Page 85 of Best Supporting Actor
Tag hadnotknown that. “What, never?”
“Well, there was thatDraculafiasco a year or two ago. Thankfully it was only one night—a quick Hallowe’en cameo for hisLeechescharacter—but I understand he needed some, er, artificial help to get through it.” Austin shook his head sadly. “A little bird told me he was completely stoned that night. Tragic, really. Can’t say I was surprised, though—we were at the same school. Terribly unreliable. Managed to avoid expulsion, thanks to Mummy’s interventions, of course.” He rolled his eyes, thin lips quirked in a cruel little smile.
Tag’s gut was squirming now with a noxious mixture of anger at Austin for gossiping, at himself for listening, and a sick fear that there might be some truth to the story. Fear of what that could mean for their play. For himself.
Not that he wanted Austin bloody Coburn to know any of that.
Tipping back his champagne glass, he finished his drink in one big, insouciant gulp, then neatly set the glass back down on the table. Offering Austin a bright smile, he said, “You don’t need to worry about Jay. He’s absolutely fine. I mean, he’s a fantastic actor, and he’s brilliant in this role. He’s going to be amazing when we open. My only worry is whether anyone will notice me next to him.” With that, he rose, leaving his glass on the table between them. “You just wait. Jay’s going to blow you away.”
Austin’s gaze, never warm, grew chillier. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, teeth bared in an unfriendly smile as he patted the breast pocket of his jacket. “I’ve got front-row tickets.”
“We’ll see you on opening night, then,” Tag said, keeping his smile in place as he walked away. He was starting to wonder whether success was worth having to suck up to twats like Austin Coburn. But then he remembered his precarious bank balance, and the constant shadowy threat of Plan B, and realised he was kidding himself. Of course he’d make that devil’s bargain, just like every other actor in the business—including, apparently, Dame Cordelia Warren. He had no other choice.
Ruminating on that, he glanced around in search of familiar faces and spotted Henry holding forth to a gaggle of wide-eyed acolytes. Tag was heading in his direction when he saw Jay from the corner of his eye, talking to a tall, striking man with dark hair, impressive eyebrows, and an intensity that Tag could feel right across the room.
At the sight of Jay, Tag’s heart gave one of those helpless leaps of joy that were new and exciting, and bordering on embarrassingly puppyish. He hoped he didn’t have cartoon hearts in his eyes. Jay clocked him too, then, a flash of relief washing over his face that was swiftly shuttered. He turned, said something to the man he was with, and they both headed towards Tag.
Tag met them halfway.
“Hey,” he said to Jay, taking in his tense expression with concern. “Everything okay?”
“Oh, you know, Mother’s parties,” Jay said, unconvincingly. Then he turned to his companion and added, “Tag, let me introduce you to my brother, Oberon Warren. Ronnie’s the Creative Director of the Durham Theatre in New York. Ronnie, my co-star, Tag O’Rourke.”
Of course the man was Jay’s brother, Tag realised with something that felt mortifyingly like relief. Though he looked older than Jay, the likeness was obvious. “Great to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.
Oberon took it in a firm grip, meeting Tag’s gaze with blue-grey eyes as intense as his brother’s. “And you. Loved you inBow Street. A real stand-out performance.” His accent had a slight American twang, especially in his intonation. “Can’t wait to see you inLet Us Go Back.” He glanced at Jay before adding, “From what Jools tells me, you’re a supportive, collaborative actor.” He glanced at Jay as though for confirmation.
Jay coloured faintly. “Uh, yeah,” he agreed. “Tag’s really great to work with.”
Oberon smiled. “Yes, I can see you two have a bond. And I’m sure Tag’ll be there for you on stage, right Tag?”
It struck Tag as a strange question, and he glanced at Jay, noticing with concern the stiffness in his jaw and the slight puffiness around his eyes. “Of course,” he said. “We’ll be there for each other, won’t we?”
Jay nodded, but he wasn’t meeting Tag’s gaze. Into the silence Oberon said, “When you come down to it, it’s all about trust and vulnerability. Trust is key. Trust in each other, and trust in yourself. Trust each other with your vulnerabilities. Then just let the magic happen.”
“Very American,” Jay said wryly. “You’re going native, Ronnie.”
“Hey, Dad was from California. I’m just getting in touch with my roots.” Oberon smiled, revealing a set of very straight white Hollywood teeth. “But seriously, it’s what I tell all my actors on opening night, and now I’m giving you two the benefit of my wisdom.”
Jay huffed a laugh and met his brother’s gaze in a silent exchange. “Thanks, Ronnie,” he said eventually.
Oberon squeezed his shoulder and said, “You know where I am.” To Tag, he said, “Good to meet you, and break a leg for Tuesday. But now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better go and say hello to Freddie before I get into hot water for ignoring her.”
With that, and with a significant parting look for Jay that Tag couldn’t interpret, Oberon strolled off, leaving Tag alone with Jay.
“Are you okay?” Tag asked immediately.
“I’m fine, why?”
Frowning, Tag studied his face. “I don’t know. You seem stressed.”
“No, just… Like I said, my mother’s parties. I’m all schmoozed out, and it’s not even been an hour.”
Tag smiled, relaxing. “Yeah, I get that.” He considered mentioning his conversation with Austin, but decided it wasn’t the time or the place, not with Jay already so on edge. They’d talk about it later, at home. “We could always duck out early?”
“I wish. But if we leave now, she’s liable to come after us and drag me back by my ears.” He sighed. “I need to make a decent show of talking to Mandy’s guests, and there’s a couple of family friends here I really can’t ignore—but I would like to get out of here soon. Maybe in another hour?”
“An hour’s good with me. Wearemeant to be resting this weekend, after all.”