“Wrap it. We need to move on.” Seth Walker, Austin’s agent, came from out of nowhere and ended the interview.
“Ryan, my honey here’s giving me time to spread my wings in this acting world. We’re so diverse in our investment holdings that Austin’s going to run that show for a while, freeing me up to give it a go. He’s truly one of the most special men alive. I’m lucky to have him.” Cara cut in, clearly seeing the direction Austin planned to take the interview. She said it all with her sweet smile in place. He knew every dime he paid her was well worth the cost.
“One last question: when are you two getting married?” The big Texas size grin was back in place on Ryan’s face.
“You know the answer to that! When it’s legal for everyone to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation, then we’ll be the first in line at the altar,” Cara said. With that, Seth whisked them away to the next stop. It was all very much like lather, rinse, repeat until they were almost to the front doors of the theater.
Cara took over the interviews, staying on point and letting Austin center back into himself where he liked to be the most. He watched the last few steps to the theater’s front doors much as an outsider looking in, a very unimpressed observer while Cara was regal in her role of arm candy at his side. She was long, blond and thin, matching him on every level. Her hair swept up in some classic updo, and her gown was long and flowed around her slender frame. She looked classically elegant and had the rare ability of looking at home and comfortable in this made up world of glitz and glamour. But, maybe that was because she was at home here; she fit perfectly in this world.
Now, at the end of his career, Austin was incredibly grateful he’d found her. No way could he have done any of this without her. He prayed he’d set her up for success when he left it all behind. She deserved to have everything she wanted, as long as she kept it all in perspective.
“This way.” A theater staff member held open a door leading them inside.
Without a backward glance, Austin guided Cara inside and walked in after her. The doors closed behind them, effectively shutting out the noise and constant flash of the cameras. Relief coursed through his veins as he ignored the opulence of the theater’s entry. This was it, his last time to ever go through this charade, because what the mini sabbatical really meant was an early retirement. One he couldn’t wait to begin. T-minus eight hours and the chains of this excessive celebrity lifestyle would be forever broken. Good riddance!
~~~~~~
Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks blared from an old jukebox in the only bar in a sixty mile radius of Cedarville, Texas. Kitt Kelly sat on his barstool, his well-worn boots anchored on the first rail of the stool, and his cowboy hat pushed back on his head. He took a deep swig from the longneck Bud Light he held in his hand. His pool stick rested between his legs, and he watched his lifelong best friend, Jimmy Latham, walk the pool table calculating his next shot.
“Kitt, you need another?” A dainty little waitress asked. In a small town everybody knew everybody, and he nodded at his little sister’s best friend, handing over the now empty beer bottle.
“One more, then that’s it. I gotta get goin’,” Kitt said in his cultured Texas accent.
“Sure thing. I talked to Kylie today. It’s a real good thing you did for her, Kitt.”
“Nah, it wasn’t me. Kylie earned her way into that school and got a good scholarship to go with it all on her own. I didn’t do anything.” He cut his eyes back to the pool table, hoping she’d pick up the subtle hint he didn’t want any part of this conversation.
“Whatever! She told me what you did and I totally wish you were my brother! I’ll be right back with your beer.” She turned on her heel and headed back to the bar, throwing the last comment over her shoulder.
Kitt sat there quietly. He stared at the aging pool table and wondered how many people knew he’d sold a chunk of his daddy’s land to pay for his sister’s education. The idea anyone might know sure didn’t sit well with him, and he suspected this tight knit community wouldn’t appreciate him letting the highest bidder just come in and take up residence.
That land had been in the Kelly family for a hundred and thirty years. Kitt certainly hadn’t told a soul about what he did, but keeping secrets in a small town like this seemed to equal hiding an elephant in a sheep pin. Pretty much next to impossible. There was only one way to keep a secret: tell no one. He knew that rule for fact, and it looked like he needed to remind Kylie to keep things a little more quiet.
“Kitt, come dance with me…” JoLynne Rogers slid her body between his parted thighs. She was one of the twenty-five girls in his high school graduating class, and he’d known her for most of his life.
“I can’t right now. I’m waitin’ for Jimmy to fail at his last shot so I can win this game and collect my money,” Kitt said loud enough for Jimmy to hear and casually wrapped an arm around her waist. She’d been drinking quite a bit and already swayed on her feet.
“Jimmy, hurry up and lose! Kitt’s the best dancer here. We need him on the dance floor!” JoLynne directed her whiny words toward Jimmy who was leaning awkwardly over the pool table.
“He just thinks he has me. I found my shot, I’m comin’ back. JoJo, just stay there and keep him occupied.” Jimmy positioned himself for the perfect shot. He aimed, lined the ball up and shot. The ball hit just right of the pocket, knocking Kitt’s last ball in. “Damn it!”