The next Monday Danny calls Gretchen, Collette, and me into a meeting. In the elevator, on the way to his floor, we can’t stop talking about the fact that the Sports Illustrated magazine hit shelves today.

“You both look phenomenal in it,” Collette says. Her attitude is really something else. She could have become jaded or bitter over losing this spread, but instead of making this about her—she has been beaming over our photographs all day.

When we get to Danny’s office, he has champagne for us, and he gives us hugs as he offers us his congratulations.

“All three of you have really made a place for yourselves in this city in just a month.”

“I’m sorry if I let you down,” Collette says. We each hold flutes of champagne and click glasses.

Danny shushes her. “Not a word. You did nothing wrong. It’s the people who did this to you who should pay.”

“It would help if we knew who that was,” Gretchen says, downing her glass in one swig.

I lower my gaze, knowing Cal’s plans this week to meet with Exposé and tell his story. Doing so is going to change his life forever, but it will also put him in control of his life. It will let him take the wheel and drive his story in the way he wants. The Fuck Club hasn’t reopened, and even though he hasn’t quite figured out what he wants to happen to the place, he is determined to do something good with the property.

I’m so proud of him, though of course I just want to tell everyone about who he really is, but I know it isn’t my place. It’s Cal’s story to share, and soon enough everyone will know it. And whether or not the person who was selling photos gets caught—at least no one will have any questions about the Fuck Club’s role in Sawyer’s death.

“You have really lit up this town, and the fact I was able to sign all of you in the same month feels like I landed the luckiest break in the world.”

I nod, and can’t help but think that even though the last month has been harder than I expected, there has been a lot of good from it too. I don’t have all the money I need for the farm, but I’ve made a dent in the bills.

Danny grins and reaches for three envelopes on his desk. “These are for each of you.”

“What is it?” Gretchen asks reaching for hers eagerly.

“What in the world?” I say, pulling the check from my envelope. Collette whistles as she looks at hers.

“Bonuses,” Danny says, holding up his hands to explain. “I know the paychecks were lower than you initially hoped, but I hope these make up for it.”

The checks are for twenty thousand dollars. “I don’t know what to say,” I whisper. This is going to really help with Dad’s debts.

“Don’t say anything. It is the least I can do for the way you three have gone above and beyond for me this month. And I have another surprise, “ he says.

“What?” Collette asks, her eyes lit with happiness.

“I got you tickets to the premier of the new Jezebel movie tonight.”

“Jezebel?” My heart sinks. “Isn’t that Sawyer Bennett’s new film?”

Danny nods. “I promised Exposé you’d be there. And I have tickets for each of you to bring a date.”

I shake my head, unable to swallow my emotions. “I don’t think I can go, I mean... Sawyer just died and it’s gonna be really hard to watch that.”

“Sorry, darlin’, but you’ve got to go if you want that check,” he laughs.

“Are you serious?” I ask. “You’ll cancel the check if I don’t go?”

“Aww, no, I know you wouldn’t let your old Danny Bruneau down.”

Gretchen reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “We will be with you. And maybe Cal will want to go. It might be good for him, actually.”

Danny speaks up, “It might be. They are doing a whole tribute to Sawyer at the premiere. His parents will even be there.”

“Oh, really?” I ask, feeling slightly better. Maybe it just felt callous, when actually it’s going to be a really meaningful and tasteful event.

“See,” Collette says. “It’s going to be good. You should totally invite Cal. Although, if he and Sawyer were best friends, don’t you think he already has an invite?”

“He didn’t mention it, but of course I’ll ask him.”

“Great, ladies. Once again, you are going to be a smashing success.”

* * *

Cal had been invited but had declined the invite.

“It’s fine,” I tell him over the phone. My roommates and I are in an Uber headed back to our apartment.

“Look, I don’t want you to go to your first red carpet event alone,” he tells me. “I want to be there with you. But I think it’s kinda strange Sawyer’s parents wopuld even go.”

“I know,” I tell him. “It’s so soon.”

“It might sound crass, but they’ve always seemed to like the spot light more than necessary.”

“Ouch,” I say. “Kind of a cold assessment, isn’t it?”

“I know,” Cal sighs. “I sound like an ass. I’m sure they are going with good intentions.”

“Look,” I tell him. “I’ll be fine, you don’t have to be with me to make sure I’m safe.”

“I’d feel a lot better if you weren’t alone.”

“I won’t be alone. And honestly, I don’t have to go.”

“I thought you said there was twenty grand on the line?”

“There is,” I say, already having cashed the check in my mind. “But I bet Danny would let me keep it if I asked very nicely.”

“You shouldn’t owe anyone anything in this town. And look, I can do this for you. Besides, Sawyer’s parents will be happy to have the support, I’m sure of it.”

“If you’re sure,” I say, slowly.

“I’m sure. Now I need to go find a tux. Haven’t worn one in years.”

“I love you, Callahan.”

“I love you more, Jules.”

When I hang up, my friends tease me relentlessly for having fallen so hard, so fast.

I don’t mind their teasing, not for a second.

“So, what are we going to wear?” I ask them.

Gretchen grins. “Something tight and gorgeous.”

“And something expensive. Because we just got a hella big bonus,” Collette squeals.

We laugh and tell the driver to turn around, headed to Rodeo Drive.

I may not buy something as ‘designer’ as my roommates, but I will do what my dad and grandma insisted—appreciate this time in LA for what it is.

* * *

In the limo, Cal squeezes my hand. We decided to arrive on our own, separate from my roommates, who are going with Danny. This is a big moment for Cal, and while no one is going to recognize him as the son of the Mallones, it will still be the first time he has been in front of cameras since his parents died.

His fingers run up my thigh. “You look insane in this dress, Jules,” he tells me. I found a vintage Dior, and the shop offered to lend it to me if I agreed to mention them on the red carpet. It is soft blue, strapless, and fitted to my knees. With black stilettos, I feel classy. “Oh, take a photo of me to send to Grandma,” I tell Cal. He takes my phone and snaps a quick picture.

“Looks like they knew you were talking about them,” Cal says handing me back my phone. My dad has texted.

“He loves his new smartphone.” I send the picture to my dad and pull up the text. Before I can read it, though, the door to the car is opened by the valet. “Oh, crap, we’re here,” I say, stuffing the phone into my sequined purse. Looking at Cal, wanting him to have my undivided attention tonight, I smile. “We’re going to do great.”

“Yeah, we are,” he says, holding my hand as we step out of the limo. “We’ve got one another.”

I turn, blinking hard, as my eyes fill with flashing lights as the press document every step we take down the red carpet. Cal laces his fingers through mine.

“And later,” I whisper in his ear between poses for the camera. “You get all of me.”

“Is that a promise?” he asks.

“It’s a guarantee.” I laugh. “Now, be good arm candy and smile like you mean it.”

He looks at me, shaking his head. “Girl, when I’m with you, I do mean it. You can’t fake real.”

“Are you always going to be so cheesy?”

“It’s not cheesy when you mean it.” He kisses my cheek. “Now stop giving me a toothache.”

I frown. “And how am I doing that?”

“You’re just so damn sweet.”

I swat him with my purse, shaking my head, our laughter helping us forget the tension this moment could bring. We finished walking the carpet and are safely inside the theater doors.

We got through it. We did. We can get through anything.

But then we see Sondra standing with Sawyer’s parents and the fear I had about being here forms around me again like a cloud of dust.

Cal’s fingers tighten around mine. “Fuck,” he mutters.

I hold on to him, but I already feel his energy shift, his memories resurfacing.

We shouldn’t have come.