Stardust (The Starlight Trilogy #3) (23 page)

Beth replied, but he couldn’t make out what she said. His surroundings grew fuzzy and then faded into bright white nothingness. His muscles relaxed…his pain disappeared.

Aidan’s eyelids dropped, and he felt himself slipping away. Panic hit him, mimicked by the cardioscope. Nothing would be more terrifying than if this was all a dream. He would rather go through everything he’d experienced since his visit with his father and end up in the hospital, battered and bruised and in the company of Beth and his friends, than wake up alone and in perfect health. The trauma of his accident was worth it as long as it reunited him with the people who meant most to him.

Aidan tried to remain lucid, but when Beth squeezed his hand, calmness enveloped him and he willingly submitted to his exhaustion.

A bright yellow light shone into Aidan’s eyes as he emerged from his drug-induced sleep.

“Hello, Aidan.” Beth stood before him, her back to the window. The sun cast a halo atop her head, presiding over welcoming eyes, rosy cheeks, and a stunning smile that was broad enough to eclipse it all.

“Hey.” Aidan winced as he shifted in bed. “How long was I out this time?”

“Almost twenty-four hours.” Beth’s eyebrows knitted together. “Are you in pain?”

“It’s not that bad.”

She frowned.

He found a more tolerable position. “Really, I’m fine.”

Matthew, Nathan, Connie, and Olivia entered the room, looking cheerful and well rested. Aidan lifted his hand in acknowledgement. Beth looked better, too, which was the biggest relief. She had changed into a red belted dress, and her hair was brushed and shiny.

Beth fixed his pillow and then handed him a glass of water. The affectionate glance she gave him awakened a certain part of his anatomy that thankfully wasn’t affected by the accident.

“That must have been some drug they gave you. Dr. Billings mentioned the oral pain medication you’ll get today won’t have the same effect, so you can get back on a regular sleep schedule.”

Aidan took a long drink to quench his thirst. Beth set the empty cup on the bedside table. He looked her over again, and his craving for her flourished. Yeah, he was definitely feeling better. “Did you get some sleep, too?”

“Yes.” Her cheeks flushed more. “I slept in the bed with you.”

“Now I know why I feel so good this morning.” Aidan pulled her into his arms and brushed his lips to hers, which was easier than yesterday since the bulky bandage on his nose had been replaced with a less obtrusive one.

The absence of an alarm to give away his elevated heart rate drew his attention to the new free space next to his bed. The cardioscope was gone. He checked his left hand, and the day got even better. The IV was gone, too.

An orderly entered the room, carrying a meal tray. Connie positioned the bedside table so he could eat comfortably.

Aidan flashed a genuine grin. Part of his emotional recovery included talking to her once he was out of the hospital. There were a ton of things that needed to be said. Right now, he started with, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” With a smile that also seemed genuine, Connie retreated to her former spot next to Matthew.

Beth lifted the lid off his…breakfast? Lunch? Aidan glanced at the clock. Breakfast. There was only enough food for one, however.

“Are all of you going to eat as well?”

Matthew nodded. “We’re heading to the cafeteria now. We’ll grab something for Beth, so she can stay here with you.”

Beth sat on one of the bedside chairs and conveyed her gratitude with a smile.

Aidan put the lid back on his meal. “I won’t eat until you do, Beth.”

She wagged her finger at him. “Oh, no. You need your strength.”

Aidan’s grin emerged, despite his effort to suppress it. “Sorry, baby, but that’s how it’s gonna be.”

Beth crossed her arms and glowered at him, but her smile eventually broke free, too.

After their friends left the room, Dr. Billings checked in on Aidan and relayed what the electroencephalograph—described as a brain wave recorder—revealed yesterday while he was asleep. It was all good news. In fact, he was healing better than expected.

Aidan owed Dr. Billings a lot. The physician had gone above and beyond his medical duty, supporting not only his patient, but also Beth and their friends. Maybe it was time to revisit his opinions on hospitals and medical personnel overall.

Dr. Billings monitored Aidan as he hobbled to the bathroom without assistance. He didn’t want to know how they’d managed to empty his bladder while he was comatose. It felt great to be on his feet again, even though his legs shook the entire trip, and by the time he got back into bed, his body ached even more.

A nurse he’d never seen before administered his next dose of pain medication, which he swallowed with ease. Dr. Billings reassured him that this one wouldn’t make him as tired as the intravenous one. Then the physician left with the nurse, granting Beth and Aidan some alone time.

As promised, Aidan didn’t take one bite of his meal until their friends returned with Beth’s food. His breakfast wasn’t too tasty, but he was so hungry he devoured it like it was a prime cut steak dinner.

The group conversed on various topics until Aidan’s curiosity got the best of him. He considered the most delicate way to bring up what was on his mind, but in the end went for the direct approach.

“What happened with Mertz after I took off?”

Gazes darted around the room. A throat cleared. Beth shifted in her seat.

Nathan stepped forward. It took him a few seconds to make eye contact. “Before I explain, there’s something I need to tell you, Aidan. My mother is alive.”

Aidan’s eyebrows launched upward. He had braced himself for one hell of a response when he asked his question, but nothing as lofty as this.

If there was a definitive look of guilt and despair, Nathan had it down pat as he confessed who his mother was and how Mr. Mertz had blackmailed him into working at the studio. It cleared up a lot of things, but also fostered jealousy.

Aidan had connected with Nathan on a unique level because he believed they both lost their mothers. Now that bond was severed. At the conclusion of Nathan’s confession, however, Aidan understood why he’d withheld the truth. Aidan also insisted that an apology was unnecessary. Though, to placate Nathan, he accepted the one offered to him.

Then Aidan was delivered another surprise: Mr. Mertz had announced his retirement, and the future of Starlight Studios, including the standard seven-year contract, was in jeopardy.

Studio employees were excited over the possibility of a new approach to movie making. They didn’t know exactly what transpired in Mr. Mertz’s office, just enough to credit Aidan with initiating the revolution. That was all fine and dandy, but Aidan and Beth still faced a major problem. The focus of the new men competing for Mr. Mertz’s job was the completion of the films already in production when Mr. Mertz stepped down. Since Mr. Mertz had pulled the plug on
Golden Gloves
prior to leaving, the picture was probably never going to be finished. Beth, Connie, and Olivia’s contracts were officially terminated, with no options for reinstating them, which complicated things further.

Minutes after their friends left to stretch their legs, the door swung open. Aidan’s jaw dropped. The man with the greatest passion and artistic vision in the entertainment industry entered the room. If there was an Academy Award for perfect timing, he won it hands down.

“Mr. Kazan!” Beth rushed toward the director and flung her arms around him.

“Hey, kid.” Kazan grinned and patted her back. “I would’ve come sooner, but I had to get all of my information from the papers. Then it took some time to weed out fact from fiction. Christ, there are a lot of reporters outside. Luckily, the head of security recognized me and escorted me up here.”

Beth took his coat and hat and stowed them in the closet.

Kazan strolled across the room. “Aidan, I heard you died on us.”

Beth’s gaze fell to the floor. Her shoulders sagged.

Aidan’s eyes narrowed. Out of respect, he softened his criticism with politeness. “Please watch what you say around her, Gadg.”

Kazan cringed. “Sorry. Sometimes I blurt out inappropriate things. It’s how I cope, you know?”

Beth presented a shaky smile. “It’s all right. Aidan is on the mend now. That’s all that matters.”

“When I heard the news…“ Kazan hung his head. “I’m glad you’re okay, Aidan.”

Aidan stuck out his hand to his mentor, the closest person to a father he’d ever had. “It’s good to see you, Gadg.”

The sorrow unloaded from Kazan’s eyes as he shook Aidan’s hand. “You, too.”

Beth approached the bed. “Mr. Kazan, I apologize for only leaving a short note before fleeing to Clarkson. I should’ve called.”

For the millionth time today, Aidan’s eyebrows went skyward. So Beth had returned to Clarkson. Hopefully, her visit with her parents had gone better than his visit with his father.

“You’ve had plenty to deal with, Beth. I don’t blame you one bit.” Kazan sat in an available chair. “I have something to share with the two of you. Since Luther Mertz shelved
Golden Gloves
, thus relinquishing his rights to the picture, I’ve taken it upon myself to get the project up and running again. After reaching out to my industry contacts and dipping—or more like plunging head first—into my personal savings, I’ve gathered all the footage we shot already and the resources required to finish the film without Starlight Studios’ involvement.”

Aidan flung into a sitting position. His medication hadn’t kicked in fully yet, but his excitement over Kazan’s news eliminated the pain resulting from the abrupt movement. “Gadg, are you serious?”

Beth clasped her hands. “My goodness. That’s splendid!”

“If
Golden Gloves
doesn’t
explode at the box office, I’ll be in debt up to my eyeballs for the rest of my life, but it’s worth the risk to see this brilliant script up on the big screen.” Kazan crossed his legs, knee to ankle. “We won’t make a summer opening, but depending on Aidan’s recovery, we may be able to swing a fall premiere.”

“A fall premiere for sure,” Aidan said. “I won’t allow myself to be sidelined for long, not when I have a job to do. I’ll also contribute whatever you need financially.”

Beth nodded eagerly. “Me, too.”

“I’ve talked to the rest of the cast and crew already. They’re on board as well. Even the union has permitted it. So when you’re both good to go, I’ll finalize our filming schedule and everyone will meet us here in Chicago.”

When Nathan, Olivia, Connie, and Matthew returned, they were updated on
Golden Gloves
’ revival, and Aidan’s room transformed into a temporary production office. Olivia agreed to stay on as the film’s designer. Nathan offered to help Kazan with the behind-the-scenes organization, and Matthew offered to write and record a new theme song, since the studio still owned the original version. There were no salary negotiations, no contracts to sign. They merely shook hands to seal their partnerships.

After providing the name of his hotel and promising to stop in again tomorrow, Kazan grabbed his coat and hat and left.

As the day wore on, Aidan encouraged Beth and the others to take a break from the hospital and have a fun night out on the town. Beth refused, but he ended up convincing the others. They, too, promised to visit tomorrow.

Once they were alone again, Beth crawled into the bed upon Aidan’s invitation. They shared a pillow, lying face to face, their hands linked and their noses touching.

“How was Clarkson?”

Beth beamed. “It was lovely. That is, before I got the call from Nathan about your accident.”

Her frown appeared for only a moment before Aidan prompted her to share the good memories, not the bad ones. “How are your parents? How did you spend your days?”

Her lips curled upward. “My parents are well. I spent most of my time catching up with them, helping around the house, and venturing into town with my mother. I also caught up with my childhood friend, Emma. You’d really like Clarkson, I think. You should visit with me one day.”

The tears that sprung to Aidan’s eyes were unexpected but long overdue. He’d never had a normal childhood after his mother died and his family life vanished, and now Beth was offering to share hers with him.

He swallowed back the emotion that crawled up his throat. “I’d like that a lot.”

Beth nuzzled his cheek. “Aidan, you seem very nonchalant about what transpired between you and your father. I know you two weren’t close, but doesn’t what you discovered about him bother you even a little?”

Aidan shrugged, but his composure was on the verge of crumbling. He didn’t understand it. Why now? Life was good again. “Deep down, I guess some part of me would’ve liked to reconcile with my pop. He’s my only living relative. But blood doesn’t make family. You’re my family—Kazan, Nate, Matt, and Olivia. Even Connie. So what if my past isn’t worthy of a weekly sitcom? I’m grateful for everything I have. It’s a waste of time to focus on everything I don’t have.”

“What about your accident? When you found out what happened, were you scared at all? I’m not bringing up everything to upset you. I just want to make sure you’re not bottling up your emotions like before.”

Aidan kissed the bridge of her nose. “What scared me most was seeing how distraught you were when I woke up from my coma. You concealed it well, but I could still tell you’d been through a lot. My waking up didn’t erase all that. As for me, well, I was unconscious. So compared to what you dealt with—”

The memory of his mother in the meadow barraged him without warning. He blinked hard, and his emotional dam broke, flooding his face with tears.

Beth pulled him into her arms as he bowed his head and wept over the loss of his mother, rejection by his father, but above all else, gratitude for his second chance at life—which brought to mind another topic he needed to discuss with Beth.

Aidan drew back so he could read her reaction as well as hear it. “Will you move to New York City with me?”