Valorous(35)

“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.

When we arrive at the Quantum building, I finally meet Liza, who’s younger than I expect her to be. She’s petite with short glossy black hair, a killer power suit and teeters on four-inch heels. Despite her sharp, professional appearance, she’s warm and funny, and I like her immediately.

Flynn introduces us, and she hugs me. “I’m so happy to meet you, Natalie.”

“Thanks for your help with all this.”

“It’s my pleasure—and my job. Working for this guy is not exactly a hardship.”

I hook my arm through Flynn’s. “He is pretty great.”

“I couldn’t agree more. And I want you to know, I think you’re doing the right thing today, and you’ve chosen the perfect person to talk to.”

“Flynn chose her.” We talk about him like he’s not standing right next to me vibrating from the tension that has gripped him since I insisted on doing the interview.

“He chose well.”

Flynn’s sister Ellie, who works for Quantum, comes to say hello, greeting me with a hug like we’re old friends. “This shit sucks,” she says bluntly.

“Yeah, it does, but hopefully this will help.”

“Our whole family is behind you, Natalie. I hope you know that.”