Chapter 24 Easton
Easton
Not long after Nova and Lainey left, I got a text from Sylvia saying she’s coming over.
After taking a quick shower, I head to the office to grab the scripts I looked through. Just as I reach the kitchen and place the stack of scripts down on the island, Sylvia rushes into the house. “Easton!”
“Kitchen,” I mutter, turning to look at her.
When she sees the stack of papers, she waves her hand. “Don’t bother with those. I have good news.”
I lift an eyebrow at her. “Yeah?”
“Robert fired Tim!” She lets out a bark of laughter. “He sent him packing when he heard you refuse to work with Tim.”
A smile curves my lips, and I’m not going to lie, it feels good knowing justice has been served to the bastard.
“That is good news,” I chuckle.
“Robert refuses to lose you. He said they’ll shoot all the scenes in New Zealand while you take personal time. Then, once they’re back at the studios, they can shoot your scenes.”
I cross my arms over my chest, my smile growing wider because Robert is a brilliant producer, and I love working with him. “That will be so much better for me.”
“Right!” she screeches. “You can still complete the film and be close to Lainey. I don’t know who the new director will be, but at least we’re rid of Tim.”
“While you’re here . . .” I smile as I shove one of the scripts across the marble top. “This one sounds good.”
She blinks at me for a moment. “Are you pulling my leg?”
I shake my head. “I like working with Steven.”
For a moment, it looks like Sylvia’s going to burst into tears, but then she closes the distance between us and gives me a hug. “Thank you! God, thank you.” She pulls away. “I was so worried about your career.”
“I figured the sooner I get back to work, the better.” Shrugging, I glance around the living room. “Doing nothing will drive me crazy.”
She grins from ear to ear. “Today is a day that just keeps giving.” She glances around. “Where are Lainey and Nova?”
“Out shopping.” I point at a stool so she’ll sit down. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’ll help myself,” she replies. Walking to the fridge, she opens it and grabs a can of soda. After she takes a seat, she sighs. “Heads up. The press is printing all kinds of shit.”
“What kind of shit?” I ask.
Sylvia shakes her head. “The kind you don’t want to know about.”
“Fuck. I hope Nova and Lainey don’t see any of it while they’re out.”
“You need to prepare them, Easton. You know how brutal the paparazzi can get.”
Trust me, I know.
Sylvia pulls the script closer and pages through it. “This is a great choice. I’ve only heard nice things about Emma Thorne.”
“Talking about the female lead,” I mutter. “Do you think you can get me a no-kissing clause?”
Sylvia lets out a groan. “God, I knew my luck was too good to last.”
“I star in actions and thrillers, not romances,” I remind her.
“Still, you have a large female audience.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “They watch my movies for the action.”
Sylvia glances at the ceiling as if she’s sending up a silent prayer for strength.
“There are other ways we can make it look like I’m kissing the female lead. Or we can use a double to stand in for me,” I mention.
She perks up, clearly liking the options I just gave her, but then worry tightens her features.
“Have you already shot the kissing scenes for The Eradicator?” When I nod, she lets out a huge breath of relief.
“Thank God.” She spreads her hands open over the script in front of her.
“I’ll have Robert send over a new schedule so you can plan ahead.
In the meantime, I’ll talk to Steven and see what he says about the no-kissing thing. ”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
She shakes her head. “This is why I get paid the big bucks.”
Frances comes down the stairs after packing away our clean clothes, and she gives my manager a friendly smile. “Hi, Sylvia. Will you be staying for lunch?”
Sylvia shrugs and looks at me. “Am I?”
Chuckling, I nod. “Of course.” I glance at my housekeeper. “What are we having?”
“Garlic butter chicken with zucchini and corn.”
“Sounds yummy,” Sylvia replies.
I climb to my feet. “Let’s go sit out on the veranda so Frances can have the kitchen to herself.”
As soon as we take our seats in the lounge chairs, Sylvia asks, “How are you holding up?”
I take a deep breath before answering, “The grief comes in waves. Having Nova here helps a lot.”
“How are things between you and Nova?”
I shake my head and glance out over the manicured garden. “It’s going slow. She’s not ready for a relationship yet.”
“But you still plan on dating her?” Sylvia asks. When I nod, she continues, “You’ve managed to remain single for so long. What is it about her that changed your mind about being the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood?”
“Everything.” A soft smile plays around my lips. “She’s selfless and unbelievably good with Lainey. There’s just something about her that calms me, but at the same time, she gets my heart racing just by blushing.” Sylvia stares at me for so long that I mutter, “What?”
“I’ve never seen you in love before. It’s kind of . . . weird.”
Laughing at her, I shake my head. “Weird?”
“In a good way. You look happy, though, and it’s all that matters at the end of the day.” She glances at the pool. “How do you think Lainey will feel about you and Nova dating?”
“I think she’ll be happy.” I pause for a moment before adding, “Nova is hesitant about us dating because she’s scared we might break up down the line, and it will hurt Lainey.”
Sylvia raises an eyebrow at me. “She has a valid point.”
“I understand her worry, but you know me. I won’t start a relationship with someone if I’m not one hundred percent sure. I’ve known Nova for over two decades. I’m certain we can make it work.”
“Yeah, but does Nova know that?”
I’m not sure.
“Uncle Easton,” Lainey calls from inside the house.
“I’m on the veranda.”
When she comes out of the house carrying a milkshake, I remember I asked for one.
“Oh, hi, Sylvia,” Lainey greets her as she hands the milkshake to me.
“Hi.” Sylvia gives her a smile. “How are you doing, kiddo?”
Lainey shakes her head, and it looks like she’s about to cry. “Not good.”
“Oh no.” Sylvia takes hold of Lainey’s arm and pulls her into a hug. “I’m sorry, kiddo.”
I set the milkshake down on the ground beside the chair.
Lainey’s tearful eyes meet mine. “Nova saw magazines, and they all had the worst things printed on them about you and her.”
Fuck.
“I’m already dealing with them, but they’ll keep printing fake news as long as people keep buying them,” Sylvia replies.
Knowing Sylvia is comforting Lainey, I get up from my chair. “I’ll be right back,” I say before walking into the house. I glance around and see Nova standing by the glass table in the foyer.
Walking closer, I take in every inch of her face. Her cheeks are flushed, and there’s a frown line between her eyes, but other than that, she seems okay.
“Hey,” I murmur as I get close to her.
She glances at me quickly before looking down at the stems she’s cutting. “Hey.”
“Lainey told me what happened with the magazines.”
She doesn’t stop cutting the stems but instead works faster.
I come to a standstill beside her and lean my head down to try and catch her eyes.
She glances at me again, but then a flash of pain flits over her face, and she mutters, “Dammit!”
When the scissors drop on the glass table, my eyes flick down, and the moment I see the blood on Nova’s finger, I grab hold of her hand.
“It’s just a little cut,” she says, her voice strained. She yanks away from me and rushes to the guest restroom.
Setting after her, I follow her into the restroom, shutting the door behind us.
Nova shoves her finger under cold water and stares at the sink.
“Want to talk about it?” I ask.
She shakes her head, then her breath hitches, and her face crumbles.
“They’re saying the meanest things about you.
” A tear spirals down her cheek, and she looks heartbroken when her eyes meet mine.
“The one headline said you dumped Rachel at hospice.” Her tears fall faster, each one taking a swing at my heart. “Why do they have to be so cruel?”
“It’s just a bunch of shit to make money.” I pull her against my chest and press a kiss to her hair. “I’m sorry you had to see it.”
She lets out a quivering breath, and when she pulls back, I reluctantly lower my arms.
I shut off the faucet and take a look at the tiny cut on the side of her finger. “It doesn’t look too bad.” I duck my head to catch her eyes again. “In the future, don’t look at any headlines or articles about me.”
She nods. “I’ll avoid the magazine aisle like the plague.”
“Good girl,” I murmur before pressing another kiss to her forehead. “Sylvia’s here, and she’s staying for lunch.”
“Oh! And here I am, crying like a baby.” She rushes to open the door.
When we walk through the living room, I say, “Frances, can you take care of the flowers, please?”
“Sure.”
I place my hand on Nova’s lower back and walk out of the house with her.
“Hi, Sylvia.” She gives my manager a friendly smile. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come to greet you immediately.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she replies. “Lainey’s been keeping me company.”
Sylvia’s phone rings, and she quickly digs it out of her handbag. “It’s the producer.” She answers the call. “Hi, Robert. I’m here with Easton. Good news. He’s on board again.”
I take a seat and pull a chair closer to mine while looking at Nova. “Come sit.”
As Lainey heads back into the house, Sylvia says, “Hold on while I check with him.” She mutes the call before glancing at me.
“Word has spread that you’re no longer starring in The Eradicator.
Robert wants to arrange a convention so everyone can see you’re still in the movie.
It will only be for an hour or two. Sign a few photos.
Smile at fans. Answer a couple of questions. You know the drill.”
“I’m good with that,” I reply.
She unmutes the call. “Easton is on board. Let me know when . . . Okay . . . You have a good day.” She drops the phone back into her bag.
Wanting to bring Nova up to speed with what’s happening, I say, “I’m continuing with The Eradicator, but we’ll film here in LA, so I don’t have to travel.”
Nova nods. “That’s good to hear. I’m glad you can work close to home.”
Sylvia glances between us before she says, “Now that Nova is living here and she’s Lainey’s guardian, we need to talk about a few things. Are we signing an NDA?”
“No,” I mutter. “I trust Nova.”
“Okay.” Sylvia pulls her phone out again and opens an app where she can make notes. “Nova, you’re from Verona, right?”
“Ah . . . yes,” Nova replies.
I frown at Sylvia. “What are you doing?”
“Just getting some info so I can be prepared for anything. The press is bound to start sniffing around Nova’s past.” She lifts her head and looks at Nova. “Is there anything I should know that can reflect badly on Easton? Drug use? A family member in prison? Police record? Naked photos? Sex tapes?”
Jesus Christ.
“I don’t know who my father is, and my mother left when I was four, so I don’t know anything about them,” Nova answers. “No drugs, and I’ve never broken the law.” Her teeth tug at her bottom lip. “I was in a relationship where the police were called out for domestic disturbance.”
My heart clenches, hating the hell Nova was forced to endure.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Sylvia makes a note, then asks, “What kind of disturbance? Was it a verbal fight, or did it get physical?”
“Sylvia,” I mutter.
Her gaze flicks to me. “I need to know if there are photos out there of Nova with a black eye. You know, if the press gets a hold of something like that, the headlines will say you beat the shit out of her.”
“Oh God,” Nova groans beside me. “There are photos. The police took them, though. And it was more than a year ago.”
“You’ll be surprised at what the press can dig up,” Sylvia grumbles. “Anything else I should know about?”
Nova shakes her head. “No. I’ve lived a pretty quiet life.”
“That’s about to change,” Sylvia says.
“Lunch is ready in the dining room,” Frances informs us from the open sliding doors.
Climbing to my feet, I mutter, “Let’s eat.” As we head into the house, I glance down at the nervous expression on Nova’s face and say, “Don’t worry.”
“Easier said than done,” she mumbles.
It’s going to take some time for Nova to adjust to the limelight, but I’ll be there to help her every step of the way.