Heroes (Hollywood Heartthrobs #1) Read Free Page B

up all sweet and
summery, they never know what hit them when you whip out your research notes.
Like Wonder Woman, but with a notebook instead of a lasso.” Jessie couldn’t
hold back a smile. “And if any of those ivory tower old fogeys give you trouble,
remember, gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed that
were not here.” He winked at her before he left.
    “The
St. Crispin’s Day speech, Henry V , act four, scene three,” Jessie
muttered to herself. That was Adam for you, only quoted Shakespeare when he
knew she needed a boost. She smiled. Bring on Chicago and Prof. Pinkman, Jessie
thought. Sunday couldn’t come soon enough.

 
     
     
     
CHAPTER 2
     
    Sunday
afternoon, Dean stepped off the jetway at O’Hare International Airport and made
the familiar way to baggage claim. It had been a while, a long while this time,
but no matter how long he lived in L.A., Chicago would always be home. He had
dressed the part in his Cubs ballcap and felt supremely relieved to finally be
wearing clothes he had actually chosen for himself. No labels, just a
comfortable pair of jeans and flannel shirt. He knew the less he dressed like
Jared, the jet-setting clotheshorse vampire, the less likely he was to be
recognized. Jared would give up immortality before being caught dead in flannel
and a Cubs hat, he thought ruefully. He really needed to get Jared out of his
head, he thought picking up his suitcase.
    That
got easier as he exited the security gate to see the crowd of people waiting
excitedly to meet their loved ones. It took him a minute to spot Nathan and the
boys. The oldest, Tucker, at the mature age of seven, was standing as patiently
as possible next to his dad (which for a seven year old is not terribly
patient). On the other hand, Alec, at the more tender age of five, was
desperately squirreling around, peeking around people’s suitcases and legs,
trying to find a better vantage point.
              All regard
for Hollywood appearances left the instant Dean saw his nephews. He put two
fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistle. The boys responded like
bloodhounds, and came tearing toward the source of the noise before they could
even see their uncle. He dropped to his knees and hugged them each in one arm.
Tucker manfully grabbed Dean’s suitcase from him, despite being only slightly
taller that it was, while Alec contented himself with crawling up his uncle
like a tree.
              “That’s
enough, boys,” Nathan said, finally arriving at the rambunctious group. The
boys stood down. “Dean,” he said, holding out his hand formally to his brother.
              Dean knew
better than to take it. Thirty years of fraternal tradition commanded it. He
had been in the wrong, he would have to make the first move back.
              “Nate, I’m so
glad to be here. Thank you.” And with that he gave his brother a warm embrace.
When he pulled back, Nate was smiling, and Dean knew he was home.
              On the
expressway to the Northwest suburbs, the boys regaled Uncle Dean with stories
of their myriad adventures at school, on the t-ball team, and in the various
worlds small children inhabit that can only be shared with the most trusted of
adults. Pulling into the long driveway flanked by blooming daffodils and
budding hydrangeas, Dean saw Samantha on the front porch swing with a book,
obviously waiting. The boys were first out of the car, as Tucker shouted, “He’s
really here, Mom!”
    Dean
turned to Nate. “ Really here ?” he asked.
              Nate
shrugged. “I told them yesterday, after we got your flight details. Can you
blame them for having their doubts?” Dean burned with shame. “You’re basically
Santa Claus. They’re willing to believe you exist, but they don’t really expect
to see you in the flesh.”
              “Nate, I…”
              Nate cut him
off. “Don’t. Like Tuck said, you’re really here.