VALOROUS (A Quantum Novel)(27)

“Oh damn, that’s a tough one…”

Laughing, he says, “I’m f*cking wasted.” I know he doesn’t mean drunk, although we’ve had a lot of champagne and wine today. This has been a very long day for both of us.

“Let’s get some sleep.”

When we’re cuddled up to each other with Fluff curled up in a ball between our feet, I release a sigh of contentment.

“What was that for?”

“It was a happy sigh. This was such an incredible day for you—”

“It was an incredible day for us.”

“Yes, it was. I’m so glad you know everything now.”

“I am, too, but I would give everything I have to rewrite history so you never had to go through all that.”

“It means everything to me that you feel that way about me.”

“I feel everything for you, Natalie.”

I fall asleep listening to his sweet words of love.





Chapter 7





We spend a late morning in bed and then pass a lazy afternoon by the pool. I had no idea it was possible to be this happy. I crave his touch, and he’s always willing to indulge me. I feel as if I’ve awoken from a long nap to discover the woman I’ve always been meant to be. Flynn has unlocked the door to my self-imposed prison.

Tucked away in our own private paradise, it’s easy to forget what’s happening in the world around us. People are talking about me, about my painful past and about my new romance with Flynn. I can’t believe that I don’t care. Let them talk. They can’t touch me if I don’t let them. I refuse to sacrifice one second of my newfound happiness to those who would dissect the life of a rape survivor in an effort to gain ratings and clicks and to sell magazines. I have no time for them, and neither does Flynn.

However, his publicist, Liza, has again suggested we do one sit-down interview to tell my side of the story and then never speak of it again. Flynn is still adamantly opposed, but I think we ought to do it. He’s promised me he’ll think about it, but I’m not optimistic.

He’s been very tense and broody since I told him my story. I can see him making an effort to keep things light with me and to treat me carefully in bed. As great as it is, it’s different than it was before he knew everything. Believe me, I’m not complaining. Making love to Flynn is amazing, even when he holds back. But it’s different.

I keep hoping that he’ll come to terms with what happened to me years ago and find a way to move on. In the meantime, I’m trying to be patient with him and to give him time to process it. I’ve had eight years. He’s had one day.

While I eat a bowl of cereal on our second morning at Hayden’s beach house, Flynn is on the phone with Addie. I’m not trying to listen, but it’s hard not to when he’s yelling. I can’t imagine what has him so upset that he’s talking to Addie that way.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m not going.” He runs his fingers through his hair as he paces on the deck. “Hayden can accept it for me if it comes to that.” His head drops to his chest. “I know, Addie. I know it’s my peers, and it’s a big deal. But this is a bigger deal. That’s all I’m going to say about it. I’ve got to go. I’ll speak with you later.”

The phone gets jammed into the back pocket of his cargo shorts as he comes inside to join me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

I tip my head in question. “That didn’t sound like nothing.”

With his hands flat against the counter, he sighs. “The SAG Awards are at the end of the month, and she’s getting bombed with calls after I told them I’m not going.”

“Why aren’t you going?”

“You know why.”

“No, Flynn. We’re not going to hide out like we’ve done something wrong. We haven’t.”

“There’s no way I’m exposing you to that madness. No f*cking way. And I’m not going without you.”

I put down my spoon and push the bowl away. Going to him, I put my arms around him from behind and lay my head on his back. “You worked so hard for this, Flynn. The film means so much to you. You can’t miss out on the award shows.”

“Yes, I can.”

“You’re not missing it. If you’re worried about me, I’ll stay home and cheer for you from the sofa.”

“I’m not leaving you home, and I don’t want to expose you to more bullshit.”

“Will you look at me? Please?” I pull on his shoulder, compelling him to turn and face me.

He does so reluctantly.

“We can’t hide out. That’s not how I want to live.”

“I can’t protect you from what they’ll say, the questions they’ll ask. They’ll violate you all over again.”

“Then let me do the interview so I can put my story out there in my own words beforehand. There won’t be anything left to say after that.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I know, but I want to put an end to this story so we can get on with our lives.”

“What if it has the opposite effect? What if it throws gas on the fire and makes things worse?”