Chapter Twenty-Nine
For the past two weeks, every time Casey thought of Rags, warmth spread through her and a smile tugged at her lips. Hearing him say he loved her had cracked open something inside her she’d thought was long dead.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Jacob said, stepping into her office.
She laughed and motioned for him to take a seat.
“Did you get some good news or win the lottery?” he asked, slumping into the chair.
“Just happy the weekend is almost here.” There was no way she was sharing the real reason she’d been walking on air. Jacob had been strange and distant toward her since the end of December. “How’ve you been? I hardly ever see you around,” she said.
“I’m around. We’ve got the play opening in a few months, so there’s always a lot to do.”
“I was surprised when Raven told me she didn’t want the lead.” Casey brought her coffee cup to her lips.
“She wasn’t offered it,” Jacob said, his gaze fixed on her mouth.
“Really? Why? The audience loves her.” Casey twisted in her chair. Jacob’s staring unnerved her.
“She didn’t fit the part. At least that’s what Simon said. And you know the director’s always right.” He snorted.
Casey knew Jacob and Simon had a strained working relationship. The director could be demanding and uncompromising, but he was brilliant and worked magic with his productions.
“I’m not familiar with the play,” Casey said. “I’m sure Raven’s upset.” I’m surprised she didn’t tell me about it.
“It’s from a new playwright who’s getting a lot of attention off Broadway. The play’s different, and most of the characters are written as teenagers. Simon told Raven she couldn’t pull it off.” Jacob smiled, but his eyes stayed cold. “I have to agree with him.”
“I can imagine Simon didn’t say it with much finesse. He can be blunt and… cruel.”
Jacob shrugged. “She’s been in this industry long enough to know how it goes. She’s such a drama queen, it’ll probably do her good to realize she’s not the diva she thinks she is.”
“I can’t believe you said that.” A streak of anger slid down her spine. “She’s a wonderful actress. She’s gotten rave reviews from critics and audiences. She steals every performance she’s in.”
“You’re biased because she’s your friend. I’m not saying she isn’t talented, but she acts like the other actors are just props for her.”
“I didn’t realize you disliked her that much,” Casey said, picking up her mug.
“She’s all right. I just think it gets old when one actor keeps getting all the leads. This time she didn’t. That’s the way it goes.” Jacob leaned back, his gaze settling on her again. “There’s a radiance about you lately.”
She took a sip, letting the warm coffee slide down her throat. “I’m just in a good mood.”
“That’s good. So when are we going to have that dinner we keep talking about?”
“Soon, I guess.”
“What about tonight after work?”
Caught off guard, Casey stalled by taking another sip of coffee.
“What do you say?” Jacob pressed.
“Tonight doesn’t work.”
“Why not? Are you doing something with that biker you hang around with?” A dark expression crept across his face.
Anger pricked her skin. “I have a work project I need to finish. My boyfriend’s coming by later.”
A tense silence settled between them, the voices drifting through the theatre hallway echoed eerily. His brown eyes glinted with a mix of hurt, fury, and something darker she couldn’t put her finger on.
“I have to leave.” The sharpness in his voice made her jump. Without another word, he rose and walked into the hallway without looking back.
“What was that all about?” Clara asked, stepping into the office.
“We don’t see eye-to-eye on some things,” Casey answered.
“I think he’s jealous because you’re dating my brother.” Clara smiled.
Heat rushed to Casey’s cheeks. “No. I don’t think that’s it,” she muttered.
“It is. Everyone knows he’s got the hots for you. Anyway, I love that you and Rags are together.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that. I mean—”
“Casey, it’s cool. I’m thrilled. My parents don’t know what’s going on, but they’re happy to see Rags smiling more than he has in years. Just don’t tell him I told you that.” Her eyes sparkled.
“I won’t,” she said.
“Do you need me to track anything else in the budgets for the Colorado Creates grant?” Clara asked.
“I’m good. Thanks for helping me out with the numbers. It’s one of six grants I’m working on. I figure one of them has to come through, right?”
“I hope so. I heard last summer’s fundraiser was great.”
Casey nodded. “It was one, but I’m hoping to top it this year. We’re gonna have to work hard for the next month to pull it all together.”
“I’m excited. I love organizing stuff like that,” Clara said. “I can ask Mathew to come up with some ideas for interactive activities.”
“That’s an idea. I want this to be one of the best galas the theatre’s ever done.” Casey smiled. “How does Mathew like conducting the workshops?”
A tinge of pink bloomed across Clara’s cheeks. “I guess okay. Why?”
“You seem to help him out a lot with setting up.”
Clara looked down and picked at her cuticle. “He needs the help.”
“I’m glad he’s come on board. He’s a nice guy. Way better than Simon.”
Clara’s eyes snapped up. “Don’t tell Rags about Mathew. He’d be… well…” Her voice trailed off.
“Difficult? A know-it-all? A general pain in the butt?”
Clara laughed. “You know him too well.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just between you and me. But for the record, I think Mathew’s worth getting to know.”
Clara’s flushed cheeks deepened. “We’re going out to dinner this Saturday. It’ll be our first date.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.” Casey glanced at the wall clock. “I better finish this report. I want to send it out today.”
“I better get going, too.” Clara glanced toward the window. “Looks like a storm’s moving in.”
“That’s what they’re saying. I can’t wait for the cold and snow to end. It’s March and it’s freezing outside.”
Clara laughed. “I don’t know what I’d do if we had an actual spring. Depending on how bad this storm gets, I may take off a little early today.”
“Go ahead. After I’m done here, I’ll work on the grant applications at home.”
Once Clara left the office, Casey focused on the budgeting report she needed to send to the Board of Directors.
About an hour later, her phone beeped. A smile lit up her face as she pulled it from her purse. The smile faded when she saw Curtis’s number on the screen.
Curtis: I have some books you’d find very interesting.
Casey sighed then typed:
Casey: Pretty busy right now.
Curtis: That’s ok. I’ll bring them over.
“What don’t you understand about me being busy?” she muttered.
Casey: I’m too busy. Then I’m leaving b4 the storm hits. I’ll get them from Raven.
A long pause followed. Casey figured he was pissed and moved on. She went back to the spreadsheet until another beep sounded.
“Damnit,” she mumbled.
Curtis: Raven’s out of town.
Casey: Since when?
Curtis: Since this morning.
Her forehead creased as she typed:
Casey: She didn’t tell me she was leaving.
Curtis: Something came up.
Casey: Everything ok?
Curtis: Of course. I’ll drop the books at your house later.
“Hell no,” she said out loud, panic snaking through her.
Casey: That won’t work. I’ll wait til Raven comes back.
Curtis: I’ll be in your area. I’ll drop by.
Casey: I won’t be home.
Curtis: I’ll try. Bye.
Casey: It’s a waste of ur time.
Nothing.
She waited a few minutes. Still nothing from Curtis. “Damnit,” she cursed under her breath.
She made up her mind she wouldn’t open the door no matter what.
Curtis could ring the bell and pound on the door until his knuckles bruised for all she cared.
And what was up with Raven being out of town?
Why hadn’t she mentioned she was leaving?
Then again, Raven hadn’t told her about not getting the lead either.
Maybe something happened with her family, but she hates them.
Her phone vibrated on the desk. She groaned, cringing as she reached for it. Rags.
“Hey, sexy,” she said softly. She slipped out of her chair and closed the office door.
“Hey, beautiful. Whatcha doing?”
“Boring budget reports for the Board. What about you?”
“Thinking about you.”
A soft ache spread through her chest. “That’s nice. I’m betting you have to work tonight, right?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to line up backup if this storm turns into one of our early spring blizzards. I wanted to spend tonight with you, babe.”
“I wanted that, too.” Disappointment laced her voice. “But come over whenever you get done.”
“You can count on that. Are you taking off early?”
“Probably. I can work at home.”
“Take off now. I don’t want you going out when it gets dark.”
“Rags, it’s sweet that you worry about me, but I’m fine. Really.”
“I’m your man. I’ll take care of you.”
“And you’re doing a great job, especially when we make love.”
“That’s a given, baby. But something’s come up and Banger needs all the prospects, so Hog’s gotta head out in about forty-five minutes.
You need to leave before that. I’ve gotta get plows and crews together, so I don’t wanna worry about you alone on the roads.
Hog’ll check the windows and doors before he leaves, then set the alarm.
And don’t let anyone in until I get there later. ”
Her throat thickened, and she swallowed past the lump rising there.
“I’ll leave in about twenty minutes.”
“Good girl.”
“You be careful out there. I worry about you.”
“You don’t have to. I’m good.”
“But I still worry, just like you worry about me.”
A few heartbeats passed before he spoke.
“I gotta go, Case.” He exhaled. “I’m gonna miss you the second we hang up.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
“You ignite a fire deep in my darkness, woman,” he rasped.
“And you’ve gotten into every part of me, Rags,” she breathed.
“Fuck, Case.”
The door opened and Jacob poked his head into the office.
“You heading out?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Casey replied.
Jacob shrugged. “Thought I’d walk you to your car.”
“Like hell he will,” Rags growled.