Love Him Free (On the Market #1) - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,18

had filed his suit.

“They want to retain exclusivity rights on your filming career for the duration of your agreed-upon contract,” Anthony told him, brow furrowed behind his desk. Lorenzo stood at his shoulder, and Rocco appreciated that Anthony, at least, gave him the benefit of eye contact.

‘What the fuck does that mean?’

“It means,” Anthony said, and took a deep breath. “It means they let you out of the contract, but they retain their percentage if you release any films. And it means they prevent you from working outside of the studio for pay.”

Something niggled in the back of his mind. ‘For pay?’

Anthony sneered. “Yes.”

‘So, I could work for free?’

At that, Anthony’s face fell into something like shock. “Why would you work for free?”

Well, he wouldn’t, normally. He didn’t do shit for free. Not conventions, not appearances, not photo shoots, and certainly not films. He’d never worked for free in his life. But he’d been lining both Eric and Xander’s pockets since he started in the industry. First Eric, then Xander when Rocco signed him on as his agent, had benefitted from his film career—and they wanted to see that he continued to provide. The thought made him sick with rage.

‘What if I just pay the fee and refuse the rest?’

“He’ll take you to court,” Anthony said. “It would prevent you from doing any work until it settles, and that could take…”

‘Forever,’ Rocco signed with frustrated hands. He knew Xander’s legal team was capable of it. He’d seen it happen more than a dozen times. It wasn’t always just about throwing money at a problem, and there was every chance they’d offer it—so long as it broke Rocco, and he wasn’t going to let that happen.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and for the first time in a week he didn’t feel frustrated. Maybe it was a text from some website trying to get an interview—maybe it was a co-star trying to capitalize on all the attention he was getting right now.

But more than likely, it was Simon. More than likely, his sweet, freckle-faced baker was saying good morning, because that was a thing that was happening now. If this had been just days prior, Rocco’s entire attention would have been fixed on the situation and how to make sure Eric couldn’t take any more from him, but that message from Simon changed everything.

He wasn’t even sure why he watched it. He’d seen hundreds of fans over the years fumble their way through YouTube ASL trying to get his attention, but something about Simon caught his eye. Maybe it was Simon’s slender fingers, or the way his pale skin was marred with dark scars that looked like burns. Maybe it was the way his signs were sweet but classroom formal and a little shaky on grammar.

Maybe it was just that Rocco needed to reach out to someone, and Simon was convenient.

And that could have been it—at first. Then he’d seen Simon’s wide, soft eyes, and the way he smiled shyly like he wasn’t quite sure he belonged in the world. It was obvious Simon was a fan, but he didn’t treat Rocco like a character or some internet personality. He just talked to him like he understood.

He knew a little about him now. That he was working in a failing bakery, that he was trying to get his brother set up before he had to shut the doors. He knew they had two just-misses at UCLA, a fact Rocco felt some sort of guilt for because he knew back then, he wouldn’t have given a guy like Simon the time of day. But now…

A hand waving at him regained his attention, and he rolled his eyes. ‘I need time to think.’

“You have some,” Anthony replied, “but not a lot.”

Rocco’s jaw clenched, but he nodded and rose, extending his hand for a quick shake before storming out. Lorenzo was quick at his heels, but he didn’t attempt to say anything until they were in the parking lot by their cars.

‘Are you going to stay at Pietro’s?’ Lorenzo asked.

Rocco dragged a hand down his face, then rolled his eyes up toward the low roof of the parking garage. ‘I don’t know.’ In truth, his brother was so far under his skin, if Rocco stayed any longer, he might explode, and he didn’t need that over his head while dealing with Eric and Xander. ‘I might head out of town for a few days.’

‘Do you really think that’s a good idea?’ Lorenzo challenged, but