Chapter 41
EvanAnn
I was ready to have it out with Chase at lunch, practically vibrating with rage, but he disappeared into the school. He’s wrong though. I’m not stupid enough to go back to him, ever. Fool me once…
My hands are still trembling as Cam and I settle back at the table, when Hawk and Damon come out. The other tables are still talking about the confrontation. Damon’s mouth presses tight while Cam tells him what happened.
I take Damon’s hand and lean into him so he won’t go and do something stupid.
Hitting Chase at a party is one thing. Hitting him at school would get him suspended.
Suspension might mean no hockey. I’m not letting Chase Chadwick take anything else away from us.
I’ll protect Damon’s future with all I have.
Damon settles, but Hawk looks too still, like he’s planning something. Cam glances at Hawk, and Hawk subtly nods his head. What the fuck are they planning?
I can’t be everywhere the guys are, but I need to try to make them think this through. Before we leave lunch, I clear my throat to get their attention.
“No one gets suspended because of that asshole.” I meet each of their eyes. “We can take care of him outside of school.”
Hawk smirks. “Yes, Annie.”
He draws me into him and kisses me.
I shake my head at him as he winks. Cam kisses me next.
He lifts his head. His face is serious as he searches my eyes while cupping my face. “If I put you behind me, that doesn’t mean find a way around, goody. I like you fierce, but if I needed to take down that fucker, I could have hurt you.”
My heart swells as I grab his wrists. “I need to stand up for myself too.”
“And you’re hot when you do.” He kisses me again. “We’ll figure it out.”
When he releases me, I turn to Damon, still sitting at the table. He grabs the hem of my skirt and pulls me toward him. I climb onto his lap to straddle him like I always do at home and put my hands in his hair. He tugs my hips into his and rests his head against my shoulder.
“If he tries anything…” His words are for me alone.
“I’ll tell a teacher. That’s why they’re there.” I lift his head and look into his blue eyes. “You can’t always be there to protect me. I love you for it, but I can hold my own, especially with Chase.”
“That’s my little devil.” He gives me a cocky grin.
I lean in and kiss him. It’s so easy to lose myself in the hint of mint and taste of Damon.
Someone clears her throat. I pull back and look over my shoulder at Mia.
She gives a little finger wave. Heat washes through me at how intimately Damon and I are locked together.
At school. Not being able to touch him made it easy to avoid touching him through the school day.
Now that I can, all I want to do is touch him.
“Figured you’d like some backup heading to acting?” Mia smiles, and her eyes sparkle.
Damon helps me stand. “Text me if anything happens.”
I nod, but my cheeks are red. It’s so hard to think when they touch me. The courtyard wasn’t completely empty. Abby and her friends stand off to the side. When they notice me noticing them, they give me a look of disdain and head inside.
So, business as usual.
“I’ve got her from here.” Mia winks at Damon, who rolls his eyes.
The guys follow us to the intersection of the schools and then head off to their afternoon classes while Mia and I head to the black box theater. We’re a little early, so I touch her arm as I head over to Mr. Watson.
“Can I talk to you?” I gesture toward the sound booth.
He nods and leads the way.
“Did you get my email?” I ask when the door is shut. I can see Mia, but I know she can’t hear us in here.
Mr. Watson rests his hip on the counter and crosses his arms. His back is to the glass. “It’s your production, EvanAnn. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t want Chase to fail because we broke up, and it wasn’t an easy split.” I sigh and watch the classroom fill with students I’ve been with for the past three years.
“The difference is that you didn’t blow up at him while at practice.” Mr. Watson sighs. “It doesn’t matter what you did or what he did. What matters is how you behave during rehearsal time. That’s sacred space. He wasted everyone’s time and threatened another student.”
Mr. Watson isn’t wrong. I didn’t so much as blink at rehearsal after Chase left me out in the middle of nowhere or after I found out about the cheating. Hell, I saw the cheating. Chase just heard about it from Olivia.
“We can bring Brandt into this discussion if it would make you more comfortable.” Mr. Watson straightened. “If Chase needs to be off your production, then he would need a spot on Brandt’s. There might be someone you could exchange for.”
“If I were to recast, I would have Jason perform as Iago and whoever came in would need to understudy Cassio.” But the real problem is Chase is Iago. “I do think Chase is the best actor for the part still.”
Mr. Watson nods thoughtfully. “After class, we’ll talk. You, me, and Chase. If we can’t come to an agreement, then we can talk with Brandt to see if he has a solution.”
“I think that will work.” I’m still not sold, but at least we have a course of action now.
Chase sits in his chair like a sullen toddler. Legs kicked out. Arms crossed. A frown on his face. He looks ridiculous because he didn’t get his way. He didn’t get to keep me and fuck around too.
We sit across from each other, and Mr. Watson sits between us.
“What we need to know, Chase,” Mr. Watson begins, “is if you’re going to be able to keep this production professional and keep your personal life outside of rehearsals?”
Chase’s eyes narrow before he releases his breath, but he keeps his lips pressed shut. Fine. I can be the bigger person.
“I’m willing to ignore Sunday’s interruption,” I say. “But that’s the extent of it. You don’t bring negative energy to my rehearsal, and you don’t waste my actors’ time.”
He leans forward. His gaze flicks to me before he looks at Mr. Watson. “What are my options?”
My chest tightens. Jason will do fine as Iago, but Chase would give a brilliant performance. I wasn’t blowing smoke up his ass about him being suited for Iago. And the more I find out about the real him, the more I see the character Iago is part of who he is.
Mr. Watson leans forward and clasps his hands between his knees. “You have a lead role in Othello. If you don’t think this will work, we can discuss with Brandt what he can do for you on the Crucible. But it won’t be a lead role and may not even be a walk on. You might have to work backstage.”
“I could get something in the spring showcase though.” Chase glances at me, like I’m the one who will be disappointed if he quits my show.
I arch an eyebrow. “It’s early. Jason would be able to learn your part. If you want to go to Brandt’s show, that’s up to you. I won’t stop you.”
Chase chuckles and rubs the corner of his lip. “Why would I give up my part in the play?”
“I don’t know, Chase.” I lean back and cross my arms. “It would be a stupid move, but it’s not like anything you’ve been doing has been smart.”
His eyes flash, but he hides it quickly.
Mr. Watson clears his throat. “I’m not saying this will be easy, but if you need me to supervise for a while, I can come to rehearsals to make sure things remain civil.”
“I’d appreciate that,” I say.
Chase straightens. “Fine. I can be a professional.”
Mr. Watson stands and glances at his watch. “You have time to get to your next class.”
I grab my stuff and stand to leave. We’d moved to Mr. Watson’s office so the students in the acting class afterwards wouldn’t have to wait in the hallway.
As soon as I step out of the office, Chase touches my shoulder.
I flinch and spin to face him. He holds up his hands in surrender.
I straighten and glare at him. “Outside of the production or class, you don’t have any reason to interact with me. You definitely don’t have permission to touch me.”
He smirks, and the confidence that always surrounds him makes itself known. “But you will need me. When those three decide you’re no longer worth playing with.”
I press my lips together, but don’t give him anything, because he doesn’t know anything about us. He still thinks they’re toying with me. And there’s nothing I’ll need him for even if they do leave me. I’ve never needed him.
He drags his gaze over me like he has any right. “I’ve always been playing the long game with you, EvanAnn. Those other girls were to stave off a need. You?” He smiles like we’re something more. “You’re endgame. But I get it. I fucked up, and you need to teach me a lesson.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“But it is revenge, right?” He steps forward, but I don’t step back.
I’m not going to let him see me afraid of him.
“Damon’s revenge. Your revenge.” He smiles down at me. “Doesn’t matter, does it? You’ve had yours. He’s had his. What do you two have left? Fucking?”
My cheeks heat, but I don’t say anything.
“And then he takes off to fulfill his hockey dream, and you… what? Follow him to a school that has a mediocre theater program?” Chase chuckles. “Or maybe you’ll try to do some film festivals and make it from there?”
I glance at the door, hoping Mr. Watson comes out.
“That’s not the way you achieve your dreams, EvanAnn.” Chase shakes his head like I’m being silly. “You need someone like me and my family. Money. Connections. He might have you now, but it won’t last. But don’t worry. I’ll take you back when you’re ready.”