“I can’t believe that kid of mine,” Tony said.
“I can. She’s got more guts than sense. Like you.”
Tony jammed the elevator call button. “Jealous?”
Jack added several frustrated button pushes of his own. “Nope. I’ve got my own dynamite primed.”
They exchanged long looks and pushed into the elevator car before the doors had finished opening.
Chapter Nineteen
Jack pulled in a quick breath. Cristal and the reporter who’d asked the pointed questions at the press conference sat together at a small table in a deserted cocktail lounge. A cameraman waited to the side, lights off.
He grabbed Tony’s shoulder to gain his attention. “You think we’re too late?”
Tony shrugged.
Cristal stood as they gained the table. “Dad. I can handle this.”
Tony stuck his hands in his front pockets. “Not saying you can’t. We’re here as back-up.” He leaned back on his heels. His eyes narrowed. “Nobody hassles my little girl.”
“Da-ad. I arranged the interview, okay? It’s way past time to stop the gossip.”
They locked gazes. “You know some people still think the moon shot was faked, right?”
“Yeah,” she said. “And Elvis, JFK, and Jim Morrison are alive.”
He nodded, his lips curving up. “That’s my girl.”
Jack slid into a chair at the adjoining table. His back muscles were tight, on the verge of spasms. He knew Cristal was right, but wished she’d chosen another path.
The reporter fidgeted. “So are you ready to make your statement on the record? We’d like to get back in time for the noon slot.”
She smiled. “I know about timing. And you won’t hesitate to use what I told you off record. I’m not a dumb kid. I saw the record light glowing on the camera. Yeah, start filming.”
The reporter gestured to his cameraman, and bright lights flicked on.
She looked directly into the camera lens. “I’m Cristal Shaw, my dad is Tony Shaw of The Rough Cuts. For years, people have gossiped that I’m really Jack’s Reed’s daughter. I’m here to tell you the truth.”
Jack admired the slight pause she took. No one could bash her poise or timing.
“My birth mother named Jack Reed in a bogus paternity suit for revenge. Medical reports prove my father was Billy Hatter, a member of the Cuts’ technical crew who died before I was born. Jack has kept quiet even when reporters continued printing unsubstantiated rumors as truth.” She turned her gaze to Jack and the camera followed. “He’s one of my favorite people, but he’s not, and never will be, my father.”
Standing, she moved to crouch next to Tony. “Tony Shaw and his wife Liz are the best parents on the planet.” She kissed him on the cheek. He slung his arm over her shoulders. “Jack Reed didn’t pay anyone to adopt me. Tony and Liz, my real mom and dad, gave me a life I never would have had without them.”
She rose and laid her hand on Tony’s shoulder. “I know some of you are disappointed in the truth, but that’s all I have for you. Thanks for listening.” Cristal made the universal finger across the neck gesture.
The camera lights died.
The reporter checked his watch. He caught Jack’s eye then Tony’s. “So now that Cristal has set the record straight, how about you two? We could put off the report for the evening news.”
Tony grabbed Cristal in a tight hug. “My girl said it all better than I could.”
“Jack?” The reporter picked up his pen. “Want to address the recent statement regarding your son? The person you’ve never acknowledged before now? And what about Glynnis McKinney? You getting back with her? The photos of you two kissing are pretty steamy.”
He fought to keep a straight face as a spasm wracked his lower back. He lowered his head as the camera lights lit up the table in front of him. Breathing through his nose, he fought the waves of pain.
Tony moved to block the camera. Cristal positioned herself next to him.
“I asked you here to make my story public, not to ambush Jack,” Cristal said. “He’s already made his statement and asked for privacy. You’d better leave or you’ll miss your noon slot.”
The room darkened, and chairs scraping against tile floors filled Jack’s hearing. He breathed through his nose, willing away the last of the spasms.
A business card appeared on the table before him. “Let me know when you’re ready to talk, Jack. I promise to go easy on you.”
He didn’t, couldn’t move as another spasm hit. He white knuckled the chair arms after Tony guided the two newsmen away.
Cristal placed her mouth next to his ear. “Jack, are you okay?”
He gave one short nod.
“Geez, I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t mean for you and Dad to get hooked in.”
“‘Sokay.”
Tony returned. “Hey man, they’re gone and the lobby is almost clear. Let’s get upstairs.”
They moved as quickly as possible to the elevator and back to the room. By the time they arrived, his spasms had quit, replaced by the stiffness and aches they always left behind.
Sally stood and moved to his side. “Your back?”
Apparently she saw the answer in his face.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
“Don’t know if I’m good for much action, babe.”
She snorted. “You will be when I’m through with you.”
Tony laughed, threw his arm around Cristal, and they left.
“Relax, I’ve got this,” Sally told Carlos and Abby. “We have enough time to get Jack feeling better before leaving.”
He grabbed her hand. “You’re headed back to Blue Peak? I’d hoped—”
“Who said we’re going home? You invited us to stay one more night and that’s our plan.” She helped him lie on the bed. “Besides, we wouldn’t have room service, limousines, or mega-thread count sheets at home. This first class living you do is addictive.”
Jack searched Sally’s expression, identifying both a spark of humor and a wrinkle of worry.
“I’ve got some medication in the bathroom.”
“You don’t need Big Pharma when you’ve got me.” She wiggled her fingers. “Prepare to find nirvana.”
“Good band,” he replied. He closed his eyes.
****
Sally closed the door to the bedroom and moved to the suite’s seating area. She sank onto the chair across from Carlos and Abby.
Her son’s forehead wrinkled. “How is he?”
“Sleeping. He’ll be good to go by the time the car gets here.”
“Mitch stopped by. He said to let Jack rest through sound check. He’ll send a car later.”
She let out a slow breath. “Good. Now all we have to do is keep Jack in bed.”
Abby grinned. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to handle that assignment.”
Her face heated. “Resting. Jack needs a short bed rest.”
“Right.”
Abby drawled the word and gave it a twist. Sally avoided her stare by looking out the window.
“Mom, this back spasm thing. It’s caused by stress, right?” Carlos’s comment was more a statement than a question.
She studied her son’s expression. “Could be.” She shook her head. “You’re the psychologist of the family. What’s your diagnosis?”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He laced his fingers with Abby’s. “We’ve been talking, and we think the best thing is to grant an interview.”
She opened and closed her mouth without voicing a thought.
“Yeah, I know that could create problems, but we figure combined with Cristal’s statement, the interview may give us all a break. Besides, Jack’s been the best father he could be under the circumstances, I hate to cause him pain.”
Abby leaned forward. “I know you treasure your privacy and so do we. But the reporters won’t leave until we give them something so bland, normal, they won’t look for more.”
Sally glanced between
them. “You understand that your private wedding may be invaded. Reporters will try to crash your reception in case Jack is there. People you’ve known for years will treat you differently. All because of this news.”
They exchanged glances. “We control who enters our home. We can hire security for the reception. We’ve already issued formal invitations to the reception, but it’s not too late to mail out a card required for admittance.”
“You’ve thought it out, I see. Have you also considered that one of your friends or customers could sell you out to the tabloids?”
“Then they’d be selling themselves out,” Carlos said. “Because they’d be banned from the coffee house and the rest of my real friends would make sure they weren’t welcome anywhere in town.”
“Do you really think the folks in Blue Peak won’t get behind us?” Abby asked. “I know I haven’t lived there long, but that’s one close-knit town.”
“Abby’s right, Mom. I’d like your approval on our plans because you’re sure to get pulled in to the hoopla. But not responding to Dad’s fame isn’t healthy.”
“My intuition insists this is a bad idea.” She leaned back against the chair. “But, that could be my fear. You’re right about not facing up to Jack’s fans. I’ve never been one to deny the obvious.”
Abby raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me? You’ve been denying your love for Jack for decades. When will you—”
Carlos placed his fingers over her mouth. “Shush. You know how stubborn she is.”
When had her son taken a parental role? She didn’t like the switch in positions. “Now see here, you two.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind hearing more of what Abby has on her mind.”
Jack’s rough post-sleep voice sounded behind her. She looked over her shoulder at him leaning against the doorjamb with one hand behind his back. His jeans rode low on his hips, and he was shirtless. He scratched his broad chest, his fingers ruffling his salt and pepper hair. Her mouth watered.
“As I was saying,” Abby began.
Sally held up her hand. “Hold it.” She looked at Jack. “You should be in bed. Resting. The car isn’t coming until later. Mitch is getting someone to fill in for sound check.”
“Good.” He pulled his hand from behind his back and waggled a small bottle. “The maid left a new bottle of bath oil. I thought you might like to try the stuff.” He unscrewed the bottle and sniffed. “A little spicy. Like you.”
Her face heated. “I don’t think I want a bath, but thanks.”
“Not so much fun when the sandal is on the other foot, is it, Sally?” Abby waggled her eyebrows.
She glared at her. “What do you mean?”
Her future daughter-in-law raised her eyebrows. “As I said. You think it’s fine and dandy to push two people together, as long as you’re not the one being persuaded.”
“I didn’t—”
“Don’t even go there, Mom. She’s got your number inked in gold leaf on parchment.”
“Come on, babe. The spa jets will help with this pain I’ve got,” Jack said.
His aura held a smidgen of darkness at the base of his spine. “Pain my ass.”
He grinned. “Glad to know some things never change.” He tilted the bottle in Sally’s direction. “Hot water? Jets?”
She stood and pointed at Carlos. “Don’t even think about copying your father’s blatant attempts at seduction with Abby. She deserves suave.”
Abby curled up against Carlos. “Oh, don’t worry, Sally. He’s got moves of his own.”
She threw her hands over her ears. “Not what a mother wants to hear.”
Carlos grinned. “No? Good. Then you’ll stop bugging us about grandchildren.”
Understanding she’d given away that bargaining point for now, she turned and headed for Jack. “Come on, big boy. Let’s see about those jets.”
****
She relaxed against Jack’s chest. Hot, scented water lapped over the arms he’d wrapped around her.
“What about Abby and her mother? I don’t want Abby losing her family over me,” he said.
“You’ve met Marge. I called your mother. She’s dealt with snobs for years. She can handle one more.”
“My mother would like the opportunity to be a grandmother from more than at a distance.”
His tone held a nuance she couldn’t catch. Perhaps he meant that Eleanor lived hundreds of miles away. Was she thinking of moving closer? What would that mean to all of them? Another thought dawned. She felt his chest rise in a long inhale, but interrupted before he could derail her sudden need for specific information.
“You never had more children, Jack. Why is that? I thought when you remarried you’d start a new family.”
His muscles tensed under her. Her question had cued a rapid response.
“You mean because I acted as if I didn’t have a family already?”
She caressed the back of his hands. “I apologize. I meant that Eleanor seems so happy to know Carlos, and your father—”
“Wanted a grandson to carry on the family name. Yeah.”
His exhale felt cool against her wet hair.
“I had a vasectomy years ago. I wanted to stick it to my old man. You should have seen his face when I told him Carlos would be the only grandson he’d ever have.”
She examined the light emanating from around his hands. “Your aura tells me something more, sweetie. That decision had more to do with conviction than emotional pain. What’s the truth?”
“Crap. Now I know why Abby is learning this woo-woo shit from you. It’s her only defense against your insights. Can men learn this crap?”
She pushed her elbow into his side.
“Oomph. Okay, I give.”
His arms tightened around her.
“I couldn’t stand losing you and Carlos. I never wanted to feel that pain again. Or make another person think I didn’t care enough to be in their life.” He rested his chin on her crown.
“Mitch told me. About your skating on the edge. I thought you enjoyed the parties. I believed—” she swallowed around a lump “—that you wanted the high life more than us.”
He rested his cheek against hers. “Shh. Not important.”
“Jack, how can the very public life you lead not be important? I’ve seen the way everyone caters to you, gives you stuff even before you ask. Criminy, this life is addictive. I’d maim someone to have a bathroom like this. And the fluffy towels? Pure heaven.”
“I meant the past, babe. We’ll figure out the future as we go, okay?”
“Okay, yes. You’re right.”
He kissed the back of her neck. “Would a dozen do?”
“A dozen of what?”
“The towels. I’ll have the concierge send a dozen to you. Unless you want more in some other colors?”
Her laughter echoed off the marble even as she wondered what he held back.
Chapter Twenty
“Dad, I asked Mitch to arrange an interview with a reporter from the same station Cristal called.” Carlos looked worried but not afraid. “We thought it’d be good to have both stories air on the same day. Get the hassle over with. They’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“I wish you’d have checked with me first.” Jack clenched his jaw. “You don’t need to expose yourself this way, Carlos. Not to mention giving me a little advance notice.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt your bath,” Carlos said.
Jack slammed a fist to his hip. “I don’t need your protection, but you sure as hell need mine. I’m sitting in and you can bet your ass I’ll shut the reporter down at the first sign of trouble.”
“And I’m the one who pushed Jack from your life, so I’ll be here, too,” Sally said.
“Babe, you don’t know what you’re saying. This won’t be a college symposium. The scene could get nasty, quick. Don’t open your life up for me.”
“That’s enough from both of you,” Carlos said. “I’m an adult. I can handle this. Besi
des, we won’t be talking with a Sunday night national news reporter known for hard-hitting interviews. Mitch promised. He said he knew who to ask. A woman who is thorough but fair, someone who owes him a favor.”
Jack ran his hands through his hair. “Christ. This doesn’t feel right.”
“Now you sound like Mom,” Carlos said.
“Is that such a bad thing?”
“Nope.” The two shared grins.
A knock sounded at the door. Jack checked his watch. “That’s gotta be Mitch with the reporter. Are we ready?” He caught Sally’s eye. “Last chance.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t blame you if something goes wrong.”
A chill hit his spine. He hoped she wouldn’t change her mind later, after he told her about the P.I. reports. He opened the door and his gut churned. Not a woman reporter, but the dickhead who’d gotten Cristal on tape that morning. This guy was a cluster waiting to happen.
Mitch bustled in and pulled Jack aside. “I know, man. Not what we expected. My reporter choice had a family emergency.”
Jack groaned.
“Look, if we cancel now, it’ll look bad. Carlos committed to an interview with the station, not a specific person. If they want to switch representatives, they have that right.” He placed his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “I’m sitting in on this. Don’t worry.”
He wanted to rail at Mitch. Instead, he watched the reporter and cameraman check out the suite. He figured they conferred on the best camera angles while speculating on sleeping arrangements. “Mitch, I want your promise that you’ll shut them down the second it looks like the interview is going south. Got that?”
“Goes without saying.”
Mitch could be trusted in a tight spot. That hadn’t and wouldn’t change. Too bad Jack couldn’t trust himself. He’d walked away from his family instead of learning how to protect them. Time to grow some balls.
The reporter held out his hand. “Sig Daniels. We didn’t have a chance to introduce ourselves last time we met.”
Jack eyed his hand then grasped it and shook. He introduced his family and settled next to Sally on the couch. Carlos and Abby were on the love seat across from them. Mitch stood next to the cameraman.
Déjà Vu All Over Again Page 18
