Chapter 42
EvanAnn
When I get to rehearsal after school, there’s a bag and a paper flower waiting for me on my table. Mia smiles when she sees it.
“Someone’s got boyfriends,” she teases and sits in the audience area, pulling out her laptop to do homework until everyone else gets here.
I set my backpack on the floor next to the table and peek in the bag. There’s a salad and a pack of nuts. I pluck out the folded note.
Need to eat, little devil
—D
Smiling, I pick up the red flower Cam made me.
Each flower is a little different. I’ll add it to the collection of them on my desk at home.
I put the sack on the floor and get out my notes and my new highlighters.
This is what I thought being in a relationship meant.
Being excited to be together. Thinking about each other when we’re apart.
Doing little things to make the other happy.
Keira didn’t come to school today, but she messaged to let me know she’ll be back tomorrow. Tonight I have a few scenes that have been tricky to go over. Including the scene with Chase, but since Hawk has practice, Jason will be playing Cassio.
Mr. Watson comes in and takes the seat beside me at the table. “If this doesn’t work out with Chase, let me know. Brandt did say he could use Chase as an extra and give you one of his extras in return.”
I look at the stage and consider. If I need someone to do backup for Cassio, I need someone who could step onto the stage prepared. I glance at Mr. Watson.
“Why don’t we wait and see? I think we’ll still have enough time if Chase doesn’t behave.” And right now, I need time to think about who I might use to replace Hawk if something happens and he can’t be there.
Everyone comes in and I begin rehearsal. We run the problem scenes until everyone has their lines correct. I glance at my phone when Cam sneaks in to sit in the back and do his homework. Mr. Watson furrows his brow, but doesn’t say anything.
After another five minutes, Damon and Hawk walk in and sit next to Cam. Mr. Watson raises an eyebrow, but they remain quiet and work on homework. I breathe out and finish rehearsal.
As I’m packing up, Chase walks over. Mr. Watson is still at the desk.
“I just wanted to thank you for giving me another chance.” Chase seems sincere, but he’s an actor. He’s just had time to practice his lines. “I want to apologize to you and the whole cast tomorrow at afternoon rehearsal, if you’ll let me.”
“I appreciate your apology.” I grab my trash from my salad and pick up my flower. “I can give you a minute, no more, at rehearsal tomorrow. You’ve already taken up too much of my time.”
Chase’s eyes flare, but he smiles. “Of course. Thank you, director.”
He walks over to his bag and snatches it off the ground.
“Good work today. As always, I respect your professionalism.” Mr. Watson heads out after Chase.
“Come on, Annie.” Hawk touches my waist, and I turn to see the others waiting for me. “We need to hurry or we’ll miss the show.”
“The show?” I ask, but let them usher me outside.
Chase gets into his truck right when we step out. He turns on the engine and glitter fills the cab. My mouth opens in shock, but then I giggle.
Cam drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Not the most subtle of pranks, but it’s a good start.”
I glance at Damon, and he nods toward the bikes. As we head over, Chase’s truck door flings open and he steps out, shaking glitter onto the ground.
“Best thing about glitter,” Cam whispers. “It gets everywhere and takes forever to clean up. Unfortunately, Chase’s car is still in the shop. Apparently, it got pushed behind some other cars.”
I smile. “You guys are awesome.”
“We know. Come on, let’s get you home.”
“Damn, man, did you go to the strip club?” Some guy laughs down the hallway behind me.
“Fuck off,” Chase snarls.
I turn as I walk to the acting seminar with Mia to see Chase with glitter on his uniform.
It’s Tuesday and somehow a video of the glitter bombing has been passed around.
Chase still has glitter everywhere. As a girl who loved dresses with glitter when I was little, I remember how I’d leave little piles of it everywhere I went.
“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” Mia laughs. “I’ve played that video at least three times this morning. Though I still say we could have plastered his truck with feminine products.”
I shake my head, and we go into our acting studio. Chase sits as far away from me as possible and in the back of the auditorium. I’m grateful. He ignores the snickers and looks at his phone.
I block him out as class starts and don’t even think about him as we head to our rehearsal. Hawk catches me before we go into the black box room, pushing me against the wall. Mia shakes her head and goes in without me. He puts his hands on either side of my head on the wall as he looms over me.
“It’s not rehearsal out here.” Hawk smiles down at me. “Out here you’re my girlfriend, not my director.”
I put my hand on his chest and push up on my toes to kiss him. I’m getting used to the touches and kisses during school. It makes me worried that when we’re at home, I’m going to slip up and kiss Damon where our parents can see.
But here? Hawk smiles against my lips as I pull away.
“It’s time for rehearsal.” I slip out under his arm and open the door to go in.
He follows behind me and leans down to whisper in my ear. “I’m spending the night tonight, baby girl. Have to make sure Damon is treating you right.”
A shiver rolls through me as he chuckles darkly and heads over to where Mark stands. Damon and Hawk together. I can’t wait. Heat flows through me. I wish I had time to fit in a nap.
“So that’s happening?” Keira asks with a smile.
I grin and hug her. “I’m so glad you’re back. How are you?”
I look her over like I’ll be able to see if anything’s wrong.
“I’m good except for missing most of Saturday night.” Keira shakes her head. “It’s weird knowing I was there, but not remembering any of it.”
I glance at the cast. “I might be able to help with that.”
Keira cocks her head to the side.
I lean in close. “I have the full video from that night. If you want to come over tomorrow, we can watch it.”
Mr. Watson comes in and stands at the door.
“I’d like that,” Keira says as I stand, getting ready to start our rehearsal.
I look out at everyone. “I know we had an exciting weekend, but we’re moving forward with the cast we have. For now.” I glance at Chase. “Chase has something he wants to say.”
Chase steps forward and little pinpoints of light sparkle on his clothes. I manage to keep a straight face, but Hawk grins and winks.
“I just wanted to apologize for my behavior on Sunday. It was unprofessional and uncalled for. I plan to show you that I can behave in a professional manner from here on out.” Chase nods and heads back to stand with the cast.
Sophia lets out a snicker and covers her mouth. Crystal smiles and straightens. Hopefully that was about Chase and not about me and Hawk. Chase tenses but doesn’t say anything.
Keira walks into my house with her eyes wide and taking everything in. It’s become my usual now, but it wasn’t long ago, I felt that same sense of awe as I walked in for the first time and found out Damon and I would be living together.
I never imagined that I would be where we are now in our relationship. I’m his girlfriend and he’s my boyfriend. He still makes my heart pound, and between him and Hawk last night, I barely got any sleep. But he made sure I had coffee and fruit before we rode to school.
I take her up to my room and cue up the video on my laptop. When it’s over, Keira releases a breath.
“It’s weird to watch myself and know I was there, but I don’t remember any of that or the hospital really.” Keira rubs her temples like she can make herself remember.
“At least we have you on video so you can see what happened.” I would hate to have a blank spot in my memory. To have to rely on others to fill it in. At least she was safe.
She looks around my huge room. “So, your mom and Damon’s dad?”
I nod. “It’s taken some adjusting, but overall, the move’s been good.”
She smirks. The guys touch and kiss me a lot at school. If anyone doubted their intentions toward me, those people definitely know the Devil’s trio is into me. But they also see the guys caring for me in little ways. Damon brings me food before hockey practice and rehearsal.
Cam works on his homework in the audience after practice to be near me. Hawk gives his all on the stage and watches over me, ready to step in if Chase makes a move toward me.
No one trusts Chase.
When I told Damon what Chase said about going back to him, Damon just laughed. “There’s no way you’d go back to him. You don’t need anyone to help you make it.”
“Do you think it will last?” Keira asks. She glances toward the bathroom door.
“Honestly, I haven’t thought a lot about the future.” I look down at my hands. “I’m just getting through the next day, the next week, the next month, at this point.”
“Probably for the best. Do you know where they’re going for school?” Keira asks. “Or where you’re going for school?”
I bite my lip. “Hawk’s going to Columbia. Cam wants to go the Crowne Mawr. Damon wants a good hockey program, so a D1. And I’m going wherever I can get the most contacts in the industry and can afford.”
“This glow up doesn’t include a college fund?” Keira arches an eyebrow.
I shake my head. “My mom isn’t married to Adam, and I wouldn’t expect him to pay for my college even if they were.”
“You’ll get a scholarship pretty much anywhere you apply, anyway.” Keira blows out a breath.
“Hopefully.” I don’t want to ask if Olivia has reached out about what Hawk told her to do. Since the guys released the video anyway, is giving Keira college money null and void now? “Do you want to see the entertainment room? It has a huge TV and surround sound.”
Keira’s eyes light up. “Yes, please.”