“How do you know all this?” And why didn’t he, Garrett wondered.
“She called me the next day. We met for lunch. I couldn’t get very much out of her. Apparently, her father crossed the line one too many times.” Callie clucked her tongue sympathetically. “Plus, she was ready. Had been for a while now. Though she didn’t say so, I suspect there’s a man involved.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Intuition,” Callie said. “Before you scoff, there is more. When I asked—”
“And of course, you did.” Garrett was glad. He wanted to know what Jade said.
“I’m her friend, Garrett.” For Callie, that said it all. “She didn’t confirm or deny. However, there was sadness in her eyes when I mentioned it. A break-up can shake anyone’s world. Between her father and this man, Jade finally found the incentive to take control of her life.”
“Break-up?” Garrett practically barked the word. “Is that what she said?”
“I told you, she didn’t say very much. I’m going on experience. Before your father, I met quite a few jerks,” Callie said with feeling. “None of them broke my heart. I didn’t care enough for that. They did bruise it. Believe me. It hurts. It also takes a while to get over. My guess is if Jade’s heart isn’t broken, it certainly is cracked. Deeply. Idiot men.”
Garrett didn’t know what to say. Jade’s heart was broken. How was that possible? None of this jived with the image he carried with him from the other night. He could still see her. Sleepy. Satisfied. Excited about their future. Damn it. How could that have changed in a few days?
More than ever, Garrett felt the frustration of his situation. They were at a delicate stage. The union was coming around. He couldn’t afford to leave it with Hamish. Changing leaders, mid-negotiations, might unbalance the whole thing. Rushing back to Los Angeles — to Jade — might make him feel better personally. Professionally, it would be a disaster. He knew Jade was safe. For now, that would have to do.
“Nate has a set of keys. You can get them from him.”
At least he would know where to find Jade when he got back. Since she wasn’t answering his calls, he would have to be patient. Not one of his best qualities.
“Lovely,” Callie said. “When was the last time the place was cleaned?”
“Are you accusing me of being a slob? Wrong son. That would be Colt.”
His brother never had to worry about dirty clothes or piles of dishes in his sink. He always had some woman or other happy to clean his house. They were thrilled to wash Colton Landis’ dirty underwear. The man was one of the highest paid actors in the world, yet he had never spent one dime on professional maid service.
“I didn’t think you had stacks of molding takeout containers lying around,” Callie laughed. There was a pause. “Do I need to move out any porn?”
“Jesus, Mom.” It was horrifying enough to hear his mother use the word. The idea of her searching his loft was almost too much to contemplate.
“Is that a Jesus, Mom, why would I have porn stashed under my bed? Or Jesus, Mom, you better get over there and clean it out before Jade moves in.”
“Let’s call it a never mention the subject again. And no,” Garrett added, “Jade won’t find anything embarrassing.”
“Good,” Callie said, obviously satisfied. “Still, some pornography can be beautiful. And quite stimulating.”
“Mom…”
“Don’t be a prude, Garrett.”
“It isn’t prudish. It’s normal. Children, especially sons, don’t want to hear their mother’s opinion on pornography.”
“I’ll desist,” Callie laughed. “Thank you, baby. Thank goodness Jade called me before she rented one of the holes we looked at yesterday.”
“It’s good she has you.” Garrett silently said a prayer of thanks. “Are you certain she’ll agree to the loft? She’s bound to question the low price.”
“I’m certain she’ll balk. Leave it to me. Before I’m done, Jade will think she’s doing me a favor. I can be very persuasive.”
“Tell me about it,” Garrett chuckled. “Mom?”
“Yes.”
“I love you.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” He heard his mother draw in a breath. “Now you’ve made me cry.”
“I don’t say it enough,” Garrett said, frowning. He planned on changing that. Three words. Easily said when you meant them. He planned on saying them a lot in the future.
“You tell me all the time,” Callie corrected. “Usually when you’re saying goodbye. Out of the blue like that was a lovely surprise. I love you too, baby. With all my heart.”
“Am I your favorite?”
Callie’s musical laugh carried through the speaker, warming Garrett’s heart. It was one of his all-time favorite sounds.
“When was the last time you asked me that? When you were four? Maybe five?”
“I outgrew that stage,” Garrett admitted.
“All you boys asked at one time or another.”
“What was your standard answer?” Garrett asked. He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear her say it.
“I love you,” Callie said.
“Then you would scoop us up and give a hundred and one kisses. We were laughing so hard when you were finished, we forgot to worry about favorites.”
“You were too young to understand the pitfalls every parent tackles when faced with that question,” Callie sighed. “I would give my life for you and your brothers. No hesitation. No question about it. There is no degree to my love. I hope you know that.”
“I always have.”
“Stay safe, sweetheart.” Callie sent a kiss his way. “I’ll see you soon.”
Putting his phone away, Garrett thought about how lucky he was. Two parents who loved unconditionally. Not uncommon. However, when your mother deserted you and your father wasn’t capable of a shred of affection, growing up had to be difficult. Could he blame Jade for pulling back? Her experience with men ranged from condescendingly indifferent to brutal. There didn’t seem to be any middle ground. Believing in him would not be easy for her.
It was frustrating. For the first time in his life, he had found a woman he wanted to spend more than a few weeks with. Garrett wanted to see if they could build something lasting. He knew what forever looked like. His parents were a shining example of how it could be. That’s what he wanted. Was Jade the one? He would never find out unless he could convince her to give him a chance.
Garrett stepped outside of his trailer into the mid-summer air. It wasn’t the blazing heat they got in Los Angeles. This was Vancouver. One of the reasons he loved shooting here was the milder weather. Rain wasn’t that much of problem this time of year. If he could settle everything on this trip, he would be back in a month to shoot the final exterior scenes. Exile would wrap in early October. Fingers crossed it would be ready for distribution late next year.
“Garrett. The car is waiting.”
“Be right there, Hamish.”
Garrett climbed into the back of the Cadillac Escalade with a calmer mind. Jade in his loft. He smiled at the thought. He doubted his mother would tell her who owned the place. When she found out, he wondered if she would be angry. God, he hoped so. He was in the mood for a fight. Whatever her reasons for turning away from him, it still pissed him off. They needed to clear the air. Then they needed to make love. On his bed. With all the lights on.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but keep it up,” Hamish said as they pulled into traffic. “That’s the happiest I’ve seen you in days.”
“I see the light at the end of the tunnel, my friend.” Garrett patted Hamish on the back. “A few more bumps and then clear sailing all the way.”
“I DON’T KNOW, Callie. How can this place be in my budget?”
“Trust me,” Callie said. She tugged Jade through the door. “Think of it like house sitting more than renting. My friend needs somebody trustworthy to look after the place while he’s out of town. I recommended y
ou.”
Jade tried not to gape. She was hardly a hick from the sticks, in the city for the first time. Up until now, her life had been a first class ride. The best hotels, the finest restaurants. She had seen bigger lofts. Though none in downtown Los Angeles. And none with a panoramic view of the city. It was tempting.
“I wanted something less…” Jade searched for the right word. “Something less. How can people live like this when they haven’t earned it?”
“You think you should suffer first?” Callie hid her smile. “That rat-infested crack house? Really? No one deserves to live like that.”
“It wasn’t a crack house,” Jade scoffed. “Was it?”
“I have no idea.” Callie guided Jade to a stop in front of the floor to ceiling windows. “Look at this. Why would you pick urine-soaked hallways when you could wake up to this every morning?”
When Callie put it like that, Jade had no comeback.
When she walked out of her father’s house, Jade had a plan. She would find a place to live that suited her budget. Then she would find a job. Without any set agenda, she went to a place she was familiar with. The motel where she and Garrett used to meet.
Garrett. The tightening in her chest became a familiar feeling. Loss. Sorrow. Guilt. He called her at least a dozen times in the past few days. So much for reducing temptation. She read each text. Listened to every voice mail. He was worried. Why wasn’t she returning his calls?
After debating with herself, Jade finally gave in. One text. Brief. To the point. It wasn’t fair to keep him completely in the dark. He needed to know that she was fine — safe and sound. Otherwise, he might contact the police. Or worse, he might continue calling until she did what her heart drove her to do. Tell him everything then beg him to stay.
Jade looked out over the city. It amazed her that out there and beyond were people who cared what she did — who she did it with. All because she had a recognizable name and a knife-wielding husband. The second she arrived at the hospital with life-threatening wounds, she became news. Worse. She became fodder for gossip. Tabloid papers, online bloggers. Whispers from friends and acquaintances.
Time and other scandals quieted the worst of it. However, it wouldn’t take much to fan the still smoldering coals. One hint that Jade Marlow was involved with Garrett Landis and once more she would be the center of attention. She didn’t care about that. Let them say what they wanted about her. She cared about Garrett. She refused to drag him down into muck and mire. With a stench attached to her name that she would never completely lose, he needed a woman whose past didn’t have such a huge, ugly stain on it.
Late last night Jade sent her last text to Garrett. Short. To the point.
I’m fine. I’m sorry. I need to move on. A fresh start is the only way. Goodbye, Garrett. Thank you for a wonderful six months. Please, don’t contact me again.
It wasn’t the smoothest break-up. Texting was cowardly. What else could she do? If she tried to do it in person, Jade was afraid she wouldn’t have the strength to go through with it. For her, this was the only way.
Ever since she hit send, Jade waited for Garrett to respond. All last night, then this morning, her phone remained silent. Apparently, he was honoring her wishes. Was it perverse of her that a little part of her was disappointed? She didn’t expect him to suddenly appear, pounding the door down, begging for her to reconsider — but part of her secretly wished for just that. It was the part of her that still believed in white knights and happily ever afters. Impractical. Unrealistic. Little girl dreams that this woman couldn’t afford to indulge in.
If Jade had learned one thing, it was this. She was stronger than she thought. A survivor. Now it was time to move forward — one step at a time. She was prepared to do it alone. Luckily, she didn’t have to. She had Callie. The irony wasn’t lost on her. She wouldn’t allow herself to lean on Garrett. However, his mother stood not five feet away, her greatest advocate.
Avoiding Garrett would be impossible if Jade maintained her friendship with Callie. Was she strong enough to ask for his friendship and nothing more? Would he accept such an offer?
Fists clenched, Jade wanted to scream. Enough! If she let her thoughts keep running in circles, her head would explode. She needed a friend. Callie was that person. The rest she would deal with when she had to. Right now, she had more pressing matters.
“How long is your friend going to be out of town?”
“Indefinitely.”
“Callie?”
“Yes?”
Jade looked at the other woman. Garrett’s eyes. Maybe she was a glutton for punishment.
“Do you own this place?”
Callie’s expressive eyes widened; the silvery gray deepened to the color of brushed steel.
“Why would you think that?”
“You are a wonderful actress,” Jade said. “But a lousy liar.”
With a chuckle, Callie slid an arm around Jade’s waist.
“You have me there,” the other woman admitted. “It was a talent I never mastered. However.” She squeezed Jade affectionately. “I promise you I am not lying. I don’t own this place.”
“And the owner?”
“A very close friend.” Which was true, Callie thought. She was fortunate to call all her sons friend. “He is out of town. I admit to fudging a bit on the rest.”
“In what way?” Jade asked warily.
“The loft was on the market. All of the interested buyers have given lowball offers. Since my friend isn’t in a hurry to sell, he agreed to let you stay here at a rent you could afford.”
“You gave him a sob story on my behalf.” God, Jade hated being pitied.
“No,” Callie corrected. “I gave him a bare outline of your situation. Straightforward. No sobs involved. Being a generous man, he agreed to help.”
“Callie—”
“Listen, Jade,” Callie interrupted. “There is nothing wrong with taking a hand up. Notice I said up, not out. You have a friend who has a friend. So what if this place is a little nicer than your average apartment?”
“A little?” Jade looked around the room again. “You are the master of understatement.”
“Do you plan on digging in? Are you going to stay here forever?”
“Of course not. Still…”
“A few months, Jade.” Callie’s eyes turned serious. “The building is completely secure. Camera. Alarms. A burly doorman. I know we haven’t spoken very much about your husband.”
“Soon to be ex.”
“The sooner, the better,” Callie said. “He’s still out there, Jade. I don’t say that to upset you. I want you to be safe. Realistically, all you can afford is a smelly walk-up and a few dead bolts. When your ex is in custody, we’ll talk about you moving out.”
“Wishing won’t make that happen, Callie.”
Jade knew that. She prayed every day for Stephen’s capture. Six months on the run without as much as a sighting. It could be years before he was apprehended. Hell, it might never happen.
“I will stay here,” Jade finally declared. “It would be foolish and ungracious for me not to.”
“Wonderful,” Callie exclaimed. “The first thing we need to do is give the place the once-over. Obviously the owner has someone come in to clean every so often.”
Jade watched as Callie ran a finger over the kitchen counter.
“No dust,” Callie said with satisfaction. She opened the refrigerator. “Sparkling clean. Groceries first. Then if there isn’t any, linen. Sheets, towels. Soap. Essentials.”
Since Callie was right, Jade didn’t argue. She had never purchased these things for herself. Having someone with her who knew the ins and outs would be nice. Jade wanted to be independent. That didn’t mean turning down help when she needed it. Besides, she loved being around Callie. She made shopping for groceries sound fun instead of mundane.
“I know the cutest little shops.” Callie was already making a mental list of the places she would take Jade. “Are you fre
e tomorrow?”
“I have to start looking for a job. I’m going to see what’s listed in the morning paper.”
“That’s a good place to start.” Callie gave Jade her sweetest smile. “Or, you could let me help. What kind of job did you have in mind?”
“I’m not qualified to do anything. I have a degree in graphic design. Not that it did me any good,” Jade sighed. “As my father pointed out, it is a useless thing to major in.”
“What did he want you to study?”
“Languages. He thought it would help to have someone around who could speak Chinese.” Jade shook her head. “I tried. One class and I knew I didn’t have the aptitude. Or the interest.”
“Honestly,” Callie scoffed. “The man has more money than he knows what to do with. If he wanted an interpreter, he should have hired one.”
“As he loved to remind me, my father didn’t get rich by throwing away money.”
“In other words, he wanted unpaid labor.”
“He paid for my education.” Jade had no desire to defend her father. What she said was the truth.
“How did you end up with a degree in graphic design?”
“Sometimes having a father who wasn’t interested in you could be a good thing,” Jade explained. “When I changed majors, I never told him.”
“Easy as that?” Callie thought it sounded too easy.
“He paid the tuition. During my four years of college, it worked fine. I went to class, came home, as expected. It wasn’t until I graduated that the shit hit the fan.”
“No Chinese.”
“Not a lick.”
They had moved to the large, chocolate-colored sofa. Callie patted Jade’s hand. “What did your father say?”
“What he always said,” she shrugged. “Or some variation on the theme. It was typical, he said in that controlled tone of his. He should have expected a worthless daughter to get a worthless degree.”
Jade closed her eyes. She had to keep reminding herself that her father wasn’t downstairs behind his office doors, ready to summon her for another round of why Jade is a disappointment.
“No!” Callie cried out. “How could he say such a thing? You poor, sweet girl.”
Dreaming With A Broken Heart (Hollywood Legends #1) Page 18