They reached his trailer and they stepped inside.
She spun around to glare at him, slapping her hands on her hips. “What are you doing?”
“Arrh, working?”
“With your life? What are you doing with your life? You don’t need to make a movie that will ruin your relationship with Holly. You’re making a huge mistake.”
He pointed a finger at his mother. “You of all people should understand why I’m doing this.”
“The role you’ve always dreamed about has a price. I can’t believe you’re paying it. I know your career is important, but so are your feelings and by the looks of you, your decision isn’t making you happy.”
“I’ll get over it.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “Chloe said you can have it all if you weren’t such a chickenshit, I’m quoting her words. I’d have to agree.”
“Did Chloe mention the other film will cost me a fortune to fund? If I do it and it flops, I could lose everything.”
“You wouldn’tlose everything. You’d still have your family and…Holly.”
Hearing Holly’s name was always like a stab to the heart. He rubbed his hand over his chest trying to scrub away the pain.
“You can have a lot less in your life and be happy,” she said.
“And how happy were we after Dad died? When we had no money, and I had to watch you work your arse off to barely put food on the table.” His mother’s face paled and her lips trembled. What a jerk for upsetting her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“You’re right. I worked hard and couldn’t provide you kids with everything you needed. Do you think I enjoyed watching you and Aiden go off to work after school to help me instead of hanging out with friends? At the end of the day, when we were together at the dinner table, my heart was full. I didn’t need all the materialistic things that were supposed to make people happy. Because I had three beautiful, healthy, wonderful children whom I adored more than anything. I had something special, something money can’t buy… love. I’d pick that life over money any day.”
She stepped closer and cupped Ethan’s face. “You have done more than necessary for our family. It’s time you do something for yourself.” She kissed his cheek and left the trailer.
Ethan slapped his palms on the counter, his head dropping between his shoulders.
Chapter 29
“Your publicist is arranging to have photos taken with Abigail at The Factory tomorrow night. We need to get the ball rolling. Hints of a relationship needs to filter out into the media. She’s going to email you the details.” Jerry sat in a black leather chair, with his feet propped up on a glass and chrome desk. “This will start generating some attention. We’ll get heavier with it closer to the time of filming. Fans will go nuts. I couldn’t think of a more perfect couple. And who knows, you might even get some action from Abigail.” Jerry gave a lewd leer.
Ethan gritted his teeth. “It’s for the job, nothing more.”
Jerry chuckled. “You have a reputation for sleeping with leading ladies. Gotta say, being in the film industry has its perks. We can get all the women we want.”
Ethan glanced at a framed picture of a pretty woman, probably his wife and two young girls sitting on the director’s desk.
Anger rolled through Ethan’s belly. How could he be so disrespectful to his family?
“I’ve heard you’ve got a woman. Just remember they’re like bloodhounds picking up a scent if they suspect anything. So be careful.” He smiled like he’d handed out great advice.
Ethan didn’t know how Jerry knew about Holly. Hearing him refer to her made his blood boil and he wanted to punch the sleazy grin off his face.
The director made what he had with Holly feel cheap and dirty. Giving Ethan another reason to want his fist to connect with the man’s face.
Then his mother’s words came to mind.I had something special. Something money can’t buy… love. And that’s what he had with Holly. Love. He’d been an idiot trying to believe his work was more important. And if he had to give everything up and live on toasted sandwiches and meat pies for the rest of his life just to be with her, then a life with her won hands down. Because he’d rather have Holly than all the money and success in the world. What an idiot he’d been for taking so long to realise it.
Ethan rose from the chair and looked down at Jerry with disgust. “You’ll need to get another actor to take my place.”
The director’s feet hit the floor. “What? You’ve signed a contract. You have to do it.”
“Tear it up, burn it. I don’t care. I’m not doing this movie.” Ethan sauntered to the door feeling like a slab of concrete had lifted off his back.
“If you don’t go through with our agreement, I’ll sue your arse off!” Jerry sputtered.
