Page 85 of If the World Was Ending

The doors opened, and they both stepped off. Mikayla reached up and hugged him. “If you ever want to talk about it—or anything—I’m here for you. I don’t give a shit if we ever work together again, I’m your friend, okay?”

Hunter nodded as she pulled back. She smiled. “I think we’re going to be doing even more press if it stays a number one.”

“I’ve got to get back to Montreal. To my mom.”

“I know. But we’ll figure it out. If I have to fly to Montreal and do the press there with you, I will,” Mikayla promised. She gave him another quick hug and walked away.

In his room, he stared at his small suitcase and slowly started to gather his toiletries from the bathroom. He took off the borrowed outfit to be collected by his groomer tomorrow morning. He changed into the joggers and T-shirt he’d worn on the plane and then sat on the edge of the bed and checked his email. There was one from his dad.

Mom is making me write this. I was going to wait until you got home so we could watch your movie together, but she insisted on staying up until midnight to watch it when it dropped. We just finished it. Hunter, it was nothing short of amazing. We loved it—and you in it! (Except we didn’t need to see your butt.) But the rest of it—INCREDIBLE.

We’re so happy for you! You can see the relief in your mom’s face. She knew you were a good actor, but she didn’t trust the world to figure it out. She’s so relieved they did. So am I, buddy. We love you and are extremely proud of you. Looks like your future is bright. Talk tomorrow! Love, Dad.

Hunter’s vision blurred, and tears fell onto his phone. He tipped his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was everything he’d ever wanted. He should never have to bartend or wait tables again, right? As long as he kept giving everyone what they expected. What they wanted. Who they thought he was. It wasn’t hard, right? He’d been fine before Colby. He could be fine without him in his life in that way…

He sniffed and wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands. He picked up his phone again.

I’m gonna stay at the hotel.

He waited.

Colby

Yeah. It’s for the best.

Yeah.

Colby

This is what we both set out to accomplish.

Hunter nodded as new tears pricked his eyes. He blinked and cursed himself internally. He was such a fucking loser. This was supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life.

I fly back to Montreal tomorrow afternoon.

Colby

Safe travels my friend.

Thx. Stay in touch.

Colby

Reach out if you need me.

Hunter dropped his phone and flopped back on the bed and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. He was not going to cry again. He was on the doorstep of everything he’d ever dreamed of. Having to cross that threshold without a friend he didn’t even know a year ago wasn’t the end of the world. It wasn’t. Even if it felt like it.

Chapter 27

You’ve been amazing

SIX MONTHS LATER…

“This is… an offer?”

“Yes.”

“But I haven’t auditioned.”