Page 66

UNEXPECTED VISITOR

One week until opening night.

Laurel’s anxiety had diminished as mine grew.

As I walked into the auditorium, I considered rifling through a teacher’s desk in search of antacids.

After dealing with middle school kids—especially a room full of them—I bet they stocked the lounge with them.

Only a few more rehearsals, and then I’d be able to go to sleep at night without thinking about kids suspended from wires.

I stopped. “Something’s wrong.”

The kids were on stage, rehearsing the final rescue from Captain Hook. The sounds of their chatter filled the auditorium. There was no screaming or biting as they moved in slow motion through the sword fight. Yet, it wasn’t the kids that made the hair on my neck stand on end.

“It can’t be.”

Sitting in the middle row, I spotted the back of Laurel’s head as her hands waved about. Beside her, another woman with wild waves of hair flowing in every direction. The fabric of reality seemed to waver as I raced down the aisle.

I reached the row of seats, and my fears were confirmed. “Tessa.”

“Mr. Wilde.”

She wore a black suit, the jacket designed to accentuate her figure.

The white dress shirt was unbuttoned just enough to tease but not enough to be unprofessional.

Tessa commanded the attention of every room she entered.

She claimed innocence, but I knew she used every asset to compete with the old men in the studios.

“What are you doing here?”

“Me?” She turned, carefully crossing her legs as she leaned back in her chair. “I’m watching the stars of tomorrow as they— I think that kid is trying to chop off Peter Pan’s head.”

“Hook!” Laurel yelled. “I’m watching you.”

“I mean… Firefly. What are you doing in Firefly?”

“Three flights. A dreadful layover in Newark. A six-hour drive from Boston. Lost in the middle of nowhere.” She rested her hands on her knee, practicing that neutral face and calm composure that made her so dangerous. “The woman at the coffee shop??—”

“Rita.”

Her eyebrow shot up. “Rita informed me if I wanted to talk with you, I’d have to come to rehearsal.”

“You flew here just to talk?”

“Oh, this is good,” Laurel said. “You make him nervous.”

“Hush,” I said.

“Laurel here, my new bestie, has it right. You should be nervous, Chris. I flew across the country to figure out why you dodged my calls about the chance of a lifetime.”

“You didn’t tell me you got an offer,” Laurel said.

“An offer?” Tessa laughed. Tessa didn’t laugh. Ever. “One movie and Chris would never have to work again. Actors would kill for a payout this large.”

Tessa didn’t lie. If it had been about the money, I’d have sped to Hollywood to sign the contract.

I’d make enough money to never work again.

The media’s opinion about my last project would drown as they begged for interviews.

I’d go from a tabloid spectacle to a golden boy. But this wasn’t about the money.

“I have obligations.”

“They’re cute,” Tessa said. “You know I want what’s best for you. I’ve always got your back, Chris. I can delay the studio, but even I have limits.”

She meant every word. Tessa got paid handsomely to ensure my career didn’t come crashing down. Centurions 2 would open a thousand more doors. I’d have studios chasing me for every blockbuster action project they had.

“Acting is in your blood. It might not be the role you want, but it’ll give you flexibility. Then, you can do all the independent projects you want. Hell, you could direct a few to keep things interesting.”

Tessa’s arrival brought Hollywood crashing through the door, shattering the peaceful tranquility of Firefly.

I barely wrapped my head around her sitting in a middle school theater.

I didn’t know if she’d survive the small-town experience or if she’d end up in jail when they didn’t make her coffee right.

“You don’t have to decide this moment.” Tessa stood up, fastening the button on her jacket. If I had been a breast man, they’d distract me from a burning building. “But you do have to decide.”

She walked over and… gave me a hug. I expected a punch in the shoulder, but body contact?

A consolation hug? It wasn’t like her. Either Firefly worked its magic quickly, or she did it to make me uncomfortable.

With a firm pat on the cheek, she turned and walked up the aisle toward the exit, I knew the answer. Tessa had weaponized hugs.

“You’re leaving?”

“Going back to my hotel.”

“You drove all this way for that?”

“Oh, heavens no.” She turned and shot me a wink. “If my biggest client is turning down the chance of a lifetime, I need to scout the new talent.”

I glanced at the stage. “You’re coming to the show?”

“Buy me a ticket. I wouldn’t miss your directorial debut for the world.”

“Do you need a place to stay?”

She laughed. “I’m heading back to a city with a five-star hotel.”

Just like that, the wrecking ball known as my agent exited the theater. She was known for publicity stunts. Hell, half the reason Bobby and I were together stemmed from a white lie she told the tabloids. I didn’t know if I should thank her or fire her. I’d have to debate my options.

“Are you going to do it?”

Laurel’s expression hovered between concern and excitement.

It wasn’t much different from the emotions fluttering about in my stomach.

If I signed those papers, I’d be able to write my ticket for the rest of my life.

It also meant that I might solidify my future, locking in one unfulfilling role after another.

This had been easier when it was just about the money.

“Honest answer?” I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Think about the money.”

“That’s the only thing I’m not thinking about.”

I slid through the seats and plopped down next to her.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something didn’t sit right with me.

It had continued growing since I arrived in Firefly.

Distance from the immediacy of Hollywood gave me time to think clearly for the first time.

I had a lot of time to think, but I didn’t feel any closer to an answer.

“You know we’ll support you. You can visit when you have time. Firefly isn’t going anywhere.”

Laurel had forced her way into my life. She begged for a favor and somehow convinced me to get involved with this damned play.

It had gone from a reluctant obligation to wanting to see it succeed.

Yes, it mattered to Firefly, but as I watched Ollie swinging his sword, I had become invested in its success.

“Great job, Smee.” Ollie stopped mid-thrust to smile and wave at me. This had become about something bigger.

“Thank you,” Laurel said, taking my hand.

“Dad told me about your conversation with Rita.” Of course, he did.

Secrecy in Firefly didn’t exist. “I appreciate it. They appreciate it.” She pointed to the stage with her chin.

“You’re a part of Firefly now, and we take care of our own. Mr. Wilde, we’ve got your back.”

If she only knew, her statement made the decision all the harder.

If I accepted the role, it could be a year before I returned.

That wouldn’t be so bad, right? I could sneak away for a long weekend here and there.

Bobby would make for delicious arm candy on the red carpet.

This newly acquired family would make it work.

“Thank you,” I said.

“What for? Convincing you to supervise tiny terrors? Or because I’m on Team Wilde in the Wilde & Wright saga? Or are you talking about the photos I posted of you stripping at a spaghetti dinner?”

I squeezed her hand. “Everything.”

The kids had gone from a disaster of scattered children to an ensemble.

It had taken lectures, threats, and more than a little bribery, but we were nearing the finish line.

The middle school production of Peter Pan would be magical.

When they finished, I couldn’t help but smile as Ollie joined in a group hug with Hook and Peter.

It wasn’t just about the show, not entirely.

This had been about finding a community.

It took a quiet kid learning to be himself for me to figure it out.

Whatever my decision, I had business to finish before I could think about my career. We were going to make a splash. I couldn’t wait for the curtain to fall, and we basked in the applause for a job well done.

“I don’t want to ruin our moment… but about those tickets.”

Moment ruined by reality.

“Are you ready for the big night?”

Ollie’s head bobbed up and down. The rest of the kids had moved to the exit, each of them brimming with confidence. Like most rehearsals, Ollie stayed close. Unlike our first conversation, his demeanor had changed, now bordering on giddy.

“You’re in a good mood.”

He hooked his finger, beckoning me to come closer for a secret. His goofy demeanor always left me smiling. I leaned down as he scanned to make sure nobody was within earshot.

“Toby said he likes me.”

“Hook?” I asked, standing back up to see Ollie grinning from ear to ear. “Do you like him?”

He nodded. “Sorry, I have to go.”

I looked toward the doors, expecting to see his mom waiting. Instead, I saw Hook, still wearing his oversized hat, gesturing for Ollie to join him. When Ollie reached his castmate, I made an audible “aww” as they held hands.

“Look at you playing matchmaker.”

Bobby wrapped an arm around my waist and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “Once the paint dries, all the sets will be ready. We even got the ship up on wheels. It’ll be easy to bring out now.”

Everything had come together. We had taken care of everything here, and now I just needed to move as many tickets as possible.

Laurel wouldn’t be happy until she could declare herself the first director to sell out before the show even started.

If I could help give her bragging rights, I’d do just that.

“When I was coming in, I bumped into a friend of yours.”