Page 86 of Show Off

“Oh.” I glance at the table where Dal sits next to his uncle. Korain waves from his chair as Dal gets to his feet.

Concern folds his forehead in creases as he moves behind his brother. “Lana.”

Missing the change in Dal’s posture, Korain pours red wine into a stemless glass. “We were just talking about you.” He gestures to the bottle. “Join us?”

“Oh, I—”Crap. “That sounds great.”

Dal watches my face. “Actually, guys—give us a second?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. Just puts a hand in the small of my back and steers me toward the bedroom. It’s a much different march from the one last night, but my heart pounds just the same.

As soon as he gets the door closed, my shoulders sag. “I have to go on live fucking television.” The words rush out on an exhale, part sob, part relief. I shiver and Dal slides both hands to my biceps. “The day after tomorrow.”

“God, you’re freezing.” He rubs my arms and looks deep in my eyes. “I’ve seen you on live TV a million times. I didn’t know it made you this nervous.”

“No, that’s not it.” I draw a deep breath and pull it together. “Mom’s publicist booked her on the Jamila Jarrett show. She’s doing a segment for Mama Madness week. They want her to read this chapter from her book?—”

“About motherhood,” he says, realization turning his eyes coal black. “And she wants to trot you out as her show pony.”

I breathe back my feelings and try to be brave. “It makes sense. I’m the PR spokesperson for the family. Lauren’s prone to cursing on camera, and Mari filled her lifetime quota of TV interviews when she didShrink to the Stars.”

Dal’s forehead creases with concern. “What about your brothers?”

“It’s a women’s variety show.” I did consider asking Coop to appear shirtless, but that’s a bit off-brand for a mother-themed show, and besides. “The excerpt she’s reading—it’s a story from my childhood.”

“Really?” He frowns. “Not the tutu on the red carpet.”

“No, a different one.” He’s never heard this one. “A story about me as a baby.”

One edge of his mouth ticks up, then drops again quickly. “Sounds harmless enough, but this is your mom we’re talking about.”

I’m filled with a weird wave of feeling. Delight that Dal grasps the awkwardness of Judson family dynamics. Protectiveness for my flawed but fearless mother. Shame for having mixed feelings in the first place. “Right,” I manage, since that sums it up. “Anyway, it’s filming on location—right here at Juniper Ridge.”

“Here?” His eyebrows lift again. “Really?”

“Mom thought we’d benefit from the publicity.” See? That’s why it’s complicated. “In her own way, she’s looking out for us. Her book gets a boost, and we see a ratings spike. It makes sense. All our recent B-roll footage of the family was filmed here.”

“Okay.” He searches my eyes, hands still cupping my upper arms. “Do you want me to be there?”

“On camera?”

“No, on set. For moral support.”

“Really?” I think of him there at the edge of the set. How nice it would feel knowing he’s right offstage, lending me strength. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. I mean, it’s not likeI’mbeing filmed. You’re doing the hard part.” He frowns and takes one hand off my arm, rubbing his chin. “I mean, if you wanted me on camera, I’d do it. Whatever you need to get through it.”

“You would?” This from a guy who swore he’d never do live TV.

“This isn’t about me.” He’s got both hands on my arms again, rubbing warmth into my chilled skin. “But yeah, if you needed me to, I’d strip naked on live TV and do a puppet show with my penis in a pirate costume.” He frowns. “That sounded more romantic in my head.”

“Itisromantic.” I can’t believe he’s willing to do that. “I don’t need you to, but?—”

“Good, because I don’t think they make pirate costumes that size.”

I swat his arm, laughing. “I meant you don’t need to swoop in and rescue me, but I love that you’re willing. That you have my back like that.”

“I do,” he says, gliding both hands up and down my arms. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks.” I press the heels of my hands against my eye sockets, regaining composure. “I love you so much.”

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