Page 147 of Collateral Damage
All the excitement I’ve had about the show deflates at once. “I’m so sad I won’t be working on it anymore.”
While nonprofit fundraising is my passion, I loved my time on set.
Perry goes quiet. He’ll stay on as the show’s creator, but everyone from King and Laurence will be gone.
“Did you get a payout?” I ask carefully.
His lips thin, and he nods.
“How much?” I’m sure it was a fair offer, but since he’s staying on with the show, I have no idea what that number would even be.
“A lot.” Which tells me it’s got to be in the multiple millions.
“Enough that you’re notthatsorry, right?” I joke, but it comes out harsh.
“Don’t do that. You and Cooper are my best friends. I wanted to do this with you guys by my side. Of course I’m happy about the success of the show, but it’s bittersweet now.”
“Cooper knew about this all along, just so you know. He made a deal with his dad well before he brought me in. He played us both, or maybe he played me, because you didn’t really lose anything.”
Perry looks away, shaking his head at the floor.
“You say you had no idea this was going to happen, but you don’t look that surprised.”
He takes a deep breath and peers at me through strained eyes. “Unfortunately, I’m not surprised he did this.”
My stomach clenches as if I’ve been punched in the gut.
“Explain?”
“Not to make excuses, but he’s been through a lot.”
Enough to pull this shit? No, there’s got to be more.
“Please tell me the truth, Perry. I can take it.”
“He loves you, but he also… hates you.”
I swallow hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. “How does that work?”
How can you claim to love someone while hating them at the same time? My heart beats for Cooper, and I never would’ve done this to him had the roles been reversed.
“Cooper’s wanted you for years, since you were children. He tore himself apart loving you.” He pauses, running his hands over his knees. “But you hurt him. You have to own that.”
“Because I dated his brother first? That was years ago, and everyone moved on. So tell me, what did I do to deserve a betrayal this fucked up?”
“You know.” His tone is sharp.
I bark out a laugh. “You’re kidding me with this, right? I know he’s your boy, but I thought I was your friend, too.”
Perry throws his head back in exasperation, raking his hands through his short black curls. “I’m not talking about years ago. I’m talking about the accident last summer.”
I blink rapidly, my brain trying to catch up. “What does the accident have to do with me?”
He gives me a pointed look, like I should be able to read his mind.
“Are you saying Cooper blames me for what happened? Sorry, but I don’t blame Cooper for the horrible crap his parents have done, and also, have we forgotten that my dad was the one driving, and he was the one who died that night?”
“I’m not talking about Gregory’s mistake. I’m talking aboutyou, Sybil. You never took accountability for what you did to contribute to the accident.”
