He’d needed to hear that.
“I’ll back your decision,” Andrew said. “What do you want?”
“I want the life we’ve created at the farm.” He opened the car door, then exited the vehicle. “I want us and my freedom to make my own choices.” He stopped on the front porch and turned to Andrew. “And I want you.”
“I want you, too.” Andrew slid his hand into Cain’s. “Ready?”
“No, but I don’t have any choice.” He headed into the house. The servants weren’t around, and no one met him as he entered.Typical.The people there to tend to anyone’s needs were actually there for his parents.
He squeezed Andrew’s fingers and ventured into the living room, then through the house to the back patio. The furnishings had changed since he’d left, the original ones having been exchanged for items better fitting his parents’ tastes.
His mother reclined on a chaise longue on the patio. She held a martini in one hand and fiddled with a tablet. Her hair appeared freshly colored and the swimsuit had to be new. The water in the pool rippled, sparkling off the privacy fence. His father sat at the bar table with Dixon.
“You came back,” Marcia, said. “Tail between your legs? Being on your own got to be harder than you thought?” She flicked her fingers, no doubt showing off her new manicure.
“We knew you’d come crawling back,” his father, Ed, said. “Sad, but we knew you couldn’t live without us.”
Cain gritted his teeth. These people were supposed to care about him. Supposed to love him.
“They always come crawling back.” Ed closed the newspaper. “Well? You want to level with me?”
“No.” Cain stood tall and summoned his courage. He’d stripped down to nothing but a sock over his dick and strutted all over a set. He’d bared his soul and his ass for another role. He’d even played out an achingly rough split for another film. Standing up for himself shouldn’t be difficult.
Marcia rolled her eyes. “You owe us for the damage done. Your career will tank.”
“It’s falling like a rock,” Dixon said. “Since you came out, you’re toast.”
“Actually, since coming out, he’s had more offers come in.” Nic extended his hand, but no one bothered to shake with him. “Ah. I’m Nic Martins and I represent Mr. Ables.”
“You hired a lawyer?” Marcia’s eyes widened and she paled. “Dixon.”
This time, Cain took the lead. “Call him off.”
“Yes,” Ed said. “Call your lawyer off, Cain.”
“No, Dixon, you stay out of this,” Cain said. He used the tension as strength. “I know what you’ve been doing. I saw the contracts. You’ve been ripping me off for the last thirteen years. You said I wasn’t smart enough to manage my own money. Wasn’t wise enough to pick my own roles. You lied. Those contracts I signed when I was a teenager all expired when I turned eighteen, but no one renegotiated them for me. I trusted you and you took years and cash from me without taking the time to educate me on contracts.”
“Doesn’t matter. We made you,” Ed growled. “Without us, you wouldn’t be anything.”
“Oh?” Cain snorted. “Then I’dbewhatever I wanted to be.”
“You would’ve wasted your time in school, in college, with girls and you probably would’ve gotten someone pregnant or turned to drugs.” Marcia sniffed. “We saved you.”
“Without us, you’d be nothing,” Ed added.
“You don’t know that,” Cain said. He glanced over at Andrew, who nodded to encourage him.
“We do.” Ed sneered. “You’re a pretty face. That’s it. Your acting ability is shit and no great movie will ever fix it.”
For the first time since he was a kid, Cain saw his father not as dad-figure, but as a stranger. His parents had wounded Cain, but he’d expected the nasty responses. Cain squeezed Andrew’s hand again, thankful he’d come along and also because he hadn’t said anything.
“Well?” Marcia smiled. “See? You know it, too. Now stop acting out and get your ass to work. Dump this…person…and let’s get back to civilization.” She fluttered her hand. “Where is my fresh martini and where is Alyssa to touch up my face? I can’t be seen by anyone with wrinkles or worry lines.” She resumed glaring at Cain. “You’re causing this damage to my face.”
A makeup artist and a butler appeared. The girl touched up Marcia’s face, and the butler poured a new drink. Cain grumbled. The servants required payment—probably on his dime.
“We’ll have you hospitalized for exhaustion,” Ed said. “You’ve lost touch with reality because ofhim. He’s messed with your head and turned you against us.”
“Enough.” Cain held up both hands. “Jesus. You hate my choices, I get it. For the first time in my life, I’ve made my own decisions, and because I didn’t ask for help, it’s driving you both berserk. Well, tough. Stop blaming Andrew—a man you don’t even know—for the mistakes you’ve made. My eyes were opened to your bullshit long before I met him.” He met Andrew’s gaze for a split second, then resumed his speech. “He simply proved my point. I needed to be on my own. This situation here is not only dangerous to my health, but to my financial health. It’s over. I’m done with you.”