Chapter 31
Frankie
If the last two days of my life had been caught on film, I’d be a strong contender for an Oscar.
While acting like my heart’s not broken, I’ve earned the role of a lifetime, gone shopping for a fire outfit to wear on the Lila Hart Late Show tonight, and prepped for my surprise appearance there that will mark my reentry into Hollywood.
Which happens in about ten minutes.
The show’s makeup artist, Sarah, hands me a tissue, to blot the red color she’s applied to my lips. I lean close to the mirror to check I haven’t smeared it.
I hardly recognize myself with all the makeup and my hair spilling over my shoulders in tight spirals. No wig. No glasses. No pink uniform. The woman looking back at me looks like someone I used to know, but more confident.
Sad, but confident.
Also, comfortable.
Instead of a tight, clingy dress that would require more Spanx than I’m willing to wear anymore, I opted for a navy sequin halter top under a light blazer paired with jeans. A little casual for a late-night show, but I’m Aussie. We’re born to be casual.
Nicole Kidman being the exception.
The jeans and top hug me in a way clothes never have between surfing professionally then being on a perpetual diet as an actress.
When I quit Hollywood, I quit the strict, regimented eating too, and I like the way I look.
I’ve already vowed not to take any parts that require me to be too skinny and hungry all the time.
“You look amazing,” Sarah says. “And I know I’m supposed to play it cool here, but I’m so excited you’re back, Frankie.”
I smile into the mirror. “Me, too.”
Mostly.
After leaving the Holloways, I went straight to Archie’s. I wasn’t ready to go back to Dad’s house and have him not be there. Besides, that house never felt like home. Archie’s place doesn’t feel like home either, but it’s temporary until I find the place that does.
I thought it might be with Cal and Junie, but I have to let go of that idea. I’m sure the ache in my chest will subside, eventually.
“You can do this. Lila will go easy on you,” Sarah says while giving my face one more pass with the bronzer brush.
“I hope so.” I mutter, trying not to move until she’s done with my face.
But when I close my eyes, this morning’s headline about my “quickie” marriage to the reporter who dragged my dad appears. I know I’m going to get questions I don’t want to answer—if not from Lila then from the reporters waiting outside for me to leave.
I suspect Brandon leaked the news. I thought about canceling this appearance when I saw the story, but I’m done running and I’m done hiding. Not only from my mistakes, but also from people who want to drag me for making them, as though I’m not allowed to be human just because I’m famous.
An assistant sticks her head in the door to tell me it’s time, so I do a last fit check, then follow her backstage. I wait in the wings while the host talks with Alison Fisher who’s been scheduled for months to appear but invited me last minute to join her in order to announce my role in Frederica.
My stomach twists with excitement. I haven’t been this nervous since my first day on Surf City High.
“I hear you have a surprise for us. A big one.” the host says to Alison, which is my cue to begin my walk onto set. “You want to give us any hints?”
“I do,” Alison says in her cool, collected way. “I’ve brought along the actor who will be playing the lead in Frederica.”
“Oh! That is exciting! Anyone we know?”
“You know her well, you just haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Oh, intriguing. Any more hints?” Lila says as I step on set just out of view of the camera.
An audience member sees me and gasps loud enough for the people around her to follow the finger she has pointed in my direction.
“How about we just bring her on stage.” Alison grins and motions me on set. “Frankie, you want to come out here?”
More delighted gasps come from the crowd and that’s all I need to step into the limelight again in higher heels than I’ve worn in three years. Somehow, I don’t fall. The audience’s cheers buoy me, and I ride their excitement like a perfect, barreling wave.
Signs flash, telling them to applaud, but nothing is urging them to stand and scream, “We love you, Frankie!”
I wave with both hands and blow kisses as I make my way to the host’s desk. Their love isn’t real. It’s fleeting. But I’m happy to be back anyway, because movies matter. Stories matter. Art matters. All of it makes life more beautiful. And I 'm lucky to be a part of that.
Lila and Alison both hug me, then Alison takes the seat further from him in order to leave the spotlight for me. The crowd keeps clapping and cheering until Lila motions for them to stop.
“I think they’re excited to see you.” Her genuine smile slows the pounding behind my ribs.
“I’m excited to see them.” My voice cracks.
The crowd goes crazy again, and I press my hands to my face to hold back tears. It doesn’t work. I have to wipe them away.
When the crowd calms again, and I’ve gained my composure, Lila hands me a tissue and asks, “Okay, girl tell us where you’ve been hiding the last three years?”
“You've probably already read about it, but just in case you haven’t seen the story my ex published, I’m going to keep it a secret.” I grin at the surprised look on her face. I’ve aced her by bringing up Brandon first.
“Yeah, I saw the story this morning about you and…what’s his name?” She lifts a note card, pretending to scan it for info she already knows. “Brandon McVey? How long were you married? A minute? Two?”
I lift my shoulder. “Closer to thirty seconds, to be honest. But it felt like thirty years.”
Everyone laughs, and I feel a bit guilty it’s at Brandon’s expense, but that feeling passes quickly.
“Did you miss Hollywood?” she asks, and with the change of subject, I relax into the surprisingly comfortable upholstered chair.
“Parts, yeah. Friends and family. But, no matter where we go, Dex, Rhys, Archie and I will always have each other’s backs.
But I also made friends and found family where I was.
” I scan the audience for Archie and Piper, who promised to be here, but the lights are too bright to make out any faces.
And Archie might murder me if I call him out.
He’s been over the spotlight since before Surf City ended.
“Speaking of family, I was sorry to hear you lost your dad. Sounds like it’s been a rough week for you.” Lila’s sympathy is less genuine than the smile she gave me a few minutes ago, but I knew going into this interview that she might bring up Dad.
“Nah, yeah, cheers. It’s been an interesting week, for sure.
I’ve had some proper lows, but also some proper highs.
I lost my dad…” I won’t bring up Cal, but leaving him, Junie, and Serenity Cove was definitely the lowest low.
“But I also got the part in Frederica, and I got the welcome I’ve had here tonight. Those highs balance out the lows.”
The crowd cheers again, and someone yells, “We love you, Frankie!”
I cross my hands over my heart and blink back a second round of tears. I wasn’t expecting this kind of reception. Not after being attacked online and having people disregard my privacy and my feelings over and over again.
Lila asks me a few more questions. We banter back and forth.
And then she grows serious again. “So, you found family wherever it is you went. But what about any special friends.” She makes air quotes around special, and I try to keep my face neutral.
I wasn’t expecting this question. “I mean, after Brandon, was there anyone special? Is there anyone special?”
I force a laugh. “My relationship with Brandon was special while it lasted, and I wish him well.”
“Yeah, yeah. We all wish Mr. McVey well.” Lila waves her hands like she’s swatting away a fly. “But is there anyone in your life now?”
I laugh again, hoping to hide the sink hole opening in my chest. “Getting a bit personal, Lila, yeah?”
She shrugs, and the silver strap of her dress catches the bright lights and shines against her dark skin. “I’ve heard rumors. I just thought you might like to get ahead of them.”
I'm not sure if she’s telling the truth or trying to needle info out of me. I don’t want to expose Cal to any unwanted attention, but however I answer could invite it.
I have to go with the truth. “There was someone. But it turned out to be a bit too complicated. Sometimes being famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when it comes to love. Fame can be an obstacle to a proper relationship.”
Lila nods sympathetically. “Frankie, it’s so great having you here. Thanks for being so real with us. I wonder if you’re up for a few more questions.”
“You’ve got more? I don’t think I have anything left to tell you.” I laugh nervously.
“I don’t, but our audience would love to ask you a few questions. We don’t usually do this, but would you mind? This audience has been so great, and I think I got all the tough questions out of the way.”
I look out over the audience, but I can’t make out any faces, but after all their applause, I can’t say no. “Yeah, alright. Why not?”
I have a million reasons why not, but I fake a smile anyway.
The lights go on in the audience, and the host walks toward them. Faces are easier to see without the lights shining directly on me, so I search the audience again for Archie.
A man in a hat raises his hand, and Lila jogs toward him with the microphone. I squint, trying to make out the guy’s face. I swear Archie’s next to him. And the hat has a patch on it that’s very similar to Barry’s Bait and Tackle.
Lila hands the guy the mic. He stands and takes off his hat.
And either the light’s playing tricks on me or the man in the hat is…Cal.
I scoot to the edge of my seat, angling for a better look.
“Yeah, Frankie…hi,” he says, and I freeze at the sound of Cal’s voice. “Let’s say that man you were talking about—the one who was dumb enough to think a relationship with you was too complicated—”
I put my hand on my forehead to block the light and can finally see Cal’s face. “Yeah, I remember him.”
Cal’s lip twitches. “What if that guy—”
“—The dumb one?”
“Yeah. That one.” The twitch settles into a nervous grin that threatens to break my heart all over again. If it doesn’t heal it first. “What if the dummy realized he’d made a huge mistake. Could you forgive him?”
I blink. My heart seems to be in tip top shape, because it’s hopping in my chest like a kangaroo. “I don’t know. That depends. He wasn’t sure he could leave home to be with me.”
Cal breathes too loud into the mic, then blinks rapidly at the sound he’s made before collecting himself. It’s possibly the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen him do, and I’ve seen him at a four-year-old’s tea party.
He holds the mic further from his mouth and tries again. “And if he came to his senses and realized home is wherever you are, would you give him a second chance?”
The audience turns all eyes on him, then back on me, waiting.
He tips his head in a question. Except, I’m guessing from the tears rolling down my cheeks, he already knows he had me at What if the dummy realized…
“I reckon everyone deserves a second chance. Even dummies.”
Cal’s face breaks into a huge smile.
Gentle clapping quickly turns into the loudest applause of the night, but not so loud I can’t hear someone yelling “Kiss her!” over and over.
The crowd joins in, and I realize it’s Archie leading the chant while also pushing Cal toward the stage.
Not that he needs much pushing.
I don’t need any at all. I yank off my heels and run to Cal before he makes it to the stage.
We collide in a kiss powerful enough to silence the noise around us, any remaining doubts, and every voice questioning whether we’re doing the right thing.
A kiss tender enough to erase any hurt we’ve caused each other.
A kiss that reassures, soothes, and lifts.
A kiss that promises me I’ve found home.