Page 19 of Dark Tangled Truths
“Everything good?” she asks with a look at my hand.
“No more pain meds.” I give her my audition smile. A year ago, I would have been happy with all this attention, so I let the smile sink in and soften. My friend is worried about me. “The pain is more manageable now. Just a little sore from all the cuts and unintentional bumping that happens during the day.”
“Any word on who might have left the rose?” Mia cocks her head a little.
“No.” Nothing new, unfortunately. We really don’t expect anyone to own up to it.
“Mia!” Abby draws our attention as she walks over with a grin. “I didn’t know you had rehearsal tonight too.”
Abby tosses her long, dark hair over her shoulder and glances at me like she didn’t notice me standing here. Her face goes blank as her dark eyes flick up and down me with disdain before dismissing me.
I release my breath, grateful, because I don’t really want to play nice with her right now. And if she tried to include me in the conversation, I’d have to smile and be polite when I really want to start a catfight.
Hawk fucked her. I knew Chase obviously fucked her, but I was aware of it going into my relationship with him. But the guys and I didn’t talk about exes or girls they slept with. I haven’t really thought about all the girls they’ve been with until lunchtime. Now I can’t help but wonder who else my guys have been with.
Which other girls know what they’re like in bed? Or how it feels to have their attention focused solely on her pleasure? Is it possible to be jealous of the people they were with before me? Is that really the person I want to be?
“Anyway.” Abby flicks her hair over her shoulder and focuses on Mia. “I wanted to see if you could come over to dinner at my house tonight. After rehearsal, of course.”
Mia’s gaze narrows slightly on Abby like she’s aware Abby’s trying to make me jealous. Well, congrats, it’s working. I haven’t even asked Mia over for dinner, but Mia hasn’t offered either.
It was awkward when she didn’t know I was living with Damon. But she knows now, so should I?
What about sleepovers? Damon’s going to be gone next week. Maybe she could come and stay with me one night. Tomorrow night after dinner, the guys and I are supposed to talk about the plan for next week. I could mention that option.
“That’s nice. I’ll see what my aunt says.” Mia doesn’t sound thrilled, which gives me a little hope. It’s hard to not be at least friendly with other people in our school. You never know who will make or break your career based on their experience with you in high school.
“I figured you’d have time since yourbestieis busy with her men.” Abby’s gaze flicks to me with disgust. When I don’t react, she adds, “You know they’re just using you for sex.”
I chuckle. “That’s cute. Hate to tell you, but I’m using them for sex too.”
Abby rolls her eyes. “Whatever. It’s not like you guys are all going to get married. It’s not even legal. They’ll want girlfriends of their own someday.”
“Okay.” I shrug and turn to go into the theater room.
“You should enjoy it while it lasts,” Abby calls after me.
I pause with the door open and turn back. I give her a gloating smile, because they’re mine now. “I will.”
Rehearsal isthe normal length today. After a couple hours, we take a break. It’s right around when hockey practice ends, so Hawk joins us. I nod at him from my desk as I look over the script and my notes, trying to make sure I’m not missing any important notes to give the actors tonight.
He sets his things down and comes over. It’s not exactly easy to ignore him. I could, but I really don’t want to. I blow out a breath, pull my focus from the script in front of me to meet his green eyes, and arch an eyebrow expectantly.
“Come on, Annie.” He holds his hand out to me. He’s got that determined look on his face, which means he thinks I need something. A little sizzle races through my veins, but I try to cool it. What I need to do is focus.
I glance at his hand, but don’t move.
He smirks and crouches next to my chair. “How long is the break?”
I glance at my phone. Long enough to eat if the cast needs to. He grins when he catches my expression.
“A long one then. You’ve been working all day, Annie. Take a breather with me.” He stands and offers again. “I promise not to take all your precious time.”
With a reluctant sigh and a hot burst of anticipation, I scoot my chair back and take his hand. He leads me into the hallway where some of the cast stand around looking at their phones or eating. They glance up as the door opens to see who came out and then return to what they were doing.
Hawk draws me down the hallway and around the corner. No one is here.
Shivers curl around my spine as he leads me to a closet and opens the door. With a smile, he tugs me inside, turns on the light, and locks the door behind us.
