Page 35 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“Jesus. Liam, I told you to keep it in your pants. Guy or girl?”

“It’s not like that. We haven’t…” He wanted to be with Stone. He wanted to learn every inch of Stone, committing it all to memory. “I kissed him. That’s it.”For now.“I like him and he knows the truth. All of the truth.”

“Would he do this? Turn you in to get fame? Would he lie?”

“No.” He trusted Stone. If anyone disclosed his sexuality and vandalized his vehicle, it wouldn’t be Stone.

“God damn it. You should’ve thought this through. This is your career. Guys will come and go,” Patricia said.

“My career won’t last forever.” He’d get older and eventually the parts would dry up for good.

“It will if you play your cards right and let me handle this,” she growled.

“The studio is your deal. I trust you to sort that out. I won’t deny that I’m gay any longer. If that scratches me from the part, then it does. I’ll live with the consequences.” He spotted Jordan waving. “I need to speak to the cops.”

“You do. Maybe we can keep this quiet or you prove you’re a great actor because no one knew your true self,” she said. “Just keep your head down.”

“Thanks.” He disconnected the call and put his phone away. He turned his attention to Jordan. “Hi.”

“Relay what happened to Officer Jones,” Jordan said.

He did as told and gave his statement to the officer. Speaking to the cops was mandatory, but he was tired of telling the same damn set of events.

“Do you have a way home?” Officer Jones asked. “We want to keep your vehicle to look for prints.”

“Swell.” He groaned. “You can take it. I’ll call a friend.” He held up his hand. “My prints will be on the car and so will Stone McCartney’s. I gave him a ride this morning.”

“Thank you,” Officer Jones said. He jotted notes into his pad.

He hated to bother Stone, especially since he’d said he’d call, but not for a ride. Pat and Arthur would kill him for getting more deeply involved with Stone. Still, he dialed his friend’s number.

After two rings, Stone answered. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He tried to sound upbeat, but his excitement was gone. “How are you? How’s Champ?”

“I’m good. Champ is still sleepy, but Aubrey checked him out. Says there’s progress. Plus, Missy has adopted him. I couldn’t take him back if I wanted to—which I don’t,” Stone said.

“Wonderful.” He needed good news.

“Are you okay? You sound upset.”

“My SUV was vandalized,” he said, his voice flat. He should’ve been better at masking his feelings.

“Were you hurt? Are you okay? Where are you? Have you called the police? Do you need help?

“Slow down.” God, he needed this man. He wanted someone to be on his side. Pat was, but because he paid her. Stone’s was honest interest. “I’m okay. I wasn’t in the vehicle at the time. The police are here and they’ve impounded my car. I think they’re going under the assumption there’s more here than we realize. Anyway, I’m stuck at the diner and could use a ride.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Stone.” He loved Stone’s knight-in-shining-armor bit, but he hated to impose. “You don’t have to. If there’s a number for the local ride-share, I can use that.”

“I insist.”

He wasn’t in any shape to argue. “Okay. I’ll be at the diner.”

“I’m on my way now.”

A dull ache formed behind his eyes as he hung up. The media hadn’t found him yet, but if he was all over social media, then they’d be around soon enough. He didn’t want to subject Stone to their scrutiny.

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