Page 139 of Dark Tangled Truths
“Do you want to talk about Mia?” he asks softly.
I sit up and look at my phone. It’s been days since she’s responded, but I can’t imagine what she’s going through. Actually, I can imagine, and what I imagine is hopefully worse than what she’s dealing with. It would be nice to hear from her, but I’m not pushing it.
“No.” I release my breath. “Maybe. I don’t know. I mean, according to Jackson, she was my stalker all along. But if that was the case, why not gloat about it? Also, nothing has happened since she left which does point in her direction again. But maybe the stalker is just busy. And then there’s Brandt. Where the fuck does he fit in this mess? And am I shooting myself in the foot by replacing Mia in the play? Mr. Watson seemed to think it was a brilliant plan, and I made sure to tell him it was Keira’s idea, but what if it isn’t smart? What if I choke?”
Hawk chuckles. “I’m not sure if you want me to answer any of that, but you aren’t going to choke. I’m angry at Anteros for making you choose directing over acting.”
“I was being typecast.” I shrug. “It was a thing, and I really enjoy directing.”
“Fuck that. You should have been working on both, and everyone in your cast knows it. The way you flawlessly stepped into Mia’s shoes and took over that role without even missing a beat is...”
“Amazing?” I arch an eyebrow and smirk. “I’ve been told.”
“You have what it takes, and anyone would have to be blind to not realize your potential. It’s like Damon on the ice. I could maybe push myself to be as good as he is now, but I will never reach the same potential he has. You’re both going to grow so much in the next four years, and I want to be with you every step of the way, reminding you both how amazing you are.”
We’re workingthrough act four, but everyone is dragging a little. It’s a lot of stop, fix this, wait, okay, let’s keep going. Next week we’ll take it act-by-act through tech and put it together a few times before performances begin.
I glance at Keira, and she nods.
“You’re doing great, but let’s take a fifteen minute break.” I smile as everyone almost breathes a sigh of relief. I love that this school focuses on making us professional. No one’s going to let their crabbiness shine through, or the next time they probably won’t be cast.
Hawk stops and gives me a kiss. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” I’m a little surprised. I’m used to having a guy practically on top of me during breaks.
He holds my hand as he walks away and then lets it go. But I have stuff to do. I turn back to my desk and drag in a breath. This week is going to be hell week, but at least Damon and Cam will be back.
Wanting to check on something, I walk across the stage to behind the set. We have a lot of moving parts in this production, and I want to make sure the prop table is set up well. The backstage crew must have decided to take the break, which is good.
I know they have a lot more opportunity to sit during the performance, so I let them do what they want.
“EvanAnn.”
I turn at Chase’s voice. He looks nervous to be talking to me, rubbing the back of his neck and hunching his shoulders like he doesn’t want to be doing this.
“What can I do for you?” Professional. I can stay professional.
“I want to apologize for being such an asshole.” He looks over his shoulder, but then turns his blue eyes to mine. “You’ve been more than fair with me in this production.”
“Okay?” I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. A cold breeze wafts my way. Sometimes with the lights on, it gets stifling behind the stage, and someone will prop open the door. If they do, someone is supposed to stay close and shut it before leaving.
I move that way to close the door. Chase follows me.
“My dad says I need to make amends to you for how I treated you.”
“You never apologized for real when you fucked around on me and thought I’d give you another chance. Everything out of your mouth was fake or a lie, so why do you think I’d believe you now?” As I turn the corner, something makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Kind of like when you walk intosomewhere you aren’t supposed to be, but it’s stupid because I’m supposed to be here.
Chase sighs. “What I did to you was shitty, but Brandt is by far the bigger asshole. I’m pretty sure he talked Mia into being your friend this year.”
I turn to look at him. “What are you talking about, Chase?”
“You know how Iago doesn’t do anything directly to anyone?”
I nod and gesture for him to get to the point.
“That’s Brandt. He just whispers in people’s ears or gets them into tight spots where they don’t have a choice but to do what he tells them to.” Chase runs his hand through his hair. “He convinced me you’d be perfect for me.”
I cross my arms as the breeze wafts through again. “I need to close the door.”
