Page 75 of You. Me. Us.

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Julius locked eyes with Rebecca,the intensity of his gaze unwavering. “I would slay a thousand demons to keep you safe,” he declared, his voice a mix of fierceness and tenderness. With a fluid motion, he unsheathed his sword and raised it high. The steel gleamed under the bright studio lights.

“Cut!” the director called out. “Great work, Julius. That’s a wrap on this scene. Thanks again for coming in for some test shots in the middle of that tour of yours.”

Julius exhaled, the adrenaline of the performance still coursing through his veins. He sheathed the prop sword and strode off the set, nodding his thanks to the crew members who offered their praise. But even as he tried to revel in the satisfaction of nailing the scene, a familiar ache gnawed at his heart.

He slipped into his private trailer and collapsed onto the couch. The small space was a sanctuary, a place where he could drop the façade of the unflappable leading man. Here, there was no need to plaster on a dazzling smile or deliver witty quips for the cameras.

Unbidden, memories of Hillary flooded his mind. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed at his jokes. The softness of her hand in his as they strolled along the street. The scent of her perfume lingering on his pillow long after she’d left.

But she was gone now, driven away by the very fame and success he’d worked so hard to give to her.No, by you.

He’d been so furious after the article came declaring her and Ethan the next ‘it’ couple he’d gone off the rails. The first person he’d ever loved and he pushed her away, blaming her for something she could barely control.

Julius buried his face in his hands, his broad shoulders sagging under the weight of his regret. He’d been a fool to let her go, to prioritize his career over the woman he loved. Now, months later, the pain of her absence still cut deep, a constant reminder of what he’d lost.

“I miss you, Hil,” he whispered to the empty room, his voice cracking with emotion. “I miss us.”

Outside, the bustling sounds of the film set continued, oblivious to the heartache of its leading man. Julius knew he had to pull himself together, to step back into his role as the charismatic action hero. But for now, he allowed himself this moment of vulnerability, this fleeting glimpse of the man beneath the mask.

A gentle knock on the trailer door startled Julius from his thoughts. “It’s unlocked,” he muttered through his fingers.

The door opened quietly and though he could feel someone enter, Julius wasn’t certain who it was.

“You okay, Julius?” Rebecca asked softly, and the couch dipped slightly as she took a seat beside him. “You seemed a bit off during that last take.”

Julius pulled his hands off his face and forced a smile, trying to brush off her worry. “I’m fine, Bec. Just tired, that’s all.”

Rebecca studied him for a moment, her gaze piercing through his façade. “It’s Hillary, isn’t it? You’re still thinking about her.”

Julius sighed, knowing there was no point in denying it. Rebecca had always been able to read him like an open book. “I can’t help it. I thought I was doing the right thing. But now...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I was an absolute asshole.”

“Love’s never easy in any business, but this business certainly has extra challenges, and you’re not even gay,” Rebecca said, her tone sympathetic but with a lingering smile on her lips as she teased him. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for.”

Julius ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his movements. “I don’t know if I have the right to fight for it anymore. I’m the one who ended things. I’m the one who walked away.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Don’t be a dummy, Julius. Anyone with eyes could see how much you two loved each other. So, you hit a rough patch. That doesn’t mean it’s over.”

Julius looked at her, his head swirling with doubt. “But what if it’s too late? What if she’s moved on?”

“You won’t know unless you try,” Rebecca insisted. “Stop being such an idiot and go after her. Fight for what you want, pretend you’re Alen.”

Julius fell silent, considering her words. Images of Hillary flashed through his mind - her warm smile, her infectious laughter, the way she seemed to ground him without trying. Did he have a right to fight for her?

“I’m scared,” he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Scared of putting myself out there, of being rejected. Scared of finding out that she doesn’t love me anymore because I was a colossal dick.”

Rebecca’s expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. “I know it’s scary. But isn’t the possibility of being with her again worth the risk?”

Julius took a deep breath. She was right. He couldn’t let his fears hold him back, not when it came to something as important as Hillary. He had to try, even if it meant facing the possibility of heartbreak all over again. They both deserved that much because she was far too timid to try to reach him.

Determination settled over his features, drawing tension between his shoulders. “You’re right. I have to fight for her. I have to make things right.”

Rebecca grinned, pleased to see the spark reignited in her friend. “That’s the Julius I know and start with. Now go get your girl.”

“It’s going to have to be full romance hero level, won’t it?”

Rebecca grinned. “I’m not going to say no just because I want to see it.”

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