Chapter 30
Mae and Paisley were amazing when I arrived home from the hotel in hysterics. They promised to hide out with me in the house all weekend, but after my heart-wrenching conversation with Brody, I desperately needed space between us—a lot of it. And with my father insisting I come home to audition, my life in Deception Bay felt like it was hanging in tatters. Eventually, I gave in and booked a flight. Luckily for me, when I called Cassie in tears from the airport, she and Brandon had no issues with me crashing with them for the weekend. Now, it’s Friday night, and we’re curled up on her sofa, watching “Dirty Dancing.” My audition is tomorrow.
“Are you crying? We’ve seen this movie at least three times together, and I know you’ve watched it a million times before without me.” She laughs, throwing a piece of popcorn in my direction.
It hits me in the forehead, and I scoop it up and eat it. “I know. I just love it so much. You know, how they go into battle for each other.” I sniff, trying to hold back my tears.
She glances at me, her expression serious. “Right, what is really going on? So far, you’ve said you’re home because your father is demanding you audition for this show, but I see it in your tears. There is more to this trip.”
I use the sleeve of my sweatshirt to wipe my tears away and sigh heavily. I haven’t told her anything because I wasn’t ready to talk about it. I keep replaying that last conversation between me and Brody over and over in my head. His words didn’t make sense, and I can’t shake the image of the hurt expression on his face. “Everything is a bit of a mess back there,” I admit. “I don’t know how to fix it.”
She smiles softly. “I knew it.” She pats my leg on her way by. “Why don’t I get us a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream, and you can tell me what’s been going on.”
I follow her into the kitchen, and she moves with a comforting grace. She scoops out generous portions of ice cream, pouring a cascade of chocolate topping. The sweet aroma fills the room, providing a momentary distraction from my turmoil.
She flicks her head back to me. “Okay, you’re really going to need to catch me up. The last I heard, you were doing your best to avoid him.”
I sigh heavily, the weight of it all on my shoulders. So much has changed in such a short time. How did I fall for him so quickly? “I’ve been a crappy friend then. That was weeks ago.”
“Stop stalling and tell me everything.”
“I was doing my very best to avoid him. When I found out about the twelve-month contract he was on to take over his father’s company and the stipulation that said management can’t date employees, I tried my best. Just focused on getting my work done and that was it,” I try and explain.
As she places the bowl in front of me, she squeezes my shoulder, a silent gesture of support. I take a scoop of it and moan out loud at the creamy, rich flavor. “Get to the good part.”
I roll my eyes at her dramatically. “He got hold of my number, and he started messaging me, and it was nice to talk to him. At first, it was innocent, but it got flirty. You know how it is. You have to remember he was the best night of my life.”
She chuckles. “Oh, I remember the story well.”
“Then we had this thing happen at the fall fair, and it was so hot, like crazy. But then he ghosted me, so I went on a date with Mason, and Brody lost his shit, getting all protective and jealous, and he took me home with him. Since then, we have been sort of sneaking around together.” The words spill out quickly, my brain trying to keep up with everything that’s happened over the last little bit.
“OMG, totally scandalous.” She chuckles, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere. Her laughter echoes through the room, offering a momentary reprieve from the weight on my shoulders.
I look at her more seriously. “Not funny, because it is scandalous. There is this local paper that’s run by someone who hates him, and they keep publishing these stories about the hotel. The latest one has a photo of the two of us sneaking out of a bar together and a story that makes him look terrible.”
“So, you’re hiding out here until it all blows over?” she asks, concern etched across her face as she hands me a tissue.
I blot at tears I didn’t even realize were falling again. “I’m not sure. Dad had already demanded I come back here for this audition, and then the story hit, and I didn’t know what to do. I’m not sure exactly where we stand. When we’re together, it feels like things are serious between us, but he has this whole issue of the contract to deal with now. I don’t want him and his sister to lose the business because of me.”
Cassie’s eyes widen with concern, and she reaches out to squeeze my hand, offering silent support. As she does, she shifts closer, a comforting presence beside me. “Is that really a possibility?”
“I don’t know. Maybe, I don’t really understand it. From what he said when I first got there, management can’t date staff; it was a clause in the employment contracts. Supposed to protect the staff, I think, but he might be in trouble now as well. Emerson assures me I still have a job, but who knows?”
“That’s a lot.”
I nod, feeling the weight of the situation pressing on me. Cassie moves, leaning in, and her arm slips around my shoulders in a reassuring embrace. “And the worst part is when I went to see him after the story was released, he said he knew it was never serious between us, that it was just a fling and he knew I would eventually get sick of my vacation and come back to New York to my real life.”
Cassies face mirrors the pain in my voice. She gently rubs my back. “Harsh.”
“Heartbreaking. I mean, I knew he was upset about the situation he had to deal with, but he was so cold toward me.”
“But you’re in love with him?”
“I know I sound crazy. I’ve only been there a couple of months, but I can’t see myself ever wanting to be with anyone else. I see us starting a family and growing old together on his ranch. When I left here, I had no idea what I wanted; I just knew what I didn’t want, and that was to be here performing. My father’s little doll.”
Cassie leans in further, offering a comforting hug, and I love that she understands what I’m going through. The girls back in Deception Bay could never get it like she does. “And now you know what you want?”
I nod, my voice barely above a whisper. Cassie’s hand moves to cup my cheek, a tender gesture that adds warmth to her comforting presence. “Him.” She smiles.
“What are you doing here hiding out? You need to get back there and do whatever it takes to get your man.”
“What about Dad? How do I get out of this audition?”
“That I don’t know.” Cassie taps her chin, thinking about it. “Your father has most of the company scared. Actually, most of this town. I would just run away.”
“You didn’t grow up with him,” I mutter. “If I could run away I would, but I know he’ll track me down.”
“I did grow up with someone like him. The only thing they respond to is you being strong and standing your ground. You’re an adult, Gigi. If you know what you want for your life, you have to go for it.”
“But I’m not strong like you. I don’t want to fight with him. It took everything I had to tell them I was leaving for a few months off. And even then, I was halfway across the country when he finally listened.”
“But you did it. And now you can do this as well. Be like Baby; stand up to your father so you can be with your man and have this life you’re now dreaming about.”
“Give me some of your fire, Cassie,” I beg her.
“I’m channeling it all your way, sweetie, but I know you don’t need it. You’re stronger than you think, and when you really want something, you will make it happen.”
I let out a deep sigh, feeling the burden on my shoulders. “I just hope it’s what Brody wants as well.” Either way, this life back here in New York isn’t for me. I need to say goodbye to my parents and leave this life behind me for good.
My father’s stern gaze bores into me, his face etched with icy determination. Two other performers are due to take the stage before me, and it’s taken me this long to track him down backstage. “I said, I’m not auditioning today,” I repeat myself. “Good luck with your new show. It will be amazing, I’m sure, but I won’t be in it.” I muster a smile toward him, attempting to fake the confidence I don’t have and channeling Cassie.
His eyes narrow in on me, the tension so intense I feel it in my chest. “You ungrateful little—” He sucks in a breath and glares at me, his fingers digging into my shoulder as he shoves me back into the heavy stage curtain. “You will audition today, and you will move back here when you land the part. I have put too much time and effort into your career for you to throw it away for a boy. You think I don’t know what you have been up to? That story was sent to me. Yes, I have friends everywhere, even in the bumfuck nowhere town you disappeared to. And I won’t stand for it. You will not be some asshole’s side piece. Your best years are now. In ten years, you will be too old for the leading roles, and you can do whatever you want with your life, but now you will do as you’re told.” His voice booms off the backstage walls. I glance over his shoulder, wondering if anyone else is around to hear this conversation. He’s furious, and it’s embarrassing enough I have let him control my life for so long. I don’t want any of the other girls auditioning to overhear our family drama.
For the first time in my life, I see red. His strong grip on me hurts, and my body trembles all over I’m so angry. How dare he talk to me like I’m still five. I shake my head, trying to formulate a sentence that makes sense. “No. I won’t stay here. And I won’t be auditioning for this show. You know nothing about Brody or our relationship. You, of all people, know the paper can embellish the truth for a story, but you should know me. I was unhappy here performing. It’s not what I want to do with my life. I’m happy in Deception Bay with or without a man.”
“If you walk away from all of this, so help me, Gisele, I will cut you off for good. You won’t see any part of your inheritance, and your mother and I will never talk to you again. No daughter of mine gets to disrespect me like this.” I hear the depth in his tone. He’s serious, and if that’s what he wants, then fine. I cant change his mind. But I can do what I want with my own life.
I pull back out of his grip. “Money’s not everything, Daddy, but I really would like to still have a relationship with you, so I hope you reconsider.” I turn away.
“If you don’t audition, I will take it that you’re no longer a part of my family. The choice is yours, Gisele. Make the right one.” He storms off through the backstage, leaving me a shaking mess, my insides feeling like they’re turning to liquid.
I always knew my father was a narcissist. I have seen the way he treats others around him, but I never thought he would turn on me. His own daughter. But that’s okay, I said my piece, and I’m glad I finally stood up to him. I know what I want from my life, and I’m going to go get it. Nothing is going to stand in my way.
I stand at the side of the stage, watching Sarah read her audition piece. She’s transcendent; this part should be hers, but I already know no matter how badly I do, it will be mine. And for the first time, I see it how my competition always did all these years. I am the lucky one; yes, I still had to work hard, but I wasn’t a new face, unknown like I was when I arrived in Deception Bay. I was the daughter of a star, and that’s the reason I got the parts. I know deep down in my soul it is. I wasn’t passionate about this industry like she is. This isn’t where I belong or where I want to be, and I shouldn’t be taking the roles from girls who truly value them.
“She’s incredible,” comes my mother’s voice from beside me.
“She is,” I agree.
“I talked to Cassie this morning,” she says softly.
I glance at my mother. “Oh yeah, what did she say?”
She smiles. “That you’re happy, you’re enjoying your job, that you’re in love.” She nods like she understands and she’s happy for me.
Her surprise leaves me stunned, causing me to stare back in shock. “I met a man, Brody,” I confess. “He’s someone really special, and I think there could be something real there,” I admit, not sure how to have this conversation with her. Boys were never a topic of conversation between us before I left. But it’s nice that’s she’s come to find me. I don’t want our relationship to be so strained.
Her pretty face lights up with a smile as she scans me from head to toe. She’s happy for me. “Why are you here, then? This isn’t what you want.”
I cast a weird glance at her. Is she feeling okay? She’s never gone against what my father wanted before. “You know how it is. Dad says jump, and we ask how high.” Or you face the consequences.
“For years I went along with all of this because I thought it’s what you wanted. It took your speech when you said you were leaving for me to realize it’s not. You were living out your father’s dreams for you, not your own,” she says sadly. I stare back at her, dumbfounded. “If you don’t audition, you can’t get the part. You’re enjoying your life in Georgia. Go back there and live it.” She takes my hands in hers. “I want you to be happy, my darling.” Her eyes well up; I know how hard it is for her to go against him.
I suck in a breath, not sure what to say. “But Dad…”
“I’ll deal with your father.” She smiles through her tears.
I wrap my arms around her and hug her. “Thank you, Mom. You don’t know what it means to me to have your blessing.”
She pats me on the back. “I think I do. Get out of here before your name’s called.”
I beam back at her, knowing she’s right. I don’t belong here anymore. In Deception Bay with Brody is where I belong. If we can work out this mess and actually be together. And I just might have an idea of how we can. If the grumpy bastard can get over his hangups, stop pushing me away, and see this for what it is.