She bit her lip. “Do you love her?”
As he’d suspected from the beginning, this wasn’t about Ty. Bella was feeling left out, couldn’t stand the thought that he’d managed to move on. She’d liked it far better when she knew he was suffering because of her, when she still had the power to hurt him.
“Do you really want to know?” he asked.
She didn’t respond, but raised her chin as if she expected an answer.
He drew a deep breath. “I married her because I thought it would be good for my image.”
She sagged in relief. “Of course. You would never be attracted to someone as…as plain as she is!”
“I’m not finished,” he said. “That was how it started, but then…everything changed. She’s the most wonderful person I’ve ever met. She makes me feel good in a deep-down, satisfied way. I love how she laughs and how she makes me laugh. I love that I know I can depend on her. I love the way her face lights up every time I walk into the room. I love that she pretends to be tough but she’s really all heart. Most of all, I love the way she loves me.” He smiled just thinking of her. “Does that mean I love her back?” He nodded. “Yeah, I guess it does. I was telling you the truth—I’m happily married.”
Tears welled up in Bella’s eyes, but he felt no empathy. She didn’t need him to feel sorry for her; she was feeling sorry enough for herself. “You will never see Ty again,” she said. “Now get out before I call the police.”
Simon headed to the door. He wouldn’t undo everything he’d accomplished by causing another scandal. But he paused before opening it. “I won’t give up, Bella. I’ll fight for Ty as long and as hard as it takes.”
She grabbed his arm. “I think it’s a mistake to forget about us, Simon,” she said. “We could try again. We were happy once.” She lifted his hand to her breast but he wasn’t remotely tempted.
“Sorry, I’m not interested,” he said, and pulled away.
* * *
Simon felt great when he woke up the next morning. He’d seen Ty. The time they’d spent hadn’t been long enough to make up for the months he’d missed, but at least he’d had a couple of hours with him. And he was no longer conflicted about Bella or anything else in his life. She’d finally lost all power to hurt him. His visit to her place last night had been cathartic in so many ways, had crystallized what he really wanted out of life. He wasn’t ready to go back to making movies. Not yet. He preferred to return to Whiskey Creek, where he’d been so content, and finish the house on Autumn Lane. When he did come back to L.A., Gail would be with him, but that wouldn’t happen until they were both ready for what they’d face here.
He’d tried calling her last night, as soon as he got home. He’d wanted to tell her he’d made these decisions and couldn’t wait to see her. His future was completely wrapped up with hers. Over the past few weeks he’d become healthier and happier. Why would he ever let that go or trade it for the emptiness of before?
He didn’t plan to, but she didn’t know that yet. It had been very late when he tried to reach her, and she hadn’t answered.
Thinking of her the second he opened his eyes, he rolled over to search for his phone, but it began to ring before he could even touch it. Maybe she’d seen that she’d missed his call and was getting back to him.
He hoped so. He was eager to talk to her. But caller ID told him it wasn’t Gail. It was his father.
Scowling, he studied his digital display. What could Tex possibly want with him? Simon couldn’t even guess, but because his father had signed the release for Hellion, and because he felt as if he finally knew his own mind and had a clear sense of direction, he went ahead and answered.
“’Lo?”
“What the hell are you doing?” Tex demanded.
The harshness of his tone surprised Simon. He’d thought they were on better terms than usual, but it didn’t sound like that right now. “I’m sleeping. What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m not talking about this minute. I’m talking about last night.”
“I went to see my son. Why? And why are you so mad?”
“Because I thought you’d finally straightened up and figured out your life. I thought you understood what you had and wouldn’t piss it away. And then you go and do this.”
A sick feeling curled through Simon’s stomach, chasing away the last of his fatigue. Sitting up, he rubbed a hand over his face. “Slow down and tell me what you’re talking about. What did I do last night?”
“You’re going to pretend like you don’t know? It’s all over the internet—on YouTube, all the celebrity blogs, AOL....”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then turn on your computer and find out. You’re busted, and the media’s having a field day with this one. After the ‘I’m a reformed man’ act you put on with Gail, they’re going for your jugular. Actually, some of ’em are more interested in going after a different part of your anatomy. Castration has been mentioned as a fitting punishment.”
For what? He hadn’t done anything!
Tossing his phone aside, Simon climbed out of bed and hurried over to his computer. After powering it up, he did a Google search on his name. Then he sank into the desk chair, staring at the screen in silent horror. The very first hit that came up was a link to a sex tape between him and Bella. The headline read Simon’s Delicious Romp with Ex Last Night Proves He’s No Changed Man.
* * *
Just about everyone she’d ever known had called to tell Gail about the online footage that’d gone viral. The onslaught had started with Serge at her own PR company, because he’d been helping Josh track all the media hits relating to her and Simon, and he was first in the office. He’d awakened her. But now that word of the tape had been picked up by the major news outlets, she was beginning to hear from her friends in Whiskey Creek, too.
Although Gail had her laptop in bed and knew what the tape depicted, she couldn’t bring herself to watch it. Not the whole thing. The beginning footage, with Simon approaching Bella’s house and going inside, as evidenced by security cameras, was clear enough to identify him. It also revealed the date and time, which was last night, shortly after he would have arrived in L.A. That was all she needed to see. He’d left her and returned to Bella’s bed within hours.