Hollywood Ever After

by Sasha Summers

  “Oh?”

  “He’s called me several times making threats.” I spoke softly. “He even called my mother.”

  “I’ll try to keep a close eye on things. His violent history warrants extra precautions for you and the children.” Her voice remained businesslike, but I knew Regina cared a great deal about me and the children. She wasn’t pleased that I hadn’t used the abuse during our divorce proceedings. But I’d been desperate for it to be over. I’d had no more fight in me. How I regretted that now.

  “If I send the kids on to California with my mother instead of bringing them home, will there be any legal ramifications?” My voice wavered a bit.

  She paused. “Legally, it could be construed several different ways. But under the circumstances, it’s highly unlikely it will be an issue. And it might be worth the risk.” She spoke the last words more softly. “I don’t suppose you have all of the custody papers with you? I know there’s a clause we put in place, in case this sort of situation arose, to terminate his parental rights altogether. Our office is in the midst of a move, so everything is boxed and our computers are all being updated with some new software or other. It’s making this place utter chaos.”

  “I’ll swing by the house and grab them before I come to your office if that makes things easier, Regina.”

  “Yes, much easier. I’ll let you know if anything changes or I learn anything new. Try not to worry. At least we know, whether he’s in India or England, he’s not here. I have a friend in the Department of Homeland Security. If Daniel’s passport comes through, they’ll let me know. Okay?” She said goodbye and hung up.

  I splashed some cold water on my face. I was so relieved. He couldn’t hurt us from another country. And I’d know if he came back, be prepared and alert to handle whatever he might try to throw at me next time around. I wasn’t going to let him rattle me anymore. I knew what I wanted and I was ready to fight for it if I had to. That was something.

  I smiled at my reflection. Things were going to be okay. I went back into the main cabin. As I opened the door, the Fasten Seat Belts sign lit up.

  The kids were excited, peering out their windows over New York. My editor, Frank Graham, had arranged for a private car to pick us up at the airport. Our only job was to try to exit the airport without too much notice.

  Josh had purchased matching black fedora hats for himself and Will as part of their disguises. I hated to point out that it made them stand out even more because they looked absolutely adorable. They both turned toward me, hats on, when I came to my seat. I giggled in spite of myself.

  “Happy to be back in the US?” Josh asked the cabin at large.

  “Not sure yet.” Mom shrugged. “It’s been such fun.”

  “I know. I’m not all that excited about going home. It feels less like home now,” Natalie added.

  Josh smiled at them. “We’ll see how things go.”

  I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine. “Home isn’t a place, guys, it’s a feeling.” Josh smiled at me, squeezing my hand as the plane began its descent.

  We navigated the airport with little to-do. One photographer snapped a few pictures, but I could tell he wasn’t convinced it was really Josh so his attempts were half-hearted. It helped that Meg had released a few shots of Josh in London this morning to throw the press off his trail.

  Will and Natalie were thrilled over the huge black limo waiting for us. Josh showed them how each of the buttons worked, laughing as they oohed and ahed over each discovery. I left the kids with Mom and Josh at the Met while I went to meet with Frank Graham. Even with Daniel safely out of the country, I had mixed feelings about letting the kids out of my sight.

  “We’ll be fine, Claire,” Josh promised as he gave me a sweet kiss. Will followed suit, while Natalie barely waved before stumbling out onto the sidewalks of New York.

  “Go to your meeting. Get excited about your tour, your book, and the millions of dollars it’s going to make you.” My mother patted my cheek and climbed out to join them on the sidewalk.

  I smiled at the picture they made entering through the back door of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was amazing how arrangements could be quickly made if you were someone special—and Josh Wiley was someone special. My son thought so too. Will sat on Josh’s shoulders, bouncing around at the thought of seeing mummies.

  The meeting with Frank Graham went well. He was very enthusiastic when he talked about the book’s release. It was easy to feed off his excitement. He’d researched the regions he wanted me to tour and set up a general timeline. His goal was to have me release and tour in time for Christmas sales. We wrapped up our meeting quickly, and I joined them at the museum.

  We were leaving the museum when a photographer caught us. It was very quick, but he shoved his camera too close, narrowly missing Will’s face with his lens. Josh was furious. He carefully put Will in the car, waited until we were all safely inside and out of earshot before he lit into the cameraman.

  I patted his hand when he got into the car.

  “Does this mean we were photographed together?” Natalie asked, looking upset.

  “I’m sorry for that, Nat.” Josh looked anguished.

  “It’s not that. I guess I’m bummed our first family photo was sort of…lame.” She turned her gaze out the car window, staring at the streets of New York.

  Mom laughed. “Good point, kiddo. I’ll see if I can’t get a better one of you four later. Okay?”

  Natalie smiled. “Thanks, Grams. I’m kinda curious to see how the other one turned out too.”

  We had no more run-ins with the press. I couldn’t tell if Natalie was relieved or disappointed.

  Once we’d checked into our suite, Mom and Natalie dressed and were off to see “Wicked” and have a fancy dinner. Josh had a phone call from some “blokes” and I’d sent him out for a night of fun.

  Will and I began our Guitar Hero stand-off. Will lasted thirty minutes before curling up on the chair, exhausted. He’d beaten me soundly, delighting himself. He was awesome and I told him so over and over again. Once his clear victory was cemented, he picked out a book and we propped up on the pillows for bedtime stories.

  After tucking Will in I flipped off the light and sat on the couch in the suite’s living area. I clicked on my computer, reading through my emails and answering a few before I checked the clock. For the first time in weeks, I was completely alone.

  I opened a book and tried to read but fell asleep in the chair. I hadn’t had a nightmare in weeks, but Daniel was there when sleep found me. It was like most of the other dreams I had. I was running and running but never finding a place where I was safe. And when he finally caught up, I could remember how it felt to have my arm cut, broken ribs, and stitches on my ribcage like it was happening all over again, the phantom pain waking me up.

  I sat forward, shaking uncontrollably as I tried to chase the images from my head. I ran a hand over my face and paced the room a few times, hoping the panic would fade.

  Daniel’s words couldn’t hurt me. I would make certain that my past couldn’t keep spilling over into my present.

  Restless, I turned on the bath. I slid into the warm water and enjoyed a very long bubble bath and two tall glasses of wine. By the time the water was cold and the wine was gone, I was feeling much more relaxed.

  Tomorrow I was going to have to face some difficult facts, but I could do it. I’d been ridiculously naïve to think that Daniel would let things move on without causing a fight. I didn’t want a fight. I didn’t want anyone to fight for me, over me, or use the kids as an excuse to do so. I wanted to leave this all behind and move on.

  My life seemed toxic—an invasive weed that gnawed at my insides and wormed its way into the lives of others. I could send Mom and the kids to Joe’s. Make Josh go away. Remove them from my mess. But I knew they wouldn’t go. And thinking of giving up Josh made my heart hurt.

  I let myself cry then. There wasn’t anyone around to see me.

  *** />
  My eyes had popped open at five a.m. I’d reached out for Josh but encountered the warm body of Will, curled up and sleeping peacefully. I briefly regretted the decision Josh and I had made, but knew that our sharing a bed wasn’t the kind of example I wanted to set for the kids. So he’d slept in his own room, in his own big bed.

  Unable to sleep and not wanting to bother anyone, I’d slipped into my running clothes and headed to the hotel gym. For some reason venturing out onto New York’s unfamiliar streets in the faint morning light wasn’t appealing. I ran on the treadmill for two hours and returned to the room with jelly legs and an exhausted mind.

  Everyone was up.

  “Wow, Mom, you’re all wet and red.” Will wrinkled his nose.

  “When did you leave?” Natalie asked.

  “I couldn’t sleep. So I went for a run.”

  “Not outside?” My mother stared at me with appalled eyes.

  I shook my head. “No. Treadmill in the gym.”

  Josh hugged me, regardless of how sweaty I was. “Morning.” He whispered, “Are you all right?”

  I nodded. “But I need a shower,” I said and hurried off to the shower.

  After a shower, I packed everyone and did a room check. There was nothing left to do, so I went back into the living room of our suite.

  I knew I was fidgeting, but I couldn’t sit still. I envied the relaxed stance of my teenage daughter as she flipped through her magazine. Josh and Will were deeply embroiled in a game of checkers and Mom was reading the paper and drinking her coffee.

  “What time is our flight?” My mother looked over her paper at me curiously.

  I shrugged. “A couple of hours. I’ve already packed everything, so there’s no need to rush.” I paused. “But I did some thinking while I was running. You won’t be going to Texas. You’re going on to California.”

  “Really?” Natalie asked, suddenly smiling from ear to ear.

  “I have a meeting I have to go to. Then I’ll follow you guys. It’ll take less time if I do it on my own, and I really want to get this over with.”

  Josh called out from the floor, “You’ll have your own room in LA, Marty.”

  “Oooh, LA.” My mother smiled at him.

  I shrugged, halfway teasing as I said, “I was going to suggest you all visit Joe.”

  “Or they could come to LA with me.” Josh stood, hopeful.

  I nodded. “Or you could go to LA with Josh.”

  My mother was watching us with interest. “How long will this meeting take?”

  “I plan on catching up with you this evening.” I tried to look relaxed. I had no idea if I was successful or not.

  Josh came to stand before me, speaking softly. “I have the keys to Shannon’s place. We’ll have dinner waiting for you when you get home.”

  Home? He’d have dinner waiting for me, with the kids, at home? I really liked the sound of that. I looked up at him and smiled, noting the sparkle in his eyes. “Mom? What would you like to do?”

  My mother gave me a slightly guilty smile. “Joe’s apartment is so small, Claire.”

  “Okay,” I relented, smiling at Josh as his face lit up. Somehow his smile made things easier.

  Nat’s voice interrupted us. “You can’t go anywhere without being stalked, can you, Josh?” She’d turned on the TV and found an entertainment show. Josh was on the TV, the reporter recounting Stellar Siege and his rise to fame.

  He returned to his spot on the carpet. “There weren’t that many last night, really.” He turned back to his game with Will, undisturbed.

  Nat, Mom, and I peered at the TV, watching him coming and going from several late night hot spots. The consensus was that he was out living up the single life. “When asked where new gal pal Claire Collins was, Josh answered, ‘She’s having a night with the kids.’ Josh Wiley a dad? Oh please. At least we know he’s on the market again, girls.”

  I laughed at the announcer, looking back over my shoulder at him sprawled amongst a pile of pillows with Will playing checkers. If they could only see him now.

  Natalie shook her head. “I know that’s their job, making up stories, but it is kind of rude. I mean, you should be able to hang out with your friends without everyone thinking you and Mom broke up.”

  Josh peered around the corner of the chair at Natalie, making her laugh aloud before he spoke sincerely. “You’re right, it is their job. You’ll know what’s true and what’s not. The rest you should ignore. According to some papers, I’m actually a woman.”

  Natalie burst out laughing again. “Riiight.”

  “No worrying over that,” he affirmed, smiling.

  I watched him as he spoke to my daughter. It thrilled me to see how close they were already.

  “Besides, he’s a good dad,” Will added.

  Josh smiled broadly, clearly delighted by Will’s unintentional compliment. For Will, Josh being a dad was a fact. Josh grabbed Will in a hug, the two of them falling back onto the pallet of pillows they’d set up on the floor. They laughed, then went back to their game.

  My heart felt a little heavier and I looked at the clock. No more unknowns. I wanted to get on with the rest of my life.

  ***

  It was hot. But then Texas usually was.

  Our flight had been uneventful. Will and Natalie were all ears as Josh told them all about the sights of Hollywood.

  “You’re going to become world travelers in no time,” I said.

  “I’m not complaining.” Natalie nudged me. “I think I could get used to it.”

  Will shrugged. “I want to go back to England. There aren’t any dragons here.”

  Josh ruffled Will’s hair. “Seeing that dragon was special. I’ve lived there my whole life but seeing it with you was only the second time I’d found one.”

  Will thought about this then said, “I guess the dragon likes you.”

  Josh had laughed. “Possibly.”

  When we landed, I said quick goodbyes and left them to make their connecting flight to LA. I didn’t want to linger. The sooner I met with Regina, the sooner I’d have a course of action.

  My car was still in long-term parking and I was on the road home in no time. It took almost an hour before I pulled into the driveway and turned off the ignition. I had about twenty minutes to find the papers Regina wanted and make it to her office.

  I unlocked the door and flipped on the light, heading through the kitchen to the office. But something moved, catching my attention.

  Daniel.

  I stared at Daniel, the shock overwhelming the fear. How is he here? He was supposed to be in India. Or England. Not here, in the kitchen.

  He sat at the kitchen counter, the newspaper spread out before him as if it were any normal day. “Home?”

  I stared at him, unsure of what to do or say. My palms were clammy as I leaned heavily against the countertop in an effort to brace myself. I had to keep my cool. And I needed to get out of there.

  He looked at me, his eyes shuttered and cold. “Just you?”

  I felt my hands trembling a little, but ignored them. “Yes.” Thank God the kids were safely at the airport, waiting with Josh and Mom to board their flight to Los Angeles.

  His eyes didn’t waver. “Where are the kids?”

  “With Mom.” I stood a little straighter. Acting frightened wouldn’t help things. “I’m actually running late for a meeting…”

  Daniel stood and I glanced around, stalling. I couldn’t get to the door; he was blocking my path. I had to buy some time, shift things so that I stood a chance of getting out of there without him getting ahold of me.

  I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water slowly. I took a deep breath as I closed the door, knowing he would be standing there when it shut. He was. I tried not to meet his eyes, tried to keep some sort of distance between us. I had to appear impartial, unafraid of him, no matter how I was feeling on the inside.

  He moved a little closer. “What meeting?”

  I
took a few steps back, making sure I wasn’t backing myself into a corner. I paused, opened my bottle of water and took a long sip. “I’m getting published.” I sounded calm, thank God. I didn’t think he could hear the telltale banging of my heart. “I’m going over the contract.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You’re getting published?” He shook his head then sighed. “One of your romances?”

  I shrugged in a way I hoped was noncommittal.

  His eyebrows rose suddenly. “That’s pretty big, huh? Congratulations!” He smiled, but didn’t make any move to hug me or touch me. He just stared, making me more nervous. “I didn’t think you had it in you. It’s nice to be proven wrong.”

  I held myself rigid, only half listening to his words. “Thanks.”

  “Claire.” He cocked his head, taking a deep breath. “I’m glad you’re here. Let’s talk.” He pulled one of the kitchen chairs out for me.

  I stared at the chair. He was being reasonable, for the moment. I had to try. “Give me a minute, please. I have to find the paperwork.” I went into the study before he could stop me. I tried to find my phone, rifling quickly through my large purse with mounting frustration.

  He was walking to the study door. “I think I’ve managed to get everything out of the house. I saw the sign in the yard. You’re right. We should sell, so we can start over someplace neutral.”

  Where is my phone?

  My heart was pounding, making my ears ring. I sat at my desk, flipping through the papers in the drawer until I found the manila envelope Regina needed. I slid it into my purse and wiped my palms on my thighs. I stood, staring at the mirror on the wall. Photos of the kids were stuck around the edge, reminding me that they weren’t here.

  They were safe. But I wasn’t.

  I fumbled through the purse again, barely keeping the panic at bay. No phone. And the only house phone was in the kitchen.

  I took a steadying breath and went back into the kitchen. I moved quickly, making my way to the door without hesitating.

  But his hand caught my wrist. His bright blue eyes flitted over my face. “We’re going to talk.”