Chapter 75
Chapter Seventy-Five
Doctor to balloon animal: What seems to be the problem?
Balloon animal: I heard a pop in my knee.
—From Bash’s dad joke collection
Bash
Bash’s phone rang, jarring him from sleep. After their emotional reunion—almost three weeks apart and one scandal was far too much, and would never be repeated—they’d enjoyed dinner with Walt and Mira, his producer assuring him his role was safe and then toasting his prediction for an Oscar.
Then he’d brought Arabella back to the house he was renting close to set, making love to her all night.
Mouths tasting. Tender touches. Soft cries of passion.
Torrid screams of pent-up release. Fierce loving.
Again and again, until he ached in the best way and she was a sweaty, limp, smiling heap curled around him.
The sun was just rising when they finally fell asleep, sated.
His phone blared again.
Benny?
He yawned and hit the speaker, Arabella stirring next to him.
“I’m in LA with Guinn,” his sister’s agent launched, without preamble.
Bash eyed the old-fashioned clock on the nightstand. Just after seven a.m.—five in the morning California time. A frisson of worry skidded down his spine. “What’s happened?”
“We found the leak.” Slash’s voice was hard. But there was something under it Bash couldn’t identify.
He sat up, Arabella joining him, wide awake. It was the doctor in her—she could snap awake, while he normally had to evolve into wakefulness. Not this time though. “Who was it?” he asked through a clenched jaw.
Arabella reached over and massaged her fingers into the popping joint, a tender smile on her face.
She was always telling him he’d get TMJ if he didn’t stop grinding his teeth.
He paused to take her in. She was sex-rumpled, her hair going in every direction, a line from the pillow creasing her cheek.
She’d never looked more beautiful.
He pulled her into his arms and she rested her head on his chest, one leg draped over his.
“It was Melody,” Slash eventually responded, sounding a mix of defeated and angry Bash had never heard before from his oldest friend.
Arabella startled. “What?”
“Something wasn’t sitting right with me,” Benny chimed in. “Only a few people knew about you both. It wasn’t Brinder or Honor, that’s for damn sure. And I immediately knew it wasn’t the Red Wine Supper Club. Those women are true blue. That left Guinn here. Or Melody.”
“So she flew out to see me, guns a-blazing,” Slash added, no humor in his voice.
“And while I think your agent has an adolescent nickname I refuse to indulge,” Benny added, unperturbed, “I’ve watched him in action. I know he wouldn’t do this to you, Bash. He can be an ass, but he’s your best friend. One who’s had your back quite impressively as we navigated this mess.”
“Jesus,” Bash breathed. “Slash—”
“Spare me. I know you suspected me from the beginning. And I’ll be honest, brother, that really hurts.”
“Guinn, I’m so sorry—”
“I had a vested interest in finding out who really leaked it. If only to clear my name to my friend,” Slash added, hitting the last word with a ring of sadness. “And it really only left one person. I just needed to prove it.”
“I have a lot of contacts.” Benny picked up the explanation. “I put a tail on Melody. Turns out, your publicist is deep in medical debt. For her sister, who is recently disabled from a bad car wreck she caused.”
“I didn’t—” Bash scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I didn’t even know Melody had a sister. Christ.”
“About ten years younger. Out of work actor. She fell asleep at the wheel after a late shift at a bar. Hit one car, seriously injuring the passenger. Then ricocheted off, wrapped her car around a tree, and ended up in the hospital. No insurance.”
“Melody sold the story to pay for her sister’s care,” Slash supplied. “I’m sorry,” he added quietly.
Bash closed his eyes. “I don’t know whether to be pissed off or sad or what the hell to feel right now.”
“It’s a fucked up betrayal,” Slash agreed. “We have a signed confession. And her letter of resignation.”
“How the hell did she think she’d get away with this? Not a lot of people knew what was going on. There’s no way she could’ve hidden being the leak for long.” Bash dropped his head back, stunned and trying to process.
“Melody admitted she wasn’t thinking straight.
She was worried about her sister—who’s still in the ICU—then freaked out by the growing mountain of bills.
She acted before she even thought. Desperation is the culprit behind many bad decisions.
” Benny’s voice was cool and collected as usual, but Bash was pretty sure he heard a tinge of sympathy in it. And maybe even remorse.
Arabella frowned, catching Bash’s eye. For all his wife was tough stuff, she also had a bleeding heart that could rival his. She tilted her head, nodding as he successfully read her thought bubble.
Bash released a deep sigh. “Tell Melody…tell her I accept her resignation. But she’s a strong publicist. I’ll be a reference for another job.”
“Wait, Bash—” Slash inserted.
“No. You’re right, Slash. It was a betrayal. Melody hurt me and put my role at risk. She was disloyal and—worst of all—she hurt my queen. But I can forgive her, if Arabella does.”
Tears shone in his wife’s eyes. “I do. She was just trying to help her sister.”
“Then why didn’t she come to either of us for help? We could’ve lent her the money, for fuck’s sake,” Slash snarled, but the heat seemed to evaporate from his words.
“Sometimes people do desperate things, Guinn. She made a terrible mistake in judgment. She’s going to own it.” Benny’s voice was calm and sure on the other end.
Once again, as often, he wished Benny would be his agent. He loved Slash like a brother, but maybe it was time to evolve their relationship. Only if it didn’t hurt Slash professionally. Or personally.
Fucking complicated.
Bash sighed again. “One more thing… I’ll cover the rest of her sister’s bills.”
“How did I know he was going to say that?” Slash muttered, not unkindly.
“You’re a class act, Bash. I’ll let her know.
” Now he could absolutely hear a smile in Benny’s voice, before she crisply continued, “Melody’s doing an interview with a reporter I handpicked.
She’ll tell the truth, underscoring how much you and Remy love each other and how real your relationship is. ” Benny paused. “How does that sound?”
“Life a fucking relief.” Bash ran his fingers through the tangled strands of Arabella’s silky hair, which had become one of his favorite soothing methods.
“Uh, there’s one more thing, Bash.” Now Slash sounded weary.
“Please, no more bad news,” Bash muttered so only Arabella could hear.
She pressed a kiss to his chest. Right next to the scratch marks from her nails. And just below the area she’d bitten him…leaving faint teeth marks.
“Melody’s isn’t the only resignation letter in your inbox, Bash,” Slash continued quietly.
Now Bash leapt off the bed, hauling Arabella up with him. He hadn’t not touched her since her arrival the day before. And he wasn’t letting go now. He was tempted to affix her to him, like an adult baby-carrier strapped to his chest. But, you know…perhaps that would be taking it too far…
Bash blinked himself back into focus. “What do you mean?” He was confused, tired, exhausted from the emotional merry-go-round.
Slash sighed audibly and cleared his throat.
“I’m through with being an agent, Bash. It’s been a damn good ride—a fun ride.
But while you were off finding true love, I was having my own midlife crisis-driven epiphany.
I—I don’t even recognize myself anymore.
I hate practicing law. I loathe Hollywood.
I’m sick of the ass-kissing, candy-coated evil.
I want to find myself again. I want something…
real in my life. Like you’ve found with Remy.
Something I know I won’t find here in LA, doing what I do. ”
“Fuck, brother.” Bash shook his head to clear it.
He was still recovering from the whiplash of worrying about losing his role and then having his queen advocate successfully for him.
Then the knowledge that his trusted publicist had betrayed him and Arabella.
And now his oldest friend and agent was doing a one-eighty in his life.
Christ—when this movie was finished filming, he was taking his wife on the longest trip she’d allow. “What are your plans?”
“Moving north. I’m going to teach political science and history at a small community college outside of Placerville.”
Bash’s jaw dropped. “And you just figured this out?”
“Been working on it for a couple months.”
“Arabella, am I drunk?” he whispered, defaulting to comedy, as was his habit whenever he was feeling pushed back on his heels. “Did you addle my brains with your bewitching body?”
“No,” she whispered, giggling softly. “But that can be arranged,” she added, for his ears only, with a come-hither look.
Bash waggled his brows at his wife, forcing himself to refocus on his friend’s mic drop. “It’s not often I’m at a loss for words—”
“Tell me about it,” Slash teased, his voice noticeably lighter now that all the hard news had been delivered.
“Slash…Guinn…brother. I don’t know what to say.”
“How about congratulations, and you’re happy for me. And that while I won’t be your agent, I’ll always be your friend and brother.”
Bash opened and closed his mouth, then nodded, though there was no video to the call. “Of course. Congratulations, Guinn. That’s awesome. I’m…I’m really happy for you. Truly.”
“Same, Bash. Hey, look at us, finally growing up,” Slash joked, pulling a laugh from Bash. “I’m getting a grown-up job and shedding my ridiculous Hollywood shackles. You’re all wifed up and lovey dovey.”
Bash had to admit, things were changing very quickly, and all for the better.
“Speaking of your wife…” Slash paused, and when he continued, genuine remorse filled his words.
“Remy, I owe you a sincere apology. I treated you beyond poorly, and you didn’t deserve that.
The fact is, I didn’t trust you at first—and that’s on me, not on you.
I’ve spent decades watching very convincing, but ultimately lying leeches come out of the woodwork to try to exploit Bash.
He’s a good man, but that kindness also makes him vulnerable. It’s been my job to watch out for him.”
“I’m not a child, Guinn,” Bash gritted out.
“No, but you are a famous and wealthy star, and that’s made you a target. No one could, or should, handle that on their own. You need someone to watch your blind side. And since college, that’s been me. Anyway, I took my protectiveness too far—first with Walt and then with Remy.
“Remy, I’m truly sorry. I know you love him. Anyway, for what it’s worth, I know I was a total dick. And I feel like shit about it.”
“Dickcrud,” Bash muttered, the corners of his lips tugging in a smile. Dude could be an ass. But he was also his best friend. And a good person. Just…sometimes a bit dickcrudish.
Arabella met Bash’s gaze and smiled softly.
“I accept your apology, Slash. Let’s put it behind us.
And I, for one, am grateful for all you’ve done for my husband over the years.
Anyone who cares that deeply for him is OK in my book.
” Bash watched his wife straighten her spine, her arms folding in Arabella Stance.
Based on that and the cool smirk sliding onto her face, Slash was about to be on the receiving end of a patented Dr. Remington Special.
“But be fucking respectful to me going forward or I’m coming for you with my scapels. ”
Yep. Christ, that was hot.
Bash grinned at his wife, laughing reflexively at Slash’s chortle on the other end of the line.
Until the practical ramifications of Slash’s announcement hit him and his laughter died out.
Bash pinched the bridge of his nose. “Guess I’m on the hunt for a new publicist and a new agent.”
“Not necessarily,” Benny cut in smoothly. “If you’re interested, Bash, I’ll be happy to represent you.”’
“You mean your firm, right? You’ve always been clear about only wanting to represent women.” Bash stared at his phone.
“I think it’s the season for change, no?” Benny’s disembodied voice carried a smile. “I’d be honored to represent you, Bash. As long as you aren’t worried about conflict of interest, given that your sister is also my client.”
“I hardly think we’ll be up for the same roles, Beno?te,” Bash teased, suddenly feeling so light he might float away. Only Arabella’s arms, securely wrapped around him, anchored him to the moment and its implications.
And it was an amazing feeling.
“Then so let it be done. I’ll hop right on finding you a new publicist. I have some names in mind.”
“Of course you do,” Slash muttered, and Bash could practically see his friend’s eyeroll. Slash might be hanging up his agent-shark hat, but he was still a competitive SOB.
“I’m going to hang up now and make love to my wife before I have to report to the set.” Bash winked at Arabella, who blushed beautifully.
“Deepest appreciation for the overshare, Sebastian,” Benny muttered. The call disconnected.
Bash smiled at his wife. “I hear you’re an expert orthopedist.” He paused. “Time to jump my bones, Dr. Remington.”