Page 119 of Wallflower in Bloom

“Some child is billed above you. In the Christmas special. Kayla what’s-her-face.”

“She has a big following on social media,” he said, lowering his voice. “The network thinks she’ll bring in new viewers.”

His mother huffed. “You need to keep building your empire. Second billed is second best.” Her eyes looked hungry as if every second was slipping by him, and he was a fool not to climb his way up the slippery, never-ending sand dune of fame.

He thought back to his conversation with Gray and Nash. I wonder how often their moms barged into their workplaces, belittling their achievements.

“I thought you’d be pleased I’m headlining it this year.” He tried to rub away the ache in his chest. It was the feeling he’d get when he wanted to talk to Violet, desperate for her touch.

He’d forced himself not to text or call her, though he had thought about it a million times in the week they’d been apart.

“I’ll be pleased when your career finally takes off. You need to want it more, Jack.” She checked her makeup in the mirror on the back of her phone.

His mother would never be happy. She was an unending well of ambition. He could be top-billed, and she’d ask, ‘Why wasn’t it on a bigger network?’; it could be on a bigger network, and she’d ask, ‘Why wasn’t the budget bigger?’, ‘Why wasn’t she in it too?’ She would literally never be happy with anything he did.

“Are you happy with your career?” he asked, genuinely curious to know the answer.

She rolled her eyes even as she waved to someone looking at her. “Of course not, my darling. You can never be too happy. Then you’ll stay stuck in one place just like your father. Complacent in a pile of English mud.”

He wanted the life his dad gave him: sturdy, dependable, and memorable. Jack would come home every day, and his dad would be there, eager to hear about his day. They’d made memories at school plays, picnics, and county fairs, him carting all of the prize vegetables up for his dad.

The weeks he’d visited his mom in LA had been glamorous but empty. They’d felt too sporadic and too unexpected. He never knew what he’d get: a fabulous time or a mother in the depths of despair because an audition didn’t go her way.

Everything came into focus. He felt hunger, but not for his career. Felt it in his bones, for his life.

He glanced at Missy and her family, giggling between takes.

What a bloody fucking idiot he was. He’d been playing a game with his mother he couldn’t possibly win. The game of will you love me if I make you happy?

He should have chosen what he wanted this whole time: a life with his Violet.

“I need you to be happy for me for once. Because I’ve fallen in love.”

She gasped. “Not with that woman.”

"Yes, with that incredible, beautiful, kind woman who I intend to win back if she’ll have me.”

The bell rang on set, signaling the end of break.

He stood up straighter. Had it really been this easy this whole time? “Now, you have two choices: see us at our wedding, or lose contact with any grandchildren you might have in the future.” The words were foreign but felt so bloody right coming out of his mouth.

He shepherded her toward the exit without another word. He deposited her outside the door and kissed her cheek. “She’s pregnant?” she yelped. His mother’s face was incredulous as the door closed on her.

Jack strode back to the stage with a determined smile and muttered under his breath, “She will be.”

He jogged back to his place next to Missy as a plan formed in his head. He’d been successful at Wayridge and had a bigger following than ever. They’d be foolish not to be game for what he’d propose.

And if not? Then he’d risk it all for his Violet.

Chapter

Twenty-Six

VIOLET

The lonely notes of Someone Like You drifted through Lily’s studio apartment as Violet lay on her couch eating Lily’s Oreos. Dog reunion videos played on repeat until Violet swiped to the next one.

Oh no. This one was even sadder. An elderly man being reunited with an elderly dog. A new batch of tears welled in Violet’s eyes.

---