CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR #2
Cameron had no trouble following his train of thought.
“Now, it’s likely to blow up in your face.
” His millions of fans had spent over a decade wondering who he was, what he looked like, how he lived, what he ate for breakfast. “You’re going to have every reporter in the country camped out on your lawn, and probably more people wanting money from you. ”
Asher swallowed audibly and nodded. “It’s going to be a shit storm.”
“It will be for a while.” With most situations in life, Cameron preferred to be optimistic, and their current predicament was no different. “It’ll blow over, and everyone will move on to the next wedding, baby, cheating husband, or Hollywood rumor.”
“Until my next book releases,” Asher grumbled, “or the next movie. Then it’ll start all over again.”
Sadly, that was probably true. Cameron had no firsthand experience with anything like this, but he did own a television. It seemed the networks loved any reason to revisit a good scandal, especially during a slow news week.
Fuck, he wanted to help, to make this better for Asher, but he had no idea where to start.
“Do you have a publicist?” A good PR campaign couldn’t hurt.
Asher shook his head. “My publisher deals with all the marketing for the books, and the studio handles the movies. No real need for a publicist when I’m never out in public as an author.”
“It might not be a bad idea to looking into getting one. I have a feeling you’re going to be ‘in public as an author’ very soon.” It was all about spin, or so he’d read. He should research it. Make a list of PR firms. Gather contact information. “What about an attorney?”
“I don’t really know what good an attorney would do.” Asher chuckled darkly. “A contract is only good if both parties abide by it. Even if I paid him the money and threatened to sue him into tomorrow, if he really wants to sell that story, it won’t stop him.”
No, it wouldn’t, and Cameron had come to the same conclusion. “I’m not disagreeing, and I fully support you not paying that asshole a penny. With that being said, we don’t really know what’s going to happen. I think it would be a good idea to talk to an attorney.”
Kyle was only one out of four other boys who had lived with Mitchell at the same time as Asher.
Even if they’d never considered telling their stories, money was a powerful motivator, and there would be no shortage of reporters and late-night personalities willing to pay for an exclusive.
There was little an attorney could do to stop that, but they could make sure no one tried to blackmail Asher again.
“Okay.” Asher rubbed both hands over his face and sighed in defeat. “What else?”
~
It was all too much. No matter how Asher looked at it, his life was about to be turned upside down, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it. He felt powerless, and he fucking hated it.
“We should tell anyone important before they hear it on the news.” Ducking his head, Cameron peeked up at him through his lashes, smiling in apology. “I know you don’t like to talk about it, but it’ll be worse if they don’t hear it from you.”
Asher thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right. We should talk to your family first.”
“They won’t think less of you. My mom might hunt down Kyle herself,” he added, humor flashing in his eyes. “It won’t change how they feel about you, though.”
It amazed Asher how Cameron had the ability to lay his fears to rest before he even knew they existed.
He wanted to tell the Stones because he didn’t want any secrets or lies between Cameron and his family.
Until Cameron had brought it to his attention, Asher hadn’t realized how worried he’d been about the way they’d react to the news, or what they’d think of him once they knew the truth.
“It’s the right thing to do.” Even if they despised him afterwards.
Cameron winced. “I have to tell Nico. ”
There was an apology in Cameron’s voice, but Asher had expected it. “We were just starting to not hate each other, too.”
Letting go of Asher’s hand, Cameron sat back with a huff. “He doesn’t hate you. He just…”
“He’s protective. I get it.” He felt the same way about Luke. “We should get everyone together so I only have to tell this story once. Luke knows everything that happened back then, but it’s probably not a bad idea to give him a heads up on what’s happening now.”
“Agreed, but I think you need to have a private meeting with Becca.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” He should have thought of it. His agent would have a plan. Becca always had a plan. The sooner he talked to her, the sooner she could start damage control. “I’ll call her in the morning. Do you want to be there?”
“I wish I could, but I’m meeting with the attorneys from Braxton and Nash in the morning.” Cameron stared at him for a long time, lines marring his brow. “You seem really calm about all of this.”
“Do I?”
He didn’t feel calm. He felt like he was going to vibrate right out of his skin.
Not only did he have a career to worry about, but when the world discovered he had been Ashley Derringer once upon a time, they’d eventually find his parents.
He doubted Suzanne and Lawrence Derringer had given much thought to him over the years, but if the media found them, he could only imagine the lies they’d concoct to protect their good standing in the community.
If money was involved, he’d probably have another tell-all book on his hands. He could already see it. They’d give it some stupid, clichéd title like Asher from Ashes or Daring Betrayal . To add insult to injury, it would probably be a bestseller, maybe even outsell his own books.
Cameron seemed to be waiting for something more, so he added, “I guess I feel better now that we have a plan.” As tenuous as it is . “Plus, there’s nothing I can do about it. Losing sleep over it isn’t going to change anything.”
Cameron didn’t say anything, but the tightening around his eyes and the pursing of his lips said he didn’t fully believe Asher’s words, either.
Standing, Asher offered his hand, pulling Cameron to his feet as well. “Come on, it’s getting late. There’s nothing more we can do tonight.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” He turned and started to reach for the leftovers, but Asher stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“I’ll take care of this.” The poor guy looked dead on his feet. “Jump in the shower. I’ll be to bed in a minute.”
Realizing he’d be sleeping with Cameron in his arms cleared some of his melancholy and put a smile on his face. He didn’t even want sex. Okay, he always wanted sex, but mostly, he just wanted to hold on to Cameron and forget the rest of the world existed for a little while.
Stopping beside him, Cameron lifted his head for a kiss, humming softly when Asher complied. “Things will be better in the morning,” he whispered. “Everything always seems worse in the dark.”