Page 31 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

“We must’ve really been out, because I didn’t hear it until now.” Andrew left the bed and dressed in a pair of running shorts. “I hope it’s not serious.”

“He’s dramatic, so it could be nothing or it could be something.” Cain shrugged. “He does this sometimes. Thinks the world is ending and it’s just a photo in the tabloids that looks sort of bad, or someone pulled out of a movie I wanted and there’s a chance I can get it, but it won’t go through because I wasn’t the one they wanted in the role.”

Nice guy.“Do you need a minute to talk to him?”

“Nope.” Cain sat up and tucked his legs beneath him. “I want you to hear what’s going on. I want us to be a couple, and if that’s going to happen, I want no secrets.” He dialed the phone, then placed the device on the bed.

“Dixon.” Cain rested his elbows on his knees. “You called?”

“Jesus fucking Christ. Where are you?” Dixon snarled. “What happened?”

“I’m in Cedarwood, like I told you.” Cain reached for Andrew and held his hand. “Why?”

Andrew sighed. Their quiet solace at the farm would end soon.

“I came to this awful town to save your ass and I can’t find you. No one knows where you are,” Dixon said. “What the hell were you thinking? This town is terrible. No stores, no coffee shops…it’s so behind the times. Liam Blackwell better be happy he’s been left behind, because he belongs here.”

“Funny, I’ve found tons of things to do.” Cain squeezed Andrew’s fingers.

“Bullshit,” Dixon replied.

Andrew hated the way Dixon spoke to Cain. His hometown wasn’t that bad, and he and Cain were happy. Why make fun of something Dixon didn’t understand?

“I heard you touched base with Liam, at least,” Dixon said. “Did you go through the script?”

“Not yet. Filming doesn’t start for another two months.” Cain met Andrew’s gaze. “I’m meeting with him next week. Now, I’m busy, so what do you need?”

“I need you to get the fuck away from that stupid farmer you hooked up with and get your ass back to the Hills. Your mother is upset and won’t stop crying because she misses you. You should be in California doing your job, going to premieres and being seen,” Dixon grumbled. “Understand?”

Andrew let go of Cain’s hand. He couldn’t listen to this any longer. He could handle being called ‘dirty’ and ‘backwoods’ or even ‘behind the times’, but not ‘stupid’.

Cain whimpered. “Dixon, stop.”

Andrew left Cain in the bedroom to argue with his agent. He couldn’t be a witness to the anger any longer. When he headed down to the first floor, he stopped short in the living room. Three cars were in the driveway, and he didn’t recognize any of them. People stood behind the vehicles—he didn’t know them, either.

Gabby joined him at his side. She alternated between growling and whimpering. She didn’t make such noises most of the time and the sounds set him on edge.

“Cain?” Andrew kept his gaze on the view out the window. “I think you need to come down here.”

Cain descended the stairs. “Huh?” He joined Andrew in the living room. “I could use a cup of—shit.”

“I can’t make shit, but coffee is doable.” He grasped Andrew’s hand. “Want a cup?”

Cain buried his face against Andrew’s shoulder. “I knew they’d find me.”

“Who aretheyand why dotheylook so disgusted?” Andrew asked. “The farm is clean, but they keep making faces like there’s filth everywhere.”

“Because, to them, it’s a sty.” Cain hugged him. “Theywould be my mother, my father, my agent and his assistant. I spy a photographer and writer from one of the celebrity magazines.Theyare here for me.”

“You’ll have to go soon, won’t you?”Damn it.He’d become too attached to Cain, but did it matter? He liked him. “Do you?”

“Not if I can help it.” Cain kissed him. “Can I borrow some of your clothes?”

“Sure.” Andrew checked he’d locked the front door, then the back before he headed upstairs with Cain. “What are you planning?”

“To play up my changing image. I’m still going to do that movie with Liam and I’ll fulfill my commitments, but I didn’t escape just because it seemed fun. I need my sanity and this place, this farm—with you—invigorates me.”

“What are you going to do?” He tucked Cain’s words close to his heart. No one had ever said anything so sweet to him. Andrew changed into a pair of boxer briefs, threadbare jeans and a T-shirt, then a pair of socks. “Here.” He offered Cain a pair of his smaller jeans.

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