When Lightning Strikes (26 page)

“He had some things to do this morning. I came without
him.”

He smelled of booze. Those eyes and the sallow look of his face
also told her he’d spent the previous night drinking.

“The question is why,” he said.

“If you invite me in I’ll explain.”

The rasp of whiskers sounded as he rubbed a hand over his jaw.
“I’m not exactly dressed for company, but if you want—”

“I’ll wait.” She had no desire to see Simon’s father in his
boxers.

He chuckled softly. “I heard you were a real prude.”

“Ian tell you that?”

“Among other things.”

He kept laughing, but the door closed and didn’t open again
until he was dressed. “Madame…” he said, his voice filled with sarcasm as he
waved her inside.

He hadn’t combed his hair. It stood up in front, gray but still
thick despite his age. She could see why some women would find him appealing. He
had a devil-may-care attitude that probably attracted the type of women who
liked that sort of challenge. And he still had a good physique. “What can I do
for you?”

“I’m here to see if you care about your son at all,” she
said.

Her statement took him off guard. Obviously he hadn’t expected
her to be so direct. He straightened for a second—and then his eyes narrowed.
“What the hell has that got to do with anything?”

“It’s the only thing that matters.”

“Not when it comes to business.”

His room now smelled like cologne. Too much of it. “When it
comes to
everything.
”

He finished buttoning his shirt. He wore that and a pair of
jeans but not his belt or boots. “What are you hoping to achieve, Ms.
DeMarco?”

She noted that he didn’t do her the courtesy of using her
married name. It was probably his way of letting her know he didn’t think she’d
be with Simon very long. He was right. But she didn’t care what he was trying to
intimate.

“Simon is doing better than he has in at least two years. I
want that to continue. So I’m asking you to leave Whiskey Creek without further
contact and find someone else to take his part in the movie.”

A thunderous expression appeared on his face. “Who the hell do
you think you are?”

“I’m his wife.”
For now…

“I don’t give a shit. Do you realize how much—”

“That will cost?” she broke in. “I know it’ll be a lot. I also
know that Simon will compensate you.”

“It’s not just me. It’s the people I convinced to invest in
this. I have a responsibility to them.”

“If they’re like you, they have plenty of money. Fortunately,
so does he. He’ll repay you, and you can return what you’d like to your
investors. But I’m asking you to let him out of the contract gracefully and not
retaliate by dragging him into court.”

“My friends won’t be happy. Hardly any other actor has the same
pull.”

She couldn’t help it; she raised her voice. She’d told herself
this was a business meeting. She was here to protect the campaign she’d
developed, to ensure its ultimate success. But it had become personal, too,
because she cared about Simon. “Your friends don’t matter as much as your
son!
Could you do what’s best for him for a change?
Just once?”

He threw up his hands. “Why should I? Simon’s never given a
shit about me!”

That was an excuse. He had to know it, at least in some part of
his brain. “I’m afraid you have that reversed, Mr. O’Neal. It’s
you
who should give a shit about
him.
”

Shaking his head, he laughed without mirth. “He’s sure got you
snowed, doesn’t he? Don’t you realize it’s just a question of time before he
acts out again regardless of what I do? Regardless of what
you
do? What’s it been—two or three months since he stumbled into a
bar, got drunk and started a fight? I may as well look after my friends and my
money because Simon will go to hell in a handbasket no matter how hard you try
to save him. He’s the most stubborn son of a bitch I’ve ever met. And here you
are, sticking up for him. He wouldn’t thank you for it. You know that, right?
Trust me on this—he’s going to leave you with a broken heart, just like he did
Bella.”

“The divorce wasn’t entirely his fault, and
you,
of all people, know it.” In spite of Simon’s past
sins, Gail was clinging to the loyalty she felt to him. She was also relying on
what Ian had intimated to her earlier, that Bella had done more to cause the
divorce than anyone knew. She hoped to hell Ian was right, because she was
determined to make some headway with Simon’s father.

She expected Tex to continue arguing with her. But he didn’t.
He stepped back as if she’d slapped him, and a strange look came over his face.
“He told you?”

Gail’s heart began to pound. Simon hadn’t told her anything
particularly revealing. But she wasn’t willing to admit it, wasn’t about to let
the power swing back to Tex. There was something at play here, something that
affected everyone involved. What? “Of course he did,” she bluffed. “He tells me
everything.”

“Then you should also know that
she
came on to
me.
” Tex brought a hand to his chest for
emphasis. “
She
was the one who wanted
me
in her bed.”

Gail gaped at him. Had she heard correctly? She was sure of it,
and yet she couldn’t believe what had just come out of his mouth.
“You had sex with Bella?”

He winced at the disgust in her voice but rallied. “It was a
one-time thing. It didn’t mean squat to either of us. She’d gotten in the habit
of coming to me whenever she was upset. I helped her, gave her a shoulder to cry
on. Simon’s not easy to live with. If you don’t know that yet, you’ll—”

“When?” She was so shocked her voice had dropped to a whisper.
“When did you do this?”

He cursed under his breath. “Two and a half years ago.”

That was about the time Simon had started behaving badly. It
was the reason he’d been unable to cope. His wife had had an affair with his own
father, a sad echo of what had happened with his mother, and just as
reprehensible. What was wrong with Tex? Did he have to be admired by
every
woman he met?

She swallowed hard. “How did Simon find out?”

Tex stared at her so long she thought he wasn’t going to
answer. Then his shoulders slumped and he sighed. “He came home
unexpectedly.”

“The
one
time you were together he
caught you in bed? What are the chances of that?”

“Okay, we were together a few times. But it hadn’t been going
on for more than a few weeks.” He jammed a hand through his hair. “I just blew
it, didn’t I? He didn’t tell you a thing.”

“No. If I had my bet he hasn’t told a soul.” He could’ve used
it to excuse his own bad behavior. To get his son back. To make his ex-wife look
a lot worse than he did. But he hadn’t. He’d kept it inside. “You want to know
why?”

Tex didn’t answer.

“Because he cares too much about
his
son. He would never want Ty to grow up knowing such a terrible
thing about Bella, the way
he
had to grow up knowing
what his mother did with you.”

“Our affair wasn’t all that broke up their marriage,” Tex said.
“They were having trouble before. That’s why she came to me in the first
place.”

“And you helped her out by seducing her.”

“
She
wanted it.”

“And that made you feel like a big man, didn’t it? That Simon’s
wife could want
you?
”

He stepped back, nearly stumbled and knocked the lamp off the
nightstand while he was trying to catch his balance. His hangover had put him at
a disadvantage. “I don’t have to tolerate your judgmental bullshit.”

“And I don’t care if you think I’m judgmental. What you did
makes me sick. The fact that you’re trying to justify it makes me even
sicker.”

“It’s not like Simon and I have ever been close!”

“You were close when you did that, probably closer than you’ve
ever been.”

He winced. “Something would’ve ruined it.”

“Is that what lets you sleep at night? He’s your
son,
for God’s sake! You know what I think?”

“Get out of here!” he snapped, but she wasn’t finished yet.

“I think you’re jealous of Simon,” she said. “He’s younger,
stronger, better-looking, a superior actor and by far a better man. And you hate
all that. You hate that he’s replaced you in Hollywood, outdone you so easily.
So you’ve been doing everything you can to destroy him—at the same time you’ve
been trying to capitalize on his success.”

Squeezing his eyes closed, he pressed a palm to his forehead as
if he had too much of a headache to be having this conversation. “You shouldn’t
have tricked me.”

She started to leave but turned back. “It was your guilty
conscience that set you up,
Dad.
I only helped a
little. Now get out of town before I tell Simon what you told me. It’s a miracle
that he’s put up with you so far.”

He wasn’t willing to let her have the parting shot. “He won’t
stay with you. You’re not even that pretty.”

“Maybe not. But I wouldn’t cheat on him in a million years.
Especially with a morally bankrupt old fart like you. That’s got to be worth
something,” she said, and slammed the door behind her.

26

C
lassic rock blasted from the old-fashioned
boom box Simon had purchased at the hardware store as he tore out the sink,
counters and cupboards in the kitchen. The furniture they’d purchased in
Sacramento hadn’t arrived—almost two and still no delivery—but that didn’t
affect him much. He’d been happily engaged in demolition since he got here more
than three hours ago. It was a relief to be able to use his hand again. He knew
he should get the stitches taken out because there was no more pain when he
moved it.

Gail had brought him lunch a couple of hours ago, but she
hadn’t stayed long. She’d said she had more work to do. For starters, she was
closing the deal on the sale of their pictures for $2.8 million.

Simon didn’t mind working alone, but he frequently found
himself thinking of Gail—the way she kissed or cuddled up to him in the night,
or watched him when she didn’t realize he was aware of it. The house seemed
strangely empty without her, and yet he felt as if he could get lost in his
current task for days. The physicality of the work eased some of the deep-seated
tension that kept him so wound up.

Just as he was thinking about calling her to see when she might
be back, a vehicle pulled up outside. Assuming it was the furniture he’d been
expecting, or maybe his wife, he set down his hammer and headed into the living
room.

He’d left the front door ajar, partly to enjoy the nice weather
and partly to make sure he didn’t miss the furniture delivery, but it was his
father who stepped inside.

“You’re making a damn racket,” he said when he spotted
Simon.

Simon dusted Sheetrock chalk from his hands and clothes. “So?
This is my house. What are you doing here, anyway? Did you come to serve me
papers?”

“Not this time.” He slanted his head to look beyond Simon.
“Where’s Gail?”

“Gone, but she’ll be back soon.”

He tore the wrapper off a toothpick and shoved it in his mouth.
“She’s different from anyone you’ve been with before. You know that?”

Leery, Simon folded his arms. “Different in what way?”

“Better. Stronger. I can see that, now I’ve got some painkiller
in me and I’ve had a chance to think.”

Simon agreed with his assessment of Gail, but he wondered how
his father had noticed so quickly. “What makes you say so?”

“Not hard to tell.” He handed over an envelope. “Here.”

“What’s this?”

“A release.”

“From the film?” Simon didn’t bother hiding his surprise.

“Take a look.” His father gestured for him to open it.

Simon pulled a single handwritten sheet of paper from the
envelope. It said that his contract with Excite Entertainment Production Company
had been terminated and all monies paid him were due back in thirty days. It was
a fair arrangement, one Simon could live with. “What changed your mind?” he
asked.

A faint smile curved Tex’s lips. “I guess I don’t want to be a
morally bankrupt old fart
all
the time.”

Simon had never heard his father talk this way before. “Excuse
me?”

“Never mind. I owe you that much. And…” He moved the toothpick
to one side and turned to spit over the railing. “I’m sorry I, uh, got involved
with Bella. Sometimes even I don’t know why I do what I do.”

Simon wasn’t sure how to react. Tex could be agreeable and
easygoing at times, but he always reverted to his more difficult, narcissistic
self. Still, the pleasant moments were rare and that made this an Occasion. “So
you’re no longer putting all the blame on her?”

“It’s takes two.” Tex lifted a hand in farewell. “Tell Gail to
keep fighting. Looks aren’t everything.”

Offended, Simon followed him down the walkway. “There’s nothing
wrong with Gail’s looks!”

“See what I mean?” Tex said, chuckling. “She might prove me
wrong, after all.”

Simon stopped at the gate while Tex continued on to his truck.
“Prove you wrong about what? When have you ever talked to Gail?”

“Don’t worry about it,” his father said. “Just know that she’s
the best thing to happen to you in a long time. Don’t take her for granted.”

* * *

“Hey, I didn’t expect to see you.”

Gail glanced up as her father walked into the minimart section
of his gas station. She’d known he’d come. A buzzer sounded in back whenever
someone stepped over the threshold.

“I just wanted to stop in and say hi.” She handed him his
favorite flavor of milk shake, which she’d purchased at the soda fountain down
the street. “Where’s Joe?”

“Got a call for a tow. Old Mrs. Reed is stranded with a dead
battery over at the bingo parlor.”

“That’s quite an emergency.” She put the shake she’d bought for
Joe in the minifreezer located in the tiny break room, which was more like a
closet. It also contained the mop, bucket and other supplies they used for
cleaning, as well as toilet paper and towels for the restrooms.

“Like what we’ve done to the place?” her father called after
her.

He was talking about the new section of the store, where one
could buy soft drinks, fruit smoothies and snow cones. She’d been admiring the
new machines when she first came in. “I do. Bet it’ll be a hit come summer.”

“Hope so. Cost me enough.”

Gail breathed deep, taking in the scents of motor oil, grease
and gasoline that brought back her youth. Oddly enough, the station felt as much
like home as the house in which she’d been raised. She’d spent a lot of time
here as a little girl, playing with the tools or watching a small TV behind the
counter while her father ran his business. When she was a teenager, she’d
stocked the shelves, coordinated tows and written up work orders in addition to
running the register. Her father had believed in keeping his kids busy. That
hadn’t prevented Joe from getting into trouble now and then. She’d never gotten
into trouble, but she remembered closing on many Friday nights when her friends
were partying after the football game and feeling left out. As an adult she
didn’t begrudge her father those hours. She realized he’d probably needed her
help—or maybe just her company. For some of that time Joe was away at
college.

“Did your furniture ever come?” her father asked.

Gail checked her phone. “I don’t think so. Simon texted me an
hour ago to say it hadn’t arrived, and I haven’t heard from him since. He said
he’d call when it did.”

Her father glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. “It’s
almost three. I’m surprised you’re not over there waiting for it.”

“I wanted to see you.”

Stirring his shake, he tilted his head to look into her face.
“Something wrong, Gabby?”

She shrugged. “Nothing serious. I guess I just wondered what
you think of Simon.”

“I don’t know what to think yet. He seems nice enough so far.
But I don’t form an opinion on nice alone. It takes more to be a good man than a
smile.”

She nodded.

“Don’t tell me you two are having trouble already....”

“No. Not at all. He treats me really well. It’s just…” She
nibbled on her bottom lip while searching for the right words. “I think I’m
falling in love with him.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” he said with a laugh. “You are married
to him.”

“But I’d prefer not to be head over heels.”

“Why not?”

She stopped trying to hide the misery she was feeling. “Because
I’m scared. What if he never feels the same way toward me?”

“If he doesn’t love you, what’s he doing with you?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I told you I married him to help him. He
needs me right now. But that won’t be the case forever.”

Her father took a big spoonful of his milk shake and spoke
after he’d swallowed. “No marriage is easy, Gabby.”

“I know that. But…am I crazy to want more than I should
expect?”

Her father set his cup aside and took her hands. “Look at
me.”

She forced herself to meet his gaze. He had every right to say,
“I told you not to get involved with Simon,” but that wasn’t what she wanted to
hear.

“Love is always a risk,” he said instead.

“I was fully aware of that coming into this. I thought I could
take…whatever. But I never knew I could fall so hard.”

Her father kissed her forehead. “If Simon’s as smart as I
think, he’ll realize what he’s got.”

His reassurance made her feel better. She gave him a hug
despite his dirty clothes and left. But as she started her car to go over to the
house, a little voice inside her head repeated what Simon’s father had said:
He won’t stay with you. You’re not even that
pretty.

* * *

When Gail arrived at the house, Simon came to the front
door to meet her with his T-shirt tied around his head like a headband. His bare
torso was covered in dust, dirt and sweat.

“You’ve been busy,” she said as she got the ribs she’d bought
them for dinner from the backseat of her car.

He flopped down on the top step of the porch. “I’m exhausted.
I’ll probably be so sore tomorrow I won’t be able to move.”

Captivated by his dazzling smile, she put down the sack and sat
next to him. He was tired, but he was happy. She’d never seen him this relaxed,
this carefree. Whiskey Creek had been the right place to bring him. She felt
certain of that and proud of the self-restraint he’d exercised so far. “I got
your text. Furniture’s coming tomorrow, huh? What happened?”

“Truck got a flat. But I think it’s for the best.” His guilty
expression made him look younger, almost boyish. “I’ve created a bigger mess
than I expected.”

She leaned over to peek through the open door and into the
house. Whatever he’d been doing hadn’t extended to the living room. She could
see their mattress and bedding in front of the fireplace, apparently untouched
since last night, but…the lighting was different. “Did you cover the
windows?”

“I did. I wanted us to be able to stay here tonight.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Any particular reason?”

His grin said it all.

Gail was done fighting what she felt. She had him for two
years. Although she couldn’t help hoping for more, she knew the chances of her
marriage lasting longer than that were slim. She figured she might as well enjoy
being with him while she could and if—when—she lost him, she’d let him go
gracefully. That way, he’d maintain some respect for her afterward, maybe even
remember her fondly. There was no way they could continue to work together—not
after being married—but they’d have memories. She preferred that those memories
be positive. “I thought you were beat.”

“Not
that
beat.” He slipped a hand
under her blouse but only to caress the skin at her waist. “Getting you naked’s
been on my mind all day.”

She untied the T-shirt on his head and smoothed his unruly
hair. “Funny, I could say the same thing about you.”

“Then what took you so long to get here? I almost called you a
dozen times.”

Oh, boy…she was falling deeper. There was no help for her.
“Weren’t you busy?”

“I will be as soon as I get you in the house. But first, a
shower.” He started to climb to his feet, but she pushed him back and straddled
him right there on the porch.

“Actually, I like you just the way you are.”

“Dirty?” he teased.

“A little dirt never hurt anybody.” She leaned over to whisper
in his ear. “I’ve always wanted to get nailed by a contractor.”

He laughed. “I hope Riley doesn’t know that, or I might have
some competition.”

She ground her hips against him. “I’m not interested in his
hammer.”

His teeth flashed in another smile. “I’m more than happy to
show you what I can do with mine.”

In one fluid movement, he sat up, then carried her inside.

“What about the food?” she asked as he kicked the door
shut.

He was already nuzzling her neck, telling her she smelled good
and tasted good and just the thought of her had been driving him crazy. “Later,”
he murmured against her skin. “Right now all I want is you.”

* * *

It was well after they’d showered and eaten and
rearranged their bedding so they could sleep that Simon’s phone awakened him. He
had a new text message. At this hour, it had to be from Bella. She was the only
one who ever bothered him so late. He would’ve ignored it. He didn’t want to
leave the warmth and comfort of being tangled up with Gail. Despite her lack of
experience, his new wife really knew how to make love. And this time she’d put
everything she had into it. God, it was good.

But he was worried about Ty. It’d been so long since he’d
talked to his son. Could something terrible have happened to him? Or maybe
something not so terrible? Did he have a cold? A stubbed toe? A loose tooth?

Simon ached for the comfort of all the things he’d once taken
for granted—Ty crawling into his bed early in the morning and patting his
cheeks, whispering, “Daddy, wake up. I want some cereal.” Ty running to him
after he’d hurt himself. Ty throwing both arms around his neck and saying, “I
love you, Daddy.” Simon had never hurt so much over anything or anyone. The
hunger to hold his son made him angry with the woman who was standing in his
way, but he knew allowing that anger to overpower him would defeat everything he
was doing to get Ty back. He couldn’t act on it.

But thinking about Ty and Bella made it difficult to sleep.

Careful not to wake Gail, he slipped off the air mattress,
pulled on his jeans and scooped up his phone, which was lying among the remains
of their dinner, before going outside.

The sky was clear, the temperature cool. The stars seemed
bigger than he ever remembered seeing them in L.A. He was tempted to blame it on
the smog, but knew it was probably him. He hadn’t been paying attention to such
details. There was a lot he’d ignored in recent years. Only now was he beginning
to realize that he’d filled his life with so many possessions and so much angst
and clamor, so much
shallowness,
that he’d missed
the quiet, still things that brought him peace. When had he lost sight of who he
really was? Of what he wanted his life to be? He was a critically acclaimed
actor, but who was he on a personal level? Had he ever really known?