Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
Holden
Five years ago…
Katherine had once told me that sometimes when the spotlight hits you and the curtain comes up, you feel an otherworldly metamorphosis take place. Like you’re no longer yourself… and the people around you aren’t castmates.
You’re truly transported.
I always thought she was full of shit…
Until tonight.
It was better than anything I’ve felt in my life.
It was better than any drunken night. Any shot of tequila. Any winning pass at the big game or defeat of a debate tournament.
Staring out into the sea of unknown faces, their applause roaring, thunderous. It was a balm for my frayed nerves that I didn’t know I wanted or even needed.
Katherine wasn’t Katherine. She was Julie.
I wasn’t me. I was Remy.
The love I felt for her in those moments wasn’t what we had in our day to day life… but it also wasn’t any less real.
At that moment, I did love her. I loved her so much that my next breath didn’t matter. And so I drank the poison.
It was only when my Juliet fell on top of me, dagger in her heart that I relaxed. With a deep inhalation of her sweet rose scent, I felt myself come back. Return to Holden. Holden who’s holding Katherine. Holden, the senator’s son. Holden who lost his mother less than a month ago.
With her upstage hand, hidden by our bodies, Katherine’s hand found mine and gave a gentle squeeze.
Sudden, thunderous applause made me flinch and when I opened my eyes, I was met with near darkness and Katherine’s face hovering inches over mine, her draping hair shrouding us like a cloak.
“Come on, Holden,” she whispered, tugging me to sit up. “We’ve got to take our bows.”
I crawled off the bench, realizing the curtain had closed.
Our show was over.
Remy and Julie were gone and in their place, Katherine led me off the stage, her hand clutching mine.
After the rest of the cast had taken their bows, Katherine and I walked out, still holding hands, taking center stage. This feeling was ethereal; I was so stunned, I almost forgot to take my bow until Katherine nudged me forward. I bent at the waist, catching a glimpse of Duncan and my friends standing up midway down the audience. They were shouting like they’re in the stands at a football game.
And in the row behind them, my father stood. Face stoic.
But clapping.
And I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but it looked like there was a sheen of moisture shining in his eyes.
But when I stood up and gestured to Katherine to step forward and take her bow, a dark look clouded his expression. And while she was still mid-curtsey, he turned out of the row and walked down the aisle of the theater, leaving very pointedly during Katherine’s big moment.
Dick.
Afterwards, out in the lobby, I sought Katherine out in the crowd, looking for her glossy blonde hair. Instead, I found my friends. Duncan and my teammates rushed at me, shouting their congratulations with the same vigor they’d show for a keg party.
They all crowded around me, slapping me on the back and ruffling my hair, acting so rowdy that my classmates and people around us gave us disapproving looks.
Duncan flipped one of them off as Ross handed me a flask.
I pushed it away with a shake of my head. “Not tonight.”
If there was ever a night I needed to keep sharp, it was tonight.
Ross snorted and took a swig himself. “The show’s fucking over, douchebag.”
“Hey,” Duncan snapped. “Chill the fuck out. If he doesn’t want a drink tonight, what the fuck does it matter to you?”
Beside me, Nate hugged his parents and threw me a sneer over his shoulder.
Right back at you, asshole.
I had no doubt he thought I wasn’t good enough for Katherine.
Well, that made two of us.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Katherine across the lobby, talking to an older man in a tailored suit.
I’d never been a jealous guy.
But seeing the way this man leaned into her.
Smiling.
Eyes bright.
His gaze traveled hungrily over her face and down her body with one hand casually tucked into his pocket, the other holding out a business card toward Katherine.
My Katherine.
Seeing red, I grabbed the flask and took three large gulps before shoving it back into Ross’s chest. I extracted myself from my friends and stalked over to her.
Katherine turned and upon seeing me approaching, her beaming smile faltered. Head tilted, she gave me a strange look. "Holden!" she said, "I want you to meet someone—this is Mr. Abrams.”
“Mr. Abrams.” I spat his name. “Do you come to watch young women in college performances often?”
“Holden—” Katherine started.
“Yes, actually,” Mr. Abrams replied.
I snorted. “Well at least you’re honest about it.”
“Mr. Abrams is Professor McCay’s friend from New York. He’s a casting director.”
I blinked, waking from my fog. “You… you’re the broadway casting director?”
His smile twitched higher and he offered me the same hand that had just handed Katherine the business card. “Jonathan Abrams. You were great up there.”
“Not as great as Katherine was,” I replied, taking his hand.
“Ah, then we agree.” He paused, then added, “The chemistry you two have is something special, though.”
As my eyes swept over her, she seemed to shrink into herself, like a delicate flower bending to the weight of a sudden rainstorm. Her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks as she peered shyly at the ground, her blonde hair falling in loose curls around her face.
And yet, even in that moment of shyness, there was a radiance about her, a quiet strength that shone through her meekness.
“Without her, I’m nothing,” I whispered.
"Jonathan!” Professor McCay glided between us, placing a kiss on the casting director’s cheek. “I’m so glad you could come!”
“I’m thrilled I didn’t miss this one,” he said. “You’ve got quite the talented group this year.”
McCay’s hand fell to my shoulder. “Indeed. Our shining star here ? —”
“Your shining star was spectacular,” Mr. Abrams said, his eyes trained onto Katherine.
McCay’s gaze bounced between Katherine and Mr. Abrams, her smug smile slipping. “Yes. Ms. Harris is… mesmerizing, isn’t she? But,” she continued, “I’ve never seen a Romeo played quite as daringly as Holden’s version. He is the quintessential forbidden Romeo, isn’t he?”
Mr. Abrams glanced at me, but his attention was clearly still focused on Katherine. "Yes, the young man has talent, certainly. But Kate… she has that magical glow about her. The Broadway stage will fall in love with her."
“Broadway?” Katherine repeated in a far-off whisper.
Professor McCay's grip on my shoulder tightened, her long nails digging into my skin. "Perhaps we could convince Jonathan to stick around for a few days," she said with a tense smile. "I have several other classes, some upperclassmen, you could watch, showcase our talent who are nearly done with school and will be moving to New York soon."
"I wish I could, but I'm expected back in the city," Mr. Abrams replied politely. "However, Kate, call me. There’s an audition this December. I have a role I think you'd be perfect for."
McCay blinked rapidly, hesitating. "Oh, I don't know if she's ready for a professional role just yet..."
"With respect, Professor, I disagree. She's incredibly gifted." He turned his warm gaze to Katherine. "What do you say, my dear? Would you be interested in coming to New York to audition?"
Katherine's eyes went wide, and she glanced uncertainly at Professor McCay and myself. "I don't know, I’m only a freshman..."
“A freshman who shows more talent than most of the people in this whole school,” Mr. Abrams whispered, leaning into her.
Katherine's eyes went wide, and her cheeks flushed pink. "Oh, I… I don't know what to say." She glanced at McCay, who was staring daggers at Abrams.
"Are you kidding? Say yes!" I blurted out. Katherine looked at me in surprise. "This is your dream, you have to go for it," I continued earnestly. I reached out to take her hand. “Who cares about finishing this program if you have a shot at a Broadway role.”
“Excuse me,” McCay said, her tone clipped. “I see one of our benefactors, I should go say hi.”
With that, she disappeared into the crowd, thank God. And good riddance.
Mr. Abrams examined me for a long moment. "It’s refreshing to see a fellow actor so genuinely supportive and excited for another actor’s success.”
“Oh,” I snorted. “I’m not really an actor.”
Mr. Abrams’ smile lifted. “Don’t mistake my excitement for Ms. Harris to mean you were not also wonderful. You have a great future ahead of you as well… if you want it. “
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Did I want it?
“I just wish Professor McCay had the faith in me that you do, Mr. Abrams,” Katherine said, her voice small in a way that made my heart ache for her.
“Well, it makes sense considering how much you look like Kaylie O’Malley.”
Katherine nodded in agreement as though she knew what he was talking about. “Who’s that?” I asked.
“She’s a Broadway actress.”
“Not just a Broadway actress… the Broadway actress. And she was your professor’s understudy. Until one day Laurie wasn’t able to go on stage, O’Malley went on in her place… and was such a star, she couldn’t be denied. They gave her Laurie’s part.”
I blinked in shock. “And … and Katherine looks like her?”
Mr. Abrams nodded. “The spitting image.” He handed Katherine his card. "Think it over and give me a call. I really think you could have a future on the stage.” He paused and pointed at me. “Both of you.”
Katherine thanked him quietly, still seeming shocked.
As Mr. Abrams said his goodbyes, I searched the room, catching sight of Professor McCay where she spoke with a group across the room. But her eyes were set on Katherine, fury burning in her expression.
I followed Katherine’s gaze to where she landed on McCay, too and I noted the way her fingers trembled.
Clearing my throat, I stepped into her line of sight, blocking the view of McCay’s scowl.
With shaking hands, Katherine tucked the business card into her clutch, the weight of possibility pressing down on her.
I watched her for a moment, the reflection of her dreams lighting up her eyes, before she turned to me, a mix of excitement and apprehension painting her features. "Holden," she began softly, a tremor in her voice betraying the storm beneath her calm exterior, "what if ? —"
I pressed my finger to her lips to quiet her. “No what ifs tonight.”
“But—”
“No buts either. Unless it’s your butt. Wiggling in my lap.”
The concern lifted briefly as a smile brightened her expression. “So what do we do now?”
Leaning in, I brushed my lips against hers and she shuddered a delicious little shiver. “Now… now, we celebrate.”