Page 152 of The Holiday Fakers
“Yes.”
“Yourex, Colin?”
“U-huh, and I told him about you and that I’m not getting back together with him.”
“He wants that? To get back with you?”
“I told him it’s not going to happen.”
I can’t read Brody’s expression, but he doesn’t look happy.
“I trust Colin on that. He’s not going to make trouble.” I try to reassure Brody, reaching for his hand, but he withdraws and rubs his jaw.
“I—” he exhales. “I want us to be together.”
“We will be. We’ve waited this long, haven’t we?”
His eyes meet mine. He looks as pleased as I am about the prospect of another three years apart.
The silence is broken by another heavy sigh. “Look. I need to put this out there, even if it’s not the right thing for you. The money I’ll get for playing the Emberking will be way more than I could ever need …”
Brody’s expression is intent, like he wants me to read the meaning behind his words. “I’ve got enough to support both of us and then some.”
I swallow. He wants me to quit my job and go with him, but I can’t. It’s not really about the money. I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. And if I go to New Zealand, what will I do? Wait around in Brody’s trailer for him to finish filming each day?
“I know it’s not fair asking you to follow me,” he continues. “But the offer’s there.”
“And I appreciate it. I really do.” I take his hands, and this time he doesn’t pull back. “But I can’t just sit over there twiddling my thumbs when I’ve been given this opportunity to advance my career. This is important to me.”
He nods. “I know. And that’s why I want us to talk about whether I’ll accept the part or not.”
I take a step back. “You can’t be serious. You’ve got to take it!”
“Why?”
“Because—Jesus Christ, Brody!”
Frustration pricks the inside of my skin like thousands of tiny knives. I’ll never live with myself if he doesn’t take it.
“You cannot turn it down because of me. No way!”
I start pacing but the room feels too small to contain my angry energy. “Have you read the books?”
“Yes, but?—”
“Then you’ll know the story arc for the Emberking is epic! He’s a multidimensional character with a hero’s journey like no other! He’s Henry the Fifth, meets Beowulf, meets Luke Skywalker, meets Gandalf!”
Brody’s lips press together like he’s forcing himself not to agree with me.
“If you say no to this, it’s the equivalent of me, I don’t know, refusing a book deal, a top spot at Comic-Con,andan exhibition at the Guggenheim. Youhaveto say yes.”
“But what about us?”
My feet suddenly stop moving, my anger turning into fear. Is Brody saying he won’t want us to be together if we’re on opposite sides of the world for so long?
“You don’t want … you don’t think we’ll make it?”
“What? No! That’s not what I’m saying!”
