“Well, I guess that’s something. You’ll be back for your birthday, right?” Mom asks with an expectant smile.
A lump forms in the back of my throat but I force it down, nodding. “Always.”
When I moved away, I promised I’d be back for all our birthdays, as close to the date as possible. Mom lets me off the hook for missing my brother’s special day, but because of that, he always makes sure he’s around when I come home for mine.
“I’ll make sure to bring Hayley next time,” I lie. Who knows where our lives will be by then. But if I can leave Mom with a small piece of hope, her happiness might last a little longer than usual.
She pulls me into a tight hug and Dad shoots me a pointed stare, tapping his watch. If I don’t leave now, my presence is going to cause an entirely new set of issues, and I can’t do that to them.
“I better get going, Mom. I have a flight to catch. I’ll see you very soon.”
“Love you, Reed.”
“Love you too.”
I throw my bag in the back of my rental and wave, and as I drive away, my usual guilt kicks in. I should be doing more. But if I knew what, I’d already be doing it.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Hayley
My shoulders sag after another emotional day on set, but I smile through the pain, accepting the praise from my fellow actors and offering the same in return.
With my movements slow, I get out of my costume and take my time walking back to my trailer, finding Cameron waiting for me on the step, his arms wide for a hug.
“Bring it in.” He stands as I approach. “After that effort, you need some comfort.”
He’s right, I do, but he’s not the one I want it from. My mind drifts to Reed as I smile. “You’re not wrong. And even though I’ve read the book and knew the emotion behind the role, God, is it taxing.”
Cam nods in understanding. “For what it’s worth, you’re doing an amazing job.”
“Thank you. And thanks for waiting. But I have a call to make.”
Cam’s eyes bulge but he shakes it off and seems to force a smile. “Of course. I’ll see you later, yeah?”
“Not tonight. I’m going to have a quiet one. I’ll see you on set tomorrow afternoon.”
Cameron nods a few times before widening his grin. It would be easy to believe he was happy, if I hadn’t missed the way said smile morphs into a frown as he turns away. He’s been there for me since day one of filming, always smiling, always offering to make me feel better, and I’ve barely given him anything in return.
Guilt hits me as he walks away, but I don’t let it linger. I need Reed. It’s a need, not a want, this time for emotional reasons.
I need to hear his voice.
When I’m settled in my trailer, I bring up his number but pause before calling. At first we were speaking daily, and then every other day, but for the last week, we’ve only spoken once, and that’s on me. The last time he called, I kept getting interrupted and offered to call back at a better time, but a better time never came.
Until now.
We’ve texted, but it’s not the same.
And I’m praying he answers.
Taking a deep breath, I click on his name and wait.
“Are you magic?” he asks as he answers, an awe in his tone that has me giggling. Only Reed could completely calm me with barely any words.
“I don’t think so. Why?”
“Because you called theexactsecond I needed you.”
