same thing I’m telling you—this isn’t going to happen. If by some miracle you managed to convince anyone on this movie to put either of you on the roster, that would be my cue to move on. And no—I would never air our dirty laundry in public. God, what a thought.”
“Dylan, she didn’t say she’d talked to you,” Blaine said.
“She said you’re not in touch,” Dylan pointed out.
“It was her idea,” Bryce said.
Dylan looked at Bryce. “Oh, you do speak?” he asked.
And Bryce nodded. “Mom came up with this. I didn’t like it too much, but—”
“It would be therapeutic,” Blaine said. “Honesty and accountability and amends. It could help people. We could get a really good therapist on the show.”
Dylan was surprised he didn’t run screaming from Starbucks. He was almost sympathetic. Obviously Cherise was going to try to stack the deck by getting herself a part in Dylan’s film first, then push for the reality show. What a circus.
“Listen, you two. Don’t let people capitalize on your problems like this. Work on your own stuff. In private. Get healthy and strong. Get on solid ground. Have that therapist make a house call or two. You don’t have to show the world how vulnerable you are.”
“Will you think about it?” Blaine asked.
He stood slowly. “Sorry, but no. I wouldn’t even consider it. In fact, in the twenty years I’ve been away, I’ve probably gotten too private to even do a movie, but—” He just gave his head a little shake. “I have my reasons that have nothing to do with anyone in the family, so let’s retire the whole idea. Please don’t ask me again.” He locked eyes first with Blaine and then Bryce. “Seriously. Give it up. I hope you both do well, I really do. But we’re not going to work together. Not ever.”
In a way he was glad the surprise meeting with his half brother and stepsister had happened. He went directly to his hotel and checked out. He’d move in with Adele; she had more than enough room and the gated neighborhood had excellent security. When he phoned her to tell her he was coming, she was elated. He would explain why later. Then he went to the phone store and bought a new, upgraded phone. They put his memory card in the new phone and changed his number. First he called Lang to be sure his best friend and the company could reach him.
And then he called Katie, so glad to have an excuse. “Katie, how are you?”
“Dylan?”
“It’s me.”
“Well, I’m fine, but what about you? Are you all right?” she asked.
“Fine, but my cell number got out and I started getting unwelcome calls. I changed numbers and wanted to be sure you had the new one in case…in case you wanted to call.”
“I don’t want to bother you—aren’t you making a movie?” she asked.
“I’m still talking about the specifics. These things don’t usually happen fast. It’s so weird to be here—so different and yet so much the same,” he said. He wished he had explained in detail about his family, but that would take such a long time and it couldn’t be done now over the phone. She might find it all difficult to believe. “It looks like it should work out. Are you all right? Really?”
“Sure. Of course. We…ah…went to the town Fourth of July picnic. The boys went fishing one Sunday with Conner. I guess that’s all I can report.”
“What about the bear, Katie? Any problems?”
“I guess she didn’t like Jack’s horn—we haven’t seen her.”
“But do you peek outside before you go out?”
She laughed and made him want her so much. “You bet I do.”
“And the boys? Are they having fun?”
She hesitated before she answered. “If there’s one thing they know, it’s how to have fun!”
He wanted to ask her if she missed him. He was afraid of the answer, so he said instead, “I miss you.”
“Aw, that’s so nice, Dylan. I bet you’re very busy. I bet you’re running into lots of old friends.”
“A few,” he admitted, though he wanted to tell her it was more old enemies. “I’d rather be anywhere else…”
“Was it the right decision? Going to L.A. to make a movie?”
“I won’t know until everyone agrees and there’s a contract. You know why I’m doing this.”
“You must be grateful that you can,” she stressed.
“Will you tell the boys I called and said to tell them ‘hi’?”
Again there was a pause. “Listen, I know you’ll understand this, or will at