Stranded (27 page)

“No second-guessing,” Henry said. “You did what you had to and stood up for yourself. Remember, he was the man who left you to die. Don’t let your compassion make you feel guilty. He didn’t show you any.” Henry shifted his weight slightly. “Again, I’m sorry. I should have been there.”

“No guilt or regrets,” Kendall said, placing a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Can we call you if we need your services again?”

Henry flashed a surprised smile. “I’d be honored.”

They shook hands and then they all stepped out of the building. Lyman’s big-ass limo pulled up in front, and when the driver opened the door, Kendall and Johnny joined Lyman in the back.

“So it’s finally over,” Lyman said as the car began to move. “I never would have guessed it was Guy. I’ve worked with Guy for years. He was one of the people I….” Lyman’s eyes widened, and he swore under his breath. “I discussed security arrangements with him while we were on location. No wonder you disappeared. He knew of any holes and where to exploit them.”

“Hey, as you said, it’s over,” Kendall said.

Lyman pulled a bottle out of the bar and opened it, then poured three glasses and handed them around. “This is thirty-year-old scotch,” he said as he sniffed from the top of the glass. “To better days and a productive and rewarding future.” He raised his glass, and Kendall followed suit, then sipped the potent liquor. “So what do you have planned next?”

Kendall looked at Johnny with a smile. “Actually, I think I’m going to be playing the devil on Broadway.” Johnny lightly squeezed his knee. “After that, I haven’t given it much thought. I’d like to do another film, but this time without being handcuffed to a car.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Lyman said before taking another sip. He and Johnny talked some business as they rode through traffic. Kendall sat quietly, sipping from his glass. The limousine hit a bump, and Kendall slid closer to Johnny.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Johnny whispered.

“I’m happy,” Kendall whispered back.

“Good. Me too,” Johnny said, and he then leaned close, kissing him lightly. The limo stopped, and Johnny got out. Kendall followed, tripping on the curb. Johnny caught him and held Kendall in his arms far longer than was necessary. “I came close to losing you twice. Let’s try not to make it three times. I don’t know if my heart can handle it.”

“We can handle anything,” Kendall whispered, and Johnny smiled.

…
AND
the nominees for Best Actor are….” Kendall barely heard the names, including his own.

When the nominations had been announced earlier in the year, Kendall had been at the theater in New York, rehearsing and then performing in a show. As Sal had predicted,
The Devil with Love
had turned into a huge hit. The ultimate bad-boy story had captured the imagination of the theater-going public in a huge way. Funny, dramatic, rich, sumptuous, and majorly romantic, it had something for everyone, and people flocked to see it. That evening, just as the cast was about to make their announcement regarding Equity Fights AIDS, one of his fellow cast members stepped forward to the front of the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we truly hope you enjoyed the show.” Applause broke out from throughout the house. “Before we get to our bit of business this evening, we have some news to share. Today, the nominations for the Oscars were announced, and we are proud to tell you that our very own devil, Kendall Monroe, has been nominated for Best Actor.”

Kendall stepped forward and bowed. The theater had erupted. Everyone was on their feet. The applause, cheering, and stomping reverberated off the walls. He bowed again and then stepped back, rejoining hands with his fellow cast members. Once the cheering subsided, the evening’s business concluded. The cast took one more final bow and then the curtain fell. What a feeling that had been. When he’d gotten home, he and Johnny had celebrated in a much more intimate way, though not much less quiet. That was all he could have hoped for.

As the actress on stage opened the envelope containing the winner’s name, Johnny lightly patted his leg. They’d already discussed that it wasn’t likely he would win. He was up against Hollywood royalty, for God’s sake. “And the Oscar goes to… Kendall Monroe for
Stranded
.”

At first, Kendall couldn’t move, but then he stood up and leaned over to Johnny, who squeezed his hand and motioned toward the stage. Kendall turned and walked down the aisle and up onto the stage, where he shook hands with both presenters and accepted his statuette. Then he stepped to the podium. “There are too many people to thank. My parents, the rest of the cast and crew, Lyman, of course, the most talented pain in the ass I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.” Chuckles floated through the crowd. “I also want to thank Johnny, my partner, my rock, and the reason I can do what I do. Thank you.”

The audience applauded and the music began as Kendall walked off stage with the presenters. The statuette was taken from him and placed on a table with the other props. He waited for what he figured was a commercial break and then was led back out to his seat. A seat filler got up as he approached, and Kendall sat down next to Johnny.

“That was beautiful, sweetheart, thank you,” Johnny said, trying his best to hide that he’d been wiping his eyes.

“I meant every word. You are my rock. Without you, I couldn’t do anything.” Kendall held Johnny’s hand as the music began to play, indicating that they were returning to the telecast, and heedless of whether there were cameras on them or not, Kendall leaned over to Johnny and kissed him. “I love you more than anything.”

“I love you too,” Johnny mouthed.

“Guys, please,” Lyman said from the row just behind them. Kendall turned, and the two Oscar winners shared a huge grin. “Next year, Johnny, it’ll be your turn to win one for screenwriting,” Lyman whispered; he was still trying to get Johnny to adapt one of his books.

“One’s enough,” Johnny said, and Kendall shifted in his seat to get a little closer to Johnny. One was more than enough, as far as he was concerned. One Johnny, one love, and one amazing life for the two of them—what more could he possibly want?

A
NDREW
G
REY
grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Visit Andrew’s website at http://www.andrewgreybooks.com and blog at http://andrewgreybooks.livejournal.com/.

E-mail him at [email protected].

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