Chapter 11 Easton
Easton
Sitting in the study with Sylvia, we’re both staring at the laptop screen. Tim, the director of the film I’m working on, shakes his head and lets out a sigh.
After spending an hour in the gym, punching the living hell out of a bag, I’ve been in meetings all morning to pause my career so I can focus on Rachel.
Sylvia’s doing her best to keep tempers from flaring, but goddamn, it’s sickening how money-hungry some people are.
It’s been almost two weeks since I found out about the cancer that’s killing my sister, and with every passing day, it feels like a noose is tightening around my neck.
“We’ll have to push the release date back by six months,” Tim complains. “It will inconvenience everyone.”
My muscles grow tense, and I clench my jaw as I stare at the man, who clearly has no heart.
“I know we’re asking a lot, but we would appreciate it, Tim,” Sylvia replies.
I turn my head and lift an eyebrow at her because I’m done sucking up to the asshole. I have a fucking net worth of over seven hundred million. This movie won’t make or break me.
Tim lets out another sigh, then mutters, “If we push day and night, we can wrap up filming in two months. While you deal with her death, we can edit the scenes and go ahead with releasing the movie early next spring. I have another project waiting in the wings and can’t afford to waste time.”
I sit frozen for a second as his words slice through me.
Push day and night. Deal with her death.
Motherfucker!
The moment I shoot to my feet, Sylvia quickly says, “I’ll be in touch, Tim.”
She shuts the laptop before I growl, “The fucking bastard.”
“I’ll take care of him.” She gets up and places her hand on my arm.
I yank away from my manager’s touch, and when it feels like my emotions are a second away from spiraling into complete chaos, I stalk out of the study before rushing past the gym and dining room.
“Easton,” she calls after me. I hear her high heels tapping on the tiles as she tries to catch up to me. “Easton, wait.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I snap angrily, “I’m not working with that fucker. I don’t care how much it costs. Get me out of the fucking contract.”
When I take the corner into the living room, I plow into someone, and before I can react, Nova falls against the back of the couch, and the camera she’s holding skids across the floor.
“Nova!” Rachel jumps up from where she’s sitting on the other couch.
Nova’s dress has bunched up around her thighs, and the cardigan she’s wearing has slipped off her shoulders, exposing her arms.
Seeing the light bruises on her bicep and the intense fear on her face is the tipping point for me. Rage at the bastard who hurt her flares up inside me, mixing with the anger I already feel. It all creates a potent cocktail of violent emotions in my chest.
I sink to my knees, and grabbing hold of a terrified Nova, I yank her to my chest. Glaring at Sylvia, I order, “Go and take care of the contract.”
She nods quickly and hurries out the front door with the laptop under her arm.
Rachel crouches beside us, a worried expression on her face.
I turn my attention back to Nova, and feeling how she’s trembling, an intense wave of guilt hits me. I hurt her. Not even ten days after promising that she’ll be safe with me.
Breaths burst over her lips, and I begin to press kisses to her hair and the side of her face in an attempt to calm her down. My voice is hoarse and heavy with guilt as I say, “I’m so fucking sorry.”
How many times has she heard those words from a man only for him to hurt her again?
My hold on her tightens even more, and I keep pressing kisses to the side of her face. The last one lands on the corner of her mouth, and when I feel her jerk in my arms, I pull back fast, thinking I’ve crossed the line.
Fuck.
I sink back on my haunches and take in the shocked expressions on Rachel’s and Nova’s faces.
“Sorry,” I whisper, feeling downright terrible about everything.
Rachel takes hold of the cardigan and adjusts it over Nova’s shoulders before asking her, “Are you okay?”
Looking like a deer caught in headlights, Nova nods while she begins to climb to her feet. “Yeah . . . ah . . . yes.”
We all stand up, and I have to suppress the intense urge to hold her again.
Rachel glances at me, and coming closer, she places her hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”
No. My sister is dying. I’m angry as fuck, and like that’s not enough, I’ve knocked Nova off her feet before kissing her.
Christ.
Not wanting to worry Rachel, I nod. “I’m good.”
Nova walks to the camera, and when she picks it up, Rachel asks, “Nova, can you give us a moment alone?” She nods and quickly hurries toward the stairs. Once she’s out of sight, my sister gives me a concerned look. “Talk to me.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Today just got the better of me.”
She rubs her hand up and down my arm. “You’re allowed to break as well, Easton. You don’t have to be strong all the time.”
I’ll break once you’re gone.
I pull Rachel into a hug and inhale a calming breath. “Don’t worry about me.”
After a short while, she pulls back. “So . . . you kissed Nova. Want to talk about that?”
Our eyes lock, and not seeing any judgment from Rachel, I frown. “You’re not upset?”
“Why would I be?”
“Because she’s your best friend.”
“So?”
Surprised, I tilt my head. “You’d be okay if I started a relationship with Nova?”
Rachel shrugs. “If that’s what you both want.” She levels me with a serious look. “Do you have romantic feelings for her?”
I take a moment to think about how to respond before I admit, “She’s beautiful and completely different from the other women in LA.”
The past week and a half the attraction I feel toward Nova has been increasing at a rapid pace. Every day, I notice something new about her that makes me want her in ways I’ve never wanted a woman before.
She’s like a mother hen around Rachel and always gives Lainey attention after school. Not once has she taken a moment for herself, and I’m pretty sure if we allowed it, she’d take over the entire household and work her fingers to the bone.
Nova is the most selfless person I know, and falling for her is as easy as breathing.
Rachel narrows her eyes on me. “You’re not answering my question.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “You’re like a dog with a bone.” I shake my head and admit, “I’m attracted to her.” I let out a breath. “A lot.”
A smile begins to tug at Rachel’s mouth. “Are you falling for her?”
I nod and don’t have to wait long for her to respond.
“Wow, my brother, who’s never had a long-term relationship, is actually falling in love.
I think this is a first because that model you took out a few times years ago doesn’t count.
” An amused chuckle escapes her. “I seriously thought you’d remain a bachelor forever, but I’m glad Nova’s the one who’s making you reconsider your stance on dating. ”
I don’t date for various reasons, Rachel, Lainey, and my career being the most important three. Most women just want to be seen on my arm and don’t give two shits about who I really am when the camera is off.
Sure that I want more than a friendship with Nova, I ask, “Would it be okay with you if I pursued Nova?”
“It’s not up to me.” Rachel walks around the couch and takes a seat.
“It would make me happy, though. I’d have peace of mind knowing you and Nova have each other after I’m gone.
” She leans against the backrest of the couch.
“But at the end of the day, it’s up to the two of you.
She’s just come out of a bad relationship, and you need to keep that in mind. ”
I cross my arms over my chest and glance at the stairs again. “I will.”
After a short while, she asks, “What’s going on at work?”
I let out a disgruntled huff. “The director is a fucking asshole, but Sylvia will deal with him.”
“Now would be a good time for you to take an extended break from filming. You’ve been working nonstop since your career started. Take some time off, Easton.”
“Everyone will lose their shit,” I mutter, and I don’t want to let down Robert, the producer, because I like working with him. That’s why I wanted the postponement, but with Tim’s shit, I’m out. I refuse to ever work with that bastard again.
“They don’t matter,” Rachel argues. “The only people who matter live in this house. I need you now, and once I’m gone, Lainey’s going to need you. Promise me you’ll take time off.”
My heart squeezes painfully in my chest. “I promise.”
She pats the couch. “Come sit.” I join my sister and turn my body so I can face her, then she says, “You’ve done so much for me, Easton.
I want you to know I appreciate everything you’ve sacrificed to give me this beautiful life.
I know you never brought a woman home because you didn’t want to disrupt my life or Lainey’s.
You’re the most incredible big brother a girl could ask for.
” She sucks in a shaky breath before she continues, “I want you to start living for yourself. If being with Nova will make you happy, then go for it once she’s ready.
But, if you have any doubts that it might not work out, then don’t.
For Lainey’s sake. She’s going to need both her godparents. ”
“We’ll see how things play out,” I reply. Tilting my head, I ask, “Do you know how Nova feels about me?”
“Oh no, my lips are sealed.” Rachel lets out a chuckle. “You’ll have to find that out for yourself.”
Trying to get something helpful out of my sister, I ask, “Does she view me as a brother?”
Rachel pretends to zip her mouth shut. “Sealed shut.”
Suddenly, a flash of pain tightens her features, and it has me climbing to my feet. “Headache?”
When she nods, I hurry to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and painkillers. After I hand everything to her and watch her swallow the pills, I say, “Take a nap before Lainey comes home from school. All the shit must’ve tired you out.”
“Yeah. Porsha is coming over after school so the girls can bake cookies for the sale tomorrow.” She lets out a sigh as she gets up. “God, I’m dizzy. Will you help me to my room and check on Nova?”
“Sure.”
I have to suppress the urge to pick her up and settle for wrapping my arm around her. Leading her up the stairs, I keep my pace slow, and when we reach the second floor, I say, “Just call me if you need anything.”
She nods as we walk into her bedroom. I wait for her to lie down, then she sighs, “Thanks, Easton.”
I look down at her pale face, and it hammers another nail into my heart. “Want me to stay with you?”
“No,” she mumbles, a smile tugging at her mouth. “Go check on Nova.”
Leaning over Rachel, I press a kiss to her temple.
“Have a good nap.” I leave her room and pull the door softly shut behind me.
Turning, I stare at Nova’s closed door, and I take a serious look at my feelings.
It’s only been two weeks, but I’ve known her for over twenty years.
I think that’s why I’m falling so fast for her.
Because, after everything she’s been through, she’s still the same kindhearted person. She’s blossomed into a breathtakingly beautiful woman, and I’d be the stupidest idiot on the planet if I let her slip through my fingers.
Now that I know it won’t upset Rachel, I start to think about pursuing a relationship with Nova.
I’ve always had to be careful around other women because I could never be sure whether they were with me for my fame and money.
That’s not the case with Nova.
We will have to raise Lainey together. Maybe if things go well and something more develops between us, Lainey won’t have to be split between two homes.
My heart beats faster as the idea of building a life with Nova fills my mind.
Nova has always belonged with us. When we were younger, I didn’t notice her in a romantic way because of the age gap and the crucial fact that she was a minor.
But she’s twenty-eight, and our age difference doesn’t matter anymore.
Yeah, but what if she only sees you as an older brother?
I take a deep breath before letting it out slowly.
If that’s all she feels for me, then I’ll take care of her the same way I’ve taken care of Rachel, and I’ll probably remain single for life.