Until Then

23. Noah

TWENTY-THREE

Noah

Daughter?

Shane leans back in his chair, even more smug than before. “You really didn’t know? I hear we look alike.”

With the features pointed out, sure, I can see a bit of my Wildfire in his face.

“I didn’t know.” Loser. Greer called the man a loser once. Val, Alice, Hayley—no one talks about her dad.

My jaw tightens. He’s done something to them, hurt them, in some way. Even kids who come from a divided house usually mention their parents. This—having a famous father—seems like something that might be shared.

But she didn’t.

Suspicion lifts my hackles and I want to know why. There’s something about Shane Holston that kept him buried in Hayley’s heart as some sort of shameful secret. One deep enough she never brought it up to her boyfriend.

I understand a bit about not wanting sharper edges to be brought into the sunlight.

Shane adjusts the cuffs of his shirt and shakes his head. “Here I thought you might’ve seen some of those old headlines from two years ago, trying to dig up mistakes of the past. I have a feeling that worm of a writer—Jasper something—tried to sell the story to the press.”

I catch maybe two points from his rant. Jasper Barnes knew Hayley’s father was in a top seat in Hollywood. And said father insinuated my girl was some sort of mistake.

I don’t like Jasper Barnes.

I definitely don’t like Shane Holston.

“I never saw any articles.”

“Good. My money to bury them was well spent.”

“Even if I did,” I go on, “it wouldn’t influence my intention to date her. Honestly, I’m not sure why it would’ve been a scandal or something to hide anyway. She’s amazing.”

I bite back the rest of what I want to tell him: If anything, he would’ve been the stain on her reputation.

“Please. Noah, you’ve been in this business long enough, you can’t be so na?ve.” Shane scoffs. “Her mother was willing to jump into bed with anyone for a chance at the highlife, got pregnant on purpose, all with the hope to ride the wave of fame for at least eighteen years.”

Hayley’s mom works a busy nine to five on top of the ranch chores. She’s never spoken of this guy. I already know the women who own Sweet Cream work hard for all they have. It’s not rolling in the money—yet—and as far as I know, it never has.

If Val was some Hollywood gold digger, it doesn’t take much to guess she’d be living a different sort of life.

“With respect, Mr. Holston, Val Foster has never asked me for a dime, she works hard, and so does Hayley.”

“So you are na?ve.” Shane shakes his head like he’s disappointed. “The girl feigns like she doesn’t care about me, yet she keeps chasing men in the business. Tell me it’s not a way to expose the truth, to get some sort of restitution or payout to keep quiet.”

“If it was, she would’ve mentioned you.” My voice darkens. “Honestly, I sort of thought Hayley’s dad must’ve been some massive disgrace to the family. That’s how much no one talks about you.”

I’m not na?ve. In fact, I know how to get under the skin of egotistical pricks like Shane better than most. Take shots at their insignificance and it drives them insane.

Shane’s face turns a shade of angry red. “You’d have me believe a man who, as rumor has it, is about to wrap filming on a top TV show, happens to stumble onto my biological daughter by mere coincidence?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

Silence is heavy and adds pressure against my chest. Until Shane barks a hearty laugh. He raps his knuckles against the table, grinning at me. “You’re good, Noah. Very good. I almost believe every word. Rob said you could hold a character better than anyone he knows, and he’s not wrong. You haven’t flinched once.”

I’m done here. Any more with this man’s condescension and I’m going to do something I can’t take back. Already people are starting to stare.

When I stand, there’s movement behind me. People shifting in their seats, hiding their faces—no doubt to avoid eye contact with me. As if I don’t know they were watching.

“If this is only about my relationship with Hayley, you’ll understand better than anyone why I choose to keep my private life private.”

Shane narrows his eyes. “I thought this was about your next steps in your career.”

“Yet I’ve heard nothing about a project and only disparaging comments about the woman who matters most in my life.”

“Spare me.” He flicks one hand, wiping away the entire idea of Hayley mattering to me. “I do have a project, and you’d be my first choice, but I need to ensure you’re not going to tie my name to any mishap from the past.”

“I’d never do Hayley the disservice, and I’m really going to need you to stop insinuating her existence is a mistake.”

Shane pinches his lips. “Whatever your endgame was with her, it’ll need to end now.”

“Huh, I don’t recall at any point in this conversation where I gave you the impression I needed your permission for my life.” I dip my chin and turn to go. “Have a great day, Mr. Holston.”

“You’re walking away?” Shane asks the question as though it’s the most befuddling thing in the world. “This is your career.”

“I’ve built my career for over a decade without you.” I stand in the doorway of the dining room. “I see no reason to change now.”

I’ve few doubts the guy still thinks I’m doing a bit. Little does he know when my mind locks in on a grudge, I have a difficult time unraveling it. My emotions sit on my sleeve if I feel like someone I love has been hurt. Acting skills go down the tube.

And the truth is, I love Hayley.

I have for nine months.

Outside the restaurant, Rob stands with Shane’s studio guys. Honestly, they look more like goons who might rough up a guy if he stepped out of line. Suits, sunglasses, deep-set frowns.

Rob must sense the tension when he sees me. In a low voice, he asks, “What was that about?”

“I’m not working with that man, Rob. Forget about it.”

“Noah, Holston Films is a respected imprint and?—”

“And it’s not worth it. Not for a man like him.”

In my pocket, my phone buzzes. I ignore my agent’s low, spluttering protests, and read the text.

Wildfire: Noah, Jasper sent a video of you meeting with Shane Holston. Please call me. I can explain. He’s my dad, Pretty Boy, but he’s not part of my life for good reason. Call me please.

I curse under my breath and scan the street back and forth, looking for any hint of Hayley’s grimy ex. There’s no doubt in my mind he orchestrated this meet. He’s likely the one who somehow brought Shane’s attention to the video with Colt.

When I come up empty, I face Rob again. “I won’t work with Holston Studios. Look elsewhere, got it?”

Rob’s eyes go wide, but he nods. In our twelve-year working relationship, I’ve hardly raised my voice beyond an even tone. To hear the vitriol spitting over my lips, undoubtedly, is a bit of a surprise.

“Whatever you think, Noah.”

I don’t look at him again before I storm away. I’m halfway down the sidewalk when a deep voice calls my name.

Shane, hands in his pockets, follows me down the road. “What the hell was that?”

“What part wasn’t clear?” A few curious eyes are following us on the sidewalk. Fifteen feet back, Rob looks like he might vomit, but he doesn’t interrupt. He doesn’t even move.

Almost like he realizes this fight just became mine alone.

Shane looks at me, astonished, even a little confused. “I really don’t think you know what I can do for your career—I can skyrocket it, or destroy it.”

“You really aren’t accustomed to people telling you no, are you?”

“You came here and wasted my time. I don’t appreciate people wasting my time.”

I turn, squaring to Shane entirely. “I had no intention to waste anyone’s time, but I certainly won’t spend mine with you. This is me putting you on warning. I’m not going anywhere when it comes to Hayley, so if you hurt her, if you make her feel low or less than in the slightest, I swear to you it won’t go unnoticed. I won’t stand back and let you hurt my girl.”

The two men who came with Shane watch me like I’ve lost my mind, maybe committed career suicide. Maybe I did.

“You think you know things.” Shane’s voice lowers. “But you don’t.”

“Then set me straight. Tell me how a father walks out on his kid, completely disregards her, breaks her heart, rejects her time and time again. What am I not understanding?”

“I never wanted to be a dad.”

“You’re not.” I chuckle bitterly. “You’re a guy who helped make a kid, then decided to toss her aside. I pity you, truly. Because you missed out on the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

“I made a choice. I paid for my mistakes for eighteen years.”

“Strike three, Shane. Call Hayley a mistake again, and you’ll be swallowing a tooth.”

He scoffs. “Violent? Maybe I don’t want you with my daughter.”

“Yeah, I really don’t think she cares about your opinion.” I hold up the text from Hayley, just long enough he can read it clearly.

He sneers. “You think if I went to her, pleading for a relationship, the girl wouldn’t accept me with open arms? She’s wanted me her entire life. Maybe I should step back in and guide her away from guys like you.”

I laugh. It’s ridiculous and disgusting. “Was that your villain speech? You do know she’s twenty-seven, not twelve, right? She’s not pining for any man, especially not a dad like you.”

I don’t wait for his reply before I spin around, ready to stomp away.

“You’re making a mistake, Noah,” Shane’s voice is calm and frigid, but when his hand grips my shirt, when he forces me to turn around, there’s nothing but fire in his expression. “Think about this. Don’t blacklist yourself for a quick lay.”

His hands are on me. He’s trying to intimidate me.

But more than that, he degraded Hayley to the very thing she feared.

Time seems to slow. I don’t know how quickly I spin around, but it feels like a slow drip. The only way I know I even hit the guy is the sharp roar of pain that shoots up my arm.

“Don’t talk about her again.” I hardly recognize my own voice, it’s jagged and harsh.

Shane cups his nose and doubles over.

All at once the slow drip transforms to a furious current. From the corners of the street, from the restaurant, I finally notice how many cameras came out to catch our confrontation from all angles.

I’m surrounded. Endless questions and chatter fill my head.

There’s a sinking sort of weight in my gut.

I screwed up. Bad.

It’s crushing.

It’s too much.

It’s not long before the murky thoughts swallow me whole.