Chapter 9
Monty
Monty sat in Hilliard’s car, trying with everything he had not to cry. How had he managed to make the exact mistake he’d been trying to avoid? He’d needed to lay low and not cause a scene. And yet, causing a scene was exactly what he did.
Hilliard didn’t fill the silence with chatter, for which Monty was grateful. It wasn’t until they arrived at Hilliard’s house that Monty realized he’d left his car at the Powells’.
As if he was reading his mind, Hilliard said, “We’ll get your car in the morning,” as he killed the engine and opened the door.
All Monty could do was nod and get out, as well. He followed Hilliard inside, letting his friend greet Henrietta. Neither said another word until Monty was at the door of the spare bedroom.
He turned slightly, with his hand on the knob. “I’m sorry, Hilliard.”
Hilliard paused in the act of kissing his dog on the forehead. “I know you are,” he said softly.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen. I was even watching my drinking.”
“I know.”
Monty sighed and leaned his head against the doorjamb. “What am I going to do?”
Hilliard put Henrietta back on the ground. She promptly bounced over to Monty and began nosing at his pant leg.
“Tomorrow morning, we’re going to go to the studio together and talk to Ezra.” He stepped closer to Monty and brushed some hair off his forehead. “You’ll explain what happened. You’ll apologize. And we’ll see what Ezra has to say. At least it wasn’t a repeat of past situations. That might help.”
Monty gave a humorless huff. “Yeah, I just keep coming up with creative new ways to embarrass myself.”
Hilliard gave his check a peck. “Get some sleep, sweetheart. There’s nothing you can do about it tonight. And whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll be at your side.”
Monty wrapped his arms around Hilliard’s neck and buried his face in the other man’s shoulder. “I don’t deserve you,” he said, his voice muffled. “But I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He felt Hilliard’s arms wrap around his back, and the relief he felt at the gesture caused him to cry at last. Hilliard held him as he cried, patient as always.
When the tears finally subsided, Monty took a shuddering breath and kissed Hilliard’s cheek in return. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Hilliard smiled and wiped away Monty’s tears with his thumb. “You know I love you, sugar. We’ll get through this together.”
* * *
Monty awoke the next morning with a headache.
It was the kind of headache one got from crying too hard the night before, a variety he was uncomfortably familiar with.
Hilliard greeted him with coffee and breakfast–blueberry pancakes–and a cheerful smile, as if he truly thought everything was going to be okay.
Monty tried to believe him. He owed the man that much.
After breakfast, they picked up Monty’s roadster from the Powells’ driveway and drove to Monty’s place. Monty shaved, washed his face, combed his hair, and changed into a clean, pressed suit.
Hilliard met him at the door, holding the as-yet unread script in his hand. He held it up. “We’ll read this together after we get back from the studio.”
Monty hoped he’d still have the role after their conversation with Ezra. As he followed Hilliard out to his car, he ruminated on how strange it was that the comedy had gone from a punishment to his last hope.
Hilliard drove them both to the studio and confidently led the way to Ezra’s office. Monty did his best to emulate his friend’s attitude.
Ezra’s secretary did not seem surprised to see them. She greeted them both and told them that Mx. Allen was not in their office currently, but that they were expected, and invited them to wait inside.
They sat in silence as they waited. Monty did his best not to fidget or pace.
Although when Hilliard laid a hand on his wrist, he realized he hadn’t avoided his nervousness as well as he’d hoped.
But his friend’s touch was comforting, and he spent the rest of the wait focusing on it and reminding himself that Hilliard wasn’t making him go through this meeting alone.
When Ezra returned to their office, they gave both men a long look before closing the door and taking a seat behind their desk. They folded their hands neatly on the desk and gave Monty their full attention.
“Let’s hear it.”
Hilliard squeezed his wrist, and Monty took a deep breath and launched into his explanation. He started and ended with an apology, and tried to be as clear and straightforward as he could. He had practiced plenty as he’d struggled to fall asleep the night before.
Ezra didn’t interrupt him or give any reaction to the speech until Monty was through.
After he was done, they gave a nod. “Thank you for the explanation. It’s about what I figured must have happened.
” They drummed their fingers on the desk for a moment.
“I assume Hilliard relayed our conversation from the other day?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re aware of your situation?”
Monty winced. “Yes.”
“I don’t need to tell you that last night didn’t help.”
“I know,” Monty said quietly.
“But I must admit that I’m relieved this wasn’t another drunken incident.
I haven’t heard about any more of those.
So at least you’ve learned that lesson. And I can allow that Cal shares some responsibility for what happened.
He overreacted a bit, and he knows it. I checked in with both him and Mr. Morgan this morning.
It’s their first day of filming, you know.
It doesn’t seem as if any harm was done.
They’re both fine and ready to work, and ready to move on from the incident. ”
Monty felt his heart lift. He didn’t dare breathe.
“However,” Ezra continued, “this acting up has to stop, kid.”
Monty nodded earnestly. “I know. I swear I’ll be on my best behavior from now on.”
Ezra looked amused. “I know you will. And we’re going to make sure of it.”
“We-we are?”
Ezra began sorting through one of the piles of papers that always seemed to fill their desk.
They pulled two folders out of the pile and flipped one open.
“I met with the Publicity Department this morning. They had all sorts of ideas for how to make sure you stayed on the up-and-up, with possibilities ranging from suspension to marriage.”
Monty clenched his hands together. “Okay.”
Ezra clapped the folder shut and put them both back on the pile.
“All of their ideas were bullshit. Marriage won’t help and suspension will make things worse.
So here’s what we’re going to do instead: since Hilliard seems to have taken a vested interest in your success, he’s going to play a part in you achieving it. ”
Hilliard sat up straighter next to him. “I’m listening.”
Ezra glanced between them. “You’re going to be roommates. Technically either of your houses will do, but I’d recommend moving into Hilliard’s place. It will give off the reliable and responsible image that we’re after.”
Monty opened his mouth to protest, to state that the solution wasn’t at all fair to Hilliard. But his friend spoke first, “That makes sense. My place will work nicely.”
“But–”
“Good,” Ezra said. “I hoped that’s what you’d say.
Montgomery, I want you to go home and pack enough to last you for two months.
That will get us all the way to the end of filming, with a little room after, just in case.
I do not want to see you at any parties, nightclubs, or bars without Hilliard.
I’d honestly prefer not to see you out at all.
Or at least as little as possible. Keep a low profile.
Hilliard has managed to do that for years, so you’re learning from the best. You’ll be made aware if your presence is required at any official events. Do I make myself clear?”
Monty looked at Hilliard, trying to determine if his friend was disappointed or annoyed or regretful. But Hilliard simply gave him his usual gentle smile and an encouraging nod. So Monty took a deep breath and turned back to the producer. “Yes, Ezra. Quite clear.”
“Good. I’ll make one exception to those rules: it wouldn’t go amiss if you were seen publicly getting along with Cal.”
Monty tensed at the suggestion. “What?”
“I know you’re bitter about the musical, kid. But stop taking it out on him. He didn’t steal it from you. I did. Be mad at me all you want, but I want your little attitude problem with him to end now. Got it?”
Monty swallowed his frustration at the command.
Hilliard cleared his throat. “Cal really is a great guy when you get to know him. Maybe we can have him and Mr. Morgan over for dinner sometime and we can all get to know each other better.”
“That’s the idea. Now, if there aren’t any more questions, I think that’s all for today, gentlemen. You’ve got a little over a week to get settled in before production begins.”
Monty followed Hilliard back out of the office and to the car.
His brain was whirring with warring emotions: utter relief that he hadn’t been fired and was being given another chance, regret that he had dragged Hilliard into his problems even more, irritation that he now had a chaperone, and anger that he was being told to be pally with Cal Campbell.
But as they drove down the road, he looked at Hilliard again. His friend looked more relaxed than he had in days.
“You really think this is going to work, don’t you?” Monty asked.
Hilliard looked surprised but then he smiled at him. “Sure do, sweetheart.”