“But this is a direct attack on your character and on you. So I think staying quiet is a mistake. If it were me, I’d want to defend myself. I wouldn’t want anyone thinking those things about me, especially when they aren’t anywhere close to the truth. I think you need to figure out what you want to say, but you should absolutely talk about this. But do it how you want. Post a blog on your website, an open letter to your fans, a post on social media, something.”
The more she talked, the more animated she became. Her eyes lit up as she said, “Yeah, you be the one in complete control. You tell the public what you want to, how you want to, and only what you want to share in your words. We can guess at what everyone’s questions will be, and we can figure out how to answer them without spilling any secrets about Tatum or Hanford. You can do this,” she insisted, then added, “and I’ll help you.”
Quinn’s idea had merit, and as I rolled it around in my head, I found myself perking up. “I like this plan. This feels right. I think I’ll ask my mom what she thinks too. You know, just to get a second opinion.”
“You need a new agent, Paige,” Quinn noted abruptly.
Nodding, I added her suggestion to the growing mental list of things I needed to accomplish since getting back. “I know.”
“And a new publicist as well.”
“Probably.”
“And please tell me you’ll put Colin in his place. Or let me do it. Violently,” she said darkly as she cracked her knuckles.
Laughing, I said, “I’ll do my best.”
“One thing at a time, I guess.”
Quinn tried to reassure me, but I knew these things needed to happen now or I’d never do them. If I didn’t act now, my will for so much change would fade. Days would turn into weeks, and I’d grow complacent and accepting again—two things I never wanted to be again when it came to my career and my life.
“There is something I’m sort of dying to do right now. And it’s a bit crazy, but—”
“I’m in,” Quinn said before even hearing my idea, and I laughed. “What is it?”
“I want to cut my hair.”
Her head tilted to the side as she assessed my current style. “Are we talking like new long layers, or chop it all?”
I grinned. “Chop it all off.”
“Like a pixie cut?” Her eyes widened in horror, and I cringed.
“Not that short, no. I’m thinking maybe shoulder length with layers.”
Quinn jumped up and tugged at my hand. “Oh my God. Let’s go right now before you change your mind.”
It might seem stupid to someone not in the entertainment industry, but when so many things in your life felt like they weren’t within your control, you fought to change the things that were. I’d wanted to cut my hair for years, but the long length was always tied into studio contracts and movie roles I’d signed on to play, even though it never made any sense to me with the invention of hair extensions and clip-ins.
I wasn’t currently committed to a project, so I was free to do whatever I wanted with my own hair. And I wanted something new, something daring, something bold. Honestly, losing any inches off my long locks was a pretty bold move for me.
And I couldn’t wait.
Get the Girl
Tatum
Heeding Celeste’s advice, I closed the shop early and headed for home. I needed to have a heart-to-heart with my mother and if I didn’t do it now, I might chicken out completely.
When did you turn into such a pussy, Montgomery?
I took my time walking home, trying to sort out my mind and my heart. It wasn’t clarity that I needed on the two issues that were nothing but clear to me—my future and Paige—it was permission. Realizing how much I needed my mother to be okay with my plans, I walked home with new resolve.
When I stepped through the door, the smell of fresh-baked bread hit me immediately, and my stomach rumbled as my mom greeted me.
“You’re home early,” she said, wiping the flour from her hands on a towel.
Not sure if I was ready for this, I forced a smile. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Her expression turned curious as she waved a hand toward the kitchen table. I moved to sit as she placed a plate of the fresh, hot bread in the center, butter melting off the top. Removing her apron, she tossed it on the counter before joining me at the table.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
Sucking in a long breath to steady my nerves, I realized I had no idea where to begin. “It’s just…I miss her, Mama.” Suddenly at a loss for words, I dropped my gaze and focused on a knot in the wood table.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” she asked.
It wasn’t the response I expected. I thought she’d agree with me or say something similar, but that was it. When she didn’t, my gaze immediately darted up to meet hers. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Tatum, I’ve sat here and watched you give up everything you ever wanted in life. And I’ll admit that when you first stayed home after your daddy died, I was grateful. I’d lost so much and I couldn’t stand losing you too.” She glanced away for a second and wiped at her eyes. Pinning her gaze on me again, her face flushed as she said, “But that was me being selfish. I always figured you’d eventually leave, but you didn’t. And every year that passed, I allowed you to stay.”
“You didn’t make me stay,” I interrupted, but she waved me off.
“I didn’t help you leave, either. I didn’t encourage you to move on and follow your own dreams, did I? I simply allowed you to put your life on hold and stay here. What kind of mother does that?”
I reached across the table and took her warm hand in mine. “Don’t you dare do that. You didn’t force me to do anything I wasn’t willing to do. I’ve never once regretted coming back home, Mama. I want you to know that.”
“But I regret keeping you here for so long,” she said with a sigh.
“You don’t live my life for me. I made these choices,” I said, refusing to let her take all the blame for my still being here.
“I’m trying to tell you that I should have done things differently, Tatum, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes filled with tears, and I pushed out of my chair and pulled her to her feet.
Hugging her, I whispered against her hair, “Don’t be sorry. Just tell me what to do.”
She sniffed, wiped her tears away, then pushed at my chest and sat back down at the table. Her expression stern, she said, “You don’t give up. You don’t quit. You go get that girl.”
“But I screwed up. I told her to leave. I was mean to her.” I winced as I said the words.
She nodded. “That you did, and that you were. But you’re not above apologizing, are you, son?”
“No, ma’am,” I admitted, because it was the truth.
“Then you go there and you find her. And you apologize to her. Don’t stop apologizing or trying to fix things until she takes you back. You hear me?”
“I hear you,” I answered, my voice unsure.
“Unless that’s not what you want? Unless you don’t want her to forgive you?” she asked as I leaned back into the chair.
“Of course I want her to forgive me. I want to be with her,” I admitted. “But I’m not sure how. We’re so different; our lives are so different.”
A thousand questions filled my mind. Paige forgiving me and wanting to give us a try meant that I’d be living there, or she’d be here, and there was no way in hell I’d allow Paige to give up her career and move here. Not that she ever would.
“That’s something the two of you will figure out. But, Tatum, you’ll hate yourself if you don’t at least give this a try. I may not know much, but that much I know for sure.”