by Deanna Chase
Shannon blinked at him, feeling blindsided by the fact that she hadn’t realized his reality had changed that much. When was the last time they’d talked? Really talked? “Wow, Si. That’s an incredible place to be. Congratulations.”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “It would be if I had any say in how my career is being handled. Mom is only interested in the biggest paychecks and the most buzz. I just want to do good work.”
She reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. “I understand. If there was something I could do, you know I would.”
He let out a small chuckle. “Anything except be my manager.”
“What am I supposed to do? Leave my life here? You know how much I love it. I’d lose my mind in LA.”
He pursed his lips and narrowed one eye, giving her an appraising look. “Hey, Shan?”
“Yeah?”
“Welcome to the twenty-first century. You know all that technology they invented? That means facetime calls, video chats, instant access. You wouldn’t need to live in LA to manage my career.”
Shannon scoffed. “Right. What about all those business meetings, lunches, and schmoozing Mom participates in? Are you telling me none of that is necessary?”
“Nope. That’s her trying to cozy up to everyone in the business. She wants connections so she can push her other clients. And that’s fine. But I don’t need that. Not now anyway.” He tilted his head to the side and stared right at her. “You can do the job from here, Shannon. Please tell me you’ll at least think about it. I am going to find someone else once my birthday rolls around. I’d rather it be you than anyone else. You understand the industry. But more importantly, you understand and care about me.”
A ton of emotion hit Shannon all at once. Her desire to wrap him in a bubble to protect him was the strongest. But second was pure love for the kid. He deserved so much better than what their mom had to give. How could she say no to him? Silas was the most important person in her life. She knew deep down that if he begged her to move to LA she’d probably do it. She’d hate it. But she’d do it. “We have eight months, right?”
“Yeah.” He nodded, but his expression was guarded.
“I’ll think about it. If I decide to take this on, I’ll set up an office here and do it on a trial basis. If not, I’ll help you find new management, someone you can trust.”
He beamed at her. “Thanks, Shannon. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”
She did know. Hadn’t she been in his same shoes a decade earlier? Well, not quite the same shoes. She hadn’t been on a hit television show. But she’d had some minor success, and if she’d had someone in her corner who cared more about her wellbeing than the payout, she might’ve stuck it out longer. Or not. It was hard to say. Acting had been fun, but she couldn’t say she missed it at all. If it had been her passion, wouldn’t she have cared more when she walked away? Probably.
“Come on, kid. Let’s watch a movie and relax.” She got up from the table, placed their dishes into the sink, and followed him into the living room where they flopped down on the couch. Shannon grabbed the remote and said, “Now, you can tell me all about Levi.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” he said, but he couldn’t hide the smile that claimed his lips.
“Right. When are you seeing him again?” She turned the television on and started scrolling through movies to stream.
“Tomorrow. But before you get all gooey-eyed and start assuming anything, we’re just friends going on a hike.”
She glanced over at him. “Anyone else going? Candy? Or what about their friend Axel?”
“Who’s Axel?”
“Candy and Levi’s friend. Pretty sure he plays for your team.”
Silas’s smile vanished, and he started scrolling through his phone until he landed on Levi’s name. Then he started to type out a message.
Shannon laughed and gently patted his knee. “Oh, honey. You just keep sticking to that ‘just friends’ thing. We’ll see how that turns out.”
“Shut up,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I’m just asking if he wants to invite anyone else.”
“Really?” Shannon raised her eyebrows curiously. “Why?”
He cut her a side-eye glance. “Because I’m not a jerk?”
“Because you want to check out the competition? Or you want to evaluate all your options?”
“That’s very shallow of you, Shan. Maybe I just want to make friends,” he countered.
“Right,” she muttered. “Just like I want to be friends with the blonde Brian brought to Yvette’s wedding.”
This time Silas laughed. “Okay. I might be a little curious.” But when the return text came in, Silas’s smile turned sweet and he slid down in the couch, settling in to keep texting.
“What did he say?” Shannon prompted.
“It’s going to be just us. He said he hadn’t even thought to invite them and he’s pretty sure they both have to work anyway.”
“Well then. Sounds like we both have dates tomorrow.”
His grin widened as he went back to texting his new friend. Shannon turned to the television and picked the latest rom-com, knowing Silas was lost in his phone for the foreseeable future.
Shannon worked at A Spoonful of Magic in the morning and then spent the rest of her day puttering around her house. Silas was off hiking with Levi, and Brian wouldn’t be over until the evening.
By midafternoon after practically cleaning her place from top to bottom, she was starting to get anxious about her date. She’d had a moment of weakness when she invited him over. It was those kisses. They were enough to rattle anyone’s brain. She hadn’t been prepared to invite him in the night before. Not when she needed to talk to Silas about his meeting with Lorna. At the same time, she couldn’t wait until Friday to see him either.
Hell. She was probably making a mistake. But even if that was the case, she knew she wouldn’t regret giving him a shot. There was just something about Brian Knox that flipped all her switches.
It was just dinner? Right?
Sure. She chuckled to herself and strode off to the kitchen to bake her favorite chocolate caramel torte. Because even though she already knew he was completely into her, she still wanted to impress him. And better yet, this wasn’t something she could pull off with just a wave of her wand. She needed to use her own two hands. She just hoped he appreciated it.
A few hours later, with the perfect torte in the refrigerator and dinner warming in the oven, Shannon fixed her lipstick one last time and sat down with a glass of wine to wait. She’d only gotten through half her glass when she heard a commotion in front of her house. Loud voices were shouting and calling for someone.
Shannon rushed to the front door and tore it open, finding Silas and Levi in the middle of her yard. Silas’s arms were around the other young man as he whispered something into his ear.
A group of about five photographers surrounded the two teenagers, each of them shooting out questions as they snapped picture after picture.
“Silas! Is this your boyfriend?”
“Did you come up to Keating Hollow for a romantic getaway?”
“Why weren’t you at the press conference yesterday for your new show?”
“Can I get an interview? Your boyfriend is welcome.”
“Does this mean you’re officially out now? Are you gay or bi? Or do you not label yourself?”
Holy hell! How had the paparazzi found him? And why was he hugging Levi like that in front of them? Silas never shared his personal life with the press. To be open about his sexuality now was a strange choice, especially since, as far as Shannon knew, the two weren’t actually dating.
She hurried through the circle of photographers to Silas’s side. “What are you doing? You know this is going to cause a media shitstorm,” she whispered into his ear. Then without waiting for his answer, she spoke louder, so everyone could hear her. “Let’s get you both inside. I think you paps have enough to work with, don’t you?�
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Silas flashed her an irritated look and whispered in her ear, “Levi twisted his ankle. I was trying to help him inside when the photographers showed up. Right after they rushed toward us, he stumbled over a sprinkler head and I caught him. That’s it.”
Crap. That explained a lot. “Has he seen a healer?”
“Yes,” Silas said through gritted teeth. “But Hope and Chad are over at the coast today. I didn’t want him to be alone, so I brought him back here. Big mistake.” He turned his attention back to Levi. “Sorry, man. I know this sucks.”
“Can we just go inside?” he asked, ignoring the photographers. “My foot is throbbing.”
“Yes,” Shannon said, wrapping one arm around his waist while Silas did the same. He draped one arm over each of their shoulders, and together they started to move slowly toward the front door.
“Hey. Need some help?” Brian asked, rushing to their side.
Shannon glanced up at the handsome man holding a bouquet of red roses. Damn, was that sweet or what? “We just need to get Levi inside. He sprained his ankle.”
The photographers started to move in again, taking picture after picture of the four of them. Shannon dreaded what kind of story they’d come up with. Anything to sell the tabloids, she was certain.
Levi winced and one knee buckled. “Dammit,” he said, his face pinched in pain.
“Didn’t the healer give him a pain potion?” Shannon asked Silas.
“She tried, but he wouldn’t take it. He said he didn’t like the potions and that he’d take something over the counter.”
“I’ve got this,” Brian said, standing in front of Levi. “Come on, man. I’m going to lift you up and carry you inside.”
Levi jerked his head up, a panicked expression in his eyes as they darted around taking in the paparazzi. “You can’t do that. They’ll get a photo of it.”
“It’s either that or video of you barely walking,” Brian said. “If you just let me pick you up in a fireman’s carry, we can be inside in seconds with the door closed and you on the couch. What do you say?”
His eyes darted around at the chaotic scene again, and then he closed them and nodded once. “Just get me inside.”
Brian didn’t hesitate. He picked up the teen, draped him over one shoulder, and strode into the house, Silas and Shannon right behind him.
Shannon slammed the door shut and quickly lowered the window shades. She rapidly skirted the downstairs, closing the rest of the blinds to make sure no more photos were taken of them. After grabbing some ibuprofen from the cabinet and a glass of water, she made her way back to the living room where Levi was sprawled on the couch. Silas was slumped in a chair, both hands covering his face, and Brian was inspecting Levi’s ankle. She placed the pills and water glass on the coffee table and asked Levi, “How is it?”
“Hurts.”
She nodded, shook out a few pills, and handed them over along with the water glass. “Hopefully that will help a little. What did the healer tell you to do?”
“To stay off it for a few weeks.” Levi grimaced as he tried to shift his body into a more comfortable position. “It hurts like a mofo right now.”
“I’m sure it—” Shannon started.
“It’s not broken,” Silas said, cutting her off. “That’s something at least, right? Levi said it wasn’t, but the healer confirmed it. She said it’s just a bad sprain and with some physio he’ll be good to go by the time school starts this fall.”
“Didn’t she give him any crutches?” Shannon asked.
“She was out. Said she’d make sure and have a set tomorrow,” Silas said. “I’ll get them for him in the morning.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Levi said with a groan. “I’m sure Hope or Chad will take care of it.”
Silas slid off the chair and went to sit on the coffee table across from Levi.
Shannon retreated, grabbing Brian’s hand to pull him with her. Silas clearly needed to get a few things off his chest. That wouldn’t be easy with her and Brian hovering. They moved to the entry way between the kitchen and the living room. While she wanted to give them some space, she also wanted to be on hand if Levi needed anything else.
“I’m not doing anything while I’m here in Keating Hollow,” Silas said. “Remember? I’m on vacation with nothing better to do… now that I’ve broken you. It’s not a problem to grab your crutches. Besides, it’s completely my fault that you got hurt.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Levi said, sounding slightly exasperated as if they’d already had that conversation. “I was the one not paying attention while we were climbing back down those rocks.”
“But I coerced you into going up there. You didn’t want to go, remember?”
He tenderly brushed a lock of hair out of Levi’s eye but then quickly pulled his hand back and averted his eyes as if he was embarrassed. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Levi said softly. The two boys kept their heads together as they quietly talked about the hike and the views they’d seen before his accident.
“Come in here,” Shannon said, finally giving her full attention to Brian and tugging him into the kitchen. “What happened to those flowers you were carrying earlier when you got sucked into the middle of that Hollywood garbage.”
He frowned. “Um, I think I handed them over to Silas before I carried Levi in the house.”
She glanced around, found nothing, and then retreated back to the living room. She didn’t see them anywhere, so she barked out, “Who took my roses?”
Silas pointed at the chair he’d been sitting in before he’d launched himself at Levi. “In the storage pocket. Sorry, was distracted I guess.”
“Uh-huh,” Shannon agreed, but didn’t put any feeling behind her words. Instead she rescued her flowers from the pocket on the side of the chair and took them back into the kitchen. She turned and smiled at Brian. “These are beautiful. Thank you.”
He stepped in close and wrapped one arm around her. “Not as beautiful as you.”
Her heart melted. It was completely gone. She laid the flowers on the counter, reached up with both hands, cupping his cheeks, and pressed her lips to his.
Brian let out a soft murmur of approval, pulling her in even closer. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”
“Me, too,” she admitted and kissed him again, this time opening to—
The doorbell rang, followed by loud knocking.
“Seriously?” Shannon pulled back and stalked into the living room, already pulling her phone out of her pocket. It was one thing to stand on public property and take pictures of her house, it was entirely another to harass them.
“This is Drew Baker,” the deputy sheriff said into the phone.
“Hey. It’s Shannon Ansell. We’ve got a paparazzi problem over here at my house. Do you think you can—”
“Shannon!” a woman called from the other side of the door. “Open up. I don’t have my key.”
“Mom?” Shannon rushed to the door and looked through the peephole. Dread coiled in her gut. What the hell was she doing there?
“Shannon?” Deputy Sheriff Baker asked on the phone. “Everything all right? I can be there in five minutes.”
“Hold on. I think I might’ve been mistaken.” With the phone still to her ear, she pulled the door open to find the paparazzi was gone and the only person who remained was Gigi Ansell.
Chapter Twelve
“Sorry, Drew. I was mistaken. Everything is fine here,” Shannon said into the phone as she stared at her mother. The woman was dressed in a flawless white silk jumpsuit, red six-inch heels, and had a red silk scarf around her neck despite the fact it was over eighty degrees.
“No problem. Call me if you need anything,” Drew said.
Shannon mumbled her thanks and ended the call.
“Well? Aren’t you going to let me into my own house?” Gigi said.
“Of course,” Shannon said, snapping out of her frozen state. She pulled the door
open wider and made room for her mom to enter the small cottage.
Gigi waved toward the driveway. “Someone needs to get my luggage from the car.”
Silas stood, his fists clenched and his jaw tight as he glared at her. “You couldn’t even give me a few days? Dammit, Gigi. I needed a break from everything Hollywood.”
Both Shannon and her mother knew he meant he needed a break from Gigi. Their mother rolled her eyes and then looked down at Levi, who was now sitting upright, his injured ankle propped up on pillows.
“Who is this?” Gigi asked, peering over her glasses at him, her nose wrinkled as if something smelled foul.
“This is Levi. He’s—” Shannon started to tell her he was her friend’s brother so that Silas wouldn’t have to explain anything to her.
But Silas cut her off and said, “He does Shannon’s yard work.”
Both Levi and Shannon stared at him, their mouths slightly open.
“Oh.” Gigi frowned. “What’s he doing on my couch?”
Shannon bristled at the way she was claiming ownership of the house and all the things in it. It was true, her parents owned the place. It had been her grandmother’s, and they’d never sold it after she passed. But all the stuff in it? It had either been left by her grandmother or Shannon had bought it herself.
“He sprained his ankle,” Silas said tightly. “He’s resting here until his sister gets home and can care for him.”
Levi carefully lifted his injured foot off the pillows, and with a guarded expression, he said, “That’s not really necessary. I’ll be fine on my own couch. I should get out of here and let Mrs. Ansell have her house back.”
It’s not her house, Shannon’s inner voice wanted to scream.
“What?” Silas sat back down on the coffee table, facing him. “No. You can’t walk. What if you need something to eat or drink? Or can’t find the remote?”
Levi glared at him. “I’ll be fine.” He glanced past Silas. “Brian? Do you think you could help me get home?”