Page 42 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“No, I won’t let you. We need a strategy and approval from the studio.”

“Approval? To be myself?” He snorted. “Are you kidding?”

“No.”

“It’s not in my contract.” At least he didn’t think it was. He wasn’t prevented from coming out.

“They could decide they don’t want you in the role and dump your ass. You’ll have to pay the money you’ve spent back to the studio.”

Shit.He hadn’t thought about that. “Fine. Then that’s a possibility. What if they keep me? What if they decide I’m not a liability?”

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

“Aren’t you positive?” He spotted Stone coming up the walkway. “I need to go. I’m tired of lying.”

“Liam. Think this through. Be smart,” Patricia said. “Come on.”

If she said anything else, he didn’t catch it. Instead, he hung up on her. He wasn’t in the mood to keep up the argument. Being himself wasn’t wrong.

Stone strode into the house. “Everything is buttoned up. I forgot to mention, my friend Remy wants to speak to you. I told him maybe later, but he says he wants an exclusive.”

“He’ll get it.” Liam nodded. “I have a very loose plan.” He paced the length of the room and continued to hold Champ. “I’m going to write up a statement, which I’ll email to the studio. Then once it’s off, I’ll post the same thing to my social media—all of my channels.” He faced Stone. “And the first one who will get an interview is your friend.”

“Are you sure? You’re risking a lot.” Stone grasped Liam by the shoulders. “I’m worried about you.”

“Why?”

“You’re an actor. There aren’t exactly a lot of roles out here in the sticks. Yes, I called Cedarwood the sticks. Compared to what you’re used to, it is. I guess you could do commercials for car dealerships and be the face of the shelter, but it will only last for so long.” He forced a smile and broke Liam’s heart. “I don’t know what to do because I know you’re going to leave. It’s what people in my life do.”

“Stone.” He hadn’t expected Stone to react this way. He thought Stone would be on board.

“It’s a big gamble. I don’t want you to lose out because you’re staying here if you’re not fully into it.”

“You sound like my agent.” He was being careful and Liam couldn’t blame him for doing so.

“She cares about you.”

“She cares about being paid.”

“There is that.” Stone let go and folded his arms. “I’m worried you’ll regret your choice.”

He offered Champ to Stone and when Stone took him, Liam rubbed his hands together. He had to make Stone see he had no regrets. “I care about acting. I love it. I can’t imagine not being on stage or camera.”

“But?”

“But I’m tired. I’ve been lonely. I need a real home base—not an apartment that doesn’t have my personality in it. I need a real set of arms to hold me.” He paused. “If that means staying here, then that’s what I want to do. I’m sure we can create a local theater group, if none exists. There’s always the school. Young actors’ programs. There are things we can do. I can do. What I need the most is love.”

“I can love you.” The pain hadn’t left Stone’s eyes.

“I know.” He slid his hands over Stone’s chest and he stayed far enough away to not squash the cat. “Is the house locked up?”

Stone nodded. “Grab Missy.”

“Hell, yes.” He scooped Missy into his arms and followed Stone to the second floor. He raced up the steps at Stone’s heels. Once in the bedroom, he placed Missy in the box on the dog pillow, then waited for Stone to give Champ to the female cat.

He wasn’t about to let this moment get away. He had Stone and he wanted to prove just how much he loved his man.

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