Page 19 of Knox (Graeme #3)

Miann Cridhe

I t was a mad rush backstage to get everything done before the curtain rose.

Camille had arrived with Campton, and she'd come backstage to help Ginger and Sylvie with costumes.

Ian and I ended up in the office with Colin, who'd brought us both suits to wear because we'd been at the playhouse for three hours, and no one wanted to see us in jeans and hoodies.

Finn helped me into the contraption Colin called a vest, and I kept my mouth shut about it because Colin was delivering information I hadn't expected.

"So, Campton has made his decision about who he's giving the movie deal," Colin said.

"From the class?" Ian asked as we traded shoes.

"Yeah. He's offering it to Knox Daniels for this picture, and Bri is getting the next movie. Apparently, he hired Damon to keep tabs on the production," Colin said.

"Am I starring in the one with Bri?" Ian asked.

Colin nodded. "You did agree to do three when you negotiated for Andy to marry Kylie."

Ian and I exchanged a glance, but he didn't say anything.

Someone knocked on the door, and it opened, revealing Adam, who had the bouquet of roses I asked for.

"Who you flirtin' with in here?" Finn asked as he arched a brow. They were brothers, and when they talked, they dropped their professional tones and speech patterns.

"Josh asked me to get these for Knox." Adam held up a second bouquet. "These are for Lacey. Don't say it."

Finn had dated Lacey before he married Ian, but that was a big mixup, thanks to the stupid Macs.

"I'm not saying a word," Finn held his hands up in mock surrender, but his disapproval was written all over his face as he rolled his eyes.

"She's not that bad," I said. "When she's nervous, she gets stupid."

"Oh, is that all?" Finn arched a brow at me.

"Leave it," Ian murmured. "Adam, if she makes you happy, go for it. Now. We have two minutes until the curtain closes for the last time on this production."

They stopped arguing after, and I took the bouquet from Adam, waiting for the moment to deliver it.

The curtain closed, and the roar of applause was deafening. Ian winked at me as the cast assembled for their bows.

Colin pushed us both out; we had to bow, too. I moved to stand beside Knox, whose mouth fell open when I handed him the roses. More applause, and he forgot to bow the second time, leaning in to kiss me.

The lights from the glitter were blinding, and Adam pulled us both offstage then.

I'd forgotten the world waited for Ian Graeme's latest production to see if he'd passed or failed in his ability to teach. It had been months of nothing from the press, and I'd settled into not having them around.

Adam led us to the changing room and eased me into a chair while Knox grabbed his things, not bothering to change out of his suit.

"Josh? Please tell me you're okay?" he whispered as he squatted in front of me.

"I'm okay," I nodded, taking a deep breath.

Knox grinned as he held onto his flowers. "We never have to do that again, but thank you for this."

"Oh, you do," Adam said.

"What?" Knox frowned up at him.

"Campton is giving you and Bri a movie," I murmured.

"I'm not acting in anything else," Knox shook his head.

"Even if you get to play my boyfriend?" I whispered.

Knox blinked once and then again before he laughed.

"Oh, he's serious," Adam said, and Knox stared at me.

"Are you sure you want to do that? This scared the hell out of you," Knox whispered.

"No, but what Campton wants, Campton gets," I muttered.

Knox stood then and helped me from the chair. "You know my dad will want contracts now."

"I do." I smiled.

"And you know we have to give him a reason?" Knox's eyebrows rose.

"Miann cridhe," I said. I'd come to that realization when the first flash of the camera blotted out his face. I'd be lost without him, and didn't want to lose him. My panic had more to do with that than the damn cameras.

Knox delivered the most dazzling smile, and Adam laughed at us.

"Come on, you two. I need to find Lacey. I promised her a ride to the cast party," Adam said.

"You ready?" I whispered.

"No." Knox shook his head. "Can we skip the party?"

"It's at our house," I replied.

"Oh. Well, then." He looked at me then, raising his eyebrows over the vest. "What are you wearing?"

"I don't know, but you'll have to help me out of it," I said as the door burst open.

"We gotta go," Adam said as he urged us to the door. "Y'all can be awkward at home."

To be continued…