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I laugh and shake my head, “No way. We got this in the bag.”
Tchekov continues, “Ah, so it must be woman problems, huh?”
I look at him sharply and he just laughs, “I’m right huh! Well, this one must be something special then.”
His phone rings and before answering it, he puts a hand on my shoulder and says, “Good luck, dude. I hope it all works out.”
I nod, turning to go with my duffle bag over my shoulder.
Yeah man, me too.
Chapter Five
ELSA
I’mstillfurious.
It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have opened up to a guy like that, one who is self-centered, arrogant, and shallow.
I mean, he’s hiring me to be his fake fiancé. If that doesn’t tell me about his character, I don’t know what else will.
The one good thing that came out of that situation is that I finally spoke about what’s been going on.
I’ve been in denial for so long but saying it out loud has made me realize that unless I do something about my panic attacks and stage fright, nothing will change. It won’t magically go away.
I still feel aimless and not sure exactly what to do next, but I do have some hope that with the right help, I can still chase my acting dream.
I’ve been thinking about seeing Becca and Monica, two of my friends from high school that still live around here. I think it may help me feel better to catch up with them and get out, but I’m putting it off since I’m not exactly proud of my life right now.
My stomach growls as the comforting smell of mom’s lasagna drifts down. I take my earbuds out and pause my hip hop playlist. It usually helps me feel better, but it’s not working today.
As I do, I see a text from Harvey.
I’m sorry about what happened at the bar.
Do you forgive me?
I just roll my eyes and head upstairs for dinner, leaving my phone behind.
When I walk in the kitchen, mom is pulling out the lasagna from the oven. She looks up at me with surprise.
“I was just about to call you up for dinner! Have you been feeling better? You’ve got me worried, dear.”
I smile and nod, “I’m just tired, mom.”
She nods then asks, “Have you been looking for a job, honey?”
I hold back a groan and say, “I’ll go get dad,” and then head towards the garage, which is his usual hideout. He’s always working on something in there.
As I dodge both my parents’ questions around how the job hunt is going, I think about how the one hundred grand from playing Harvey’s fake fiancé will be life changing for me.
I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a job right way. I could also use part of that money to start getting the help I need to deal with my panic attacks.
When mom brings up going away with Harvey this weekend at his sister’s wedding, I surprise them both by saying I’ll do the dishes.
“Go tinker with the car, dad. And mom, take a break and go catch up on reading for your book club.”
Dad doesn’t say anything. He just hands me his plate with raised eyebrows before heading back into the garage.
