“That sounds amazing. When do you start?”
Mabie grimaces. “That’s the thing. I haven’t said yes yet.”
“Why not?”
She picks up her spoon again, stirring the soggy cereal she’s clearly not going to eat. “It would mean leaving. For months at a time, maybe longer. And with everything that’s been going on with Mason coming back and probably leaving again…now is the worst time for me to just pick up and go.”
“You’re worried about leaving Judah and Dom,” I say, understanding clicking into place.
She shrugs, the motion too casual to be genuine. “I know they can take care of themselves. But I’ve spent my whole life in this house, in this town. The thought of just…leaving is hard.”
Mabie looks away, obviously hoping I won’t see the tears in her eyes.
The silence that follows is heavy with unspoken things. I think about Mason, spending years catering to me because he was afraid to come back here. I think about myself, trapped in a career I never chose because I was too scared to walk away.
I think about all the ways we convince ourselves that staying stuck is the same as staying safe.
“Judah and Dom love you, which means they’ll understand,” I say finally. “Even if it takes awhile, they’ll figure out how to support you.”
Mabie nods slowly, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. “You’re pretty good at this advice thing. For a movie star.”
“I contain multitudes.”
She laughs, wet and shaky but genuine. “Thanks, Phoenix. Really.”
“Anytime.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, shattering the moment. I pull it out, already bracing myself for whatever fresh disaster awaits.
The caller ID shows one word: VICTORIA.
Of course.
I let out a sigh that comes from somewhere deep in my soul. “Speaking of family…”
I answer the call, holding the phone slightly away from my ear in anticipation of the volume that’s about to assault me.
Victoria’s voice comes through mid-sentence, as if she’s been talking for hours and I just happened to tune in.
“—absolutely unacceptable that I had to hear this from the studio rather than from you directly, Phoenix. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to have producers calling me asking about my daughter’s health when I didn’t even know there was a problem?”
“Good morning to you too, Mother.”
“Don’t give me that attitude. I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”
“Sorry,” I mutter, knowing I sound anything but that.
“You really should be, Phoenix.”
I sigh. “Was there a reason you called? Specifically?”
“Of course there’s a reason. My time is very valuable, you know.” Her voice shifts, taking on that particular tone she uses when she’s about to deliver news she thinks I should be excited about and so she won’t tolerate anything less. “I have wonderful news. Simply amazing.”
I wait, knowing better than to prompt her. Victoria loves a dramatic pause.
“I knew putting you out as offer-only was a good idea. I just got a call. You’ve been cast in a new franchise,” she announces. “Three-picture deal with points and a producer credit.”
Maybe I should be excited, this is supposed to be my dream.
