Page 148 of Beautiful Storm

“Tom says that Jake has statements from our old classmates and they’re willing to be interviewed on camera.”Fuck. All for goddamn ratings.

“Okay.” I don’t know what else to say.

“You’re not worried?” The calmness in her tone suggests that she’s not, and since I need it to stay that way, I lie again.

“No, because one…we’re not supposed to let anything stress us out. And two…I don’t believe anyone came forward.” They would have done it by now if that was the case.

Amelia’s shoulders drop and she huffs out a sigh. “I didn’t want to believe that either. Preston said something similar. But Tom was pretty convincing and I don’t know.”

“Amelia, no matter what happens—if this comes out or doesn’t, or hell, even if I’m dropped from the team—you are not allowed to worry about it. As hard as that is, I need you to promise me that. Okay?”

“Luke, you’re being ridiculous. That’s not just something I can switch off.”

“I’m not worried.” I put on a smile for the sake of her health. “And if I’m not worried, neither should you be.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“What did you say to Tom?”

“What?”

“He was pissed off when he left. What did you say?”

“Exactly what Preston told me to say. That it was a party that got out of hand and a fire started accidentally. No one was to blame.”

“And?”

“And I quit.”

“What? Amelia!”

“I told him that Jake was lying and that the fire wasn’t a newsworthy story, but he mentioned articles from back in the day. I refused to give him anything. Even when he said it wouldhelp my career significantly, and that I needed to consider myself and my baby's future. No one else. Basically he was saying that I shouldn’t be lying for you. Oh, and it turns out, they knew I’d gone to school with you and Thomas. And they knew of some controversy surrounding Thomas that he hoped I’d explore. That’s why they gave me this specific project. They thought I’d be able to get extra information out of you. That’s why I quit.”

“Amelia, I mean this in the nicest of ways but… Are youcrazy? This job was your dream.”

“Exactly. It was. And I still have grand plans to be a director one day, but I refuse to play their games. I really thought they were decent people but—”

“This is my fault.”

“What? No, it isn’t.”

“How can you say that? They’re right. You had no loyalties to me or Thomas. Maybe if things were different, you could have used that connection to get ahead. But then—”

“Are you hearing yourself?" Her hands fly to her hips. "And do you really think I’m that type of person?”

“No. I don’t." I inch closer and grab her hands, easing them off her. "But I—”

“Wanted to share in my burden.”

“I want you to be happy." I press a kiss to her fingers. "To be a mom and live your dream, and I don’t want to get in the way of that.”I don’t want to hurt you more than I already have.

Amelia’s gaze softens, though I wish it wouldn’t. When she finds out that I’m holding back, it’s going to break her. But I need to wait until she’s better.

“I am happy, Luke. You and Jelly Bean make me happy. And I will still be getting a director credit on the show. They can’t take that away from me. I have no doubt I’ll be able to find anotherjob when the time is right. For now, it’s a blessing. I can focus on Jelly Bean and my health.”

“That is a positive, but you were sad when I first came back in. No, not sad, defeated.”

“I was. I am. But only because I’m going to miss this. Either way, I’d be finishing up soon, right?”

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