Hollywood Enigma: Hollywood Name Game Book 5

by Alexa Aston

  And now he couldn’t think of a life without her.

  Scarlett retrieved her cell phone and told Wynn she would look over the contracts and forward them to Henry Lymon, the attorney that would step in for her tomorrow. He let the kids ask him questions about Carbon Man and all of the other friends in the Alpha Tharra Universe while Scarlett reviewed the legal documents. They arrived at the Corrigans’ house and Scarlett received cheers when she said the children could skip their baths tonight since it was getting late. Wynn was put in charge of getting Kyle ready for bed as Scarlett went off with Cadence to do the same.

  Once Kyle had dressed for bed, Wynn bit back a smile as he saw Kyle wore Carbon Man pajamas. It was mildly embarrassing seeing his own face staring back at him.

  “Do you ever go on set with your dad?” he asked as Kyle combed his hair and readied his toothbrush with toothpaste.

  “Sometimes. He tells us it’s all pretend. Even the blood. I’ve watched the FX guys mix it up.” A shadow crossed Kyle’s face.

  Wynn put an arm around the young boy. “You’re remembering your dad today?”

  “Yeah. That blood was real.” He sniffed. “I thought . . . I thought Daddy was gonna die.”

  Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Wynn’s waist and began sobbing. Wynn let him cry it out, a little boy who’d put on a brave face all day. Spent, Kyle wiped his eyes with the back of his hands.

  “Feel better?” he asked.

  Kyle nodded.

  “That doesn’t get you out of brushing your teeth,” he cautioned.

  A sweet smile lit Kyle’s face. “You’re really nice, Mr. Wynn. Are you Auntie Scarlett’s boyfriend?”

  Wynn nodded. “I am. She may not have figured that out yet.”

  Kyle looked startled. “But she’s so smart.”

  “I know. That’s one of the things I like about her.” He smoothed Kyle’s hair. “I’m not going anywhere. I like your aunt. A lot. A whole lot.”

  Kyle thought a moment. “Do you love her?”

  Wynn spoke truthfully. “I do. I haven’t told her yet so keep that under your hat.”

  The boy frowned. “I’m not wearing a hat.”

  “It’s an expression. It means keep it quiet. Keep it a secret for now. Just between you and me.”

  “Oh, okay.” Kyle picked up his toothbrush and cleaned his teeth.

  When he finished, Wynn said, “Let’s go see if Cadence is ready.”

  “I’ll show you her room,” Kyle said. “It’s all pink. That’s a girl color.” Taking Wynn’s hand, Kyle led him down the hallway.

  When Cadence spied Wynn, she twirled, her bubblegum pink nightgown swirling around her.

  “I like those fuzzy pink socks,” Wynn said. “I may have to get me some.” He glanced to Kyle. “Even if it’s a girl color.”

  “Let’s call Mommy and Daddy,” Cadence said. She ran to her dresser and picked up a pink iPad and then scrambled onto her bed. “Come on, everybody,” she demanded.

  “Wait a minute, Cadence,” Scarlett cautioned. “First, we need to talk about something important.”

  Wynn wondered what would be more important than talking to their dad and being reassured Rhett was okay.

  Scarlett knelt and took both children’s hand in hers. “I know it was very scary to see your daddy get hurt today.”

  Cadence sniffled and nodded. Kyle’s bottom lip poked out.

  “The doctors at the hospital really helped fix him but it’s going to take some time for him to feel all better.”

  “Does he still feel bad now?” Kyle asked.

  “Probably,” she said truthfully, surprising Wynn. “He still looks a little banged up. And he has a bandage on his head so don’t be scared when you see that. The doctors put it there, just like when you skin your knee and Mommy puts a bandage on it.”

  “I get Carbon Man Band-Aids,” Kyle said, grinning at Wynn, who grinned back.

  “Well, the hospital didn’t have any Carbon Man ones,” Scarlett pointed out.

  “Then maybe Mr. Wynn can get one for Daddy’s head,” said Cadence, looking at him hopefully.

  Knowing no bandage with a Carbon Man image would be large enough for the bullet that grazed Rhett’s head, Wynn said, “Hospital doctors use special bandages that will make your daddy get better in no time so he better use the ones they gave him.”

  Both children nodded, accepting his response.

  “Okay, let’s call your daddy now,” Scarlett said.

  The four of them settled on the bed, Scarlett and Wynn leaning against an array of pillows and Kyle and Cadence sitting in their laps. Without being told what to do, Cadence fired up her tablet and pressed the screen with dizzying speed. Suddenly, Cassie and Rhett appeared.

  “Mommy! Daddy!” the little girl cried gleefully.

  “Hi,” Kyle said shyly, leaning close to his sister.

  Rhett looked tired and vulnerable but Wynn watched a transformation come over him as he began speaking with his kids. This wasn’t acting. Seeing his children caused Rhett to perk up, drawing strength from just the sight of them. He and Cassie asked about everything they had done with Drew and Harper at the Monroes and both kids chatted happily.

  Scarlett’s fingers found his, giving Wynn a deep sense of satisfaction.

  “You can come see me tomorrow,” Rhett promised.

  “Do you hurt, Daddy?” Cadence asked. “Your head looks funny with that big bandage.”

  “I do, sweetheart, but the doctors helped fixed my boo-boos. I’m going to have to work really hard to get strong again.”

  “You mean exercise, Daddy,” Cadence prompted. “I can help you.”

  “I know you can, love.”

  Cassie spoke up. “It’s time for you two and Daddy to get some sleep.”

  “Mr. Wynn’s gonna read me American Girl,” Cadence said happily.

  “Oh, he is? One chapter, Cadence. Then bed.”

  “Okay, Mommy.”

  “Thanks again for taking the kids,” Cassie said. “See you tomorrow.” She and Rhett blew kisses at the screen and then ended the connection.

  Wynn read Cadence her chapter while Scarlett went off to read one to Kyle. After they tucked both children in for the night, he and Scarlett returned downstairs.

  “You’re really good with kids,” she told him.

  “I don’t know the first thing about them. Other than I was once a kid.”

  She smiled. “They liked you. Kids don’t tolerate phoniness. You were yourself with them. That’s all you need to be.”

  He slipped his arms around her. “You’re a great aunt to them.” He touched his mouth to hers for a slow, sweet kiss. “I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted. It’s been quite a day.”

  “You can leave now,” she said.

  “I don’t want to.” Wynn kissed her again. “All I want is to curl up with you next to me and fall asleep.”

  Scarlett took his hand and led him back upstairs to a guest room.

  “This is where I usually stay.”

  They removed the throw pillows and turned back the covers.

  “Normally, I’d strip off my clothes,” she said, “but if one of the kids has a nightmare, I want to be able to reach them as quickly as possible.”

  “Clothes are fine with me,” Wynn said, pulling off his shoes and collapsing onto the bed.

  Scarlett removed her shoes and turned out the light, leaving the door open and a dim light shining in the hallway. She climbed next to him and allowed Wynn to pull her close, her cheek resting against his chest.

  “We should set a phone alarm,” she murmured. “I need to get the kids to school. You’ll need to go home and change in order to get to your meeting at Rylon. You can meet Henry there. Henry Lymon.”

  “Why Henry Lymon?” he asked, wondering what went into her choice of a substitute in tomorrow’s legal proceedings.

  “He’s not only the managing partner at Lymon McGraw but the brightest guy in the office. He’s quick, ruthless, and
the person I’d want representing me—especially if Rylon tries to turn things south.”

  “You anticipate they will?”

  “No. In fact, Rylon only made one slight change to the contracts I wrote. Still, it gives me peace of mind to know Henry will have perused them before you go in together and that he’ll be at the signing in case they try to throw any last-minute curve balls.”

  He yawned. “Okay. I’m fine with Henry for tomorrow as long as you’re my attorney of record for everything else,” Wynn told her sleepily, drifting off.

  CHAPTER 17

  Once Scarlett fed Kyle and Cadence breakfast and helped them dress, Wynn dropped the children at school and returned to the Corrigan house. The past month had been one the happiest he’d experienced as he’d become deeply enmeshed in the Corrigans’ lives. He hadn’t felt as full of energy or carefree since when he’d first discovered acting back in college.

  Or so giddy. That wild, free, exciting feeling of falling in love. Spending a good portion of every day with the woman who’d come to mean everything to him.

  Scarlett had done exactly as she said and cashed in on her plethora of vacation days from Lymon McGraw. She’d tag teamed with Wynn the first two weeks, helping Rhett and Cassie in multiple ways while he finished his hospital stay. The couple decided taking Rhett to rehab twice a day, as the physical therapist at the hospital suggested, would only be a distraction to other patients’ recoveries. Instead, they’d hired a professional to come to their home. Rhett had a full gym at his disposal and privacy in which to rehab his injured knee. He said he could concentrate better and work harder without having to worry about cell phones recording his every move or facing the paparazzi coming and going multiple times a day. He also saw a trauma therapist who came to the house twice a week. Though he found it hard to talk about the incident, he indicated he was making progress.

  Once Rhett settled into a routine, Cassie did, as well. She’d attacked the Carbon Man screenplay with enthusiasm and had already knocked out the first draft, placing it in Breck’s hands. Now, she tinkered with the untitled Mark Brockwell project until Breck made his additions and deletions to the Carbon Man script and returned it for her final approval.

  That meant Scarlett had begun working again, as she remained in the guest bedroom she’d taken over. She didn’t return to the office but handled things from Rhett’s house, with her main focus getting the Monroes’ company up and running. She tried to accomplish what she needed to do during the hours Kyle and Cadence were in school and then she and Wynn spent time with the kids. Since Dash and Sydney’s children were often present, Wynn had gotten to know Drew and Harper, as well. Being around the four bright, inquisitive children only cemented the fact that he would enjoy fatherhood.

  With his future settled, thanks to Henry Lymon accompanying Wynn to the Rylon Pictures meeting and efficiently handling the signing of the contracts that Scarlett had written and approved of, Wynn began to hang around Dash DeLauria quite a bit, gleaning every tidbit he could about RCDS and how the production company was run. Wynn had many ideas spinning in his head and was glad he wasn’t working at the moment as he built computer files with all of the thoughts he had.

  It was the reason he wanted to speak with Rhett this morning.

  Wynn entered the house and went straight to the home gym. He could see that the morning physical therapy session was wrapping up. Rhett had been a good sport and allowed the kids to come and help him work out when they were home. Seeing the famous actor’s patience with his young children, despite the agony the PT sessions brought on as he worked to bring his knee back the level it had once been at, made Wynn admire Rhett even more.

  The therapist said, “We’ll go again at three, Rhett. Do fifteen minutes on the stationary bike and then hit the sauna.”

  Wynn waved at the therapist and ambled over as Rhett climbed onto the bike. “Do you have time to talk?”

  “Let me get my bike time in first,” Rhett said. “I’m still building my stamina. Riding and talking is a little hard for me when I need to concentrate.”

  “You got it.”

  Wynn decided to spend the time productively and lifted weights while Rhett finished up. He liked having access to a home gym and had given serious thought to putting in one at his Malibu place.

  When Rhett finished, he invited Wynn to the sauna. Both men stripped off their clothes and wrapped towels around their torsos before seating themselves. The heat soaked into Wynn as he leaned against the wall.

  “Before we talk, I have to thank you for everything you’ve done, Wynn. You’ve really eased the burden on Cassie, which has allowed her to go back to writing. She’s on fire writing for you. My girl is never happier than when she’s deep into a story.”

  “I’m happy to help out, Rhett. I hadn’t expected Cassie to go back to the screenplay as quickly as she did. I know how worried she was about you. With time off from filming, though, I don’t mind doing whatever needs to be done.”

  “My kids adore you. And not just because your Carbon Man,” Rhett added. “They really like you.” He studied Wynn a moment. “I also see how Scarlett looks at you and vice versa.”

  “I’m crazy about your sister, Rhett. I’ve made no secret about that.”

  “She’s different with you. More relaxed. More . . . Scarlett. I hope you’ll be sticking around.”

  “That’s up to her. From my end, I’d love to make things permanent.”

  Rhett’s brows shot up. “Have you said anything to her?”

  “Not yet. I’m hoping she’s enjoying being with me as much as I am with her.”

  Rhett smiled. “Not that you need it but you definitely have mine and Cassie’s approval, not to mention Kyle and Cadence in your corner.”

  “You’ve got a great family, Rhett. Hopefully, one day I can have the same with Scarlett. That’s not what I wanted to talk about, though. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. How I want to change my life.”

  “I totally understand. I was branded nothing more than an action hero a decade ago, although a very good one who made the studios a hell of a lot of money. Thanks to Cassie—and Breck—I was able to break out of that mold and pursue other things.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I feel blessed to have the career I’ve had up to this point. Two successful TV series in my twenties. Being able to transition from TV into an enormous film franchise. Like you, Cassie and Breck will be instrumental in helping me shift direction in my career. That’s not what I want to talk about, though. I’ve got other changes in mind.”

  Intrigue lit Rhett’s face. “Go on.”

  “I’ve been picking Dash’s brain for a couple of weeks now and have sat in on a few production meetings with him. I’d like to start my own production company. Not strictly as a vehicle for Wynn Gallagher films but a way to help young filmmakers get their start in the industry. Like Redford did with Sundance years ago.”

  “I’ll warn you up front. It takes a lot of time and startup money. You need to have smart, talented people in place. Ones you can trust. I’d certainly let Scarlett take on incorporating you. She’s a genius when it comes to setting up a business. RCDS wouldn’t exist in the form it is now without her direction and input.”

  “She’s definitely my attorney and I’d have her put it together. I still have a lot to think about but I believe it would be not only an investment in our future but one for independent filmmakers.” Wynn paused. “That’s not all I’m thinking about.”

  Rhett laughed heartily. “Give an actor too much time off and see what trouble he can get in to. What else is on your mind?”

  “I’ve been impressed with the charitable foundations you and Knox have set up.”

  “Knox’s is about to explode with their new concept in design for babies and toddlers. He and London will do a lot of good for kids with dyslexia. What cause are you thinking about supporting?”

  “I want something close to my heart so I can share that passion with others. I didn’t
discover acting until I was in college and had to earn a liberal arts credit for my mathematics degree.”

  Surprise flickered across Rhett’s face. “You were a math nerd? Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”

  “I worshipped the practicality of numbers, even though I was never the geek with the pocket protector. I still do all my own taxes. Being comfortable with numbers is what gives me the confidence to start the production company as well as a foundation. Back to my idea, I found acting liberating. Even with my left brain tendencies, it was something that spoke to my heart. With the push today in schools for STEM education, I’m afraid the fine arts are getting swept under the rug.”

  “You want your foundation to focus on fine arts education. Music. Acting. Art. Dance.”

  “Exactly. I’ve talked to Knox about how he’s gotten his dyslexia curriculum and training materials into public schools. It’s given me a few ideas. I’m not opposed to using my Carbon Man fame to wriggle my way in. I think giving kids an outlet through the arts would help in so many areas. Depression. Bullying. Anyway, it’s what I want to raise funds for.”

  Wynn paused. “To that end, I’ve met with Sarah Hartnett to discuss what goes into the day-to-day work at your foundation, as well as what the big picture entails. I met her at your charity event and liked her enthusiasm.”

  “Sarah is a great assistant. In fact, if Miranda ever moves on, I’ll ask Sarah to head my foundation.”

  “How much would you hate me if I said I wanted to hire her away to lead mine?”

  Rhett chuckled. “A little. Not a lot. It would be a great opportunity for Sarah to learn and grow. Plus, if Miranda did leave, I’d just wave more money under Sarah’s nose and hire her right back.”

  Wynn relaxed, knowing Rhett would be fine with losing the bright young woman from his staff.

  “That’s another conversation to have with Scarlett, though. She’s set up both mine and Knox’s charities. It’s a lot of work. You might want to choose either the production company or the foundation and get one off the ground before tackling both.”

  “I’ll talk to her about it and see what her strategy is.”