(Book 2) The Dark Side of Fame - Scarlett Johansson x Female Reader

The Kids Are Alright

February 2028...

It had been 3 weeks since I left New York with Hailee, and now I'm back in this shitty house in Malibu again, the one that's too big and echoes too much. Scarlett hadn't called, texted, or anything for that matter. The kids FaceTimed every morning before school and every night before bed.

It's 9am, I've been up since 4am drinking, basically running on 3 hours sleep a night. I grab a beer from the fridge and sit on the balcony, looking over the city. The phone starts to ring, it's Rose.

Me: "Hey bug, how's it going?"
Rose: "We miss you."
Me: "I miss you guys. I'm sorry that I can't come."
Rose: "We shouldn't miss out on you because of you and Mom. Can we come and see you next weekend? Mom has to be in LA anyway so we could come and see you."
Me: "Yeah, of course honey. How are you guys?"
Rose: "Cos is really upset, he hasn't spoken to Mom in weeks. Me and Jess don't really speak to her but we try."
Me: "She's still your Mom, please remember that. She'll still be trying her best for you, and she's still hurting from London. Take it easy on her."
Rose: "She hurt you, again."
Me: "I know."
Rose: "How are you?"
Me: "Don't worry about me sweetie, I'll be okay."
Rose: "I am worried about you. I'm worried about all of us. What if you get a divorce? Then technically we're legally not your kids anymore."
Me: "You'll always be my kids, screw the law. And I'll be damned if some legal document is going to stop me from being there for you. You know that."
Rose: "I know. Anyway I have to go, I have class in 5 minutes. I'll call you tonight?"
Me: "I'll be there. I love you, okay? Be good for your Mom."
Rose: "I love you, see ya!"

Hailee: She seems pretty relaxed about it.

I turn to see Hailee leaning on the door frame.

Me: She's a good kid.
Hailee: Yeah, you raised her right. But what your Mom didn't raise you to do, was drink yourself into oblivion. Don't do this again, don't self destruct. If Scarlett really is in denial about London and is acting out, then you're going to need to be there for the kids when the breakdown comes, and you know it'll come. You'll have to go back to New York at some point.
Me: She has Colin now, he can handle it.
Hailee: You're still their Mom, they need their Mom.
Me: I know, they're coming next weekend, so that's a bonus.

She takes the beer from my hand.

Hailee: So lay off these.
Me: So what's the deal with you and Flo?
Hailee: There isn't really a deal, we were becoming friends over girlfriends before we broke up, so it's been straight forward. She's super chill, I'm super chill. It is what it is. We just co-parent Reef now, it's actually fun getting to see her again, we just sit and talk like friends do. Easiest breakup ever.

I laugh and jump down from the table on the balcony, heading back inside and taking a shower. The boiling water trickles down my skin as I feel hands wrap around my waist.

Me: You know, I have more than one bathroom in this house.
Hailee: Oh, sorry. I must've missed the signpost and landed up here.

I turn around as she wraps her arms around my neck.

Me: Is this really a good idea so soon to both of us breaking up with people we were with for forever?
Hailee: Probably not, but I'm happy to be a rebound, and I'm pretty sure you need some fun in your life.
Me: You'd never be a rebound, you know that right?
Hailee: Y/N, if I get you back in any capacity then I'm happy. You were the one that got away.
Me: Yeah, yeah I know.

She kisses me softly then pulls me into a tight hug, she always knew what I needed when I needed it.

A little later, after a meeting with Ollie and the team, I head out into my car with Hailee, throwing on the usual cap, sunglasses and hoodie. As soon as the gates open the flashes start, then the cars follow.