Page 29 of Now or Never

His uncle didn’t pick up on it.

“Of course I am.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m thirty-one years old, Uncle David. It’s been over a decade since I was in the public eye. I doubt anyone will even recognize me.”

“Lilian Walsh and Vincent Shadd recognized you.”

Adam exhaled and turned to face the mirror still hanging on the wall above a booth. He had to admit, he was extremely recognizable. He looked exactly like his uncle, and if that wasn’t enough of a giveaway, the faded scars on his face would remove all doubt.

“I’ll lie low.”

“It’s a big production, Adam. The film crews will be there for weeks, staying in town. I heard Winter Barlowe is the lead.Media will be everywhere. God, Lawrence must be shitting himself.”

Adam winced. He hadn’t even thought about his dad. He’dhatedthe media attention he got from being married to Grace Hartley. He was extremely protective.

“Actually, he’s away on vacation.”

Uncle David went silent for a beat, probably recovering from shock. “No kidding. Where did he go?”

“He’s driving an RV across Canada.”

David laughed. “How very Lawrence of him. Well, at least we don’t have to worry about him threatening a reporter with a sawed-off shotgun again.”

Adam laughed, wondering how his uncle managed to squeeze that old story into every interaction they had. He was about to ask whether he would ever let it go when a sharp bang drowned out his thoughts and caused a ringing in his head.

“What the hell was that? Where are you?”

Adam blinked away the ear pain. “I’m at the bar. Max and I are demoing. I better run.”

“Okay, but promise you’ll send someone else into Brin’s for your coffee, and order all your meals in, until this blows over. I’ll have security monitor things from my end.”

Adam rolled his eyes. He really didn’t think he would get recognized, but since he didn’t have the time to lounge around town anyways, he decided to just humour his uncle. “10-4. Gotta go.”

“One more thing, I’m sorry, but I can’t make Float Fest this year.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. It’s going to be the best one yet.”

“I don’t doubt it. Maybe I can come to town soon so we can spend some time together. I’m due for a round at Mapleton Golf Course.”

Adam laughed. “Sure, anytime after Float Fest would be good.”

“Love you, Adam.”

“Love you, too,” he said, then hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket and turned to find Max staring him down.

“Wall’s down,” he said.

Adam nodded. “Sounded like the roof was crashing in.”

“What did Uncle David want?”

Adam scrubbed a hand down his face. “He’s worried about the media in Mapleton for the film shoot at Chelsea’s. I guess Winter Barlowe is the star.”

Max shook his head, clearly unaware of one of the biggest stars in the world and not caring an iota. “He should be more worried about Chelsea.”

Adam dropped the sledgehammer on the ground with more force than necessary. “What is your problem?”

Max squared his enormous shoulders and crossed his arms. “I know what you’re like.”

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