are, and you had a place to stay for a few days while you figured things out. Now you’re here, red eyed, with a smile more plastic than a Kardashian.” She pulls me to the couch and makes me sit.
I sniff and break into a staggered laugh-cry. Piper wraps her arms around me, and I rest my forehead on her shoulder.
The door opens, but we don’t break apart.
“Oi, what’s happening here?” Archie asks before joining us on the sofa to encircle us both in his long arms.
“Frankie’s home,” Piper says, which makes me cry harder. In turn, Archie squeezes tighter.
I don’t know how long we stay like that, and when we break apart, it’s still too soon for me. But the fact that two people who used to want to kill each other are now working together to comfort me brings out a laugh between my sniffling.
We sit down on Archie’s couch, me sandwiched between the two of them.
“You heard about Dad being sick?” Archie asks.
I nod. “Brandon told me.”
“McVey? Where did you see him?” He sits up straight, a low growl coming from the back of his throat.
“My apartment in Serenity Cove.” I’m happy to let Archie assume Brandon’s the reason I’ve shown up crying on his doorstep. I don’t think I’m ready to talk about Cal.
“How did he find you? Are you alright? Does he know where you are now?” Archie springs from the couch, looking ready for a fight.
“I’m good. And I have no idea where Bran is, but I don’t think he knows I’m here.”
“I’ve warned him to stay away from you. If he shows up—"
“Hey. I swear, I’m alright, Arch. Sit down.” I pat the spot next to me.
Archie glances at Piper, who nods. He sits down again, wedging his way between Piper and me.
“What did he tell you?”
“Malcolm’s sick. Really sick. He wants to see both of us.”
Archie nods like he already knows.
“What have you heard?” I ask, trying to sus out what he knows and how he feels, worried he’s caught between protecting me and pleasing Malcolm.
“Not much. Sybil called. Said he wants to set up a time to meet with him.” Archie scoffs.
“So nothing’s changed? He’s still using her to get to us.”
Archie shrugs. “That surprises you? Why would anything change after thirty years of servitude?”
I huff. “True…she didn’t say anything else?”
He shakes his head. “She left a message. I haven’t returned the call.”
Sybil’s been my dad’s personal assistant for as long as I can remember. She’s the only woman he’s been faithful to, keeping her on through his series of wives, girlfriends, and messy divorces. She’s helped him navigate them all.
“To be fair…” Archie ticks his head to the side. “We’ve both blocked him. She’s his only source to contact us.”
“Speak for yourself. I blocked her, too. And Brandon, for that matter. Somehow Malcolm still found me.” Anger bubbles in my chest, and I search for a way to blame Malcolm for the hurt I’m feeling right now.
But the truth is, that hurt is mostly about leaving Cal and Junie behind. And the social media stalker who found me is the one to blame for that. Her video started this whole chain of events. I reckon she’s the reason Brandon found me, too.
I wonder, though, if he would have come for me if not for Malcolm, despite what he said about looking for me.
“What do you make of it?” I ask Archie and Piper. “You think he’s really sick? Or is this a tactic to get something from us? Another Malcolm manipulation.”
Archie shrugs.
“Malcolm manipulation. One hundred percent,” Piper says.
Piper’s got as much beef with him as Archie and I do, having been his stepdaughter for a few years—long story. He adored her until she refused to do what he wanted.
“I think you may be right.” My eyes dart from her to Archie who winces. He’s always wanted to see the best in Malcolm, even when Malcolm consistently showed him his worst.
“You’re not this upset over Malcolm,” Piper says bluntly. “What else?” She searches my face. “What’s happened with Cal?”
Archie’s head whips to her. Piper’s a bit more aware than my brother. The two of us have had conversations Archie and I haven’t, which makes me hesitant to say anything in front of him. I’m trying to keep feelings for Cal stuffed away. It won’t do any good airing them now.
“Come on,” Piper coaxes.
I drop my gaze to the chipped pink polish on my fingernails. “I told him goodbye.”
“Why?” Piper asks.
“I can’t drag him into this. He’s got a kid. She’s got to come first.”
“Is that what he said?”
“More or less.” My stomach rumbles. I haven’t eaten anything since Jo’s chicken salad at our picnic in the grove—which seems like a lifetime ago.
“Which one is it?” Piper prods. “More or less?”
“We both agreed it’s best we don’t get attached,” I say, a bit defensive. My belly follows up with another loud growl.
“How about I order some food? Sushi?” Archie reaches for his mobile on the coffee table.
“Good call,” I answer.
Arch knows I'm cranky when I’m hungry. I ignore Piper’s prying look as he dials a number on his mobile then puts it on speaker.
“Kenzo Sushi,” a man with a heavy Japanese accent answers.
“Hey, Ken. It’s Archie. Give me the usual.”
“And a dragon roll,” I whisper.
“Add a dragon roll,” Archie says, and I’m grateful for the few minutes of reprieve from Piper’s interrogation while Kenzo repeats the order and chats with Archie.
But as soon as Archie ends the call, Piper’s right back at me. “I thought you were into him, and he feels the same. Why would you put the brakes on now?”
“Did you not notice my life blowing up over here, Pipey? I couldn’t stay in Serenity and make Cal and his family casualties of my implosion.” My voice rises. “I had to leave for their sakes. He’s got a kid to take care of.”
“I get it, Frankie,” Piper snaps back.
“Do you? ‘Cause I feel a bit judged here.”
“You know how many times my mom has been married. Trust me, I’m not judging anyone for putting a kid first.” Her stare makes me squirm, but then she softens.
“I wish Mom would have put a fraction of the thought into how her relationships might affect me that you and Cal have put into how his kid might be hurt.”
I exhale and let go of my defensiveness. “Junie.”
“What?”
“That’s her name. Junie.” I press a fist into my chest to stop the burning there. “She adores me.”
“’Course she does.” Archie swings his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close.
“Cal said they’d be waiting for me once I got things sorted,” I say into his chest.
“You can stay here till you do.” He pats my head, which is my signal that he’s reached his limit for sisterly affection.
I sit back up and take a deep breath. “I’m done being a waitress. That much I'm sure about.”
“’Bout time. You were never cut out for that work,” Archie says cheerfully.
“Cheers, yeah.” I smile, trying on his optimism. “You think I’m still cut out for acting?”
He beams. “Are you serious? ‘Course you are! I told you to reach out to Alison Fisher after she asked about you.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t ready then.”
“It’s not too late. Don’t look so worried.” He elbows me encouragingly then swipes open his mobile again. “I should invite Dex, Rhys, and the girls over to celebrate you coming home.”
I put my hand over his mobile to stop him. “Can we keep this between us right now?”
Archie tips his chin and sets his mobile aside.
I look at Piper who’s studying me. “Does Cal know you’re thinking about acting again?”
I shake my head, slowly. “I haven’t said anything to him.”
“Are you going to?” she asks.
“Not sure. He doesn’t want his kid caught up in everything that comes with being associated with Frankie Forsythe,” I bite back, which is massively unfair to Piper.
She’s not the one who said the words; Cal did. I wish I could be mad at him, but I can’t. He only wants to protect Junie.
“Okay. I get it. But if you’re into him as much as it seems like you are, maybe talk to him before making any decisions about whether a relationship would work.
” She pulls off her glasses to clean them with the hem of her shirt, something she designed herself in a Japanese Boro style from repurposed materials.
I trace my eyes over the stitching, dissecting the layers of fabric and Piper’s words at the same time. “You wanna explain what you mean?”
She takes a breath. “I wonder if you’re scared things with Cal might go somewhere, so you’re finding excuses to walk away before they do.
” Piper straightens, trying to make herself bigger, which is impossible for someone as small as she is.
But I do get a sense of how hard it is for her to stand up to me.
I blink. “That’s not fair. Why would I run away from that? I didn’t have another choice. I wanted to stay with Cal. Leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve done.”
A knot rises in my throat, and I stop before my voice cracks anymore. Or worse, I break down again.
Piper nods. “I know. I know, Frankie. You had a tough choice to make.” She pauses. “But sometimes, in the past when you’ve had a tough choice or a conflict, you’ve run from it.”
Her eyes dart to the floor. I look from her to Archie, who won’t meet my eye.
“You agree with her?” I ask him.
Archie rakes his hand through his hair. “You’re putting me in a tough spot, Sissy, between my sister and my girlfriend.”
“I came back because Malcolm’s sick, and your girlfriend is accusing me of running. All I’m asking is if you agree with her.” I give him a pointed look, very clearly nudging him toward whose side he should take.
As soon as he lifts his shoulder in a slow, shrug, I’ve lost. “To be fair, you’ve said it yourself, Frankie. Avoidance is your preferred method of attack when it comes to a problem.”
My mouth falls open. I’m ready to defend myself, until a similar conversation I’ve had with Cal comes back to me. A conversation we had while he was helping me run away from cameras.
But this isn’t the same thing.
“That doesn’t mean I’m running this time,” I say so weakly, I can’t even convince myself.
“Okay.” Piper puts up her hands. “I don’t want to argue.
The important thing is, you’re here, and Archie and I will take care of you.
” She rests her arm on my leg and takes my hand.
“But maybe keep what I’ve said in mind. Instead of assuming you have to choose between Cal and a career you love, have the hard conversation with him first.”
With a quick nod, I slide my hand from hers and face my brother. “Is Kenzo delivering, or do we need to pick it up?”
Archie jumps up like he’s discovered an escape hatch on a sinking sub. “I’ll pick it up.”
But Piper’s up almost as fast as he is. “You stay here with Frankie. I’ll grab it.”
Before he can argue, she touches his arm and gives him a look. She’ll be going out the escape hatch first.
As soon as she’s out the door, Archie gives me a nervous, conciliatory grin.
“Bruh…” I push myself off the couch and walk to his fridge, swinging it open so hard the glass bottles inside rattle.
“Pipey’s smarter than we gave her credit for when she was a kid,” he says, as though that makes up for him not defending me.
I roll my eyes and grab a beer. “I’m done with this convo.”
“Thought you didn’t like beer.”
“I don’t, but it’s the most expensive drink in your fridge, and I’m feeling a bit passive aggressive.” I crack open the can, pour the beer into a glass and carry it back to my spot on the couch.
“So, what do we do about Dad…Malcolm?” I correct myself. “We have to see him, right? If for no other reason, Bran also mentioned that Malcolm said something about our trust funds.”
“Forgot to mention that part, didn’t ya?” Archie raises his eyebrows.
“Did I?”
“Yeah, ya did, Frank. Sorta makes a difference.” He flops next to me on the couch and tips his head to the ceiling. “The way I see it, we’ve got two choices for connecting with him…” He grabs my glass and takes a long sip. “Your dodgy ex or She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.”
I snort. “Poor Syb. Think she knows we call her that?”
“No way she doesn’t. She knows everything.”
I nod, take back my beer and sip from it. “I’m not letting Bran back in. That’s one choice I’ve already made.”
“Good on ya’.” Archie says. “That’s enough decisions for one night. Ringing Sybil back can wait until tomorrow.”
We look at each other, and I reckon my face holds the same worried look his does.
“Early,” he adds, and I laugh.
Sybil’s likely in Aus, seventeen hours ahead of us, which will make an early morning call from us, middle of the night for her.
I hand him my beer. “Cheers, Arch.”
“Yeah.” He gulps down the beer I’ve hardly touched.
Doesn’t matter. No amount of alcohol could have touched the convo I had with Cal that’s on repeat in my head. The more it plays, the more I think Piper may be right about me running.
My reason was valid. I ran from Cal to avoid breaking him.
Problem is, I’ve landed right back in the only place that ever broke me, and I wouldn’t mind having someone as steady as Cal to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
And, as if reading my mind, a message pops up from him.