Chapter 282

We smoked a lot of weed, and eventually Juliet left to go meet Stephen. I tried to keep my own emotions at arms’ length, but I couldn’t help but feel she was running away from me. I knew that wasn’t fair, but my perspective was self-centered. I didn’t appreciate that she and Stephen had just gone through filming together, with Peter there the whole time. It was a unique dynamic. So I just kept my feelings under wraps, deep down knowing they were invalid and selfish.

Kelly also left us after a few hours, as the morning turned toward afternoon. She was going to meet Petey, who had reached out. I hadn’t realized what a close family confidante Kelly was for him, and it really hit home how far away from the daily life of people like Kelly and Juliet I was. While Jess and I were alone, I shared that with her.

"It’s another world out here, John," Jess said. "It’s not like back home."

"I realize that," I said.

"I’m not sure you full