Hollywood Heir (Westerly Billionaire #4)(24)

“I didn’t have to. It was here, an old storage area. All I did was modernize it.”

The tunnel led to a large, dimly lit space. Eric parked and hopped out to look around. To one side a well-lit, mirrored changing area revealed two wardrobes. He opened one. It was full of designer clothing, expensive shoes, and suits. He crossed to the other and laughed out loud. It held worn jeans, washed-out Tshirts, and a variety of sneakers. “What is this?”

Reggie came to his side. “This is where your two lives meet.” He pointed to a wash station and cabinet. “You should lose that stage makeup before anyone sees you.”

Eric’s hand flew to the scar he’d forgotten was there. It’d been so long. “Oh . . . yeah.” He looked around again. In another area of the enormous room was a car—an old, beat-up-looking, brown two-door. “Is that for me?”

Reggie walked with him to inspect it. “Sure is.”

“What is it?”

“An old Ford sedan. No one wanted it the first time around. I figure it’ll be safe to park in any neighborhood. Vintage plates, so the police won’t bother you.”

Eric ran his hand over the old paint and pulled open the driver’s door. Manual rolling windows. Worn but not torn leather seats. A radio that looked like it belonged in either a museum or a dumpster. “I love it.”

“I knew you would.”

Eric slid into the driver’s seat. He expected the interior to smell bad, but it didn’t. “Does it run?”

Reggie’s chest puffed out. “Of course. It has to transport you back and forth, doesn’t it?”

Eric started it up—it purred. He cut the engine and gripped the steering wheel with both hands, and it felt right. Even though Eric was floundering, Reggie wasn’t standing in judgment. The cave was proof of that. More than anyone in his life ever had, Reggie saw the real Eric and didn’t feel compelled to change him. Eric stepped out of the car. “Thanks, Reggie.”

Reggie shrugged. “It wasn’t all me. Axton was asking about you. I can’t lie to my kids—you know that. When I explained where you were, he was excited that Water Bear Man had finally chosen a secret identity.”

A sad smile tugged at Eric’s lips. “Water Bear Man isn’t real.”

Reggie walked over to a table and picked something up. “Real enough that you hate him.”

Eric nodded. That was undeniable.

Reggie tossed a wallet at Eric. “You want to be normal. Most superheroes do.”

Eric shook his head. “You’re crazy.”

Reggie continued. “Really? Superheroes have family issues. Check. They screw everything up in the beginning. Check. Then, often with the help of a sidekick, they get their shit together.”

“I’m no one’s hero.”

“Classic trope.”

Eric rubbed a hand over his forehead. “And what is my power?”

Without missing a beat, Reggie said, “You inspire people. Water Bear Man is fucking ridiculous, often the butt of jokes from other comic heroes. No one respects him, but he doesn’t let that stop him from doing what’s right. He gets knocked down, but he always gets back up. That’s why my kids love him. You can hate him for robbing you of whatever the hell life you think would have been better than the one you have, or you can learn to control your gift instead of letting it control you.”

Eric scanned the room again. “By doing what? Living a double life?”

Reggie made a face. “Triple. Technically, you still have to be Eric Westerly, or someone will accuse me of killing him off.”

The idea sounded insane—and then so, so tempting. He’d felt trapped in his life, but having a documented second identity would allow him to escape when he needed to breathe. He opened the wallet in his hand. There was a license with his face on it, scar and all, with a name beside it. “Tim Toadhill?”

“I didn’t know you’d pick your own name. I’ll have it all changed to Wayne Easton.” He tossed a flip phone to Eric. “I’ll put this under Wayne as well.”

Eric returned to the changing area and placed the phone down in front of Wayne’s wardrobe. He removed his scar and changed into a silk shirt and trousers. Reggie handed him his top-of-the-line smartphone. “So I guess this makes you Alfred, my butler?” Eric asked as he pocketed the phone.

“Fuck you,” Reggie said, but he smiled. “I’m an independent electrician. Hand me your coat and I’ll stuff it down your throat.”

Eric laughed, and Reggie joined in. It was a moment of true friendship that reminded Eric of something he’d said to Sage. He’d told her he didn’t trust anyone beyond Reggie. That might have been true at one time, but it wasn’t anymore. He also had his sister Rachelle. She didn’t know about his secret identity, though.

It’s better to keep some things a secret.

Eric’s smile faded as he imagined trying to explain not two but three separate identities to Sage. He’d once doubted her mental stability, but he was now certain he couldn’t defend his own. A thought came to him, and he said, “I’m surprised you didn’t make a section for my costume.”

Reggie walked over to the wall and flipped a light switch. A panel slid upward, revealing his Water Bear Man costume, hanging just as it did in his movies. Eric laughed again. “This is absolutely nuts, you know that, right?”