Page 24 of Pieces of Us

After a lot of back and forth in my head, there is really no real reason to say no. Plus, maybe it would be therapeutic, talking about myself and what I’ve been through. If anyone is going to do the piece justice, it will be Jas, who I know has my best interest at heart.

‘Sure. Count me in,’ I nod.

‘You sure?’ She eyes me sceptically.

‘Absolutely.’

‘Great! Let me show you what I want to ask you. I know you’ll probably want to see the questions, or you can have free reign, or whatever. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you said yes!’ She grabs her phone, face activating it for it to open. I suspect she’s written a bunch of things in her notes, which means she’s been marinating on this for a while and banking on me to say yes.

‘Okay.’ She moves closer to me. ‘So, I want to emphasise and highlight your career and achievements, but I also want to take viewers behind the curtain and take a peek into who Amity really is. I mean, I know you, but not many know of your past, where you come from, life here in the Gold Coast, heartbreaks, regrets, struggles…all those things that make you more real, even though you’re sort of unreal.’

It’s a lot.

It’s opening a door to my past that I know is an opportunity to make other girls feel seen,heard and understood, but they’re also very private and delicate topics that have shaped who I am today.

I take a breath, and another one, and wait before responding. I’m sure my agent will need to be informed, so they have a PR firm on standby in case this goes sideways, but I feel ready to open up about this. What better way than giving Jas, who’s like my little sister, a scoop of a lifetime? I’m under no illusion that this will be buried as just an assignment. If she has to present this, her classmates are bound to record it and pop it all over social media. Instead, I’d rather us leak it on social media at the same time she gets graded.

‘As long as I can see the final cut, I’m more than happy to share this intimate part of my life with you.’ I squeeze her knee, watching shock splash across her features.

‘Amity,’ she breathes, giving me a watery glance. ‘This is more than I expected. I mean, I knew you’d give me an interview, but your willingness to be so open…’ She shakes her head in disbelief. ‘I can’t thank you enough.’

‘It’s honestly my pleasure.’

Dad and Uncle Jacob are sitting silently, observing the two of us. They both look as if they’re going to shit their pants. Their postures are rigid, and I can sense an anvil is about to be dropped.

‘Princess?’ Dad cuts the awkwardness.

‘Hmm?’

‘Uncle Jacob was going to have a BBQ at his house tomorrow. For his birthday.’ A bead of sweat trickles down his temple. It’s not hot in here by any means, but he’s worked up.

‘Oh?’

‘Yeah.’ Uncle Jacob shrugs. ‘Everyone’s invited.’ He waves his hand around the room. ‘I’d love it if you could come. There’s going to be even more people there who you haven’t seen in a while.’ He takes a deep breath, but he doesn’t have to, because I can already see where this is headed.

‘Including Lincoln,’ I finish.

All conversations in the room cease, as if everyone is waiting on the edge of their seats to hear how this is going to pan out.

‘I’d love for you to be there, but only if you’re comfortable,’ Jas chimes in, leaning into me to give me a sort of side hug.

‘So everyone is going?’ I ask slowly. I remember Uncle Jacob’s get-togethers. They were the place to be. I remember countless occasions where the parties would extend all the way into the evening, well past my bedtime. I have fond memories of lounging on the deck and around the pool area with Lincoln before we’d sneak up to his room for a hot makeout session. I also remember the last time I stepped foot in that home and saw Lincoln finger fucking Billie in front of hundreds of people.

‘Yes. And I’ve already told Linc that I would be inviting you today.’

I nod, taking in the information while picking at a fraying stitch on the lounge. I knew it would be impossible to avoid Lincoln between hanging out with Jas, going to Dad’s work, or heck, even being at one of our houses, where he usually hung out.

Despite the decimation of my heart and what has happened between us, it s also probably the best thing for me in the end, both career and health wise. It’s also been over six years since we broke up. While I have less than zero intention of rekindling any sort of relationship with him, I can at least be cordial for everyone’s sake. Once I am back in Los Angeles, I’ll barely have to see him again.

‘Of course I’ll be there.’ I try to smile as genuinely as possible.

‘I’m glad, gorgeous.’ Uncle Jacob blows out a breath and gives me a relieved smile. ‘Plus, you can give me my signed autograph from Cillian Murphy.’ He winks, making me giggle.

I know before I walk back into the house that simultaneously holds my fondest and most fucked up memories that there is just one more thing I need to find the strength to do.

Chapter 12

Chasing Ghosts

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