Page 12 of Faking It

Flipping the pages, I move to the back, seeing the terms and conditions in fine print right down below. I squint, reading, and my heart pauses for a beat. The document falls from my hand, landing on the floor with a gentle thump. My ass lands beside it the next second.

“Why?” is all I can whisper.

“Son, you retired from acting because you got tired of the industry—your stupid words, not mine,” Dad replies. “I knew you’d give me a hard time sooner or later. This is my way of keeping you in line.”

“So, screw my happiness, right?”

“Getting back on the A-list will make you happy. So will having money in your accounts. Headlining movies, getting those coveted awards, those are the real sources of happiness, not whatever bullshit you’ve got going on.”

I drop my head against the wall, unshed tears stinging my eyes. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”

“Consider that I’m doing thisfor you, notto you. James, you had a fabulous life before losing all that money. Don’t you want it back?”

“Of course, I want my money back.” Unlucky for me, that asshole made it to Switzerland, a country with no extradition ties with the US.

“Well, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but the only way to guarantee the return of your wealth is to work for it. Your aunt will be offering you a tidy sum for the role. Don’t you want to get me off your back?”

There’s a gnawing feeling in my gut that tells me I’ll never get him off my back. Not until I forcefully shake him off. Right now, I have no other choice but to assume the position. Bending over is like second nature these days.

Still, I try to negotiate. “I’ll take the role, Dad, but please, have your lawyers remove the fine print.”

“I’m sure you will, but my decision stands, junior. I’ll consider amending the contract when your name gets on that billboard.”

Without waiting for my reply, he hangs up, the click sounding like a roll of thunder. Rising from the floor, I head to the front porch where the guys stand, muttering among themselves. No doubt they’re discussing that phone call with my father. I also know whatever they’ve heard won’t leave this spot since they’ve all signed NDAs.

“Send me the details for that screen test,” I tell Ryan, my thoughts already on my only source of calmness. “I’ve got some work to do.”

“It’s tomorrow afternoon, FYI,” he says to my back as I turn to head inside.

Fucking hell.

I wave a lazy hand without turning around. “Fine. I’ll be there.”

Bitterness rises in my throat as I bid them goodbye. I do have work to do, but right now, my attempt isn’t to complete my scheduled task but to find peace. My personal space has no room for negative emotions, so I swallow the bitterness down before I step inside.

I had this office designed a year ago, and over time, it became my sanctuary. This is where my dream comes to life. A photo of my backyard pops up as I power on my laptop, and like always, it takes me back to when my journey first began. Seeing this photo captured by the lens of a camera I’d bought on vacation, reminded me that I’d been wasting my talent. It was time for what I was born to do.

Acting was never my dream. It was my father’s. From ever since, capturing a moment, freezing that moment in time, had always fascinated me. I’d always wanted to launch my photography business, but I kept that goal to myself. Instead, I worked hard to please my dad. Enrolling at Julliard, taking martial arts and MMA training to prepare myself for the action roles, staying up late studying scripts—the effort I made to satisfy him is a long list. A tiring list. Alas, it was never good enough. He kept pushing me to stretch myself.

Until I had enough.

With a sigh, I open a folder where I stored samples of poses for tomorrow’s photoshoot. After attaching them to an email, I send them off to my client so she can choose whatever she likes. It’s a fashion photography session, which should be easy. My body relaxes just thinking about it.

After just wrapping up a limited series, I paid my father half of my earnings, then invested the rest in my business. I’d planned to take the next two months off to build my clientele, then grab another gig. Pay Dad half my earnings, invest the rest. Rinse and repeat, that was my aim. Now, with this movie suddenly thrown into the picture, I won’t have time to give the company my full attention. Taking new bookings will be a huge challenge.

This curveball might slow down my business, but it won’t stop me. In fact, a movie deal might just be what I need. I’ll pay my father everything I owe him, cut all ties, then focus on my dream.

Chapter 5

Ana

“You can kick my ass after getting the part. Just hurry. You’re almost late,” Tori says as I steer the car out ofFrank’sparking lot.

“Which I probably wouldn’t be, if you’d led with that first statement,” I grouse. “Honestly, I don’t understand how your brain works.”

“My bad, okay? On the positive side, it’s a short scene, just a few lines to memorize. If you get the part, there will be a romantic read-through with your co-actor tomorrow afternoon.”

“Back up. Did you say romantic? I thought it was an action film.”

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