I clear my throat as I press my hand to his chest, the rhythmic beating of his heart grounding me in the moment. “I’m okay. It’s not like this is anything new.”
“How the fuck did they pass security clearance to get that close to you?” he seethes. “I’m going to shove that prick Rawling’s balls down his throat until he chokes.” Rawlings is the head of security at the studio, and we’ve had our fair share of run-ins with him over the past year.
“You’ll have to get to him first, and I already called dibs,” my dad says, appearing behind my husband.
“Darling, are you okay?” Mom asks, bundling me into a hug.
“I’m good. A few crazies aren’t going to ruin tonight.”
“That’s my girl.” Mom presses a kiss to my temple.
“We’re so proud of you, princess,” Dad says, tucking Mom in under his arm. At six-four he towers over her five-foot-four-inch frame, but they always look like they were made for each other. My parents just celebrated their thirty-seventh wedding anniversary, something exquisitely rare in Hollywood these days. One only needs to look at the adoring way they stare at one another to know theirs is an epic kind of love. The type that weathers any storm because the bond is far too strong to break.
After chatting with some studio heads and members of the cast and crew, we make our way into the famous theater, taking our seats in the front row as we wait for everyone to pile in.
When the large room is full and the doors have been closed, James, the head of the studio, stands in front of the curtain with a microphone in his hand.
Discreetly swiping my hands along the armrests of my chair, I give myself a silent pep talk. No one is forcing me into speaking, but it’s something I feel compelled to do. My husband leans into me, planting his lips to my ear. “You’re going to nail it.” He kisses my cheek and squeezes my hand.
“I feel like I might pass out any second,” I whisper truthfully. There is a reason I never wanted to follow Reeve or my mom into acting—I don’t like attention and I hate the spotlight. I have always been more comfortable behind the scenes.
“If you do, I’ll be there to catch you,” he says, peering deep into my eyes. “I’ll always catch you, Viv.”
He has more than proven that in recent times. “I’m hoping it won’t be necessary anymore.”
Before he can reply, James calls me forward as applause breaks out around the room. I rise, exchanging a smile with my parents before I stride toward the head of the studio, holding my head up high, projecting confidence even if I’m a basket case on the inside. James kisses my cheek before passing me the mic. I scan the room as a reverential hush descends over the proceedings.
Exhaling deeply, I wet my lips and begin. “Thank you all so much for being here tonight.” My voice trembles a little, but I’m not embarrassed to show emotion. “There were several moments in the past few years where I didn’t think we would make it to this point. I don’t mind admitting I had significant moments of doubt. Moments where I questioned my sanity and whether I could do this. Without the support of my husband, my parents, and my friends and the patience and understanding of the studio, I would not be standing before you right now. On my darkest days, they reminded me of why this story needed to be told.”
Tears well in my eyes as I rake my gaze over my loved ones seated in the front row. Their presence gives me strength, their love fuels my courage, and their endless support makes me feel like I could climb any mountain, overcome any challenge, because they believe in me. Just like he did.
“I have had to sit back and suffer while so many lies were told—to the point where I could barely find the will to get out of bed some days. When I started writing this story, it was for me. For my children. So they would someday know the truth. I never intended for it to see the light of day. But the world deserves to know the truth too.”
My smile is wide as I continue. “This is the story of a Hollywood prince, an Irish rock star, and the girl who loved them both. A girl who never wanted the spotlight but found herself thrust into it anyway. This is a story filled with secrets and lies, drenched in heartbreak and pain, but it’s also a lesson in forgiveness and redemption and finding the strength to go on when life seems insurmountable.”
My eyes wander to my husband. He looks so handsome, so strong, and so proud as he sits upright in his seat, giving me his undivided attention. Pride glimmers in his eyes along with powerful emotion. Tonight is as hard for him as it is for me. I hate that I’ve hurt him and that we’ll be revisiting some of the most painful moments of our history tonight. But I’m not the only one who needs full closure.
I keep my eyes fixed on my husband, hoping he feels the outpouring of love seeping from my every pore. I will never love anyone as much as I love him. “Most of all, it’s a story about true love and how love has the power to salvage a broken soul from the wreckage of life.” My eyes scan the room one final time. “This is the story of my life.”
1
Senior Year of High School
“Any news yet?” Audrey asks, coming up alongside me as I stare at my cell, willing it to ring.
I shake my head, chewing on the corner of my lower lip. “Not a word, and I’m starting to freak out.”
“You know how long these things take.” She opens her locker as students fill the hallway behind us. “I’m sure lover boy will call the minute he gets out of the meeting.”
After stuffing some books in my bag, I close my locker and lean my head back against it. “He wants this part so bad. He’ll be devastated if they don’t offer it to him.”
“He’ll bounce back,” Audrey says, slamming her locker shut. “Remember how upset he was last year when he didn’t get the Riverdale part, but he got over it pretty quick.”
Eh, yeah, no, he didn’t. Reeve was upset and plagued with self-doubt for months after getting to the final round of auditions and then being rejected. It’s been a pattern these past few years, and while my boyfriend is one of the most focused and most determined people I know, continuous rejections are starting to chip away at his confidence. I do my best to bolster his spirits. To remind him how amazingly talented he is, and when that fails, I distract him with my lips and my hands and my body.
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
“Don’t let his laid-back attitude fool you. He beats himself up like crazy with every rejection. He’s so hard on himself,” I admit, tucking strands of my long dark hair behind my ears as I push off my locker, walking alongside Audrey.
We head toward the exit, and I’ll be glad to see the back of Blackrock Prep today. I honestly thought this day would never end. Time seemed to drag by, slowing to the point where the world was barely turning. Checking my cell every few minutes didn’t help, but I’ve been on tenterhooks all day, wondering how Reeve’s meeting with his new agent and the studio heads went. From the feedback he has received so far, we know the casting director loves him, but the movie director has a few concerns.
“If it’s meant to be, he’ll get the part.” Audrey loops her arm through mine and her emerald gaze pins me in place as we walk. “He’s way too talented to be overlooked for long.”
“Hollywood is crammed full of talented actors who never make it,” I remind her. “But Reeve has the trifecta. Talent, looks, and determination, and I just know he’s going to make it.”
“I’m sure your parents would help too.”
“Help with what?” Alex says, materializing on Audrey’s right, injecting himself into the conversation, as usual.