Page 10 of Don't Regret Me
She pushed an agitated hand through her hair. “You have a visitor.”
“What?” Visitors weren’t allowed in the first part of the rehab. One of the counselors said they were a distraction from the work that needed to be done.
Harriet sighed. “We tried to make her leave, but she refuses. Just come, please.”
Sherrie. It had to be. They hadn’t spoken in weeks, but who else would barge their way in, disobeying all rules?
Nick followed Harriet through the maze of flowers and hedges, up onto the wrap-around porch, and into the wide-open lobby. Marble floors stretched all the way to the reception desk, where a familiar woman stood waiting impatiently.
“Bea?” Nick hurried toward her.
“Finally.” She yanked him into a hug. “These people tried to tell me I couldn’t see you. You’re not in prison.” To emphasize her point, she turned to Harriet. “This isn’t a prison.”
“Okay, calm down.” Nick put a hand on her back. “Is everything okay?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Come on, let’s go out onto the porch. We can talk, and then you can get out of here like I’m sure every single person wants you to.”
He led her outside to a set of rocking chairs overlooking the grounds. “What’s happened now? I mean, my reputation is already mud, my life is a wreck, but you obviously have more bad news for me.” Bea had never only been his agent. From the moment he met her when he was a young man trying to find his way, she’d taken him under her wing. They were the only family each other had.
And he could read every one of her sighs. The current one told him he wouldn’t like what she was about to say.
“Sherrie had the baby.”
Only weeks ago, he’d expected to be there, to hold his kid in his arms. A part of him still felt connected to that baby, to the child he now wouldn’t have. “Is it…”
“A little girl. Mom and baby are both okay.”
“Good.” He nodded. “That’s good.”
“I know you only told me the basics, Nick, but Sherrie… She did an interview.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less of her.” He’d prepared for this, planned for it even. Whatever Sherrie wanted to do to save face, he didn’t care. All he wanted was to atone for his mistakes and figure out his life.
Bea studied him, trying to gauge his true feelings on the matter. “She toldHollywood Magazineyou left her, that you left your child.”
He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he’d ever be done with that woman’s manipulations. “Look where I am, Bea.” He gestured around him. “I’m lucky not to have killed someone. That’s what matters to me. I need to make up for my mistakes. If my reputation suffers for it, I’ll take the hit. I’m tired of only caring about myself, my career.”
“Your upcoming movie dropped you.”
That made him pause as he tried to find the words. “I…” He shook his head. “Something happened to me. Something I don’t remember. But ever since I woke in that hospital bed, I want more for my life than empty fame, time with no meaning.”
She leaned forward, placing her hand over his. “There’s another reason I came today, a bigger reason.”
The swift change in subject surprised him, but he stayed quiet as she pulled an envelope from her purse.
“This came to my office for you. I’m guessing he didn’t know where else to send it.”
Nick took the letter, staring down at the return address. There was no name, but the town struck something in him. “Who’d be writing to me from Gulf City?”
“Ma’am.” One of the receptionists walked toward them, a security guard two steps behind her. “We really must insist you leave now.”
Bea stood calmly. “Don’t get your granny panties in a bunch, doll. I’ll be on my way.” She patted Nick’s shoulder. “See you soon, kid.”
Once alone, the silence nearly suffocated Nick. He wasn’t sure what he held in his hands, but somehow he knew… this could change his life.
Slipping a finger under the flap, he pried it loose and pulled out the single folded page.
