Page 14 of Play Room Actor

“I thought I did—at least until I took the money out of his pocket at the last poker night. I saw it in his eyes. He’s plotting revenge.”

We both laughed, and I enjoyed the time with Nico. He knew almost everything about me, and since the chemsex stuff had happened, I had nothing left to hide from him. I was surprised he was still my best friend. With him, I didn’t need to wear a mask or play it cool, like I often did with others.

“He likes you,” Nico said. “Maybe because he’s into Mick Jagger too. I don’t know.”

“Probably more because I’m playing the babysitter while he works.”

“You’re just doing your part until we’re square,” he shot back.

“Haha,” I said, without much humor, but a satisfied smile played on my lips. “Fine, I’m in. Maybe I’ll get some info I can use against Hector later if he tries to destroy me with his fire-breathing gaze again.”

“He’s just a sore loser—no big surprise for a lawyer.” Nico’s face practically glowed with happiness. It was so obvious how much he loved Hector.

I wondered if I would ever fall in love again. The last time, I’d only thought I was in love, but the way Gian had ended it had knocked me back down to earth.

I pushed those thoughts aside and took another deep breath.

You don’t have to do this, I told myself. You’re allowed not to think about the past.

5

–––––

Kilian

With a glass of orange juice in my hand, I stood in front of a massive painting that reminded me of Goya’s Witches’ Sabbath, except instead of witches around the goat, there were angels, lizards, and insects. Lucien definitely had a knack for bizarre art. But what I loved most was the night sky, which had a silver-blue hue over the mountains, turning to a muted stone blue in the center and deepening to black at the top, where countless stars twinkled. The atmosphere was dark, while the angels’ white robes gleamed like silk, reflecting a hint of blue.

“Do you like the painting?” Lucien asked me.

I tore my gaze away from a chameleon and turned my head toward him. His honey-blond hair was tousled, and dark circles hung under his eyes. Holding a glass of white wine, he beamed at me with satisfaction.

“I’m guessing you do,” he continued. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been staring at the canvas for ten minutes.”

“Oh,” I said, turning back to the painting with a smile. “I like the blue.”

Lucien laughed and raised his glass. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah,” I answered absentmindedly. “I think so. Hopefully, the tech will cooperate. At least everything worked this afternoon.”

“I can’t wait to see what you’re showing us. When Greta said she brought you on board, I couldn’t believe it.”

I raised my eyebrows slightly, confused. “Have you seen anything of mine before?”

“Oh, yeah! I think it was about two years ago. You did that installation at the art school.”

“The graduation show. Yes.”

“That was genius!”

“Thanks,” I said, trying to stay humble. Unfortunately, I was a bad actor, and compliments made me uncomfortable.

Just then, a young man with brown hair approached us. Lucien hastily placed his hand on the guy’s back and brought him into our small circle. “This is Jonah. Jonah, meet the best lighting designer around: Kilian da Silva.”

“Lighting designer?” Jonah shook my hand, looking intrigued. “I didn’t know that was a thing.”

I smiled, as it wasn’t the first time I’d heard that line.

“Hold on a second,” Jonah said, still holding my hand. “Kilian. Wasn’t your name on the flyer?”