Love in the Afternoon

by Alison Packard

  “No need, Ms. Maxwell, I know who you are.”

  “You do?”

  James Barrett smiled, and when he did Kayla could see where Sean got his good looks from. He had his mother’s blonde hair and green eyes, but other than that he looked much like his father. The man was close to sixty, but he was still extremely attractive.

  “You’re Kayla Maxwell, and you’re currently co-starring with my son on A New Dawn.” James moved toward her.

  “You watch the show?” Kayla asked, clutching the book tightly in her hands.

  “Please,” James motioned to her chair, “sit down. Do you mind if I sit with you for a bit?”

  “No,” Kayla said, sinking to the chair. “This is your house after all.”

  James Barrett settled in the chair next to her and Kayla could hardly believe it. Other than her audition with Steven Spielberg, she had never been one to get star struck. But she was now. How could she not be? The man sitting next to her was as revered as DeNiro, Pacino and Hanks.

  “I didn’t see Sean’s Jeep in the driveway,” James commented. His eyes were blue. A piercing blue that seemed to see right through her.

  “He went to see his friend Matt.” Kayla sat primly in her chair, holding the book securely on her lap. “He should be back soon.”

  James shook his head. “I heard the news. Matt must be devastated. Both he and Sean have been Dodgers’ fans since they were kids.” Lifting his leg, he rested his ankle on his knee. He was dressed in jeans and a deep blue cotton shirt. He seemed relaxed and not what she expected. From how Sean described him she thought he would be austere, distant and not friendly at all. “May I call you Kayla?” James asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Kayla, I think you have a tremendous amount of talent.”

  Stunned, Kayla stared at him. “Thank you.” She looked around suspiciously. “Am I on Punk’d?” she asked. This was just too surreal to be happening.

  James looked confused. “I’m not sure what that is.”

  “It’s kind of like that old show Candid Camera,” Kayla explained. “Only with celebrities.”

  “Oh.” James’ lips curved. “I see. Well, suffice it to say, the only cameras on the estate are security cameras.” He paused, assessing her with his startling blue eyes. “How long have you been acting?”

  “Since high school.”

  “Your technique is effortless. And you listen.” James rested his elbows on the arms of the chair. “That’s a very important skill. Sean has that gift as well.”

  “I know. I love working with him. He’s a very giving actor.” Kayla paused and wasn’t sure if she should ask the question she was dying to ask. “Do you really watch the show?”

  “Of course. My son is on it so I make it a point to catch it when I can.”

  “Why do you let him believe you don’t watch it?” Kayla asked, brushing back a lock of windswept hair from her forehead hoping she wasn’t being too forward. “He thinks you’re embarrassed that he’s on a soap.”

  “Acting is acting,” James replied with a shrug. “And I would never begrudge anyone in my field a job. They’re hard to come by. But I happen to believe that Sean hasn’t even come close to realizing his full potential.” James sighed. “Sean is a natural actor. I had to learn my craft. But for Sean it comes easily, just as I suspect it does for you.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Kayla protested and then realized what he was doing. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  James tilted his head. “What question was that?”

  “Why do you let Sean believe you don’t watch A New Dawn?”

  “My son and I have a very complicated relationship,” James replied after several seconds. “Which I’m sure you know since you’re involved with him.”

  “How do you know we’re involved?”

  “You’re here, aren’t you? Sean has never brought a woman to this house.” He smiled. “But even if he hadn’t, the heat between the two of you practically ignites the screen. Sparks like that don’t fly unless there’s an intense attraction.”

  Kayla felt her cheeks start to warm. “I can’t believe you picked up on that.”

  James chuckled. “Everyone’s picked up on it, Kayla. My assistant watches the show and she tells me you and Sean are the hottest couple in the daytime world right now.”

  “Our characters have caught on,” Kayla acknowledged. “You still didn’t answer my question.” He seemed to be an expert at changing the subject.

  “I know, and I’m not going to.” His smile faded. Suddenly he looked much older and somewhat vulnerable. “The person I should be talking to is Sean. There are some things we need discuss.” James shifted his gaze to the ocean, his expression filled with sadness. “And it’s a discussion that’s long overdue.”

  * * *

  Sean got a bad feeling the moment he pulled the Jeep into the circular driveway and saw his father’s Mercedes SUV parked in front of the garage. He knew for a fact his father had taken it to the airport. He did that when he was flying private, not commercial. And these days James Barrett always flew private.

  After parking the Jeep, he decided to go through the house instead of around the back. He’d have to see his father eventually, so it was probably best get it over with as quickly as possible. Using his key, he unlocked the door and entered the foyer. As he closed the door, he heard the sound of laughter. Feminine laughter. Familiar feminine laughter.

  He crossed the foyer and made his way through the formal living room but stopped just before entering the kitchen when he heard Kayla’s voice.

  “What happened after you saw the movie?”

  “I told Steven that I forgave him for not casting me as Indy. Harrison was perfect in the role. I can’t imagine the film without him in it.”

  “It’s one of my favorite movies.”

  “Mine too,” his father replied.

  “I auditioned for Mr. Spielberg once,” Kayla said. Sean gritted his teeth. Why the hell was she being so chummy with his father? “I was a nervous wreck and didn’t get the part.”

  “He’s actually a very nice person,” his father said. “Steven is quite fond of Sean. In fact, just a few months ago he was interested in Sean for a role in a mini-series he’s producing for HBO.”

  Okay, that was it. He’d heard enough. Clenching his fists, he strode into the kitchen. Kayla and his father were sitting at stools on the far side of the marble covered island in the middle of the room and both looked at him with surprise when he walked in.

  Kayla spoke first. “How’s Matt?”

  “Better than he was last night,” Sean replied looking from her to his father. “When did you get home?”

  “A couple of hours ago.”

  “I thought the play ran through August.” Sean crossed his arms over his chest and studied his father. He hadn’t seen him since Christmas. He looked older than he remembered. His light brown hair was now almost completely gray, but on him it looked good.

  “The producers decided to go dark for two weeks. When I go back to New York the run will be extended through September.” James’s penetrating eyes held his. “I thought I’d use the time off to spend some time here at the house. I was hoping to talk to you.”

  “I can’t imagine what you and I have to discuss,” Sean said and heard Kayla’s soft gasp. She probably thought he was being rude. But he didn’t care. James Barrett wasn’t her father, she had no clue what his life had been like in this house after his mother had died.

  “More than you think,” his father replied cryptically. “But now’s not the time.”

  Mentally drained from his talk with Matt, Sean looked back at Kayla. “Go get your things, we’re leaving.”

  “But…” she began.

  “We’re leaving,” he interrupted her in a tone much harsher than he intended. Kayla dark eyes flashed with annoyance, but she slid off the stool and left the kitchen through the back door.

  “For Christ’s sake, Sean, don’t
take it out on the poor girl for having a conversation with me. She was just being polite.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Sean looked back at his father. “And don’t think that you can get to me through her.”

  “I wouldn’t do that,” James looked at him with a wounded expression. “You really must hate me.”

  Unmoved, Sean stared at him. “Hate requires emotion. And I don’t have enough emotion for you to feel hatred, or anything else.” Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself. “The plumbing issue was resolved. The refrigerator is pretty bare. You might want to go into the village if you want to eat tonight.”

  “Thank you for looking after the house.”

  “Mom loved this place. I did it for her, not you,” he said, dying to get away from the house now that his father was back. “I’ll wait out front for Kayla.” Turning, he moved toward living room.

  “Sean, hold it right there.” Surprised at his father’s brusque tone, he stopped in his tracks and turned to face him. “We’re going to talk. It won’t be tonight because Kayla isn’t a part of this, but before I go back to New York, we’re going to hash this thing out.”

  “What thing?”

  “You and me.”

  “There is no you and me,” Sean said sadly. “There hasn’t been since Mom died.”

  * * *

  For the first time since she’d met Sean the silence between them was uncomfortable. He’d barely spoken a word since they’d left his father’s house and that bothered her. In her family they talked things out when they were angry or upset. Her parents’ motto was never go to bed mad and she’d always tried to live by their example.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, finally breaking the silence.

  “I’m fine,” he replied, not taking his eyes off the road. They were on the Santa Monica freeway heading back to their side of town.

  “Are you angry that I was talking to your father?”

  “It’s a free country.” He shot her a cursory glance. “Talk to whomever you want.”

  “He was very nice,” she tried again. She thought about telling him that his father watched the show and had for ten years. But that was between James and Sean. They had issues to work out. It seemed like his father wanted to try, but Sean didn’t.

  “Good for you,” Sean said. “The great James Barrett actually talked to you. Did you get his autograph too?”

  “If you’re implying that I’m some sort of star struck groupie you couldn’t be more wrong.” Staring at his rigid profile, Kayla felt anger start to simmer inside of her. “You’re not going to give him a chance, are you?”

  Sean jerked his head around and met her gaze. His eyes were as hard as diamonds. “He doesn’t deserve a chance. You met him for the first time today. I’ve known him for thirty years.” He looked back at the road. “You need to stay out of it. You have no clue what you’re talking about.”

  “Fine,” she said and stared at the car in front of them. “But you only have one father, Sean. He’s not going to live forever and when he’s gone you may regret not trying to bridge the gap between you. And furthermore, I believe in second chances.”

  “Let it go,” Sean said in a low and controlled voice. “Please.”

  “Whatever you want,” she said curtly and they rode in silence all the way to Atwater Village.

  The minute he pulled to a stop in her driveway, she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door. “Don’t get out,” she said and climbed out. “I’ll see you at the studio on Monday,” she added and moved to close the door.

  “Kayla. Wait,” he said just as the door shut. Knowing she was being childish, she hurried to her front door and pulled her key from her purse. She heard his door open but didn’t look back. Instead she unlocked the door and stepped inside. After disarming the alarm, she went to close the door and found him standing on the threshold.

  “May I come in?” he asked. Seeing the tension etched on his face, she softened and nodded. “Thank you,” he said as he came inside.

  “Would you like some water?” she asked after she closed the door and reset the alarm. “I’m thirsty.”

  “Sure,” he said and followed her to the kitchen. After flipping on the light, she put her purse on the counter and retrieved two bottles of water from the fridge. “Thanks.” He twisted the cap off and took a long drink. Opening her bottle, she took a sip and met his contrite gaze over the top of her bottle. “I’m sorry,” he said, leaning against the island countertop. “I’ve been acting like a jerk ever since I got back from Matt’s.”

  “Was he in bad shape?” she asked, forgetting his father for the moment.

  “Yes, but for the first time in a year he opened up and talked to me.”

  “That’s encouraging.” Kayla took another sip of water. Sean set his water on the counter and reached up to rub his eyes with his forefinger and thumb. He looked tired, and she tried to put herself in his shoes. He’d just had an emotional scene with Matt, and then came back to the house to find his father had unexpectedly returned home. The father he didn’t get along with.

  “I’m sorry too,” she said. “For pushing you about your father. It’s not my place. What happens between you and your father is between the two of you.”

  Sean lowered his hand and met her eyes. “I know you mean well, and I really do appreciate that.”

  She picked at the plastic wrapper on her bottle. “I guess we just had our first official fight.”

  The corners of his mouth tilted upward. “And we survived it.”

  “Actually, it was more of a tiff than a fight.”

  “Damn, I was hoping for some make-up sex,” he said with a roguish grin.

  That sexy grin of his got to her every time. She smiled back at him. “You’re too tired for make-up sex.”

  “Maybe, but I won’t be tomorrow morning,” he said and moved to take the bottle from her hand. He set it on the counter and then reached for her hand. The sexy grin was gone, and in its place was the same vulnerable look she’d seen on his father’s face earlier in the day. It tugged at her heart.

  “I’m not proud of how I behaved tonight. I’m sorry you had to witness it.” He rubbed his thumb gently over the back of her hand. “My father and I have a very complicated relationship.”

  “It’s more than just him disapproving of you being on a soap opera, isn’t it?

  His eyes flickered with surprise. “Yes. Much more.”

  “Have you ever talked to him about it?” she asked, remembering James Barrett’s cryptic words.

  “There’s nothing to discuss.”

  Kayla suspected it had something to do with his mother, but she wouldn’t press him. Sean’s eyes softened. “I know I don’t deserve it after the way I’ve acted, but can I stay with you tonight?”

  She nodded, knowing she couldn’t send him away. “Yes.”

  “Thank you,” he said huskily and then pulling her close, he held her tightly. “I need you,” he whispered.

  * * *

  The following Tuesday, Kayla was in her dressing room waiting to be called for taping when the familiar strains of “Who Can it Be Now” played on her cell phone. Picking it up from the desk, she glanced at the number before answering.

  “Hi, Kel,” she said, putting aside the book she’d been reading.

  “I have bad news,” Kelly said, took a deep breath and then continued, “Rick Taylor was riding his damn motorcycle—the one he was told not to, by the way—and was hit by a drunk driver on the Bay Bridge.”

  “Oh, my God. Is he all right?”

  “He’s got a broken leg, several cracked ribs, and a broken collarbone. He’s lucky to be alive.” Kelly’s sigh was heavy. “He’s out for the rest of the season.”

  “But he’ll be back next year, right?”

  “The doctors don’t see why not. He’s young and in excellent physical condition. If he follows their orders he should be back for spring training.”

  “That’s good news.”

&nbs
p; “For him. But not for us,” Kelly’s tone was ominous. “I think the team is going to pick up Matt Scanlon’s contract.”

  “Do you know that for sure?”

  “No, but that’s the rumor. With Taylor out for the year, we need another catcher. And he’s available.” There was a long pause. “Kay, the man is not only a jerk, he’s disruptive in the clubhouse. As much as we need a catcher, having him on the team isn’t going to help us.”

  “It’s not a done deal yet.”

  “I know. Damn it, my desk phone is ringing. I’d better answer it. It could be Doug calling. I’ll keep you posted. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” Kayla said and was about to put her phone down when it rang again. This time it was her normal ring tone so she knew it wasn’t family. She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was her agent. As she was about to answer it, she heard her name on the loudspeaker and didn’t take the call. Bill was in a testy mood today and she as sure as hell didn’t want to make it worse by being late to the set. Bill on a rampage was never a good thing—for anyone.

  * * *

  It was rare for Sean to have a Tuesday off, and even more rare for Matt to have one too. But it was the All-Star break and with no regularly scheduled games for any team in the league, his friend had several days off. Another thing that was rare. Matt had been voted into the All Star game every year since his rookie year. It seemed his bad behavior wasn’t going unnoticed by his fans.

  As he pulled the Jeep into an empty parking space near the beach, he thought it odd that Matt had called to invite him to Huntington Beach to catch a few waves. Odd because when he’d left Matt at his beach house after their talk, Sean wasn’t sure if Matt had hit rock bottom, or if his downhill slide wasn’t quite complete. Maybe he’d find that out today.

  After slipping on his wetsuit, he carried his board to the beach and was soon paddling out past the breakers. There were several surfers spread out evenly in the water but Sean recognized his friend right away and headed for him. Drawing even with Matt, he maneuvered around so that he was facing the shore and then sat up and straddled his board.