Until Then

28. Hayley

TWENTY-EIGHT

Hayley

Briar and I walk into the studio offices together, to-go bags from our lunch still in hand. I wasn’t certain we’d be here, even a week after my live video went public.

I thought the studio might make today even more challenging for Noah, but with Tyrell heading the new season, he’s taken on the attitude of not talking about the incident, as though it never happened.

To quote my friend’s husband, “We’re not going to worry about it until we need to. For now, we have a show to wrap.”

I’ve adopted the same sort of attitude.

Shane’s threats of taking legal action against Noah went mute. There’s been no word, and it’s unsettling. Maybe I ought to count small blessings, but in truth, it seems more like a calm before the storm.

I don’t know what to anticipate.

The only thing that’s helping both me and Noah move on day to day is the overwhelming support for his position. Fans left endless comments praising Noah for supporting his girlfriend. Endless stories of others who’d experienced some sort of parental abandonment were shared. Men, women, most were glad to know in his personal life, Noah Hayden, defended those he loved.

He didn’t think twice about his own career, his own reputation. It was honest, and to those who saw my comments, it was refreshing.

Noah’s fear my statement would detract from my own career and clients never came about. If anything, it drew more attention to Sweet Cream Ranch. I have a full caseload for the first time . . . ever.

Perfect timing. My boyfriend is about to be draped in furs and battle axes, fighting off dark magic and villains all day for four or five months soon enough.

Work on the ranch with my own clients will keep the days speeding past until I’m with him again in the nights.

“Ty said they’re about done.” Briar sits in a black leather chair outside the closed door.

I blow out a breath and take the twin seat at her side. “How do you think it’s going?”

“Oh, I’d guess there’s a slew of emotions.” She studies the door. “Everyone is excited to reach the conclusion, but it’s emotional. It’ll be a rough, good day.”

A fair way to put it.

Noah’s been antsy the last few days. Partly from waiting for fallout with Shane, the other is for this reading.

A final run through and cast read of the final episodes of Wicked Darlings . The read is wholly private. Not even I will know how the season ends, the executives are so tight-lipped. Then again, the mystery is what’s aided the success of the show, in my opinion.

I finally started with episode one.

Noah at twenty-one was both adorable and delicious. He’s one who struggles to watch his own performance, so while I sat there, he paced, left the room, wandered the halls until the final credit.

“What’d you think?” he asked, peeking around the corner.

“You’ll need to leave, Pretty Boy.” I lifted the remote and settled back against the couch pillow. “There is no way I can end on that note. I’m starting episode two.”

Have I skipped some scenes since? Yes.

Do I sometimes just imagine me wrapped in Noah’s arms. Also, yes.

There was a cast party two nights ago, and I shook the hand of a woman who’s seen more of my boyfriend than I’d like.

Weird that I met her husband and two-year-old son.

They’re professionals. I’m not certain if I’ll ever be one hundred percent comfortable with the idea, but Noah’s attention and clear devotion to us leaves little room for a touch of jealousy to build.

The door clicks open. Murmurs flow into the hallway. More of the cast and crew step out, wiping their eyes, laughing, hugging.

Briar hurries to find Tyrell. I find Noah in an instant.

His eyes are red, but he’s smiling as he talks to Brett, the actor who plays Kage’s best friend in the series. As though he’s drawn to my gaze, he turns.

One hand claps Brett’s shoulder, and he quickly excuses himself to push through the crowd to me.

I wrap my arms around his neck. Noah crushes me against his chest.

“You okay, Pretty Boy?”

“Now, I am.”

I snort a laugh. “Good line.”

“Thank you.” Noah presses a kiss to the side of my neck. “That basically sucked, but it was awesome too. This season is going to be incredible.”

“Ugh, you’re killing me.” I trap his face in my palms. “I need to know.”

“Don’t do it, Noah!” Tyrell’s voice booms across the crowd. He points at me, then makes the gesture of zipping his lips.

I groan dramatically, then look back to my boyfriend. “You’re okay, really?”

“Yeah.” He pecks my lips. “It’s going to be the worst on the last day of shooting, but I’m ready for the next chapter.” My knuckles are pressed to his lips. “With you.”

“Count on it, Pretty Boy.”

Noah steps out of his office and cracks his neck side to side. He looks drained, but the familiar light is back in those dual-toned eyes.

I put the book down in my lap and sit up on his couch. “How’d it go?”

He takes a seat on the sofa and drags my legs over his lap, rubbing my toes without even realizing. “Sessions are usually intense. Especially after going so low, but it was good. We rehashed some techniques that worked well for me before. Just so you know, you’ll need to deal with me waking up at the crack of dawn to run.”

“Hey, as long as we ride a few times, I’m all for it.”

He grins. “Even better. Dan thinks I can keep the lower dose, and he’s supportive of my plans after the season wraps.”

Plans. I smile and reach out to the back of his neck, playing with the short hairs. For the last week, Noah has written out goals and intentional plans for the future. He insists it helps him keep his thoughts focused and his emotions brighter.

The ranch is in his vision. He wants to fulfill my grandpa’s dream of a week of veterans. He’s already spoken with my uncles about allowing his kids from the youth program to visit the ranch on days he’s dubbing as stunt days, where Carter and other crewmen will come and show them different techniques used on sets and stage.

His career—I’ve no doubt Noah Hayden will always be an American Sweetheart, a darling of the screen and stage. He wants to take a breather, then has hopes he can pick and choose whatever sort of movie or show he wants.

I think he is secretly looking forward to returning to the stage more than anything.

Until then, he’s back to his workouts for the final season of the show. The end of Wicked Darlings is a situation still heavy with emotion, but once more, he’s looking forward with heady optimism.

“Well, I only get you all to my greedy self for a few more hours before my first session for the day.” I peek at the time on my phone. “What do you feel like doing?”

Noah offers a sultry look. “Oh, I have a few ideas.”

I poke his rips with my toes, snickering.

“First,” he says, “I’m going to feed you now that I dare step out in public.”

We drive to his favorite diner. In the weeks we’ve been dating, Alan and his wife are fast becoming some of my favorite people. They hide Noah from scrutiny and always add extras to my sandwiches and burgers.

Halfway through our food, my mom calls.

“You need to go to Holston Films’ account.”

Noah bites into a fry, a groove of concern between his brows. I keep my mom on hold as he types in the account name on social media. His eyes blow wide. “You’re kidding.”

I lean forward when he holds the phone for me to see.

A written statement was posted an hour ago. From Shane Holston.

I don’t breathe, I hardly move, as I read every word.

To those I’ve disappointed,

I offer sincere apologies for my behavior in recent weeks. It was unbecoming of not only myself, but to our values as a studio. We pride ourselves in diverse acceptance of everyone. We do not tolerate cruelty or discrimination against others. I behaved in ways that do not align with the values of Holston Films, and I am sincerely apologetic.

We will not be pursuing any legal action against Mr. Hayden, or those with whom he associates.

On a personal note. To Hayley, I do not deserve it, but I hope one day you can find forgiveness for my absence. If only for your own peace. You have succeeded, despite me, and I wish nothing but continued success for your life.

Shane

I’m quiet for a long pause.

“Hayley.” Mom’s voice shakes me back to the moment.

“I can’t tell if it’s sincere,” I admit.

“Sweetie, I can never tell if it’s him or some clean-up person on his team, but the important thing is he’s leaving you and Noah alone.”

There’s a smile in her voice, and it awakens my own. I beam across the table at Noah who’s re-reading Shane’s post.

“He’s leaving us alone.” My pulse quickens. “It’s done.”

Noah lifts his gaze. There’s relief written in his features, but a touch of the protective, heated anger too. “I would’ve preferred if he’d done this on his knees, at your feet, but it’ll do for now.”

Mom hears and laughs. I join in, rising so I can kiss him across the table. “Take the win, Pretty Boy.”

He grins against my lips. “Fine. Only for you.”

I let my mom go and hold Noah’s gaze. “Now we get to look forward. And just so you know, forward means all the things—boring days, popcorn in the back of the truck.”

“Red carpets and film premieres.”

I smirk. “Trail rides and rock concerts.”

“Sandcastles and road trips.” Noah’s breath brushes over my skin. “Rings?”

My insides swoop like I’m falling from a high rise. “Definitely. You need to just accept that I plan to marry you someday.”

Noah’s eyes burn in a new sort of heat. His thumb traces the edge of my jaw, tugs on my bottom lip. He leans forward, our mouths grazing for a small moment before he whispers, “Until then, Wildfire.”