Page 108 of Shine For Me

June

Idon’t really let myself take a full breath until the interview ends. As my television screen shifts from the reporter’s smiling face to a commercial, I turn to face my mom. She’s sitting next to me on the couch, her eyes wide, looking about as dazed as I feel.

“I can’t believe I actually did that,” I whisper.

Her stunned expression shifts quickly to a smile. “I can believe it. And I’m so proud of you.” Then she pulls me into a hug. As her familiar arms come around me, I finally let myself relax for the first time in days. “So proud, Juniper-girl.”

I’d recorded the interview yesterday. And while I could clearly remember what I’d talked about, it didn’t really feel real until I saw the finished product playing on my television screen. My screen and God knows how many others around the country. My stomach clenches tight at the thought of so many people seeing me like that—the real me, telling the truth without any fabrication or polish. Just honest answers about how I feel.

It scares the shit out of me. But I know it’s worth it.

My phone rings and Mom releases me so I can fumble for it. I don’t need to look at the screen to know it’s Grey. “We’re here,” he says when I answer. “We’re about to go in.”

“Bash is with you?” I clarify. “And Harlow?”

“Both of them are here. Ophelia, too.” That surprises me. I’d known my cousins Harlow and Sebastian had agreed to be with Grey when he went to talk to Jimmy, but I had no idea he contacted Ophelia, too. There’s no love lost between my favorite cousin and our grandfather. The fact that she’s with Grey right now brings tears to my eyes.

“Tell them all I said thank you.”

“We’re not doing this just for you, Junie. This is for all of us.” When he speaks again, there’s a familiar amused, mischievous tone to his voice. “We’ll give him hell.”

“Good luck.”

I hang up and look back to Mom. “Ophelia went with them.”

She smiles. “I always did like that girl.”

I try to push aside the nerves I feel for my brother and cousins. They can handle themselves with Jimmy. And it’s like Grey said—this is for all of us.

My interview was only the first part of our plan. Grey and I contacted our Uncle Jon that same day we ate donuts and drank whiskey on my couch. He gave us some advice and hooked me up with a publicist unconnected to Jimmy’s business. She arranged the interview and helped prep me for the questions. We’d worked out a way for me to tell the world the truth about Adam without alienating Jimmy too much. The interview had covered a number of subjects, including the movie Fox and I just wrapped for Grandpa’s studio. I’m hoping that all the complimentary things I’d said about the film and working for Cain Productions will soften the blow a little.

Grey is responsible for the next part. He plans to tell Jimmy that we’re done being manipulated. Neither of us want to cut ties with the studio, but we’re willing to walk away if that’s what it takes. Our cousins Harlow and Sebastian were willing to make the same promise. Ophelia doesn’t work with Jimmy, so I’m assuming she’s there more for emotional support.

I have no idea how Jimmy is going to react. But I do know that I don’t regret any of it. I can’t live that way anymore. And Fox made me believe I shouldn’t have to.

I look at the phone in my hand, wondering if I should call him. Cassie promised she’d let Everly know about the interview. Had they watched it? What is he thinking right now? Should I call him?

“I can practically hear your brain going a hundred miles a minute,” my mom says. “Take a deep breath, baby. How about a glass of wine?”

“Of course you would offer me wine right now,” I say, laughing.

“You show me a problem good wine can’t solve,” she shoots back.

“I’m sure there are many, many things.” Before I can start to list them all, a buzzing noise rings through the living room. There’s someone at the gate.

My heart starts to beat out an erratic rhythm as I look at my mom. “Who do you think that is?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you check?”

But I find I can’t move from the couch. What if it’s my dad? What if Grandpa is so pissed that he sent one of his minions to come scream at me? What if—

“Do you want me to look?” Mom asks gently.

I force myself to stop cowering like a baby and stand. “No. Whoever it is, I can handle it.”

“And if it’s someone you don’t want to see, you can just refuse to let them in,” she points out. I imagine leaving my dad sitting at the locked gate and almost laugh. It would serve him right.

The buzzer goes off again as I walk to the panel on the wall. I peer at the video screen, not recognizing the SUV parked there. God, maybe itisa minion—then the driver shifts to press the buzzer again and I see a flash of blonde hair under the security light.