VALOROUS (A Quantum Novel)(29)

Despite the gravity of the situation, he makes me smile. I lean my elbows on the desk and run the fingers of my free hand through my hair, over and over.

“Flynn. Talk to me.”

“I love her so much.”

“I know you do, son. Your mother and I knew the first time we saw you with her that she is the one for you.”

“I can’t bear to see her going through all this because she made the mistake of getting involved with me.”

“What does she have to say about that?”

“The more agitated I get, the calmer she seems to be, which is maddening.”

Dad grunts out a laugh. “Why am I not surprised? Don’t forget, she’s been through this once before, unfortunately, and probably has a better grip on how to handle it than you do.”

“Once was more than enough.”

“Indeed, but it’s happening, and she’s handling it. That’s what matters.”

“She and Liza have convinced me that if we do one interview, with Carolyn Justice, it’ll help the situation.”

“You don’t think it will?”

“I’m afraid that somehow it’ll make everything worse.”

“I know you like to be the one calling the shots, Flynn. But in this case, I’m afraid you’re going to have to follow Natalie’s lead. She knows what she can handle and what she can’t. If she’s intent on doing the interview, let her. It might help her to put the story in her own words rather than letting everyone else tell it for her.”

I hadn’t thought of it that way before. “What if it makes things worse?”

“How could it make things worse? What are you truly afraid of?”

“Her being hurt again in some way that I can’t predict ahead of time.”

“You know what the most difficult part of fatherhood has been?”

Taken aback by the change in direction, I say, “No, what?”


“Not being able to protect my kids from any kind of pain or suffering. We all wish we had a crystal ball so we could see the future and steer the people we love clear of any trouble. But short of that, all we can do is the best we can and then be there for them when things don’t go according to plan.”

“I’m not used to waiting for things to happen. I’m far more accustomed to making things happen.”

“I know, son,” he says with a low chuckle. “And I also know how painful it has to be for you to take your cues from someone else. But let me ask you this—are you doing everything you can to make this right for her?”

“Fuck, yes, I am.”

“Are your lawyers all over it with the school that fired her and the guy who outed her?”

“Yes,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Then tell me what else you could be doing that you’re not doing?”

“I could go to Lincoln and beat the living shit out of the guy who exposed her.”

“Please, don’t do that. Don’t jeopardize yourself or her or your sterling reputation by doing something stupid that’ll only give you momentary reprieve and will definitely make everything worse than it already is.”

He’s right. I know it, but that doesn’t mean I like it.

“Flynn? Tell me you’re listening to me and won’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t.”

“Natalie needs you to be strong for her, to guide her through her introduction to celebrity and managing everything that goes with it.”

“I know. I’m trying.”

“Remember it won’t always be this way. Something else will happen, and they’ll move on to the next big scandal.”

“Any time now.”

“I want you to keep in mind that as bad as this is, you’ve got her now, and she has you. That’s the only thing that really matters.”

“Thanks, Dad. You said what I needed to hear.”

“I was hoping you’d call. I didn’t want to bother you with everything you’re dealing with.”

“It was either you or a shrink.”

He roars with laughter. “I’m glad you chose me.”

“So am I.”

“We’ll see you soon?”

“Yeah, you will.”

“Hang in there, son. We love you guys, and we’re here if you need us.”

“Thanks. Love you, too.”

I end the call feeling much calmer than I was before I reached out to him. He’s talked me through many a rough patch in my life, and was my rock as I navigated the perilous path into acting and producing. He’s always the voice of reason, and I needed that today.

Now I just have to put his advice into practice and take my cues from Natalie. I can do that. At least I can try.





It’s amazing how quickly things happen when the biggest movie star in the world is involved. Carolyn Justice flew from New York to LA on a red-eye, and the interview is set to take place at the Quantum office at noon. I’m wearing my trusty black dress. My hair is long and curly, and because I’m tanned from the long days in the sun, I’ve gone with only mascara and lip gloss.

Hopefully I won’t look like a country bumpkin on national TV.

Flynn is wearing a slate-colored suit with a white shirt and no tie. He, too, is tanned and looks fantastic, but then again he always does. He’s been quiet and withdrawn since we made our decisions yesterday, and I’m hoping he’ll be back to normal once we put this behind us.