Page 142 of The Holiday Fakers
I search for a reason that would make sense to them but come up empty. I can’t tell them I’ve been drawing Brody for years, nor that our so-called “relationship” only really started a couple of days ago.
“They were only meant for us to see,” I say.
“Why?” Mom asks. “You should be proud of what you’ve done. Show the world! I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.”
“He stole them and posted them without Piper’s permission,” Brody says directly to Marv.
“I’m s-sorry!”
Eileen puts another slice of pulla on his plate.
“And he’s apologized,” Mom says firmly. “He knows he did something wrong and is atoning for it.”
“Why did you do it?” Brody asks him.
All heads turn Marv’s way. Taking off his shades, he rubs his red-rimmed eyes.
“I was mad,” he begins, his voice tired and subdued.
“At me?” Brody asks.
Marv’s gaze immediately flicks up. “Fu—god no. You’re solid. The best …”
“Then who?”
He takes a sip of his Heathcliff and grimaces before swallowing. “The showrunners ofThe Chronicles of the Sword and the Flame.”
“Why?”
Marv lets out a heavy sigh. “You didn’t get the job. They chose someone else to play the Warlock of Zhash-Dhrog.”
CHAPTER 26
BRODY
For a brief moment, there’s silence. Time seems to stop inside me. But I can’t think or process the news because Erica and Eileen are clucking their tongues in disappointment like mother hens.
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Erica begins. “We should have tried harder.”
“They don’t know what they’re missing out on,” Eileen adds, shaking her head. “You’re the best actor in the business.”
“I don’t know about that,” I try, but they’re having none of it, either continuing to find fault with themselves for not getting enough publicity for me over the last few days or berating the showrunners.
Under the table, Piper’s hand reaches for mine.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmurs.
“It’s okay,” I say quietly to her, then look at her mom and Eileen. “It’s nobody’s fault. These things happen. It’s part of the job.”
“Have some more pulla,” Eileen says, cutting me another slice. “Those silly producers wouldn’t know talent if it kicked them in the butt.”
I smile. It’s good to have these women on my side. They’re like substitute moms since I no longer have mine around.
“I’m sorry, Brody,” Marv says. “And Piper, I should never have done it. I just got mad and then got drunk. Then madder and stupid. I wanted them to see what they were missing. How Piper drew you … I dunno, man. She just gets you, y’know? Those pictures were the bomb, and I wanted them to see how fu—crazy they were to have turned you down.”
“When did you find out I didn’t get the gig?”
“A couple of days ago.”
