“I don’t need to tell you that last night didn’t help.”
“I know,” Monty said quietly.
“But I must admit that I’m relieved this wasn’t another drunken incident. I haven’t heard about any more of those. So at least you’ve learned that lesson. And I can allow that Cal shares some responsibility for what happened. He overreacted a bit, and he knows it. I checked in with both him and Mr. Morgan this morning. It’s their first day of filming, you know. It doesn’t seem as if any harm was done. They’re both fine and ready to work, and ready to move on from the incident.”
Monty felt his heart lift. He didn’t dare breathe.
“However,” Ezra continued, “this acting up has to stop, kid.”
Monty nodded earnestly. “I know. I swear I’ll be on my best behavior from now on.”
Ezra looked amused. “I know you will. And we’re going to make sure of it.”
“We-we are?”
Ezra began sorting through one of the piles of papers that always seemed to fill their desk. They pulled two folders out of the pile and flipped one open. “I met with the Publicity Department this morning. They had all sorts of ideas for how to make sure you stayed on the up-and-up, with possibilities ranging from suspension to marriage.”
Monty clenched his hands together. “Okay.”
Ezra clapped the folder shut and put them both back on the pile. “All of their ideas were bullshit. Marriage won’t help and suspension will make things worse. So here’s what we’re going to do instead: since Hilliard seems to have taken a vested interest in your success, he’s going to play a part in you achieving it.”
Hilliard sat up straighter next to him. “I’m listening.”
Ezra glanced between them. “You’re going to be roommates. Technically either of your houses will do, but I’d recommend moving into Hilliard’s place. It will give off the reliable and responsible image that we’re after.”
Monty opened his mouth to protest, to state that the solution wasn’t at all fair to Hilliard. But his friend spoke first, “That makes sense. My place will work nicely.”
“But–”
“Good,” Ezra said. “I hoped that’s what you’d say. Montgomery, I want you to go home and pack enough to last you for two months. That will get us all the way to the end of filming, with a little room after, just in case. I do not want to see you at any parties, nightclubs, or bars without Hilliard. I’d honestly prefer not to see you out at all. Or at least as little as possible. Keep a low profile. Hilliard has managed to do that for years, so you’re learning from the best. You’ll be made aware if your presence is required at any official events. Do I make myself clear?”
Monty looked at Hilliard, trying to determine if his friend was disappointed or annoyed or regretful. But Hilliard simply gave him his usual gentle smile and an encouraging nod. So Monty took a deep breath and turned back to the producer. “Yes, Ezra. Quite clear.”
“Good. I’ll make one exception to those rules: it wouldn’t go amiss if you were seen publicly getting along with Cal.”
Monty tensed at the suggestion. “What?”
“I know you’re bitter about the musical, kid. But stop taking it out on him. He didn’t steal it from you. I did. Be mad at me all you want, but I want your little attitude problem with him to end now. Got it?”
Monty swallowed his frustration at the command.
Hilliard cleared his throat. “Cal really is a great guy when you get to know him. Maybe we can have him and Mr. Morgan over for dinner sometime and we can all get to know each other better.”
“That’s the idea. Now, if there aren’t any more questions, I think that’s all for today, gentlemen. You’ve got a little over a week to get settled in before production begins.”
Monty followed Hilliard back out of the office and to the car. His brain was whirring with warring emotions: utter relief that he hadn’t been fired and was being given another chance, regret that he had dragged Hilliard into his problems even more, irritation that he now had a chaperone, and anger that he was being told to be pally with Cal Campbell.
But as they drove down the road, he looked at Hilliard again. His friend looked more relaxed than he had in days.
“You really think this is going to work, don’t you?” Monty asked.
Hilliard looked surprised but then he smiled at him. “Sure do, sweetheart.”
Chapter 10
Hilliard
After the meeting with Ezra had gone about as well as it possibly could have, Hilliard brought Monty to his home for the second time that day so that he could begin making good on his agreement with Ezra and pack for an extended stay.
