Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Nothing else penetrated as my brain locked on to finding out who my problem was. If I identified them, this would all come to an end.
Dammit.
“I need to talk to Mace first, but I refuse to be blackmailed. I say we leak the pictures they sent. Have public relations twist the narrative to one of love and truth. Fuck them.” My mind raced over the possible repercussions of such an action. My middle America viewership was going to have a problem with this, but I honestly didn’t care.
That had changed inside me.
The man I wanted to be after meeting Mace was locking in place. I wanted access to a traditional life. The growing family we embraced last night was a major step toward a normal existence.
“I agree with that decision,” Tommy said. “Why’re we hiding? But Steve doesn’t agree. He wants more time.”
“Why?” I clipped out, fighting the burst of anger that erupted. Fuck Steve too.
“He’s working something for you behind the scenes that we aren’t privy to yet,” Tommy explained.
“What’s he working on?” I asked with accusation. Any new projects or roles were off the table. I planned to give Austin the best of who I was an actor. I only achieved that with study and discipline. Steve had been made very clear that I wanted nothing new for at least the next few years.
“My guess is the Amazon remake of The Lord of the Rings,” Tommy said.
Oh yeah. They’d been scouting me hard over the last few months.
“I’m not doing that. What’s wrong with him?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. I finally glanced at Tommy.
He didn’t answer.
Dammit.
“Look, Slade, your reputation’s taking a serious hit. Backing out of projects, having to pay advances back. Your attitude’s shit. Not being there to film…” Tommy sat back, splaying his hands.
Hmm. I cinched my arms tighter. Tommy wasn’t wrong—again—but if I followed Austin’s advice, time would heal those wounds I caused.
I refused to give props to the people behind the disastrous photos. I refused to be beaten.
“This is salacious. You know what’s going to happen,” Tommy added. “However it lands, it’ll be a lot to deal with.”
The happiness in my heart died along with my hopes and dreams.
“My private life’s my own,” I said defensively.
“Sure. If you lived in the 1970s. Definitely not present day. You also have to factor in Breezy. You two appear to be dating exclusively. This’ll make you a liar, or cheater, or whatever.”
Fuck.
Silence held between us again as my mind churned through the new concerns and stared out the window.
“Can I make it financially on the series Austin has for me?”
“Depends on how the first one does. Is middle America ready for two gay cowboys?”
No, they weren’t. It had eventually worked out for Austin, but it took several years for him to get back on his feet again.
“How long does my money last?” I asked, looking over my shoulder.
“Awhile. You can’t live like this forever. You have an expensive staff. I’m waiting for my merit raise now…” He was aiming for humor to stave off my moody brooding but the request landed flat.
What did I do now?
It wouldn’t be awful to let much of my team go… The simplicity of a life without the Hollywood juggernaut constantly churning at my back meant something special.
“Have they identified Mace?” I asked.
“Yes. They know about his incriminating legal record, but you know about that, don’t you?” Tommy asked.
My silence seemed to answer his question.
“Huh. So, it’s true.” Tommy finally dropped his hands in his lap. He was losing some of his let’s solve this problem demeanor. “It’ll be hard to contain the narrative of the accident since so many people died. He’s nice-looking in the rugged cowboy way. I’ll give you that.”
Tommy couldn’t have done anything more to spark my anger, and I came quickly to Mace’s defense.
“Mace’s working on a civil case. The charges were bullshit. You and the rest of you guys better watch what you say about him. He doesn’t deserve the hate, and he’s more than handsome. He’s smart, funny, charming, works like a beast, and here to stay if I have my say about it. You all better get used to him and show him the same respect you show me.”
Tommy waved a dismissing hand, paying no attention to my outburst. “I say we don’t do anything rash. Nico’s replied. He’s seen the email. Let’s keep this between the three of us until we know more.”
“Tommy, I’m not kidding. Mace’s life was taken from him in a manipulation of the truth and a bed of lies.”
He continued to ignore me, only dropping out the new information he’d found. “When I was digging through Mace’s past, I saw the liquor store I sent you to is part of the bar that helped funnel people to Mexico. That’s really cool. You don’t see Texas that way very often…”