Page 48 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

Andrew smiled, but said nothing.

“It’s not over,” Marcia said, her tone smug. “We have contracts, and you can’t break them.”

Cain gestured to Nic. “Your turn.”

Nic cleared his throat. “I’ve gone over the contracts. Unless there are notarized addendums and revisions—which I doubt there are—these contracts have expired.”

“No, they’re grandfathered,” Dixon said. “He never argued or asked for new ones, so these stand.”

Cain bit back a groan.Trust Dixon to have an answer.

“Excuse me,” Nic said. “Are you a lawyer?”

“No, but I know the law,” Dixon snapped. “I know what’s going on.”

“And we trust him,” Marcia interjected. She downed her drink. “The contracts are all good.”

“They expired three years ago and that’s if taken to their extended limits.” Nic frowned. “Let me guess. You had a gravy train and couldn’t let go? He brought in such good money that you didn’t have to work, and keeping him under your thumb was the best way to ensure you’d keep the cash rolling in? Am I right? And you started out wanting the best for him, but the money was too good. Just a few commercials, just one television show—enough to be comfortable—and you’d pull him out of the business? But it got too hard. You liked the money and fame, so you left him in.”

“Wrong,” Marcia said. This time her voice cracked. “We did it because we love our son, and it was what he wanted. He said he wanted to act, and we let him.”

“What is best,” Ed corrected. “We did what is best.”

“Then you should’ve updated these contracts.” Nic tapped papers together. “Unfortunately, you’re too late.”

Cain folded his arms. “I’m severing ties. Whatever money that’s coming in now, then that’s yours. Starting tonight, the rest and anything I make from now on is mine.”

“We control the accounts,” Ed replied. “Good luck trying to get access.”

“I’ve opened my own accounts.” With Nic and Andrew’s help, he’d created his own life.

“The money is ours,” Marcia said. “You owe us. Without us, you wouldn’t be here.”

“You’re right, Mother, but I’ve more than paid you back.” Cain nodded to Nic. “We’re good here?”

“The monies already in your family accounts are under their control. The house, cars and everything in California are in their names. Your name isn’t listed on the deeds or bills of sale. Now that we’ve notified the studios of the changes, and they’ve sent the paperwork stating you’ll be paid directly,” Nic said, “you’re in the clear.”

“Even my credit cards?” Cain asked. He’d shredded them back at the farmhouse.

“As I told you, they’re not in your name.” Nic closed his briefcase. “You’re done here.”

Cain smiled. His family could sue for money, but they’d taken enough from him. He twined his fingers with Andrew’s and nodded once. “Let’s go.”

“You owe us. You should pay those bills for us,” Marcia screamed. “How will we pay them without you?”

“You weren’t supposed to be gay,” Ed said. “You were supposed to fall in line, marry a good girl and take care of us because you loved what we’ve done for you.”

“You had a job to do,” Marcia said. “You should be making us a priority, but what did you do? You abandoned us.”

“He screwed up,” Ed added. “You don’t want to take care of us. Rotten bastard. When you’re ready to come back, you’re not welcome at our home. You’re dead to us.”

He wasn’t shocked, but it didn’t lessen the hurt from hearing his father say those words. “Very well. Goodbye.” Cain walked through the house to the front door. He and Andrew would fly to Beverly Hills that evening to retrieve his belongings and have whatever he wished to keep sent to the farmhouse. He didn’t want most of the contents of his former home, but he wanted some of the mementos.

He strode out to the car. His parents shouted after him, but he paid them no mind. He slid into the back seat with Andrew and sighed.

Nic assumed his place behind the wheel and locked the doors. “Well, that went better than I thought.”

“Did it?” Anger boiled in Cain from his parents’ venom, but he refused to take his frustrations out on his lover and friend. He’d thought his folks could work something out with him and might look at the situation a bit more rationally, but no.

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