Page 85 of A Simple Love

“Why, Sheri? Because I said no to you?” I asked, truly curious.

She flipped her hair. “You have it so easy! Everyone likes you. Davis listens to you. People barely acknowledge me.”

I frowned. “And that’s my fault? I’ve had to work to get people’s attention. And I did it by showing respect. Not demanding it. I’ve worked hard, learning my craft. I get to know everyone on set. Show them I’m just like them. You demand to be treated like a star.”

“Because I am one!”

Davis spoke, interrupting her. “Not as big of one as you think you are.” He steepled his fingers as he studied her. “You’re about to be cut from this film.”

She paled, sitting back. “No!” She looked at her agent. “Do something!”

Peter shook his head. “You already did it. I told you to watch the attitude. You broke the contract with your own bad decision-making. I’m simply trying to clean up the damage.”

“So I lose everything? You can’t do that!”

Davis lifted his eyebrows. “Yes, I can.”

She was furious, almost spitting in her anger. She glared at me. “Why should you have it all?”

I shook my head, completely in shock. I looked at Annie, who was oddly quiet.

“Have it all?” I repeated. “You think I have it all?”

“Yes. Everything goes your way. The roles, the accolades, everyone fawning over you⁠—”

I was on my feet, anger burning through me. “Enough!” I roared.

She reared back, looking fearful. I stalked over, standing in front of her. I was aware of Davis and Annie both watching me, wondering. I ignored them.

“You think I have it easy? You have no fucking idea what I have gone through, what I have lost to be here today,” I began, my voice dripping with anger.

I leaned close, keeping my voice low, and I told her. Everything. Meeting Ed. Leaving Kassie. Losing all my money. Struggling to find my feet. How Ed played me. Realizing I was alone and had no one. How scared I had been all the fucking time. Lonely. I told her about Annie and the difference she made in my life. How hard I always tried to do my best.

And how I had struggled lately. I was even honest about that.

I straightened slowly, feeling exhausted. “Davis took a chance on me, and I will forever be grateful to him. You waltzed in here and decided to fuck me over. Well, congratulations, Sheri. It worked. But it’s not only me you fucked. Davis took a chance on you too, and you fucked him royally.”

Tears streamed down her face, her hand covering her mouth. I shook my head, suddenly not caring anymore.

“And you hurt Kassie. Someone who has done nothing to you. You ripped her privacy away from her. As someone in this business who knows how that feels, that is unforgivable.”

“What can I do?” She turned to Davis, her voice beseeching. “Please—don’t fire me. I’ll fix it. Tell me what to do.”

“You think it can be fixed?” Annie questioned, blowing out a long vapor. “Some pretty little speech and all will be well?”

“No. I know I need to really work for this.” She looked at me. “I love this part. This film. Please, Oliver, let me make this up.” She was sincere. Real, at least for the moment.

“I’m sorry,” she pleaded.

I met Annie’s eyes, then glanced at Davis. I knew they were leaving this up to me. I could demand she be fired. Cause Davis a lot of work and for him to lose a fortune. Let Annie clean up the mess and walk away.

Or I could be the better person and maybe, somehow, help someone else. The same way Kassie gave me a second chance. Like Annie had helped me all those years ago.

I knew what Kassie would want me to do.

“You’re going to have to help us bury him.”

“I will,” she replied. “I can do that.”