Page 27 of Lights, Camera, Love

‘It’s true. Now, about Nadia. We’d obviously be poking the bear in that regard, but if we can get enough media interest in this story, I’m confident that it would end up taking over anything she can do. I’ll think about how we can stay ahead of her, starting with a written statement explaining those offensive messages you sent, just in case we need to use it.’

I don’t love having to make excuses for Austin for acting like a dick, but it’s my job to manage his reputation, so that’s what I’ll do.

One of his knees is frantically bouncing again, and I give it a nudge.

He settles, inhaling a deep breath. ‘All right. We can burn that bridge when we come to it. For now, let’s ask Evie.’ His eyes trace over my face. ‘What do you think of her, anyway?’

‘Evie?’ Warmth flares in my chest, but I school my features. ‘Seems nice enough.’

‘She’s so gorgeous, right? Like,reallyfuckin’ gorgeous. That face is worth serious moola.’

The bizarre twist of jealousy that moves through me is chased by a spike of irritation. Evie is, indeed,really fuckin’ gorgeous,but there’s more to her than that—especially a pay cheque. Yes, she’s got the perky demeanour of a cheerleader in her dance classes—I get it now: it’s her happy place, and there’s nothing wrong with that—but she’s also sweet and patient; determined and curious. And while she walks around smiling like the whole world was made for her, in the short spells I’ve been around her, I’ve sensed pain and hurt behind her eyes. I wonder how much of it has to do with the fact that her father doesn’t seem to want to know her.Been there. Own the T-shirt.

I zone back into the room and find that Austin is still gushing about her.

‘I’m not even sure I’d have to fake it,’ he says, watching me with burning cheeks.

A cold, hard realisation smacks me across the face. My lingering thoughts about Evie, the baffling calmness I felt with her that night on the cabin verandah, that blazing little spark bouncing between us—none of it can go any further. Because never again will I put Austin, or myself, through what I did two years ago. He just openly declared his romantic interest in Evie, which means I have to step aside—while also pushing them together for real.Top work, Kye.

‘We should go back outside,’ I mumble, stepping back. ‘I’ll go first, but before you follow, there’s one thing you need to do.’

His eyes raise to mine. ‘Please don’t say it.’

One side of my mouth quirks. ‘Tell Nadia I said hi.’

The smile slips off Austin’s face, and I draw in a stuttered breath. ‘Kidding,’ I add, forcing back the rock in my throat. I escape for the door as Austin pulls out his phone to call his ex-wife.

‘Do you think you could ring Evie?’ he says to my back. ‘I think we need to jump on this showmance thing in case Nadia doesn’t delete the post, and I don’t want to be the asshole who suggests it. Evie’s gonna think we’ve lost our minds.’

‘Yeah. But I don’t need to call her; I can mention it in class tonight. If she’s there.’

His gaze flashes down and up my body. ‘You’re going to samba tonight?’

‘Hip-hop.’ Before I can stop myself, I add, ‘Is that okay?’

I don’t like handing over this much control to Austin, but the surest way to get him to leave me alone for a night is to ask for his permission.

‘Sure, bro,’ he replies, his lips splitting into a smile. ‘It’ll give you a chance to talk to Evie. So, go to class.’

My cheeks tighten as I smile.

Thanks for unlocking the cage.

While Austin begins placating Nadia, I change into grey gym shorts, a white T-shirt and a black baseball cap, even though Evie’s class doesn’t start for hours. Whenever I hang out with Austin and his parents, I try to give the three of them some time alone. Austin hates it, but I want him to enjoy being around his mum and dad when I’m not there. Besides, I’m not their foster kid anymore.

After I say goodbye, dodging Austin’s unimpressed frowns, I drive across the bridge to the leafier side of town, heading for my favourite place to be alone—the vast national park that stretches across the north end of the city. Mike used to bring me here when I was a kid, and the quiet, scenic hiking trails are the only places other than a dance studio where I can forget about the outside world.

After finding a parking spot beside the kids’ playground, I stroll towards one of my favourite walking tracks, clapping eyes on an older boy pushing a youngerversion of himself on a swing. The air in my lungs seizes up and I avert my gaze, upping my pace.

The ancient bushland swallows me up, and I tread along the bumpy, meandering track until I reach the waterhole, keeping an eye out for unusual bugs in the scrub. By the time I get back to my car, I’ve added a black Jezebel butterfly and a geometrid caterpillar to the mental catalogue of insects I’ve spotted on this walk over the years.

Once I’m in the driver’s seat, I change into a clean T-shirt and pull out my phone. Shit, I’m gonna have to put my skates on; Evie’s class is due to start in less than an hour.

Ignoring Austin’s string of messages asking when I’m coming back, I give my emails a quick scan. The production coordinator forMovinghas sent Austin’s updated call sheet, and there’s an interview request from an obscure radio station that no one’s fucking heard of. I make a mental note to politely turn it down.

The next email sends a punch of shock to my stomach. It’s from the NSW Department of Corrective Services, and the subject line reads: ‘Important information regarding inmate MIN 917883; Evans, Jace’.

My heart crawls up my oesophagus as I tap open the email.

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