-RORY-
“Are you nervous?” Luis asked as I sat in Jack and Kara’s kitchen.
The makeup artist was putting the finishing touches on my face. The production crew was doing the final installation of equipment on the front porch where my interview with Paloma would take place. Who knew that so much was involved in doing a sixty-minute interview?
“I’m a little nervous. But mostly, I’m relieved.” I rubbed my palms up and down my jeans in anticipation.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?” Luis tilted his head and stared at me.
“I feel like this is my one and only chance to tell Hindley what really happened that night,” I said.
“I thought you didn’t remember anything.”
“I don’t. I’m hoping she’ll believe me when she sees me say it over and over again.”
Luis shrugged his shoulders.
“How is she?” I asked. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. I missed her so much my body ached.
“About the same as you.”
“Really?” Knowing she was miserable should have made me feel bad but it didn’t. If she was hurting, it meant that maybe there was still a chance to redeem myself. I would take it.
“She quit you know.”
“The law firm?”
He nodded.
I was shocked. I’d sent her tons of emails but they’d all been returned. I’d assumed she was ignoring me. Obviously something bigger was going on. “Why did she quit?”
“They tried to force her to still work with Axel.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was.”
I shook my head. “Fucking pricks.”
“Pretty much,” he said. “Also, turns out, Michael was the one who tipped off the media about your illiteracy.”
My mouth fell open and I jerked my head to stare at him. “Are you serious?”
“Hey,” the makeup artist groaned.
“Oh, sorry.” I smiled at the woman, but inside I was fuming.
Fucking Michael.
I’d always been thankful that Luis never judged the fact that I couldn’t read. In fact, after Hindley dropped out of my life, Luis had taken over her role as my mentor, making sure I was writing and reading and learning every day.
“Why’d he do it?” I asked.
“He was worried the story about you and Hindley being involved would break soon and ruin the reputation of the firm. Basically, he threw you under the bus to save the firm.” He chuckled. “Turns out the joke was on him though. Your secret relationship came out anyway.”
“Do you think she still loves me?”
“She’ll always love you,” Luis said.
“But?”
“But, this interview may not be enough to win her back.”
As much as I didn’t want to believe Luis, I knew he was right. This interview may be too little, too late. “I have to try, Luis. I love her.”
“I know, man.” He bumped my arm.
I felt a sense of strength and friendship. Luis was here. If I couldn’t have Hindley by my side today, at least he was willing to stand with me.
“Let’s go over the questions,” he said. “I don’t think Paloma will surprise you, but I want to make sure you’ll be prepared for whatever comes.”
“Thanks, man.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For believing me, for believing in me.”
“Look, Rory, it’s not my place to judge. I’m sick that Hindley is hurting so badly, but I’m not convinced it’s totally your fault.”
“Have you told her that?”
“No.”
I sagged in disappointment.
“It’s not my place, Rory. I won’t jeopardize my friendship with her, not now.”
“I know, and I understand. I’m thankful she has you.”
Luis opened his mouth to ask the first question.
“Don’t.” I raised my hand to stop him.
“Rory, you need to be prepared for Paloma’s questions.”
“I already am. I don’t want my answers to be rehearsed. I want them to come from my heart. I know what the truth is and that’s the story I intend to tell.”
“Are you sure?”
“Look, Luis, I have nothing to hide. Losing Hindley has been the worst possible thing that could ever happen to me. There’s no question Paloma can throw at me that I won’t answer honestly and truthfully if it means we might have a chance at reconciliation.”
“Okay, man, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I won’t.” I laughed. “So, Michael leaked my story?”
Luis nodded, snorting in irritation.
“I didn’t even know he knew I couldn’t read. Did Hindley tell him?”
“Hindley didn’t say shit to anyone. Not even to me until the night you went off the deep end. I confronted Axel and he confirmed that he’d had a conversation with Michael a few weeks prior. Axel threatened Michael as well about going public with your story if he didn’t get a deal like you did.”
“God, I feel awful for what Hindley went through for me. I’m such an asshole.”
“Yeah, you kind of are.”
“You ready, Rory?” A woman wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard stuck her head around the corner.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I pushed out of the chair.
“You’ll be fine, man.” Luis shook my hand and hit my arm with a fist, giving me his own brand of confidence.
“Maybe one day,” I said.
He nodded, but the truth no one seemed to understand was that without Hindley in my life, I would never be fine again.