Playing at Forever - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,75

ago, when I watched you on that stage.”

What stage? What was he talking about? Tommy’s head was spinning.

“The night you took off for L.A., we argued about it beforehand. I didn’t want you to go, and you didn’t want to stay. So I went to see your play.” He smiled now, as people did when they remembered a moment in life during which they were truly happy. “You two made quite the pair, up there on that stage. It brought tears to my eyes.”

“Why didn’t you…?” Penny asked quietly, and Tommy was glad that someone could speak for him.

“Pride, mostly. I was too proud to admit that I was wrong. But I was, you know. You made the right choice, taking a chance on this life. Look where it’s brought you. I’m proud of you, son.”

Tommy didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know how to feel.

After all of these years of anger, he almost felt purposeless. The desire to prove his father wrong had fueled him for so long—now what was he left with?

“Thanks, Dad,” Tommy found his voice several moments later.

“I’m sure you two have to get going—”

“No, we can stay for a bit.” Tommy told him, suddenly eager to stay. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

“No, I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all.”

By the time they left Tommy’s father’s house, the sun was already setting in the sky. Penny sighed as she stepped out onto the porch, thinking over the reunion she had just witnessed.

“You take care of our boy, Mrs. Penelope. I know he’s stubborn—but you just have to keep at him. We’re thick-headed, the both of us. But I think you’re exactly what he needs to keep him in line.”

“I’ll try, Mr. Davidson.” This, of course, was not entirely up to her.

“Please, call me Tom.”

“It was nice meeting you,” she told him, smiling. He leaned in and touched his lips to her cheek.

“It was lovely meeting you, dear.” She waved as Tommy backed the car out into the street, navigating toward the airport.

“I’m not flying back to L.A. with you, Tommy.” She told him after a few long moments of silence. “I think it’s best if we…take some time.”

“You’re probably right.” He nodded, the air in the car suddenly very stiff. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to intrude on whatever deal you have arranged with Gary. That was his name, wasn’t it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You can be honest, Penny. I know you might be wearing my ring on your finger, but we both know that it’s all a lie.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tommy.” Penny wracked her brain, trying to think of what he might be referring to.

“I’m sure this break didn’t come free. So what kind of deal did you make? Are you going to start offering your services all around town, or is Gary going to be just another ‘old friend’?”

And then it made sense. Penny felt her eyes water.

“Do you really think that low of me?”

“Well, a girl’s gotta make a living, doesn’t she?” She couldn’t believe he was saying these things to her.

She didn’t speak until they were at the airport, walking through the terminal. Finally, they neared the commercial flight that would be taking her back home, to Ravenside. “That deal that you were asking about—I didn’t make it for me. I made it for you. Gary wanted to use to The Seaside as a set for one of their movies. I told him I wouldn’t even consider it unless he looked at your script.”

She wiped angrily at her tears. “I’m sorry I even bothered.”

And with that, she turned and hurried away, trying her hardest to keep it together until she had a few moments privacy—which she didn’t find until she stepped into the house she had spent the last several weeks sharing with the man who was now her husband.

But the moment she did, Penny sunk to the floor and pulled her knees up to her chest, sobbing quietly into the emptiness.

Nearly a month had passed by the time filming started, and even longer before she was required to be there. Penny returned to L.A., as she had promised, determined—this time—to make sure everything went as smoothly as it was supposed to.

It was nothing but business, she told herself.

Rumors of a rift in their marriage were plentiful, but neither had addressed them. Tommy had been spotted around town with a few different girls, but Penny had decided she didn’t care.

What was the point? Penny thought.

A car