Page 143 of Wardrobe Malfunction

“It means I won’t be there tomorrow, Jack.”

“You can’t just run out on a film, Vaughn. You’re committed to this. You signed a contract.”

“I know. I just need a few days.”

“The delay will cost millions, Vaughn. Brandon could sue.”

“So, let him sue me. Or ask him to just give me two days, and then I’ll be back.”

“He won’t like it.”

“I know. But he doesn’t have a choice.”

There’s a pause.

Then, Jacks says, “Stupid question, but how are you doing?”

I laugh humorlessly. “I’ve had better days.”

“She’s gone,” he tells me in a lowered voice. “Left not long after you did.”

I want to ask if he knows where she was going. But part of me already knows. She’s going back to him. Her husband.

“You should’ve told me—about you and her. I could’ve done a background—”

“Not now, Jack, okay?”

“Okay.” He sighs. “So, I’ll see you in a few days?”

“You will.” I disconnect the call and turn my phone off.

I take the turn onto my parents’ farm. Driving up the track, I see the lights are still on at their house. Then, I look at my house off in the distance.

The last time I was there, I was with her.

I turn off to my parents’ house and park out front there. I can’t stay in my house tonight.

My mom comes out the front door just as I climb out of the car.

“Hey, baby,” she says, a sad smile on her face.

“Hi, Mom.”

I walk over to her, and she wraps her arms around me, hugging me.

“It’s going to be okay,” she tells me.

“I know,” I say, but I don’t believe it.

Because nothing about this feels like it’s ever going to be okay.

I thought what I felt after Cain betrayed me was bad. But this, with Charly…it’s a million times more painful.

Charly

“I’m so, so sorry,” I tell Nick on the phone.

“Charly, it’s not your fault.”