“I can’t believe I finally get to meet my big brother, the superstar,” Willow interjected, diverting his attention. The older girl offered him a quirky smile, so much like Connor’s. If he remembered right, Willow was a senior in high school and a center on the volleyball team. She was tall and thin with a clear complexion and the confidence that comes with athleticism. “Can I get your picture? My friends are never going to believe it when I tell them where I am.”
She held up the camera on her cell phone, laughing, and he obliged, draping a casual arm around her shoulder, while she snapped the picture. Then he offered the same to Glenna, who wasn’t as bold as Willow, but clearly wanted a photo too.
Awkward greetings over, they sat around the family room, while he plied them with sodas from the bar, and Connor offered them a tray full of snacks. Then they discussed every topic he could think of—the best attractionsto visit while they were in Los Angeles, life on a college campus, the Hollywood lifestyle—until it was time for them to leave.
“Son, thanks for having us,” his dad said, pulling him into an awkward hug. “I’m really glad we got to see you.”
“Me too, Dad. Me too.” And this time, Hank discovered, he meant it.
“Hey, big guy, whatcha doing?”Connor said when Hank picked up his call.
“Connor, what’s up?” Hank asked. “I’m about ready to go onThe Talk.”
“No kidding. Well, I won’t keep you.”
“I’ve got a few minutes. Everything all right?”
“Yeah, everything’s good.” Connor cleared his throat. “Was just going to say it was a good visit with Dad the other day.”
“Yeah.” Hank swallowed the dryness in his throat. It had felt good to meet their stepmom and sisters and to have a conversation with their dad that didn’t involve money.
“I know you still don’t trust him. But it was nice, wasn’t it, to be all together like that?”
“Yeah, I guess. Where are you?”
“I’m on my way to your house. Thought I’d take Woodrow for a walk... I know that was hard for you and all. To talk to Dad and Linda and meet Willow and Glenna. But you did good. Dad seemed really proud of you. You okay?”
Hank straightened the collar of his shirt and frowned at the phone. “I’m good. Why?”
“I don’t know. You still seem. . .unhappy or something.”
Or something.He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “Just working. I’m all right.”
“You don’t seem like it. Seems like every time I talk to you, you’re sad and angry. Is it the girl you dated in Cleveland? You know, the restaurant owner. Whatever happened to her?”
Hank shifted his rear end on the extra comfy couch in his dressing room. “Nothing happened to her. She’s still in Cleveland, as far as I know.”
“Did she break up with you or something? Is that why you’re depressed?”
“No.” The single word came out sharper than Hank intended. He drew in a breath and lowered his voice. “I’m not unhappy, Connor. I’m getting my career back on track, that’s all. You want me to be able to pay your college bills, don’t you?”
“Not if it makes you miserable.”
Hank gritted his teeth. “I’m not miserable. Not at all. I was just named best actor in a TV show. Rehearsals have begun forRobin Hood. What the heck would I have to be miserable about?”
“See, that’s what I mean. You sound like you’ve been sentenced to prison.”
And he felt like it too. Hank rubbed his jaw. “Your imagination.”
The door opened, and Elizabeth stood in the entrance.
“If you say so.” Connor didn’t sound convinced. “Mind if I hit the gym while I’m at your place?”
“Go for it. Listen, gotta run.” Hank ended the call and stood.
“Los Angeles is good for you, Hank. Your hair andmakeup look great.” Elizabeth crossed his dressing room, her long legs encased in expensive-looking trousers. Not a wrinkle marred her ivory silk top. She looked cool and controlled and confident as she removed an invisible piece of lint from his shirt. “You’re on in five. Are you ready?”
Hank tilted his thumb in the air, and a few minutes later, he settled his bottom on the cushy black leather chair behind the microphone atThe Talk, the hottest podcast in television and film. He took a drink of water and prepared for the first set of questions from the host, Jessica Flowers.
