Page 11 of Cast to be Mine

“For the film you’re making with Limitless Pictures,” Dad said, cutting into his chicken with more force than necessary. “Instead of Blackwell Studios.”

I’d known this was coming. It was a sore spot for Dad. “You know why I took this movie to a different studio. We’ve been over this.”

He set down his knife and fork, giving me his full attention. My father exuded power. And he usually got his way. People wanted to make him happy. “Well, I guess I’m just still confused. I’ve been all but begging all you kids to come work for the family business, and all of you keep turning me down.”

“Max,” Mom said gently. “You should be proud that our babies are choosing their own paths in the world. It means we did something right.”

“It’s not personal, Dad,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “If I make my first movie with you, no matter if it’s good or not, people will say I didn’t earn it. That the only reason I got a job directing is because you made it happen.”

Dad leaned back in his chair, studying me with those sharp eyes that missed nothing. “You think making a film with another studio proves something?”

“I think making my first film at another studio does. It proves I’m not just Max Blackwell’s son riding his coattails. You know how people in this business are. They think I’m a nepo baby.”

He scoffed and waved my comment away. “No one thinks that.”

“Everyone thinks that,” I shot back. “And if you’re the only one willing to make my movie, I would be proving them right about me.”

Dad shook his head. “You don’t prove yourself by running away from your family, Micah. You prove yourself by being better than the people who doubt you.”

“I’m not running away. I’m trying to build my reputation in the business on my own.”

“By making Blackwell Studios look bad in the process.” He picked up his fork again, stabbing at his vegetables. “Taking your project elsewhere sends a message that our studio wasn’t good enough.”

“That’s not what it says.”

“But that’s how it looks.” He met my eyes. “Perception matters in this business. You know that.”

I did know that. I’d grown up watching him navigate the politics of Hollywood with the skill of a chess master. But I also knew that I needed to show the world I could make a good movie on my own, with my father watching over me.

“You’ve had a year to come to terms with this,” I said quietly. “Shooting starts in less than two weeks.”

Mom’s eyebrows rose. “Two weeks? Already?”

“I know.” I shook my head and smiled. “I can barely believe it, either. But I think we finally found our leading lady.”

“You’re cutting it pretty close, son?” Dad said, slipping into business mode.

“We had a setback with casting.” I reached for the water glass Maria had set in front of me. “Our original female lead dropped out last week. Scheduling conflict with another project.”

“Who was it?” Dad asked.

“Deandra Daniels.”

He grimaced. “She’s unreliable. I could have told you that.”

“Well, now I know.” I took a drink, then set the glass down. “But honestly? It might be for the best. We found someone better.”

“Better than Daniels?” Dad looked skeptical. “She’s got three hits under her belt.”

“The actress we got doesn’t have a big name but she’s got charisma.” I could feel the excitement building in my chest, the same feeling I’d had when Grace walked out of the audition room. “She’s got this quality that you can’t manufacture. That it factor everyone talks about but nobody can define. You either have it or you don’t, and she has it.”

Mom was watching me with interest now. “What’s her name?”

“Grace Stone. New to the scene. No films yet but she’s done a little TV. I’m telling you, though, she’s going to be huge. The camera loves her. She walked into the audition and just owned the room.”

“Unknown,” Dad repeated, his tone flat. “You’re pairing Jack Montana with an unknown actress?”

“I’m pairing him with the right actress,” I said. “Besides, every actress is unknown until they get their big break. Everyone has to start somewhere.”