Chapter 31 Miles
MILES
The roads are thick with snow, and the car is silent.
I want to plug my phone in for some music, but it’s completely shattered.
It was in my back pocket when I landed on my ass in the snow.
At least I was able to borrow Elsie’s laptop before we left to finish up some important business—order a new phone, make a big swing toward winning Skye’s heart, write some emails toward pursuing a new passion in life.
It was a productive morning to say the least. We waited out the snow for a whole entire day so I had plenty of time.
It’s not really a new passion, more a new direction.
I still have a passion for movies and stories, and I would like to try my hand at producing.
It seems like the next logical step in my career.
I’d like to see a film through from idea to completion, and I think I know what I’d like to produce.
I turn to Minnie, who’s staring out the window. “Do you want to plug in?” I hold up the cord. “Maybe put on some music.”
“No.”
The film is not wrapped. We still have a few scenes to shoot in the castle and one at the loch. Minnie, however, is finished and handed in her notice effective immediately.
I park the car at the shopping center first, placing my thistle hat firmly on my head. “I just have to run in and pick up my new phone. Do you want to come, or do you want to wait?”
“Wait.”
I turn toward Minnie. Her eyes are rimmed red, her hair up in a messy bun, and her arms are wrapped tightly around her torso. “Minnie, are you okay?”
“I feel so stupid.” She shakes her head. “I thought he really loved me.”
She bends forward, sobs shaking her shoulders.
I put a gentle hand on her arm. “Minnie, he’s a dope. Anyone who doesn’t see how amazing you are is a complete dumbass. I’m sure if you were with anyone else, anyone at all, it would be different. But this is just what Ty does.”
She sits up straighter and takes a deep, shaky breath. “Not anymore.”
I’m not sure what that means, but I know I can’t leave her to wallow in the cold car. “Come in and get some coffee.”
“Okay.”
Leaving Minnie in the food court scrolling her phone, I pick up my new device, and the gentleman working helps me set up all my information. It’s downloading or whatever the guy said when we head back to the car. Minnie looks much calmer, latte in hand.
The drive to the train station takes longer than I’d hoped on the snow-slick roads.
Once we get there, I help Minnie with her luggage.
We make our way through the crowded station.
It’s charming. Flocked garland and twinkle lights hang from the walls.
There is a massive silver Christmas tree, and when we get closer to it on our way to the ticket booth, I see it’s all made of CDs.
There must be hundreds of them. They reflect the twinkle lights on the wall in rainbows.
We get the ticket situation all squared away. We’re lucky there is a train leaving in the next thirty minutes to London, and we head toward our platform, weaving through people. My phone rings in my pocket. I’ll have to remember to turn the sounds off.
A woman stops me for a photograph, even with my hat. I smile, and we pose quickly. I glance around the crowded station and hope it doesn’t turn into a selfie line.
The phone call went to voicemail. We continue on towards our platform.
Minnie takes a seat, and I set her bag down next to her.
There is a band set up, with a keyboardist, guitar player, and singer near the waiting area playing “Silent Night”.
I move away with a finger to one ear, my phone pressed to the other to listen to the voicemail. It’s Jake.
“Miles, everything should be in order. The lawyers were able to handle most of it. Papers are all signed. Check is cashed. You’re crazy, but they’ll meet you this afternoon.
I’ll text you the address of the pub where you can pick up the keys.
Oh, have you seen the news this morning about Ty?
Not too surprising, but yikes. Call me later. ”
I take a seat next to Minnie. She has earbuds in and is scrolling again.
I check the time. Still twenty minutes until the train.
I pull up the internet browser on my phone and google Ty Marshall.
The first thing that pops up is an image of him kissing a red-haired woman, taken as a selfie, the loch shimmering behind them.
The red-haired woman looks an awful lot like Minnie.
My stomach sinks into my shoes. Not this on top of everything else she’s been through.
I click the link, and an article pops up from You Heard It First.
Hanky Panky on the Set of the New Ty Marshall Movie
My spine stiffens. It’s really more the new Miles Casey movie or, more accurately, the new Natalie Rodriguez movie. I read on.
An anonymous source sent one of our news affiliates a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes pictures from the new Ty Marshall movie currently filming in Scotland, and over half of them, as you can see, feature Ty macking on a young woman working as a PA on the film.
Sources say the two acted very much in love, sneaking off together on day trips, often sleeping in the same room (we doubt any sleeping was done), and making lovey-dovey eyes at each other on set.
This would all be well and good if Ty weren’t already engaged to Charlotte Romine, the supermodel trying to turn actress.
At the time of this article, we have reached out to some of the involved parties for comment, but have not heard back. Stay tuned as this drama unfolds. And if their movie is half as steamy as some of their backstage shenanigans, we’ll be first in line for tickets.
Oh shit. I cover my mouth as I read the article again.
How will Minnie take this? Not only was she betrayed by Ty, but now their relationship is all over the internet.
I show Minnie the screen lit up with a picture of Minnie and Ty cheersing two beers.
“Have you seen this? Minnie, they have photos of you and Ty.”
Her face breaks into a wide smile as she takes my phone and scrolls to one of the photos. “I thought this one was a particularly flattering shot of me.”
My eyes go wide. “Minnie!”
She hands me back my phone. “What?”
“You leaked these photos?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Her smile is positively beaming. “Ty can’t just keep chewing people up and spitting them out with no consequences.”
I sit back and chuckle. “Wow. Okay. Note to self, don’t fuck with Minnie Le Blanc.”
“Damn straight.” Minnie turns to me. “Miles, I should’ve listened. I’m sorry I said you were jealous.”
I wave her away. “You don’t need to apologize. I get it. I’ve been in love before.” The words right now blare in my head. “I know what it’s like.”
A few people walk by, staring at Minnie the whole way, and one even takes a photo.
Minnie half laughs. “I didn’t expect to be quite so recognized, though.”
“Weird, huh?” I take my hat off and hand it over. “You can borrow my disguise if you want. Works half the time.” I consider and laugh. “Maybe more like thirty percent.”
Minnie laughs, tucking her hair into the ball cap. “I’ll give it a shot.” She smiles and slips her earbuds back in.
The band has stopped playing, making the voices of the hordes of travelers seem louder. When it starts again, they’re playing “Fairytale of New York” and I wish Skye were here so fiercely, it feels like my heart might crack.
An announcement comes over the loudspeaker for the train to London. As we make our way onto the platform. I check over my email. The signed contracts are sitting right there at the top. A mix of uncertainty and excitement washes over me. I sure hope this plan works.