Page 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Kane

Having an angry Henry Lu turning up on my doorstep had not been on my bingo card for the day. Or even the year.

I stepped back and gestured vaguely towards the inside of my house. “Do you want to come in?” I still wasn’t quite sure why he was here, but I wasn’t about to send him away or have that discussion on my front doorstep.

“That would be lovely, thank you,” Henry said, stepping inside and toeing off his shoes—which were the sort of loafers that looked simple but cost a couple of grand a pair. “How’re you doing? Honestly, this whole situation is a fucking mess.”

“Oh… I’m fine,” I said. “Still processing to be honest. I only heard from Miles about half an hour ago.”

“It’s bollocks, obviously,” Henry said with a raised eyebrow and an unimpressed smile. We were still stood just inside my front door and I suddenly realised how awkward it felt. It wasn’t like I’d never had guests, but there was a difference between my friends turning up and Henry. I didn’t want him to feel weird, though, like I was gawking at him or fanboying over him—even though he was a huge inspiration to me and I’d seen all of his work, and the idea of him being here, in my house, was mind-boggling.

When I’d accepted the role, I’d known we’d be working closely together, but I’d never really processed that it would mean us spending a lot of time together.

Not that it mattered anymore since I didn’t have the part.

The realisation sank its claws a little further into my chest, drawing more blood and sending pain lancing through me.

“Do you want a drink?” I asked, rubbing my chest to relieve my imagined wound. “I’d just made a cup of tea but I’ve got some coffee. Or, er, well, a bunch of stuff really.”

Henry smiled softly at me. “Coffee would be lovely, thank you. And then after that, maybe we can have a glass of wine? I think we might need one.”

“That’s an understatement.” I chuckled and gestured at him to follow me towards the kitchen, ducking into the living room to retrieve my tea and the pack of biscuits. I offered him some while I began to make some coffee, which had been a recent acquisition because Austin drank it and I wanted him to feel at home here. I’d ordered him a coffee machine too, but I was still waiting for it to arrive.

Henry looked at ease in my kitchen, leaning against the counter and eating chocolate Hobnobs like he belonged there. He’d put his phone on the counter next to him, occasionally glaring at it like that would make it ring.

“Can I ask… how did you find out?” I asked as I made coffee, feeling slightly guilty that I was serving an award-winning actor and all-around superstar instant coffee even if it was the poshest brand I’d been able to find.

“Jenny told me,” he said casually. “I doubt she was supposed to, but she called me this morning absolutely spitting mad to say that you were being replaced. Obviously, I knew there had to be more to the story, so I asked. It took some persuading but she told me, and it’s evident this whole thing is ridiculous, so I’m not going to let it stand.” He smiled wryly, a wicked gleam in his eyes, and I suddenly understood how much power this man wielded. “I want to work with you, Kane. I think you’re perfect for the role and I won’t accept anyone else in that part, unless of course you really don’t want it.”

“I do!”

“Good,” he said, smiling lazily as he pulled another Hobnob out of the packet. “There’s one thing you should know about me—it’s not really a flaw despite what my brother says—but it’s that I always get what I want. I know what I like, I’m very determined, and I’m not the sort who likes to be fobbed off with excuses. I’m sure to some people it sounds incredibly selfish, but I’m not ashamed of it.”

I slid the mug of coffee across to him, staring. I’d met plenty of arrogant stars from the worlds of music, film, and television before, but not one who was so charming along with it. His frankness stunned me, but it didn’t put me off him. It almost made me like him more because at least he was open about it. And if it was going to benefit me, then I’d be a fool to push him away.

It sounded terrible that I’d happily use him to get my part back, but at the same time, it sounded like Henry had started making demands before he’d even spoken to me.

“It’s okay,” he continued. “You can think I’m a terrible person. I’m sure many people do. And I’m sure as soon as Jason finds out what I’ve done, he’ll give me an earful. I don’t know why my brother thinks I need a conscience, but he seems to have taken it upon himself to be mine.”

“I don’t think you’re terrible,” I said, sipping my tea, which was now lukewarm. I pulled a face and walked over to warm it up in the microwave, not caring if Henry thought I was a bit weird. “Besides, you’re here to help and it would be a dick move of me to judge you. Also, compared to some of the people I’ve met in music, you’re practically a saint.”

He threw his head back and laughed. It was a bright, musical sound that filled the room with warmth. “Flatterer.” He winked and sipped his coffee. “Where is your gorgeous boyfriend, by the way? Is he around at the moment?”

I shook my head, a pang echoing through my chest. “No, he’s in York. He’s got a house there and… I’ve spoken to him, though. He’s blaming himself, which is so fucking typical of Austin. None of this is his fault but he’s just…” I glanced down and smiled before retrieving my tea from the microwave. There were now little curls of steam wafting off the surface and when I wrapped my hands around the mug, I felt comforting warmth seeping into my skin.

“How long have you been together?” Henry asked.

“Technically? A couple of weeks, but we’ve been fucking around for ten years.”

“It’s meant to be then,” Henry said with a sweet sincerity I hadn’t expected. “I’m not an expert on relationships, but I think if you’re still here after that long, then there’s something special between you.”

“I hope so. I mean, sometimes he frustrates the ever-loving fuck out of me, but I do the same to him.”

“True love then.” Henry smiled and then glanced down as his phone began to ring. “Ah, perfect. Hang on a minute.” He picked it up and slid the green button across. “Hello, Celeste, how’re you? I’ve been better, but… no, I’m not throwing a tantrum. I am just casually reminding people who I am and what I bring to the table.” He scoffed and shook his head, gesturing with his hands as he continued. “Oh, come on, they’re not going to fire me… yes, I’m expecting the head of the production company to call me very soon… Well, no, but I casually implied it…”

It was strange hearing one side of Henry’s conversation. He was clearly talking to someone he knew well and he looked very relaxed, the smile on his face easy and charming. While he chatted, I took the opportunity to check my phone to see if there was anything from Austin.

There wasn’t but I fired off a couple of messages to let him know what was going on. I wasn’t sure if I’d get a response straight away, but I did and I had to bite back a laugh as soon as I read it.

Austin

WHAT THE FUCK?!!!

Austin

Are you fucking serious, kitten?!

Austin

Jesus Christ.

Austin

That was not what I expected when you said you had a visitor xx

Kane

Believe me, I didn’t expect it either! Apparently Henry always gets what he wants, and in this case it’s me. I think he’s this close to starting a war with the production company xx

Austin

Fucking Christ. You’re worth it though xx

Warmth flickered through my chest as I read his message. I wished he was here so he could experience this strange situation for himself. I’d just have to relay it to him later and hope I could remember all the details.

“Perfect, thank you. I’ll speak to you soon,” Henry said breezily before he put the phone back on the counter and grabbed another biscuit. “That was my agent, Celeste. She is less fond of the idea of me throwing my weight around, but honestly, if you can’t throw a diva tantrum every now and then when you get to my position, then when can you? It’s not like I’m randomly demanding they only put green pretzel M&Ms in my trailer.”

He rolled his eyes, still smiling. “Anyway, it’s not like I’m doing it for fun. If they think the streaming service will drop the show because they’re worried people won’t watch it due to your personal life, then they might as well not do the show at all because Llewelyn is queer as fuck. It’s utterly ridiculous if you look at it that way. And if certain people don’t want to watch it because they hate your choice of partner, they’re going to hate you for your role in Llewelyn anyway—we might as well dispose of the homophobes now and be done with it.”

“That makes sense, although I suppose people will still hate-watch it so they can post shit online,” I said.

“Of course they will, but that just makes me laugh because they’re contributing to viewing figures.” He drained the last of his coffee and looked around. “Shall we sit down? Also how do you feel about going out for dinner later? I know a truly wonderful little Mexican restaurant we could go to.”

The flush of embarrassment I’d felt over not offering Henry a seat melted away with his offer of dinner, which I gladly accepted as I led him through to the living room. Henry seemed charmed by everything and the two of us fell into easy conversation as we sat on the sofa, eating the last of the Hobnobs that Henry had brought through with him.

I didn’t know how much time had passed before his phone rang again, but when it did he simply smirked from his seat in the corner and languidly lifted the phone to his ear. “Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Morrison. I’ve been expecting your call.”

In another universe, I was pretty sure Henry was some corporate billionaire who ruthlessly drove all his rivals out of business. Or a mafia don. Either would fit given the way he carried himself.

“I’m sorry,” he continued. “I’m not sure what you mean there. Of course there are things to discuss… No, that attitude is unacceptable… Oh, so your company’s last equality, diversity, and inclusion message was false then? You only support the LGBTQ+ community when it suits you and doesn’t completely upset your right wing fanbase. Dear me, was I not supposed to say that out loud? Wait, has anyone told you that I’m queer? And Chinese too. How unfortunate for your customer base. In which case, perhaps it would be best if I dropped out of the project.”

Henry shot me a wink as he crossed one leg over the other, leaving me floundering like a grounded fish in the corner.

“Of course,” Henry added, obviously on a roll, “if I do drop out, I will do so loudly. And publicly. I think it’s very important to make people aware of your company’s values—the fact that they don’t want a queer Chinese actor and a gay man to play the leads in your new queer drama.” There was a loud voice on the other end and Henry’s eyes darkened. “I don’t give a fuck who his boyfriend is. Jude can shag whoever he bloody wants and it doesn’t concern anyone else. No… no, I have tried to be polite but I don’t think I’ve made it clear. I want Jude Kane for that role, and I will get what I want. Is that clear enough for you? Do you know who I am? I can break this project with one post, so I would advise you to think carefully about your next words… Wonderful. Yes, of course, discuss with your team… Monday then? Yes, I’ll speak to you then.”

I stared at him, not quite sure what I’d witnessed, a biscuit still held in mid-air.

Henry smiled warmly at me as he put the phone down. “There, that should do it. It’s the start at least. It might take them a while to admit it, but hopefully it’ll get the ball rolling.”

“You have to teach me to do that,” I said, then flushed when I realised it wasn’t the most appropriate reaction. But holy fuck did I need to know how to be that level of ruthless and charming all at once. “And thank you. Seriously, I… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough.”

Henry waved a hand magnanimously. “Don’t worry about it. That was quite fun, actually. Anyway, it hasn’t worked yet, so I wouldn’t count your chickens just yet.”

“I’ll try.” I glanced at the clock and realised it was already nearly half five. Where had the afternoon gone? “Did you want that glass of wine now?”

“That sounds perfect. White, please, if you’ve got it.”

As I got up and made my way to the kitchen, I heard a sound outside the front door, followed by a sharp knock. I frowned and walked over to it, then smiled when I saw who it was, my heart racing and delight soaring through me. I didn’t even know why I was surprised.

I pulled open my front door for the second time that day to find a man standing on my doorstep. Only this time it was someone I knew very, very well.

“Hey, kitten,” Austin said, stepping forward to kiss me softly. “Sorry I’m late.”