5. Oliver
OLIVER
Kassie slammed the door so hard it shook. Shocked, I stepped back, realizing my attempt at levity had gone over like a lead balloon.
She had obviously forgotten we used to refer to Richton as our hick town. I’d thought it would make her smile.
Big mistake.
And unless I was incorrect, she wasn’t happy about me being here. At all.
I ran a hand over my face. I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised. But I was stunned at how it bothered me. And mystified me. I hadn’t thought about Kassie in years, so why should her opinion of me matter?
My subconscious laughed, reminding me there had been times when all I’d thought about was her.
I ignored it.
Then I turned and walked away, hoping to leave the odd feelings and inner laughter behind me.
For the first while, I kept my head down with my baseball hat on and my sunglasses firmly in place.
I discovered the gym at the YMCA wasn’t as bad as I feared—the pool had been recently upgraded and the machines fairly new.
To be polite, I removed my sunglasses and hat as I spoke to the woman at the YMCA, and I was pleased when she didn’t recognize me.
She was kind and helpful, not reacting to my name on the ID I gave her for a temporary membership.
She gave me a card and a list of hours and classes, then returned to the task she’d been doing when I walked in.
Outside, I left off my baseball hat and walked around, enjoying the anonymity. People smiled and even said hello as I passed them on the street, but that was all. No one took my picture or followed me, shouting questions. It was a sensation I had forgotten—being free and private.
In the grocery store, I bought some staples and was pleased to see the hot food counter and a small salad bar.
I picked up a couple of meals from the hot counter and filled two containers with salad that looked surprisingly fresh and tasty.
The clerk was chatty, surmising quickly I was new in town and on my own.
She asked me if I was there for the movie that was going to be filming.
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied.
“Oh, it’s so exciting. Everyone is buzzing!”
I smiled.
“My grandson is in all his school plays. He loves to perform, and he sings too. He’s hoping to be picked as an extra.” She paused in her praise. “Do you have bags?”
“Oh, uh, no. I didn’t think. Can I buy some?”
She nodded. “The cloth is better. Good handles and better for the environment. You can reuse them. My granddaughter is into recycling and the whole footprint thing. She is always teaching me.”
“You’re very proud of your grandkids,” I commented, enjoying a simple conversation that had nothing to do with me or my life.
She laughed. “I’m talking too much. My Bert says I talk people’s ears off.”
I chuckled and took my bags. “My ears are still firmly in place. No worries.”
She tilted her head. “You look familiar.”
I waited for it—the dawning recognition, the request for an autograph or picture. But it never happened. She smiled and tapped her nose. “You grew up here.”
“Yes.”
“I never forget a face. You’re Dorothy’s boy.”
My throat felt thick as I responded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I was sorry when she passed. She was a great lady.”
Her words warmed my heart. “Thank you.”
“You’re an actor now.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’ll be. Someone famous in the store.” She glanced around and dropped her voice. “I won’t breathe a word.”
I chuckled. “I’ll put in a good word for your grandson. I can’t promise anything…”
“How wonderful. His name is Timmy Woods.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’m Ginny, by the way.”
“Oliver.”
She nodded. “I remember.”
“Thanks for, ah, everything. Being so kind,” I added.
She beamed at me, and I left the store, somehow uplifted by the interaction.
Then I headed back to Kassie’s house, wondering if there was any way I could start a dialogue with her and clear the air.
But her car was gone when I got there, so I headed upstairs, unpacked the groceries, and decided to have a nap.
I was exhausted.
I woke a few hours later and rolled off the bed. It was a great mattress—firm and supportive. And the linens were soft and thick. Kassie obviously took great care of the place.
With a sigh, I pulled out a salad and heated up a slice of lasagna I’d chosen at the store. It was decent and I was hungry, having not eaten anything but the pie all day.
I’d love another pie, but I had a feeling I shouldn’t ask.
She might slam the door on my foot next time.
I rinsed my dishes while looking out the window.
The fenced yard was a good size, and the flowers and trees were well cared for.
A gazebo in the far corner contained a grill, plus a table and chairs.
Beside the house was a fenced-off, private area with another smaller grill and a tiny table, as well as a hot tub, which I assumed was for Kassie’s personal use only.
I went outside, letting myself into the backyard. It was well-kept and spacious. Kassie’s private area was shaded, the fence high. I avoided that space and headed to the gazebo.
The chairs around the table looked comfortable, and I sat down, relaxing into the thick, cushioned seat. I shut my eyes, enjoying the quiet.
A short while later, a noise made me open my eyes and sit up straight. Kassie was standing at the edge of the gazebo, a book in hand, a glass of wine in the other.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “I probably shouldn’t be here. I was just getting some air.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll sit on my deck.”
I stood, shaking my head. “I don’t want to disturb you or chase you out of your own gazebo, Kassie. I was going to go for a run, but I decided to sit a bit.”
“You, ah, run?”
“As often as I can. I’m hoping it’s more often here.” I inhaled the fresh air. “No one recognized me today except for Ginny at the grocery store, so I might have more freedom to run outside. I prefer it to the gym.”
“Any luck at the Y?” she asked, sitting down. “Or too shabby for you?”
“It was fine,” I snapped. “I’m not a snob.”
She lifted her eyebrows, saying nothing. It irked me.
“Can I use the grill?” I asked instead. “I bought a few things, but I’d enjoy a burger on the grill if I could.”
“You can cook?” she asked. “You don’t have a chef in La-La Land? Someone to run your errands and be at your beck and call? Will you hire someone to do all that for you while you’re here?”
I was still tired from the last couple of days and the early morning flight.
Reeling over what had happened and being sent here like a child being punished and having to stand in the corner.
My anger boiled over, and before I could stop myself, I bent down, leaning on the arms of the chair where Kassie was sitting, caging her in. Our gazes clashed and locked.
“Listen. I get you’re angry. I know our past is fucked up, and I made a shit-ton of mistakes.
But that was years ago. You don’t know me any more than I know you.
But despite what you obviously think, I’m not a jerk.
The reason I asked about a private gym is because I’m used to being hounded when I try to work out in a public one.
I’m constantly harassed. I can barely go out in public at times without being mobbed, which is a frightening thing to have happen.
And, yes, I have a housekeeper who cooks for me at home, because I’m usually shooting a film or doing press junkets or whatever else I’m told to do.
Lillian helps me stay organized and stops me leaving a fridge full of food to spoil.
” I paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
“But I can look after myself. I can cook. I can shop. I clean up. I’m not the spoiled asshole you’ve decided I am.
I’ve worked hard to get where I am. Made more sacrifices than you know.
So I’d appreciate it if you’d stop with the attitude and the preconceived notions of my life.
” I stood straight, the shocked look on her face almost comical if I weren’t so pissed.
“And I’ll try to remember the sweet girl I knew and not this sanctimonious, sarcastic woman who took her place. ”
Kassie’s eyes widened. She began to sputter, and I held up my hand.
“I don’t know if it’s just with me or not, but I assume I’m part of, if not the whole cause of, this change.
” I shook my head in sadness. “I can only offer you my apologies. I have many regrets that I have to live with. Knowing that my actions may have caused you to become so angry—even to this day—saddens me more than I can say.” I shook my head.
“When I allow myself to think of you, Kassie, what I remember the most is your sweetness and openness. Your light. The fact that I killed that will haunt me.” I huffed a weary sigh.
“I’ll find another place. I think it would be best. It might take me a few days, but I’ll stay out of your way. ” I stepped back. “Starting now.”
And once again, I walked away from Kassie Brennan.