Page 39 of False Start
Gia
Heavy hitterin entertainment questioned in relation to rape allegations.
Denny Hayes’s turtle-like face leered out of the phone screen at me from where it lay on the kitchen table. Someone had spoken out about him. Someone was doing something about it, and as I sat beside my cooling coffee going over the article again, all I could think was: why hadn’t I done something too?
Why couldn’t I now?
The thought settled in, bringing with it a combination of terror and joy, like I’d never experienced before. Four actresses had already come forward to tell their stories of coercion and assault, and the article speculated there may be more allegations in the coming days. These women were getting justice for something that was taken from them in a vulnerable time, and I could speak up with them.
With growing excitement, I called Lydia to bring her up to speed.
“That’s the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard. You’ll tank your career. Do you like working, Gia? Because if you do this, no onewill hire you again. You’ll be serving burgers in a Wendy’s by this time next week.”
“But don’t you think it’s important—”
“It’s important you shut your mouth and do as you’re told. Don’t make this about you. I’ve worked too hard to get you where you are for you to tank the opportunity by crying wolf with the rest of those attention whores.”
Ice slid down my spine as I caught my balance on the table in front of me.
Lydia knew damn well what had happened with Denny. She had been the one to pick me up and put me in the shower after the incident. The one who encouraged me to accept the job I’d ‘earned’ and keep quiet about the audition process.
She’d enabled my abuser, and he’d gone on to hurt others.
“You’re fired.”
The words slid out without much thought, but like the decision to speak out, I had no intention of changing course once they were said.
“You can’t do that.”
“There’s a clause in your contract that states you will act in the interests of your client in all things. You didn’t act in my interest after I was assaulted. You didn’t act in my interest when you repeatedly called me stupid and undermined my wishes. You’ve only done what would further your own career, and that ends here. I deserve to have someone in my corner that isn’t waiting to put a knife in my back.”
Without letting her speak, I ended the call and collapsed into a chair.
I’d have to speak to a lawyer and make sure I could legally break the contract we had. Also, a call to HR would be important. I’d have to represent my own interests until I found someone new to work with. There was a lot to do, but I felt lighter than I had since…
Well, since I’d blown up my fake relationship with Weston.
The thought brought a wave of sadness with it, and I swallowed through a sudden thickening in my throat. I’d looked back over our text conversations so many times in the last couple of weeks that I could have recited them verbatim.
I’d watched his last two games in my room, under the covers, like it was a secret no one could know. He hadn’t been playing as well as usual, and the fact that the blame for that lay at my feet too was just another blow.
I was managing to ruin his life even when I wasn’t with him.
A knock at my door shook me out of my miserable thoughts.
I wondered if Lydia had decided to come and berate me in person, but when I looked through the peephole, it was a different brunette glaring back at me.
“I know you’re in there. Let us in.”
I considered ignoring Cami, but the very real fear of her kicking in my door had me opening things up before she got any bright ideas.
“Why are you in your PJs at midday? Go get dressed. You’re coming with us to the ball park.” Cami glanced around the living space, taking in the half-finished projects that littered my coffee table and sofa, and the general state of disarray my entire life was in.
“Nice place.”
I snorted. “Why are you here?”
I’d ended things with Weston weeks ago and left the group chat. It wasn’t right to try to keep his friends after we gave up the charade, so I’d cut ties.
