Chapter 13

THERE WEREtimes when he hated to travel, and every single one of the past twelve hours fell into that category. Rachel had traveled with him as far as Chicago. She'd made sure he got on his flight and hadn't been bothered before taking her own flight on to her next assignment.

"Are you sure I can't entice you to stay on?" Lucas had asked her.

Rachel had paused a few seconds. "Let me think about it. I love what I do, and I get to meet the most amazing people. I promise to give it some thought, though." That was all he could ask.

Lucas settled into his seat, put on headphones and a sleep mask, downed a couple of whiskeys, and went to sleep. He woke hours later when it was time to deplane. Karen ushered him through the terminal with her usual efficiency, and they got his luggage and went right to the car with a minimum of fuss. Traffic was its usual mess, and it took well over an hour to get home.

Lucas took his bag to his room before wandering through the empty house, with its wall of glass overlooking the pool and the city beyond. The house had three bedrooms, an open living and kitchen area, and an office. It wasn't huge, but it felt empty after two weeks with Matthew and the kids.

"Where would you like me to start?" Karen asked.

Lucas shook his head. "What I want you to do is go home and take a rest for a few days. You went above and beyond, and I appreciate it so much. Go out with some friends." He pulled out his wallet and handed her two hundred-dollar bills. "Have some fun." He pressed them into her hand. "I'll be fine for a few days."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes. Go. And thank you for everything." He gave her a smile, and she left the house, probably before he had a chance to change his mind. Once he was alone, he unpacked and tried to get a sense of being back once more.

Lucas loved his house, but it seemed different now. He couldn't help wondering what Matthew would think of it… or what the kids would think. He could almost see Carl running through the house in his bathing suit and swimmies, ready to jump in the pool, or Will asking if it was okay for him to read in the shade of the cabana. Brianna would have dolls placed on the big living room chairs, and Gregory would bomb the carpet with Legos. Instead, the house looked like something out of a magazine or a set from a movie: beautiful, perfect, and lifeless.

He poured a drink and flopped into one of the chairs, then put his feet up. Ice tinkled in the glass as he sipped, and he sighed, then practically jumped at the doorbell. He wasn't expecting anyone, but then…. He set his glass on a coaster and got up to peer outside to see who was there.

"Couldn't you wait until tomorrow?" Lucas asked as he let Leon inside. "I got home an hour ago."

"Where's Karen? Don't you still have security? What about the guy stalking you?" Leon took off his jacket. "At least you're back and we can make arrangements so you'll have all the security you need to keep those kinds of people away from you." He wandered into the living room and poured himself a drink like he owned the place. "Everything is going to be fine now."

"Yes, it will. I'm all set to start filming on Monday." Lucas sat back down and picked up his drink, wanting to lure Leon in. "Karen has been very busy setting up a number of appointments for me for this week."

"I see. What kind of appointments? I'm going to need some time with you. There are a number of offers that have come in, and I want to talk them over with you. I have a couple of film projects that will be ready to begin next year, and there's a Netflix series that looks very promising. From what I can see, you are going to be very busy."

"So are you," Lucas retorted.

"I know. Keeping an eye on everything you're doing is going to take a lot of time." He actually smiled.

Lucas finished his drink. "That isn't what I mean. You're going to be busy in court, and you have plenty to answer for. Let's start with contacting Anthony—Ruetoyou—and forwarding him information on where I was going to be." He watched the shocked and put-upon expression. It was almost comical. Leon couldn't act for shit. "Before you deny it, although you covered your tracks really well, you got sloppy, and the bill for the airline ticket was sent to my business manager." He leaned forward. "What the hell were you trying to accomplish, anyway?"

Leon ground his jaw, and his eyes burned while his cheeks reddened. "I needed to get you back here."

"What? You were afraid I was going to stay there?"

Leon rolled his eyes. "Please. All it took was those first pictures of you playing with those kids and then the way you looked at that guy from high school and I knew I was right. You were falling for the guy. I could tell. I had to get you back here."

Lucas stood, took Leon's glass, and set it aside. "You were an idiot—a controlling, screwed-up idiot. But you did me a favor. See, I also messaged Marcus and had him review everything that you've submitted on my behalf, and he found a number of items that you had flagged that I had approved… but didn't." He hoped his gaze was withering.

"Of course you did," Leon countered. "You just don't remember."

Lucas shook his head. "I would remember authorizing you to take a trip to Paris, and as I remember, that was where you went on vacation last March. You asshole, charging that trip to me and thinking I wouldn't figure it out. Well, I have, and Bernie is in the process of charging back all improperly allocated expenses. All payments going forward will come to him, and he will pay you your cut less these expenses." Lucas's temper kept growing. "Oh, and in case you don't understand, you are fired. How dare you send someone to track me, and how dare you undermine my family, my friends, and me by telling anyone in the press where I am?" He heaved a deep breath.

"You know I'll sue," Leon said, his eyes raging.

"And if you do, then I'll present every shred of evidence to Anthony, my stalker. He'll make sure it gets reported, very publicly, how you ripped me off and had him follow me. How you even paid for his plane ticket. All of that will come to light. Not only will you have no reputation left, but you'll end up in jail." Lucas tapped him on the chest. "My thinking is that you should announce your retirement from this business and find something else to do." He was done. "See yourself out." He pointed and waited until Leon left the house before slumping in the chair.

He picked up his phone to call Karen, but remembered that he had given her the day off. Using the internet, he located a locksmith and requested immediate service. He'd change all the locks, and Bernie was already handling the accounting and financial pieces. Now he just needed a new agent, but he could start that process in the morning.

THE LIGHTSwere out and the house was quiet. Lucas lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He checked the clock by the side of the bed and groaned. He had been home less than twelve hours and missed Matthew already. He rolled over in the empty king-size bed, wishing he could talk to Matthew, but it was early morning there, and he wasn't going to wake him. Instead, he got up and pulled on a robe. Opening the sliding glass doors, he slipped out into the warm night and down to the pool. After dropping the robe poolside, he slipped into the water and lay back, looking up at the light-polluted sky. What a difference from the sky back in Michigan, where the stars seemed so close he could touch them. Here everything seemed so far away.

After lying in the water for half an hour, he got out and pulled on his robe before going inside. It was nearly four in the morning, and he was tired now. He slid under the covers and fell asleep, only to wake a few hours later to his phone vibrating on the bedside table.

"Yes," he answered blearily.

"I heard you dumped your agent." It was Barry. Apparently word traveled fast.

"I did. He was stealing from me and was way too controlling." He left off the details. There was no need to spread those around. It was enough that the word was already spreading. "What can I do for you?"

"I need to run through some dialog edits. There are a few places where your voice didn't come through. Can you come in today? I know it's a long shot, but it will take an hour, tops, and allow us to move forward."

"Of course. Text me the address and I'll be there in, what… two hours?"

"Perfect. See you then."

Lucas ended the call and set the alarm to sleep for another half hour. Then he got himself up and went into the editing studio.

There was no one about, and the lights were on to say that recording was in progress, so he sat down to wait, knowing he was a little early. He checked messages as one came in from Matthew. It was him and the kids waving from in front of the beach house. We left yesterday, and all the kids want to know if we can move there. They really liked it.

It was fun, he sent. I'm already at work. Need to do some vocals in a few places. No rest for the weary. He pressed Send on the second message as Barry came out.

It was. We all miss you.

I miss you too, Lucas sent, and made sure it was on silent before shoving it into his pocket.

"Glad you could come," Barry said, shaking his hand and leading him into a darkened room with a huge television screen. "We have a list of about twelve places, and it's just a few lines."

"Got it," Lucas said. "Let's get this done so you can move on." He settled behind the prompter and ran through the lines easily. He had done this before on multiple occasions, so he was familiar with the routine. In less than an hour, he was done, and Barry was pleased.

"I have another project coming up in about a year or so. It's a smaller film, more intimate, but the lead is perfect for you, if you're interested. It's not the huge budgets you usually get."

Lucas nodded. "Send the details directly to me. I'm going to have to be my own agent until I find one who doesn't make me want to pull my hair out." He was being overly dramatic, but Leon had hurt him. Lucas had trusted the guy and had been betrayed.

"I understand." Barry reached into his bag and pulled out a card. "Look into her. Lesley's bright, and she's been working with a number of younger people. She's been around for over a decade, and she seems to really know what she's doing. Also, she answers her phone and returns calls." In their business, that was half the battle.

"Thank you." Lucas slipped the card into his pocket.

"Something has changed," Barry said. "I can't put my finger on what, but you seem different. I don't want to say less driven, but maybe more settled." He clapped Lucas on the shoulder. "I know you were away because of your father's passing. Was that it?"

Lucas shrugged. "My father and I made some sort of peace before he passed, but no. I think a lot of the things I really want have come into focus."

Barry smiled brightly. "This business is a pain the ass most of the time. It has its ups, and kid, right now you are on top. But it doesn't always stay that way. You'll suddenly be out of favor and have no idea why, or you won't get a part you're perfect for because the producer wants someone with blond hair and the carpet has to match the curtains. You never know. So whatever helped bring things into perspective, I'm glad for it. Decide what you want, especially if it has nothing to do with this business. If you make movies your life, in the end all you'll have is that beam of light between the projector and the screen. It makes things look beautiful, but it has no real substance."

"Thanks." Sometimes Lucas wondered if he was surrounded by philosophers, but Barry had a real point. They shook hands, and Barry walked him to the door.

"I'll send that script and the project details directly to you, and we can work together until you get a new agent."

Lucas left the studio, slipping his hand in his pocket, fingering the business card. In the car, he started the engine and pulled out the card, staring at the number before placing a call.

"UNCLE DADDY,I wanna talk too." Lucas heard Carl in the background.

"You can say hello in a few minutes," Matthew said, and Lucas chuckled. "So things went well with Lesley?"

"Yeah, they seemed to. I'm on my way to meet and go over where I am and the type of roles that I'm interested in going forward. I explained what I had on my schedule and the projects I was considering." He'd also explained the changes he was thinking of making. "I've been home just a few days, and already I feel like everything has been turned upside down and I'm trying to put the pieces back together."

Matthew sighed. "Same here. The plant is going to close after this season. I had a meeting with a representative of the new owners. They were impressed with the work I've been doing and offered me a job at a location in Cincinnati, Ohio."

"God. That's quite a move," Lucas said.

"Yeah, and I don't know what I'm going to do. It will mean that I'll have to move the kids, but there's no guarantee of how long that job will last. They aren't saying, but with the way that these food processing plants consolidate, I expect that this new job won't last too long either. I'm thinking of starting my own business as an electrical contractor. I can work in residential or commercial spaces because of my experience." He sounded so low, and Lucas wished he could help.

Lucas pulled to a stop in traffic, tapping the wheel.

"What's wrong?" Matthew asked. "The tapping."

"I'm trying to ignore the people in the car next to me, who have recognized me and are pointing and waving." Lucas waved back, and thankfully his lane pulled ahead and he was able to exit the freeway. He took Sepulveda down to the office building. "They're gone." He parked on the street and sat in the car.

"I'm going to switch to Facetime," Matthew said, and Lucas picked up the phone. All the kids sat on the sofa, waving.

"I drawed you a picture," Brianna said, hurrying up so she could show him on the camera. "It's all of us at the beach."

Lucas's throat ached. "It's beautiful." Matthew asked her to sit back down, and Carl waved.

"I learned how to swim." He did his motions. "Oh, and I hate day camp." He made a face, and Will rolled his eyes.

"That's because there are mostly girls there."

"One tried to kiss me," Carl said, wiping his cheek, which made Lucas laugh.

"I'm going to play basketball," Gregory said. "Uncle Daddy is going to take me to a camp where I can learn to be better."

"You'll be awesome. I know it. What about you, Will?" Lucas asked, and the oldest shrugged. He knew what Will liked. "I sent your Uncle Daddy an Amazon gift card for all of you so you can all get some books, okay?" Will perked up. Nothing spoke to that boy like stories. "And I'll read one to you all soon over the phone." Damn, he missed these kids.

"Say goodbye," Matthew prompted, and after waves and a chorus of goodbyes, the phone returned to voice. "I'll talk to you soon."

"Looking forward to it. Monday I start filming, but I'll send you a few pictures and things." He couldn't help feeling sad when the call disconnected, but he needed to go or he'd be late for the meeting.

Lucas got a few looks inside the building, but he paid no attention, instead going right up to the eighth floor. The agency took up one side, and he walked in.

"Mr. Reardon."

"Lucas," he corrected, and the receptionist smiled.

"Lesley is waiting for you in the conference room. Please go right in." She motioned to the next door as the phone rang. He thanked her and went on down.

"Lucas," she said, standing up as he entered. She was small, thin, elegant in her business suit, with eyes as piercing and intense as any he had ever seen. Then she smiled, and damn, he would be willing to give her just about anything if she asked for it. "I'm so glad you called." She moved to a set of upholstered chairs in the corner, and Lucas sat and got comfortable. "I heard about Leon, and I want you to know there will be nothing like that if you decide to go with us. We are a professional organization, and we keep detailed records and issue regular reports. Nothing is ever hidden."

"That's good to know."

"Secondly, what I'd like to do is talk about how you see yourself. I know you're at the top of your game right now and you have a number of contracts already, and those will stay with Leon, although we will administer them. There is no way we will leave you hanging."

"True. But there are a number of unsigned projects in the works, and I want to transfer all of them. I don't expect you to go into this for nothing." He leaned forward. "But…."

She nodded. "Go ahead."

"I don't really know. I think I'd like to have a life."

Lesley sat back. "I agree. We need to do a better job of picking the projects you'll take on. Leon seemed to accept everything that was offered, and that isn't helping you. Overexposure is possible, and we don't want that. So what we're going to do is pick and choose two, maybe three projects a year, and those we'll put everything we have into. The rest we'll take a pass on. The exception is something too good to pass up. But those will be few and far between." She smiled again. "Frankly, you look tired."

"I took a few weeks off and got some rest, but this whole thing with Leon has me at loose ends. I need some stability and someone who isn't pulling at me all the time."

"Exactly. If you decide to go with us, we will be in your corner all the way… and yet we will not be part of your life. My goal is to be like the electric company, working for you, but in the background. I'll work the deals, we'll talk them over, take the ones you like, and then you are freed up to do what you do best. I'm not going to show up on set or pop around to your house unless I'm invited or you need me. I don't work that way. You need to be free to be creative and have a life of your own. It's my job to take care of all the Hollywood bullshit." This almost seemed too good to be true. "What I'd like to do is send over a copy of our agency agreement. You look it over and we'll talk about it."

"Is that all?" Lucas asked.

Lesley shrugged. "What more do you want me to say? I could fangirl all over the place or blow smoke up your ass, but that isn't going to get either of us anywhere. I'm a straightforward, down-to-earth person, and I'll tell you what I think. To the people we're negotiating with, I'll be the bulldog from hell when necessary." Lucas liked that. "But most importantly, you need to be comfortable with what we're doing. Look over what I gave you and take your time."

Lucas was about to stand, but he thought of a few more things. "There are some changes that I'm thinking of making. I want a family, but I don't want to bring them up here."

She sat back. "Are you asking me if you can live somewhere else? There are actors who live all over the country. Most stick to either the east or west coast, but it's possible, especially if we plan your travel and ease up a little on your workload. But don't go into this with any illusions. You will need to travel to location or even here in LA for work at the studio." She placed her hands on the table. "My advice would be to keep a house here in town as well as one where you want to live. The last thing you want is to be staying in a hotel for months while you work here. I'd also suggest that you make sure the house is big enough so your family can come here with you sometimes."

"I hadn't thought of that."

"I take it the family you're thinking of already exists."

Lucas nodded. "I reconnected with an old boyfriend when I went home. He's raising his sister's three boys and her daughter. He was my first love…."

"And you never forgot him," Lesley filled in.

Lucas leaned forward. "It's more than that. Matthew knew and loved me before I was the famous Lucas Reardon. He knows me for me and loves the person, not the image on the screen."

Lesley smiled. "There are a couple of things I have learned. First is that actors who have a stable and fulfilling family life are happiest, and their careers last longer. But second, finding someone who knows you for who you are is hard out in the real world. In Hollywood, it's a fucking pink unicorn in go-go boots. If what the two of you feel is real, then hold on to it. Stars meet, marry, fight, split, and divorce every single day. But the real stories in this town are those couples who stay together for twenty, thirty, or forty years." Damn, from those sharp eyes, it seemed she knew exactly what she was talking about. Lucas wanted her in his corner.

"Thank you." He stood, and shook her hand when she did the same. "I really appreciate your candor. I'm going to look these over, and I'll have my attorney do the same. We'll definitely be back in touch." He liked Lesley and could see working with her for a long time.

With a plan for that part of his life, Lucas now needed to figure out the rest, and that was going to be more complicated.