"Only if you try to tell me what to do. And it wouldn't ruin your career. Just your chance at a part in Roman's movie, which you wouldn't even have if it weren't for me."
"My agent got me the audition. You had nothing to do with it."
"Jackson did. He got you the audition, not your agent. He asked his dad to consider you for the role you wanted. He knew if you got it you wouldn't try to keep us apart."
"So your boyfriend is not only a suspected murderer but a master manipulator. And this is the boy you choose to date?"
"He's not a murderer and he didn't manipulate anyone. He asked his dad for a favor. Isn't that how Hollywood works? You said it's all who you know and who you owe."
"I don't believe I said that last part."
"You said something similar. Point is, Jackson got you that audition. And if you don't let me see him, the audition may not happen."
We're on our street now and Brock pulls into the driveway and parks.
He turns to me. "I wanted you to have a future."
"I do. But you don't get to decide what it is."
"You won't have a future if you flunk out of school."
"YOU did okay, and you flunked out of college."
"That was different. I don't need a degree for what I do." He pauses. "Who told you I flunked out?"
"Devon. It was when he was drunk."
"You can't call him Devon. You need to pretend he's still your father."
"For how long?"
"At least until the boys are older. I'd rather not tell them at all. If it gets back to Miranda, she'll deteriorate even more."
"Sounds like she's too out of it to even care."
"She's aware enough to be upset by it. I can't do that to her. The boys have a hard enough time seeing her in her condition. I don't want it getting worse."
"Then at least tell Braden to leave me alone. He thinks we're not related so he tried to kiss me. Even though he's mad at me, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to kiss me again."
Brock's brows draw together. "He doesn't think he's your cousin?"
"He knows Devon was adopted. He said he overheard you telling someone."
"Why didn't he tell me he knew?"
"He said you didn't want us to know. Something about secrets being secrets for a reason." I open the door. "I need to go."
"If you're going to see Jackson I want you home by ten."
I smile. "How much do you want that audition?"
"I want more than an audition. I want the part."
"I'll see what I can do." I get out of the car.
"Rumor, wait."
"What?" I stick my head back in the car.
