Page 102 of Unscripted with Mila

Go after him? Stay? Why did he want to talk to my father?

My mom showed up about ten minutes later and came into the kitchen. I was at the table, busy on my laptop, trying to find out as much information as I could on counterfeit pills, how much Nick might have been affected by them, and what to expect over the next while until his meds kicked in again. I liked having as much intel as I could get.

Mom got a coffee and sat down.

“What’s going on with Nick and Dad?”

“He asked to speak to your dad in private. And I heard him ask Van if he could call Halton.” She shook her head. “What’s going on?”

I told her everything. She looked horrified. “Poor Nick,” she murmured. “How dreadful.” She paused. “How much of what we saw was Nick?”

I shook my head. “Most of it. Aside from the talking. He is usually a bit quieter. It was the start of an episode. The running, the energy, the euphoria. It’s hard to see, but I noticed a few things. He is a wonderful man, though, Mom. He was still Nick, just a little more animated.”

She nodded. “I read up on it. That woman needs to be arrested.”

“I agree.”

She stood. “I don’t know how long they’ll be, but we should stay busy. Cookies?”

I nodded. “I’ll get the mixer.”

We had just pulled out the last tray of baked cookies when Dad, Nick, and Halton walked in. I looked between them, anxious and curious. Dad picked up a cookie, munching it and sitting down. “Any chance of coffee?”

Mom grabbed some mugs, and I put a plate of cookies on the table. I looked at Nick, who smiled and took my hand. He looked as exhausted as I felt. He tugged on my hand, pulling me to his lap, wrapping his arm around me. He nuzzled into my neck with a sigh.

“I needed that.”

“What did you talk about?” I asked.

“I told your dad everything. And Halton. Asked their advice.”

“Everything?”

Dad nodded, taking a sip of coffee. “He shared his truth, I gave him mine.”

I blinked. “Have you been reading new age books again, Dad? His truth?”

He chuckled, breaking the tension. “No, but we were both honest. Which you should have been with me, Pumpkin.”

“I wanted you to know him first, not his disorder.”

He shrugged. “It is part of him.”

“Part, not all.”

He held up his hand. “I hear you. But now I know, and I know what has happened.”

Halton spoke. “I gave him some advice. And the name of a good lawyer who deals with the entertainment industry. I’m pretty sure it’s the same lawyer Andi was talking about. I got them together a few years ago. They’ll look after your boy.” He snagged another cookie. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Talk to Andi and this lawyer. Break my contracts—whatever the cost. Get away from MJ. Start fresh.”

“Can you do that?”

He sighed. “If I never worked another day, I am set for life. I love acting, but the reasons for it aren’t the right ones. When I work, I become someone else. I never wanted to be Nick.”

“And now?”