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“Oh no, you have an idea. I’d like to hear it.”
“I don’t know. Maybe that you like the satisfaction in making waves. Not for the glory though. For the justice.”
I suck in a breath. “Why would you think that?”
He shrugs. “From what Gage said, I’m guessing you got in trouble in high school because you were trying to right a wrong. Any wave causing I’ve seen in the media seems to come after you or someone was attacked first. And I’ve seen the charities you donate to, all related to some sort of social injustice.”
“Aren’t most charities about helping social injustice?”
“There’s cancer and illnesses, but you haven’t donated to those. Mostly it’s been violence against women.” I feel his eyes move over me and I know what he’ll ask next. And I’ll have to decide how much I want to tell him.
“Has someone hurt you, Autumn?”
Yes. But I’m one of the lucky ones.
“I’m a woman in Hollywood so I’ve had to dodge, or endure, the occasional inappropriate touch or comment or invitation. But no, thankfully, I haven’t experienced what you’re probably thinking.”
I stop there. Saying more would cut too close to a part of myself that I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal. I open my mouth to tell him then shut it.
“What is it?”
I sigh and decide I can at least address about what he originally wanted to know. “My sister ended up running away with her horrible boyfriend when she was seventeen. From there it was years of abuse. She’d come home with a black eye then run back to him when he begged and promised he would change. That’s what prompted a lot of my anger and stunts in high school, and the charities. I couldn’t stand assholes like that.”
If I couldn’t help her, then I could help others. Or at least deliver a little payback.
“Jesus. I’m sorry, Autumn.”
“Thanks. It was hard to watch. My parents were so consumed by her drama that I practically lived in the school theater department.” I glance at him. “I kind of resented her too. I was pissed that she kept going back to him. I swore I’d never let that happen to me.”
Then it turned out, I was as weak as she was.
We fall into silence as we slowly pedal through the water. His pinky finger touches my hand next to his then slowly his whole hand takes mine. And we stay like that for a long while, just moving in the water and holding hands. And it’s perfect.
“You should audition for Camilla.” His voice breaks the silence, and our hands break apart so he can adjust the hat on his head. As much as I miss his touch, the break from the heavy subject feels good.
I roll my eyes. “I already told you, I tried. I’m not the right fit.”
“Was that before or after the voicemail?”
“Before.”
“Maybe they’ll have a different view of you now.” A smirk forms on his lips.
“Except my reputation is in shreds. Directors and producers are hesitant to work with you until a scandal is way in the past. They can’t risk anything messing up all the money they’re putting into it. Besides, I’d hate to ruin this. The book deserves to be a hit. You know the author lives here?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, we’ve never met in person, but we’ve emailed and messaged each other for years. We’re friends.”
He glances at me. “You’ve totally fangirled on her, haven’t you?”
I scrunch up my nose. “I totally did the first time I DM’ed her.”
He chuckles. “The famous actress all silly over an author. That’s kinda funny.”
“Authors have fans too, you know? Funny enough, I don’t think she even knew who I was at first, so it was all on my end. I was more nervous about contacting her than I was meeting Chris Evans.”
He jerks so suddenly, it rocks the swan and I grip the side to get my balance. “Wait. You’ve met Captain America?”
